So I have $60,000 - what to buy?

[deuses]

I'm in search of a new car as I just sold mine. I still have something to get to work and back in so I'm in no rush either. I have around $60,000 USD to spend and want to know what you guys think would be the best bang for the buck. I want a fast nice car. I'd perfer new but won't take anything more than 2 years old.

The cars that I've looked at so far:
BMW M Coupe
Porche Cayman S
(and thinking about BMWs new M3)

Thanks!!

[MXM]

By M Coupe I hope you mean Z4 M Coupe


EDIT: I don't really know what to add to this category, and I'm not familiar with prices... Only thing that comes to my mind is 350Z, seems to fit the formula.

[Demon_X]

hmmm

lets see

Nissan 350Z
Mitsubishi Evo
Porsche 911 Turbo
Porsche Cayman
Subaru WRX STi

there is tons more lol

[Alex_0700]

If the new M3 ends up within your budget, that would be my vote, but then again I'm a little biased I've ridden in both a CaymanS and a E46 M3 and although I didn't actually drive, the M3 was the much nicer car to be in. The Cayman was a bit too hardcore - very stiff ride, noisy even at low revs, road noise, etc.) That's a passenger POV though, so it doesn't really count. Have you driven the porsche or the M coupe?

[Blind_Io]

Buy an RX-8 and have plenty left over.

[justvisiting]

judging from his list and price range, he's probably leaning over to a more premium luxury feel, to which the rx8 and 350z's and 4wd machines don't even come close.. I'm also assuming he is over 25-30, so those wouldnt be too fun for him in terms of comfort or appeal. Hes also coming from an E46M3. I would wait for the E92M3, I love m cars. If its not your cup of tea or you want to move on, get something different.. Id go with the CaymanS over the M coupe, Id also want to look at the RS4 or Jaguar XK.

[bigsweezey]

C5 Z06 corvette, or a new C6 standard vette.
What's the market price on the used AMG mercedes?
Search for dealer that'll take close to MSRP for the new Shelby GT500.
Those are gonna be right up to your price.

I'll agree with Alex_0700. As for everyday driving the M3 is a nicer car overall. The caymanS feels like they took a race car and made it look like a road car. For me it was alot more fun to drive....but it would probably be painful to drive it everyday.

[teletubby-warrior]

Originally Posted by bigsweezey

C6 standard vette

I'm with bigsweezey... 2008 Corvette - 6.2L LS3, >430 hp = the definition of "best bang for the buck".

[der_jackal]

S4.

[Spectre]

Used Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

[NecroJoe]

Originally Posted by Demon_X

hmmm

lets see

Nissan 350Z
Mitsubishi Evo
Porsche 911 Turbo
Porsche Cayman
Subaru WRX STi

there is tons more lol

Wow...that's quite a range...I don't think I've ever seen 350Z's and 911 Turbo's used in the same sentance before...both are nowhere near the price range...one way high, one way low.

I would say that since you already have your daily driver, this car should be more fun. That would be the Cayman for me. It's styling is REALLY growing on me. I was never a big fan of the new M Coupe.

Originally Posted by bigsweezey

Search for dealer that'll take close to MSRP for the new Shelby GT500.

Shelby GT500? That's about 15K under where he's looking to spend, and it's not a pleasant place to be. (I was 100% planning on buying a Mustang, until I rented one for my birthday last year to drive up the coast. Holy craptstic interior!! The interior of the last Dodge Caravan I drove was waay nicer.) As for finding a dealer to sell it to me sticker...according to edmunds.com, the average price people are paying is sticker...which means some may be getting more, but some are getting it for less.

[janstett]

I'd go for a low-mileage Cayman S or get an 08 LS3 Corvette, depending on what you like. In fact, it's not clear what your requirements are based on your list.

Do you want a pure(er) sports car? Luxury-sport?

I'm not really a fan of the Z4 I find them too soft and ugly on top of that, perhaps the M coupe is tight enough for my tastes. I like the M3 but I'd go Porsche over BMW other things being equal every time, unless you need to have 4 doors. And I really doubt the new V8 M3 will fall within your stated price range. But again that's my taste, I put up with the annoyances of sports cars for the thrill of driving them. I get the feeling you're looking to flip that, have something comfortable that doesn't fall over and die in the corners.
I have a soft spot for the outgoing Caddy CTS-V, a little more raw than the M3 but in that branch of the family tree.

Personally I like the Cayman S and Corvette, but I'm thinking about scaling down my plans and going low profile for my next car, right now I'm leaning heavily towards a Mini Cooper S with LSD and maybe doing some power upgrades, quite a little terror for a good price. The only problem is it breaks my no-wrong-wheel-drive rule.

[bigsweezey]

For the most part there is a 20k mark-up on the GT500's. I'm sure it's not everywhere, but ALOT of the dealers are. We just got one from out of state, with a sticker of 72k. If you can get one for 45k then so be it...I wish you all the luck in the world. But at 45k, there's nothing else even close to the power.
If your concerned with interior....the GT500 and the caymanS are on the same page, they both pretty much suck. The GT500's interior looks like they tried and failed, where the cayman interior looks like they just forgot about it, and crammed every button around the radio.

[18T]

Get an RS4 mate. I don't know if you're looking to have the car completely paid off.. but with 60K to put down on one of these bad boys its a pretty good deal.

Its an amazing car to drive, and SOOOO comfortable with so soooo many gadgets.

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by 18T

Get an RS4 mate. I don't know if you're looking to have the car completely paid off.. but with 60K to put down on one of these bad boys its a pretty good deal.

Its an amazing car to drive, and SOOOO comfortable with so soooo many gadgets.

Nay, new M3 is going to be much better and cheaper bang for the buck. That being said, get a 996 Turbo. They are dirt cheap for what they are.

[British_Rover]

Do you want to just pay 60 grand cash or are you willing to finance some in addition to the 60 grand?

I just sold a 2006 Cayman S with 1,900 miles on it for 58,000. It was 71,000 new so that was a steal.

I doubt there are any used V8 Vantages around right now and even if there were some they would be well over 60,000.

I agree about the Cayman being a little loud...

http://forums.finalgear.com/general-automotive/i-took-a-cayman-s-in-trade-last-week-19629/

The new M3 looks interesting and probably won't be much over 60,000 for the coupe. The M Coupe has a special place in my heart though since it is hard core fast but funky looking too.

You also get that fabulous 6 cylinder which I kind of prefer over the V8 BMW motors.

[deuses]

Thanks everyone! To answer some of these questions....

The GT500 - no. It doesn't even have 500hp, dyno a new one and it'll fall around 430. Not to mention the breaks are terrible, suspension is non-existent, interior is.. dumb. And like I said, in the end you're not even paying for the 500hp because it doesn't even have that.

The C6 Corvette. I've never driven one so I'll take one out for a test drive next week and let you guys know what I think. My only problem with the vett right now is it looks a bit mid-life-crisis, like I'm trying to make up for something, and it's also a bit unimaginative if you know what I mean... If the car is that good though, it could still win me over.

The 350z, rx-8, sti, all great cars but I'd never buy one. They're missing that extra punch that makes all the difference in the world. It's hard for me to describe but I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about... going from 0-60 in 5.9 vs 4.9 is like night and day. I drove my e46 M3 for over a year and it never failed to bring a smile to my face, even on the worst of days. The power is just enough to surprise me every time.

The Austin Martin V8 Vantage. If I could find a 1 year old used one for 60k, I'm sold! But it'll never happen...

The RS4, I've never driven one so I'll try to next week. I did sit in one though and it felt a little bland. All the buttons (and there's a ton of them) are just... buttons, nothing special. The whole car feels that way sitting in it, like a A4 with more buttons. Maybe I'm wrong though, I'll let you know after I drive it.

So back to my original three ===================================

Cayman S - 294hp and a 0-60 in 5.2 along with a 60-70k price tag seems a bit like a rip off... What you get though a fantastic driving experience but still, if it was 10k cheaper I'd have an easier time choosing it.

Z4 M Coupe - There's so many things I love about this car, it's hardcore - built for the skilled driver. Its styling always turns heads, even if you don't like it. And it's unique, I've never seen one on the road, ever. But the 333hp straight 6 is the same one I've been driving for the money I'd like a bit more punch.

New M3 - I don't know too much about this yet, or how the V8 will feel, all I know is about 420hp + M3 reputation = great car. But I don't know how much it'll cost or if it'll even be worth the wait + waiting list. I'm imagining it wouldn't be till spring/summer of next year before I could get one.

Please keep suggestions coming! Thanks so much

BTW, I'm 22. I didn't go to college and no, my parents arn't rich. I started working in IT when I was 18 and have been trying to move up as fast as possible, doing a pretty good job of it I guess. The $60k isn't all cash but what I'm looking to spend in cash+financing.

[jakifirbec]

buy something cheaper and mail the rest to me. I desperatly need about 8000 eur for a karmann ghia in mint condition. Damn i'm selling my testicals ....

[Mopar Man]

Wait until 2008 and buy a Challenger.

[ahpadt]

Originally Posted by Gunner

Nay, new M3 is going to be much better and cheaper bang for the buck. That being said, get a 996 Turbo. They are dirt cheap for what they are.

How can you know that? It's not even out yet..

I vote: New or partly used RS4 (latest gen, ofc)