European King for under $40,000

[3000ways]

Your broke and you barely make ends meet, but one day luck is on your side. You check your lotto ticket and guess what you just won $40,000. So you always had dreams of owning a fast car, and you decide f*ck it I’m getting me a fast car. You decide that it must be from an European manufacturer, can not be older than 1998, and it must be fast. So you think of some cars to buy and your list comes down to 10 cars that you cost under $40,000. Here is your list-

2004 Volkswagen R32 ($29,200)
2001 BMW M3 ($36,300)
1999 BMW M3 ($25,200)
2002 BMW M Roadster ($32,800)
2003 BMW Z4 ($36,800)
2004 BMW 330XI ($37,000)
2002 Audi S4 ($31,200)
2001 Porsche Boxster S ($35,500)
1999 Mercedes E55 AMG ($34,800)
2002 Mercedes C32 AMG ($38,100)

(prices are blue book and can be more or less)

Now you decide to break these cars down to find out what which car can provide you with most of what you want (Remember you only have $40,000 to spend on car and what is left would go to mods)-

Stock Power
Tuning Potential
Price
Styling
All Around Performance
Livability

So which is the best choice, which of these cars would fulfill most of these needs, which of these cars is the best all around buy? When measuring a car, especially when compared with others, all of this and perhaps other factors should be taken into account.

[Joseph1082]

Bmw M3!!!

[youngvr4]

i second that

[Polygon]

It seems we're just following each other around cause' I'm going with the 2001 M3 as well.

[3000ways]

Shortened it, perhaps alittle to long of a post

[Jimster]

M3, maybe or a Renault Clio V6.

[Jay!]

Lotus Elise (even if it comes with the Toyota motor.)

[nbw]

i 2nd that on the elise

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by nbw

i 2nd that on the elise

I thought about the Elise, but it's price in USA will be right under $40,000 (probably like $39,800) too expensive for comparison

[DinanM3_S2]

m3=god
only other cars i would possibly consider are the Lotus Elise (havnt drivin one...yet) or the M coupe, which truely does handle better then any othe BMW (and i've driven them all)

[blindside.AMG]

I picked the E55. You can't beat the 210's reliability, plus, if anything does go wrong I can repair it for the lowest cost possible. $0.

[flylwsi]

best for what...
and i think it's sneaky how you stuck in a couple older cars to get in under the 40k cap...
not really fair to compare an 02 s4 with 250hp to some of the newer cars...
and vice versa...

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by flylwsi

best for what...
and i think it's sneaky how you stuck in a couple older cars to get in under the 40k cap...
not really fair to compare an 02 s4 with 250hp to some of the newer cars...
and vice versa...

best for what...

Stock Power
Tuning Potential
Price
Styling
All Around Performance
Livability

Look stock for stock as far as performance, perhaps the S4 doesn't match up, but in this comparison it's not just performance. The older cars maybe faster but yes they are older, and alot of people would be hesistant to buy say for example a 1999 model when they can get a 2002 model car. Also pricing is good for the Audi S4. One of the good things about this comparision is that all the cars have their strengths in certain areas and have weakness in others, the car that you feel offers the best combinitation of all the areas is the car you select.

[nbw]

Originally Posted by 3000ways

I thought about the Elise, but it's price in USA will be right under $40,000 (probably like $39,800) too expensive for comparison

true, I didnt even think about that. but IIRC I heard the Elise's price tag is(going to be) allot higher here in the NA then it is everywhere else... doesnt matter much though since its still 40k here :/

[Jay!]

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

Lotus Cars USA has announced pricing for its 2005 Lotus Elise roadster. The 190-hp, 6-speed Elise will go on sale May 2004 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $39,985.

You said "under $40,000." You didn't say, "$40,000 after tax, title and registration."


I'm just sayin'.

(It'd be worth the extra $20/month in payments anyway. )