I want it all

I read Peter Egan's article in Road and Track this month.... about the car that doesn't exist. It has me wondering- as I half-assedly look for another car to carry me through a half-assed winter in DC. My MG Midget is going to be tough- no heater (I'm soft having moved from HI this fall), (relatively) high powered rwd with no electronic nannies to keep the wheels from spinning, and questionable reliability. I'm already having some trouble (fun) with the wet roads and spinning tires well through third. Here's what I want, but I don't want to spend more than 20k on it. I'm expecting something used in the 2000-2005 range.

-M3 Handling -CTS-V power -interesting (M3, CTS-V, V70R, S4 Avant, WRX Wagon) -not abysmal mileage (over 20 combined- hopefully mid to high 20s highway) -wagon practicality if possible -seating for min 4 -Nice- I'm at the point where I'd like something a little nicer, and the German brands are calling, but Audi scares me. -reliable or easy to work on (Sorry again, Audi).

I'm shopping the E46 M3, CTS-V (styling kills, man!), V70r etc, and am casually keeping my eyes open for a deal. Funny thing is, I saw a beautiful white E30 325i at the Turkey Bowl at Summit Point this weekend and was nearly smitten. The family car thing is largely taken care of by the 02 Wrx Wagon (90k). Funny thing is, while reading this, if I could find a 325iT with LSx swap and 6 speed I'd be done. Wouldn't make winter driving any easier, but it'd be F n A sweet while not making the wife think I bought another "classic". The MG has ruined her on that front.

Anything I've overlooked- enlighten me.

Pontiac GTO?

A well built, 5 or 6-speed swapped SVX would easily fit within your budget, since you're shopping for an E46 M3. I've been researching them quite a bit recently and I like what I have found so much so that my "car want meter" is pegged at full lust. A gearbox with a sporty final drive, a rear LSD and a "full boogy" suspension should put one on par with almost any similar niche, Hun-built, Grand Touring car at a much more economical price. Plus it's a Subaru so it's easy to wrench on and is incredibly durable.

The_Jed wrote: A well built, 5 or 6-speed swapped SVX would easily fit within your budget, since you're shopping for an E46 M3. I've been researching them quite a bit recently and I like what I have found so much so that my "car want meter" is pegged at full lust. A gearbox with a sporty final drive, a rear LSD and a "full boogy" suspension should put one on par with almost any similar niche, Hun-built, Grand Touring car at a much more economical price. Plus it's a Subaru so it's easy to wrench on and is incredibly durable.

There are a few MT SVX's for sale on www.subaru-svx.net right now...

One has been built up over the past few years with a supercharger and full suspension...

I'd love an LSx e46 wagon as well. Or a e39 5 series LSx wagon.

I'd settle for a 325it with a 330i swap.

I wish car manufacturers would make more fun RWD hatches and wagons.

The CTS-V is a FUN choice, but the 04s and 05s in stock form are well know for blown diffs halfshafts and trannies. If you are looking for wagons there is always the Dodge Magnum. Even in SRT-8 form you should be able to find one of those in your range. It won't have the driving feel of the BMW, but it meets your practicality assessment...

E39 M5. Prices have cratered with good examples in the mid-teens. It's everything the CTS wanted to be but couldn't quite manage - a supercar in sheep's clothes.

04-06 GTO or E39 M5

• HP - Check
• Avg. 20mpg - Check
• Mid-teen and lower $$$ - Check
• Seat 4 - Check
• 6 speed - Check
• TC to off - Check

That's an easy list for "I want it all", I thought you were going to say the above, plus optional 2wd/4wd, 10,000lb towing capacity, and can run on electricity, phew, sometimes the simple things in life are what count

pigeon wrote: E39 M5. Prices have cratered with good examples in the mid-teens. It's everything the CTS wanted to be but couldn't quite manage - a supercar in sheep's clothes.

Well to be fair the CTS-V managed to best the M5 in the performance department.

Exterior styling is in the eye of the beholder (I prefer the M5). Interior styling wise I would say M5 but I have been less than impressed with the longevity of BMW interiors.

I would vote CTS-V or GTO. Both are fast, fun and the repair bills won't eat you alive.

E46 325iT with LS1 swap. You probably can pull it off for just under 20k.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: E46 325iT with LS1 swap. You probably can pull it off for just under 20k.

I present you with the completed product.

BMW e46 wagon with LS1

Yo!

Get the best and latest E39 M5 you can for your budget, sit back and smile. You may not quite hit your mileage numbers (mine's showing 18 for town driving on the trip compooter) but you won't care.

For a wagon, can you get a 540i 6-speed wagon? Hmm.

By the way, here's the column for those of us who don't get R&T.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=8536

Keith wrote: For a wagon, can you get a 540i 6-speed wagon? Hmm.

Oddly, no. The e39 528 wagon was available with a manual, but not the 540.

Should I be concerned about a 100k M5? There's one local for $13900 in otherwise fine shape. I'm intrigued- probably worth a drive I guess. I've been scanning V70r ads- these really seem like the best combo family car- especially if I can find one with the third row rear facing seats and a manual.

Don't know if it is the best M5 forum on the web, but it is a good one. http://m5board.com/

Not sure if the urban legend about $7k VANOS repairs on those cars are true.

Depends on who's doing your work, I suppose. I'd recommend going for the later cars, like a 2002. Seem to be less problematic. It'll cost more though.

Regarding $7k VANOS....my limited BMW experience suggests that BMW repair prices are exponentially higher for anyone not willing to DIY. DIY repairs seem to be very, very reasonable, and there are great resources out there to help figure things out.

I'll buy an M5 one of these days.

I'm not sure those are anything more than urban legends. I am certainly considering an e39 M5. I love 'em.

dyintorace wrote: I present you with the completed product. BMW e46 wagon with LS1

DO WANT.

Duke wrote:

dyintorace wrote: I present you with the completed product. BMW e46 wagon with LS1

DO WANT.

Tell me about it. I've got an e46 wagon and now an LS1-powered FC RX-7. Having that motor in my BMW? Crazy cool. And ironically, my BMW would most likely get better gas mileage on the highway!