Looking between M3 or RX7...maybe

[solomon]

Well I am new here and wanted to ask the experts on the M3. I am a huge RX7 (93-95 FD) http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=304681
and have been looking into another car to chose between the two; RX7 or M3.

Looking and reading about the M3 I have seen that there is a great area of upgrades and out of the box fun with the M3. I would like to know what would be the best year for the buck to look into getting and what I can expect from the M3, cost of upkeep (will be less than any RX7 I’m sure) and anything else I can learn before I decide what car to get. I would like to spend around 20-23k for a car, and if it was less I would just use the money for upgrades.

Thank you all for your help!
Britten

 

[JGM3E3632]

E36 M3

 

[polar]

yeah, get a 95 M3.

 

[solomon]

Well on other boards it looks like the 95 with OBD-I would be the way to go over a 97' that I was going to look at do to tuning? Would this be a safe beat to go by the dog or dog food thing?
Meaning, the dog is more money up front, but less over time. Or do I go the dog food route that the dog is cheap, but to feed it takes more money over time?

 

[epj3]

M3 vs. rx7? Are you crazy!??! RX7 is a cheap sports car compared to the M3. Sure it's got power and decent handling, but it's NOT going to be like an M3.

 

[solomon]

hahha lol.
Have you know idea what it takes to keep a FD running? I do.
I am looking at a rebuild at 5k even if I find a car that is running great because the driver before me will do something that will kill it that I know nothing about. Then you have safety mods, that is another 1,500k. Then mods to get a car over the 325bhp is another 5k, then you have upkeep and gas on a twin turbo, etc...
I can tell you that the FD is way more than any M3 for money out of the pocket about par for upfront, and WAY over in up keep.
What makes a FD so sweet is weight HP = a go kart on the open road. That all comes for a HUGE price!
That is a price I am not willing I think to spend. So.....thus looking for a car that is right there or over in HP weight, and fun to drive with $$$ being a factor the M3 is looking great.
I have been looking into this for about 4 months, and so far it has come down to the WRX with a TON of mods or a STI for about 30k, or a M3 over the RX7. Hell I would just go out and get a 00’ M3 at this point over the STI.
IMO I can not find another car that looks as great for what you get as the FD and M3. If you look at the above link you will see what I mean.
I am on the M3 and will get one unless a FD falls in my lap and I get the next California lotto! lol

You guys have a great thing with the M3 with turbos, superchargers, etc..that in the end dollar for dollar will smoke a FD.

Do not get me wrong, the FD is still better looking. =P
But I will look for a M3 and enjoy it like all of you as a car I can drive every day with room for a date with some luggage!
Britten

 

[epj3]

Girls (the serious ones, not the eyecandy-single-night-stand ones) are intimidated by cars like the RX7. The bmw is loved by almost any girl's eye. Not sure if that's important or not

 

[MrElussive]

M3 is a nice choice, but I think you've already decided on the RX-7.
RX-7 twin turbo is a great sports car, it's just too bad that the engine doesn't last too long over 100K miles.

 

[solomon]

well to tell you the truth I am going to get a M3 and am looking now. =)
I just love the the 7, but like you said the whole engine up keep and rest of the problems are just to much. From what I have been reading I can get a M3 to just par with a FD in HP and off the line with some bolt-on's and good tuning. THat and I should not have to worry about it going boom as quickly.

 

[PhatBimmer]

Sweet if I had the money for an ///M3 I'd def. go for it

 

[Murray BMF]

M3