Which Car Would You Buy And Why? | FerrariChat

Which Car Would You Buy And Why?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Texas Forever, Sep 17, 2016.

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Which Car Would You Buy?

  1. BMW E30 M3

  2. Ferrari 328 GTS

  3. Porsche 911 C4

  4. Porsche 944 Turbo

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    Only caveat - you're buying the car to drive it, e.g., 6,000 miles a year, including a track day or two, not to collect dust in your garage, and certainty not as an investment. You are allowed to consider how possible depreciation (from driving the car), or possible appreciation may affect the total cost of ownership.

    Information is from Hagertys. All cars are 1989 and #2 condition. Also, no droptops.

    Door #1 BMW E30 M3 (192 HP) - $78,700
    Door #2 Ferrari 328 GTS (270 HP) - $101,000
    Door #3 Porsche 911 C4 (247 HP) - $43,300
    Door #4 Porsche 944 Turbo (247 HP) - $30,900
     
  2. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    1 and 4 look high. 3 looks low.
     
  3. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Not sure I'd want to track any of those cars...

    Last track day I did was in the 575. It's become an all out arms race.
     
  4. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
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    Hmm. I already own a Ferrari and Porsche, albeit from a different era, so it'd be nice to try something different. I also kind of like the boxy looks of those older BMWs...T
     
  5. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    All info is from Hagerty's site. I choose 1989 because this was a bridge year. Even Ferrari was using galvanized steel (I hope), but the electronics were limited to FI, cruise control and ABS.
     
  6. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    I only do private track days. Get six guys together to rent a track. The other stuff is crazy.
     
  7. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    This started with getting interested in BMWs. After racing an e36, I decided they are better cars than Miatas. But, when I checked the pricing on the e30 M3s, wow!
     
  8. sburke

    sburke Formula 3

    Dec 21, 2010
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    Modded 944 Turbo
     
  9. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Cool. What's that cost in rough numbers?
    T
     
  10. Scotty

    Scotty F1 Veteran
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    If I was buying a car because I want one, it would be the E30 M3. Based on my track experience "back in the day" I'd get 944 because they are (at least by reputation) incredibly well balanced. If you track hard, though, anything civilized for the street is either unsatisfying and/or expensive to drive on the track. I went down this road (some different cars) but I settled on a Lotus Exige 240S. Incredible steering and balance, and the most satisfying thing I've driven on the track (and yes it is slow in terms of top speed, but on the other hand that is somewhat less death courting as well). And consumables are both cheap, and you don't need things like brake pads very often. But it is not exactly comfortable on the street. My best "combo" car is my E36 M3.
     
  11. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    We rented TWS for about $800 or so. You're limited to six cars, but it is all you can eat.

    MSR Houston was similar, but you need a member to be part of the group.
     
  12. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Yeah, an e36 is rising fast on my wish list. They seem pretty cheap compared to the 346 M3s, probably because they have less HP.

    Keep in mind, I'm not thinking about a race car. If you go to the track; you know, it's just ****s and giggles. And the Lotus is mega cool. But I barely fit in an Elise, don't know about the Exige.
     
  13. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    What modifications would you do? I like keeping cars stock.
     
  14. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I bought a E30 m3 off BaT back in april. Fun little car but I think the e36 m3 is a much better car. I'd actually love to have a e3o m3 with a later motor.
     
  15. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I also owned a 89 c4. I'd buy a 2wd 964 but never again the 4wd version.
     
  16. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
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    C4 is bulletproof next to the others and will last the longest.
     
  17. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
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    ALL are too high, but the 911 seems like the least overpriced.
     
  18. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

    Sep 10, 2005
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    944 Turbo for me. Fast enough, well balanced and great on the motorway too.
    If it were a 328GTB I'd pick that.
    E30 M3's are lovely but pretty slow in standard form.
    964 C4 does nothing for me.
     
  19. sburke

    sburke Formula 3

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    Oh then I would avoid the 944. Very underwhelming to drive stock.
     
  20. Scotty

    Scotty F1 Veteran
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    Then you won't fit in any Exige either. E36 M3's are great cars. There are a few weak areas if you track them hard (and a few, such as the plastic impeller water pump, that matter even just for the street), but all cars have these. I had an E46 M3 (vert) that I was really pretty disappointed with. It felt dull and slow--part of that is the extra weight and lower chassis stiffness associated with the extra convertible weight.

    E46's are faster, but I'm not sure they are more "tossable". Depends on what you are looking for.
     
  21. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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  22. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Unfortunately the 328 has fallen into the "collectible" class which means -- rarely drive it.

    I think the 911
     
  23. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

    Jan 19, 2014
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    Having owned them all but for a C4, I'd say the 328 hands down.
     
  24. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 dm_n_stuff, Sep 19, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Go one year newer on the Porsche, 1990, go C2 not c4, and now you're talking!!

    Why? A blast to drive, solid as a rock (except for a small problem with leaky oil lines) sturdy G50 Transmission, enough grunt to have fun and killer old school Porsche looks.

    Just swap the wheels for next size larger diameter, put some lower profile tires on it and zoom, there ya go.

    How do I know? :D

    D
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  25. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Oh, and the 944 Turbo isn't a bad back up plan, just be prepared for more, and more expensive, repairs than you'll get in the 911.

    D
     

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