Originally posted by: Salvador
The M3. I'd buy a ton of cars before the Z06.
What cars would that be? Have you happened to have driven a Z06? I might've thought this before I actually drove one, but was amazed with it once I did drive it.
As far as performance goes, the M3 is a very nice car that can do double duty as a practical coupe and a sports car. The Z06 OTOH is just in a different league performance wise. I know guys that own both the M3's and Z06's and love both cars, but say that the Z06 is hands down the better performer. I've driven both as well and the M3 is great, but the Z06 will knock your socks off.
As far as reliability, the Z06 is another shock. That car has been dead reliable so far. The new M3 OTOH has had a ton of quality issues lately. One thing that I will have to admit about the Z06 is that the interior could be better, but for the money, I wouldn't have spent it any other way if I were the GM engineers.
Pricewise.. When we were looking at M3's, they were going in the Mid to upper 50's with no discounts. That's for a moderately well equipped car. The BMW is funny because it starts below $50K, but it's a stripper. There isn't anything on it. By the time you add the nice options, it's nearly $10K more. The Z06 starts in the low $50K's, but is loaded. There are only a few options that you can get. I think there are 4 and one of them is a front license plate bracket. Also, the Z06 has been discounted because it has been out for a while now (The C5), plus it doesn't have the reputation of the BMW.
I can go on and on, but what I really wanted to say was that we had all the intentions in the world of going with a M3 until we drove a Z06. I am a very pro import buyer too and have been for 20 years. For all of those who say that they'd go with the M3 hands down, go drive both if you can. You'll be surprised.
Sal