Originally posted by blake:


another nit to pick: the 350z came out in '03 as well, not '02. given the discounts available on new ones, coupled w/ tire feathering and other issues of the early ones, i'd stick w/ looking for an '04 or new '05 350z if you go that route - especially in 8-10 months.

i'd look for a 20th anniversary GTI ('03) over a 337, due to rims that don't pit and due to getting a moonroof and a few other miscellaneous improvements. new, they were low-20's, so i'm sure a used one in a few months will be below $20k - and they made 3x as many 20AE's as 337's, making them easier to find.

on that note, i'd consider the R32 as well - now that the initial rush is over, there may well be a few new R32's hanging around on dealer lots in 8-10 months....and those that will be around should see some pretty heavy discounting. invoice is something like $26k, so that would fall in your range....

my favorite out of that lineup is probably the E36 M3, but given their age these days....i decided not to pursue one myself b/c i'd be buying, at best, a 5-year-old car (or older) that would be well out of warranty and in line for some pricier-than-average service costs.

i'd definitely try to evaluate my needs before slimming down the list - w/ everything from the impractical (2-seat roadsters, etc.) to the moderately practical (a truck, albeit a gas-guzzling, tire-eating one) to an even-more practical choice (the 4-door, midsized 6s), you've got quite the range there!




Yeah, you're totally right about the 350Z. I originally thought it had come about in '02, but my brother corrected me on the matter, and well, I just simply forgot.

I definitely considered the R32, but not recently. When I was looking at that, I wasn't so sure I'd have the money for it, but now a few things have changed and I'm in a good position. There's supposedly an Audi coming out in 2005 that is very similar to the R32. I believe it's the A3. Similar engine, hatch, etc. Real slick looking car. But I believe it's FWD, not positive. Any opinion on that?

Thanks for all your input guys.


Last edited by 97CS; 06/09/04 06:47 AM.
My '97 Contour