Hey guys, wanted to get your opinion:

My friend totalled his car (Acura Integra) and wants to spend $30-32k on a 2003 M3. He will only consider German coupes since he's Armenian and has to fit in in Glendale, and he loves the M3s. I like them too, but I was trying to encourage him to get a newer 330Ci or something like that, since the M3 would already be an older car. What do you think?

I would expect M3s to have much higher maintenance costs than a more common 3 series. Are there any other fast USED German cars out there in the low $30k's? (2002 - newer)

 

lol@"fit in in Glendale"

M3 FTW.......

 

For that kind of money, here's what I would consider:

Supra
97-99 SC400 (plenty left for mods)
slightly used G35
GTO
E46 3 series (with CPO)
new Passat(not sure of the price)
98-00 GS

 

.....He will only consider German coupes since he's Armenian and has to fit in in Glendale.....

That pretty much narrows him down to the 3 series.......

 

LOL...gotta keep up with the Jones' huh?!?!

3-series (for a German coupe in that price range, I think thats pretty much your only option)
C-class (that hatchback thingy)
A4 Cabrio
VW Eos (brand new hardtop convertible, though I dont like it)
911 (highly doubt your gonna find one in that price range)
MB CL-class, SL-class (once again out of range)

 

LOL the funniest part is that my last name is Jones -- literally. It's so funny though because it's so frustrating that he thinks anything Japanese is crap. It's really his loss, because he's probably going to end up shelling out $40k for a 4-year-old car, when today's new cars are so much better in my opinion. AND his dad is buying it for him AND he's 23 years old.

 

So how come he's been driving an Integra if he hates Japanese cars so much?

 

if he had about 10K more, he would be giving all those bimmer drivers whiplash with his SL...

 

Yea really. He probably crashed it himself. Its his loss because Japan makes some of the best cars in the world right now for not even half the price of german cars.

Also, whats wrong with a C5 vette? 02 Camaro SS?

 

he bought it back when we went to UCLA, when he knew the car would get messed with, so it was basically just "transportation" to him. he's a total snob, because he complained how Japanese it was every day

oh, and yea, he did crash it himself -- he rear-ended an A6 while he was going 40mph. and he was perfectly fine. but he wouldn't admit that Acuras are safe cars

 

one of the pics....

 

another....

 

and one more...

 

get the E46 M3, had it for about 3 years and no problem at all

 

Plenty of decent German cars in that range:

04 Audi A6 2.7 tt - s-line version for a tighter suspension (not a coupe but still a solid choice in my book)
01-03 MB CLK 55 - old design but still a good car with a great engine
01+ MB CL500 - still a beautiful car
02+ BMW M3 - an obvious choice
99+ Porsche 996 - I'd look for a late model 99 with clear tails and a clean history, but watch for RMS (rear main seal) problems

Note, however, that my selection is biased towards performance-oriented vehicles. Of course if it were me, I'd choose an NSX over any of the above...

But since your buddy is a snooty bastard and can't drive too well, I recommend a debadged 04 BMW 525i. At least it looks new, right?

40 mph rear end collision and he walks away from it? I'd love any car that saved my life.

(edit: I noticed in pic2 that the airbag must have crushed his sunglasses on his face - look at the broken frame on the floor. lol!)