e46 m3 vs s2000 vs mustang gt

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e46 m3 vs s2000 vs mustang gt

  • e46 m3

  • s2000

  • mustang gt


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JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Dude, most that can 'afford it' wouldn't be crying about a cone mishap. You are talking above your paygrade. Just the time factor many of you guys are spending to keep these heaps barely running is amazing to me. If you had the dough, you'd solve the problems properly.

I knew a guy that put a $100k modifed Supra into the canal at Moroso. He was on the phone that night ordering another. He was pissed, but that would be the case with a $500 miata beater too.

Unless you are into insurance fraud, your comp/collision is not going to cover 'race related' incidents.

It's the same as guys like me that modify a new car as soon as it rolls off the showroom. Say bye bye to most of your warranty, but I am into enjoying my cars and can pay to do so.

You have no idea what my pay is, and frankly it doesn't matter. It appears as if you can't conceive of someone living well within their means.

I enjoy working on my car, I find it enjoyable and rewarding to solve issues that come up and to research and install upgrades to imrpove the car in the ways I want. I also enjoy the challenge of not taking a blank check to every problem that pops up. Any jackass can thrown money at a car.

I'm having just as much fun as anyone else at the track with my beater Miata. And I do it after spending far less on my car's purchase price, mods, and equipment, than some guys spend on their built engine. In some cases I'm beating those guys. When given to choice to "pay to enjoy my car" or "pay less, and still enjoy my car" the decision is simple for me because I'd rather save the money.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
I was hoping to get my wife the 2012 Mazda 3 this weekend actually, but she's worried she will have problems with the new car and I will be not around to take care of it.

FWIW, both my parents have 2010 Mazda 3s and haven't had any problems with theirs. One was purchased in Dec of '09 and the other in Feb of '10.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,550
940
126
You have no idea what my pay is, and frankly it doesn't matter. It appears as if you can't conceive of someone living well within their means.

I enjoy working on my car, I find it enjoyable and rewarding to solve issues that come up and to research and install upgrades to imrpove the car in the ways I want. I also enjoy the challenge of not taking a blank check to every problem that pops up. Any jackass can thrown money at a car.

I'm having just as much fun as anyone else at the track with my beater Miata. And I do it after spending far less on my car's purchase price, mods, and equipment, than some guys spend on their built engine. In some cases I'm beating those guys. When given to choice to "pay to enjoy my car" or "pay less, and still enjoy my car" the decision is simple for me because I'd rather save the money.

Don't mind Alky. He lives to put other people down in order to try and build himself up...he's a baller yo.

Miata is a cool car. Sounds like you're enjoying the hell out of it. :thumbsup:
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
I test drove an e46 m3 smg yesterday. As someone said, it has alot of pull. But still not as much as my old evo. The steering to me felt very sloppy. The steering felt loose and disconnected with lots of lean.

So, i'm gonna check out an s2000 this weekend. I wonder if steering/cornering feel will overcome it's lack of power.

I drove my friends boxter r. with the top down, that thing is pure sex and corners like a go cart. I can't afford a boxter r. hopefully the s2000 can give me the same type of feeling

The M3 steering feels like that. To be blunt it's a bit crap compared to the S2000. Feels way to assisted and just doesn't give you anywhere as much feedback as the S2000.

S2000 steering feel is really good. Feels weighty and you feel everything. But it's all relative. An Exige owner said the S2000 felt a bit vague in comparison.

Cornering feels very good. You will love it on the track.

I've taken both cars to the track. Both are a lot of fun. S2000 is a lot of fun and like a previous owner said 0-60mph doesn't matter on the track, it's fast and it's fun in the corners. It doesn't give you the shove but nor does the M3 really, it's a consistent pull to redline.

M3 leans much more in to the corner then it holds. The lean feels very weird compared to the S2000 which I didn't remember leaning like the M3 does, but it is a lot heavier.

As for the interior both are about okay. The S2000 inside feels much closer and has a much more racy feel. M3 just feels like a normal 3 series but it's more optioned out to start with.

Drive both and see what you like.

Why not go for a caterham if the car is to be for weekend toy/ track car?

Koing
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
You have no idea what my pay is, and frankly it doesn't matter. It appears as if you can't conceive of someone living well within their means.

not exactly, but yeah

IOW, you hate those that have the means to just throw money at problems.

It's cool brah, I was struggling too at a few points in life as well.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
The M3 steering feels like that. To be blunt it's a bit crap compared to the S2000. Feels way to assisted and just doesn't give you anywhere as much feedback as the S2000.

S2000 steering feel is really good. Feels weighty and you feel everything. But it's all relative. An Exige owner said the S2000 felt a bit vague in comparison.

Cornering feels very good. You will love it on the track.

I've taken both cars to the track. Both are a lot of fun. S2000 is a lot of fun and like a previous owner said 0-60mph doesn't matter on the track, it's fast and it's fun in the corners. It doesn't give you the shove but nor does the M3 really, it's a consistent pull to redline.

M3 leans much more in to the corner then it holds. The lean feels very weird compared to the S2000 which I didn't remember leaning like the M3 does, but it is a lot heavier.

As for the interior both are about okay. The S2000 inside feels much closer and has a much more racy feel. M3 just feels like a normal 3 series but it's more optioned out to start with.

Drive both and see what you like.

Why not go for a caterham if the car is to be for weekend toy/ track car?

Koing

also a problem with most 'hot' cars that are now approaching 8 years old at worst is the swap factor. Some of these E46's have had 4+ owners and all just banking on 1-2 years in them meanwhile driving the piss out of them.

Maintenance is simply made up...

Same thing happens in the airplane market.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
It's the same as guys like me that modify a new car as soon as it rolls off the showroom. Say bye bye to most of your warranty, but I am into enjoying my cars and can pay to do so.
lol, you are a marvel of talking sh*t for a guy driving a thirteen year old car who's admittedly still paying down a bunch of debt.
It's cool brah, I was struggling too at a few points in life as well.
You still are, cuz.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
lol, you are a marvel of talking sh*t for a guy driving a thirteen year old car who's admittedly still paying down a bunch of debt.You still are, cuz.

didn't get all this you are talking about. I have about $5k in debt as we speak now. Maybe that's a bunch to you, I don't know. It will be paid off by the end of Oct though. It's simply cash flow though...that will generate a bunch of points and no interest charges.

Since you always seem to post in many of my threads I will share some more.

I just upgraded my dad's computer $400, I already bought him a phenom 955 base...his motherboard failed. New motherboard, case and some more memory since he is on Win7 64bit. Had two major medicals for my two dogs (just spent $199 today for a checkup on that). Bought a ton of supplies for my wife due to me travelling the next six weeks coming up. Her a better vacuum, iron and stick vac to deal with this ($600), a ton of dog and cat food (plus the feral colony we feed at $200+ a month)....and doggie day care it all at $15 a day for about $400. I took down a few major tests I paid for out of pocket and waiting for reimbursement ($1000 or so)...

So what is your point.

I am guessing you make like $40-50k a year at most, you definitely not are deep in six figures ;)
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
didn't get all this you are talking about. I have about $5k in debt as we speak now. Maybe that's a bunch to you, I don't know. It will be paid off by the end of Oct though. It's simply cash flow though...that will generate a bunch of points and no interest charges.

Since you always seem to post in many of my threads I will share some more.

I just upgraded my dad's computer $400, I already bought him a phenom 955 base...his motherboard failed. New motherboard, case and some more memory since he is on Win7 64bit. Had two major medicals for my two dogs (just spent $199 today for a checkup on that). Bought a ton of supplies for my wife due to me travelling the next six weeks coming up. Her a better vacuum, iron and stick vac to deal with this ($600), a ton of dog and cat food (plus the feral colony we feed at $200+ a month)....and doggie day care it all at $15 a day for about $400. I took down a few major tests I paid for out of pocket and waiting for reimbursement ($1000 or so)...

So what is your point.

I am guessing you make like $40-50k a year at most, you definitely not are deep in six figures ;)
This is just a really strange post, alkemyst. The only thing it was lacking was exactly how much money you spent on other seemingly-but-certainly-not arbitrary items such as gasoline, power, and I need also to know your exact food bill for September 3rd.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
This is just a really strange post, alkemyst. The only thing it was lacking was exactly how much money you spent on other seemingly-but-certainly-not arbitrary items such as gasoline, power, and I need also to know your exact food bill for September 3rd.

Why is it strange? You just called me out on being in debt and not able to handle it.

For Sept 3, I have no record. I probably paid cash. On the 2nd I took out $60 via ATM though if this helps you.

As far as gas, I pay about $60 every 5 days.

Power about $350 a month.

I know on 8/3 I spent $9.51 at a Wendy's. Definitely overpaid there, but that was a cheap lunch if you are so focused on money.

Probably threw most of it away.

so I am guessing I pegged your income right.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
You just called me out on being in debt and not able to handle it.
I called you out on calling some other guy out and making wild and irrelevant assumptions about his finances and helped remind you of your own current stock to try and encourage perspective. I should know better, though, as your responses continue to confound me. I truly don't know if you're being serious or not, but if you are your sarcasm meter needs new batteries.

...slowly backs away from thread...
 

ElZoidberg

Junior Member
Aug 1, 2010
20
0
0
Why is it strange? You just called me out on being in debt and not able to handle it.

For Sept 3, I have no record. I probably paid cash. On the 2nd I took out $60 via ATM though if this helps you.

As far as gas, I pay about $60 every 5 days.

Power about $350 a month.

I know on 8/3 I spent $9.51 at a Wendy's. Definitely overpaid there, but that was a cheap lunch if you are so focused on money.

Probably threw most of it away.

so I am guessing I pegged your income right.

Some people spend all of their life perfecting something.

You may just be a natural, but you're the biggest dbag I've seen on any forum in a long long time. Congratulations on having so much money? I think if you are so well off you should pay someone more intelligent to post for you.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Some people spend all of their life perfecting something.

You may just be a natural, but you're the biggest dbag I've seen on any forum in a long long time. Congratulations on having so much money? I think if you are so well off you should pay someone more intelligent to post for you.

Alky can pay me for that, I'm one of five engineer at an R&D and consulting firm.

When ARDEC, the MDA, NASA, USAF, and a certain German luxury automobile manufacturer, (among other clients) don't know what to do, they hire us.

I really need the money too, I'm really struggling right now with my $0 of debt and 0% state income tax guys!






:awe:

/threadjack (sorry OP)
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I called you out on calling some other guy out and making wild and irrelevant assumptions about his finances and helped remind you of your own current stock to try and encourage perspective. I should know better, though, as your responses continue to confound me. I truly don't know if you're being serious or not, but if you are your sarcasm meter needs new batteries.

...slowly backs away from thread...

back in your cave troll.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Alky can pay me for that, I'm one of five engineer at an R&D and consulting firm.

When ARDEC, the MDA, NASA, USAF, and a certain German luxury automobile manufacturer, (among other clients) don't know what to do, they hire us.

I really need the money too, I'm really struggling right now with my $0 of debt and 0% state income tax guys!






:awe:

/threadjack (sorry OP)

Keep calling me out.

wow 0% state income tax is your final note.

so I was right. $40-50k.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Some people spend all of their life perfecting something.

You may just be a natural, but you're the biggest dbag I've seen on any forum in a long long time. Congratulations on having so much money? I think if you are so well off you should pay someone more intelligent to post for you.

I love these second and third and fourth and .... accounts.

You some kind of senior research engineer too?
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
The M3 steering feels like that. To be blunt it's a bit crap compared to the S2000. Feels way to assisted and just doesn't give you anywhere as much feedback as the S2000.

S2000 steering feel is really good. Feels weighty and you feel everything. But it's all relative. An Exige owner said the S2000 felt a bit vague in comparison.

Cornering feels very good. You will love it on the track.

I've taken both cars to the track. Both are a lot of fun. S2000 is a lot of fun and like a previous owner said 0-60mph doesn't matter on the track, it's fast and it's fun in the corners. It doesn't give you the shove but nor does the M3 really, it's a consistent pull to redline.

M3 leans much more in to the corner then it holds. The lean feels very weird compared to the S2000 which I didn't remember leaning like the M3 does, but it is a lot heavier.

As for the interior both are about okay. The S2000 inside feels much closer and has a much more racy feel. M3 just feels like a normal 3 series but it's more optioned out to start with.

Drive both and see what you like.

Why not go for a caterham if the car is to be for weekend toy/ track car?

Koing

I always felt steering feel was one of the S2000's weaknesses. It is extremely direct, accurate, and well-weighted, but it doesn't communicate much. Actually, it's just that combo that makes it a bit of an issue, because it reacts RIGHT FUCKING NOW to any tiny movement, but you have to go by your butt and eyes to tell how hard you can push it. I'd say the hydraulic steering in my Accord actually communicates more about road surface and grip than the S2000.

The S2000 is still a scream to drive even with that one issue.
 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
To play devils advocate:

HID lights? Enh, I rarely drive my weekend/track car at night, and any car can be outfitted with HIDS if desired.

it may not matter to many, and in the context of this thread it probably doesn't matter at all, but the AP1 s2000 has pretty much the best HID projectors made in the past 10 years. It would cost 5-700 in parts to add them to another car.

OP, for track purpose, I'd choose a Miata as well. The guys I see autoxing miatas just seem to be having the next level of fun compared to everyone else.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Dude, most that can 'afford it' wouldn't be crying about a cone mishap. You are talking above your paygrade. Just the time factor many of you guys are spending to keep these heaps barely running is amazing to me. If you had the dough, you'd solve the problems properly.

I knew a guy that put a $100k modifed Supra into the canal at Moroso. He was on the phone that night ordering another. He was pissed, but that would be the case with a $500 miata beater too.

Unless you are into insurance fraud, your comp/collision is not going to cover 'race related' incidents.

It's the same as guys like me that modify a new car as soon as it rolls off the showroom. Say bye bye to most of your warranty, but I am into enjoying my cars and can pay to do so.

I'm so proud of you - I yearn for the day when I can afford to keep a 1998 240 running! :rolleyes:

You're not exactly driving the world's most expensive car, but you keep running your mouth about what you can afford to get, blah blah blah...maybe it's time for you to realize that even though the 240 isn't the newest shiny toy on the market, it's not a terrible car. Then maybe you'll understand that there's something to be said for driving an older car because you enjoy it...in which case JCH13's Miata should make sense to you.

But anyway, go ahead and spend $50k on your latest and greatest toy - then bring it to an autocross and watch a whole crowd of "barely running heaps" hand you your ass. It'll happen.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Alky, I'm now convinced you are a forum bot that exists purely to make me feel better about myself.