well as I've said in some other posts I'm looking to sell the SRT-4 around Aug-Sep and get something AWD for RWD and as far as new cars I'm down to the EVO and the 350Z. I've been looking around on Autotrader and stuff though and I'm seeing that I could have many more options if I looked at used cars. I want to stay around the $30k range and for that price there are many nice used 2000-2002 Z06's and M3's out there too which are 2 of my dream cars.

The problem is that I come from a car sales family and I know how much shady stuff can happen to a used car and there's not much you can do once you take delivery of the car. Even Carfax can't tell you everything so I've always bought new so I don't have those issues and plus I have my warranties. Also when it's new you typically don't have repair bills because things that break are covered under warranty. Repairs on both of those cars probably aren't cheap.

So, would you spend that kind of cash on a used car or would you stay with the new cars?

 

Do not buy an Evo for the warranty. They do not come with one. It is like buying a used car so get your dream car and if you get stomped by a modded Evo mod the z06 or M-3 to catch up. To tell you the truth I can get about any car I want right now up to a Viper but I do like the Evo enough to keep it. No car is perfect out there and I love the fact that people with z06s and M-3 still do not respect the Evo or know that it is capable of handing them their asssss.

 

wow.....so is Mitsu really THAT bad with warranty issues? I'm typically not hard on my vehicles and baby them to death......is it mainly clutch issues they have a problem with or is it other things?

P.S. I had a 1994 Galant back in the day and Mitsu service was great but do they treat the EVO that much differently than the rest of their cars?

 

Mitsu is not that bad with warranties, it just seems like it because all the people who are unhappy are quick to get on the internet and badmouth them to death. I have modded the hell out of my car, drive it hard daily, and have only had 1 problem. My power steering pump went out. This was because I treid doing some donuts. And it was STILL FIXED UNDER WARRANTY! My clutch is fine, everything is fine. Also, I was in the same boat you're in with looking at cars. One of the reasons I chose the evo is because of mod availability and price. If you want to start buying mods for a z06 or an m3, you're going to spend a pretty penny. All are fast out of the box, but the evo responds best to mods and they are cheaper and easier to find IMO.

 

yeah, I'm not usually much into car mods.....I keep them pretty stock except for maybe an intake and exhaust. I'm more into motorcycles than cars so for me even modded cars seem pretty slow

 

in that case i would go with the m3. z06 is faster but the m3, IMHO, is the sports car with the least compromises. Build quality is top notch, is damn fast, perfectly balanced, handles awesome, interior is comfy, and it turns heads. evo is fun, but unless you're buying it for pure speed, it might not be the best car for you. I was looking for pure speed, and a car that was cheap to mod and make REALLY fast. the evo is that car, so i bought it. If i were in your shoes however, the m3 would be at the top of my list

 

im getting rid of my 01 ///M 6speed when i leave for the ARMY in sept lol...come and get it, only if u were in Cali
i have about 37,000 miles, all stock (10grand worth of options, every option, premium package, navigation, heated seats, Harmon Kardon sound, 6 cd changer, parktronic)
Carbon Black Metallic paint...looks just like black but sometimes turns BRIGHT blue pearl at different angles(factory paint too) and mine was one of the first ever(waiting list) so we never went back to put on the rear lip spoiler

 

Based on what you said, I voted for the Evo. The Z06 is a stupid fast car, but you're not going to be racing it. The early E46s had a fair number of engine problems, though the M3 is an awesome car. I'm not a big fan of the 350, but it'd be my 3rd choice here (after the Evo and M3). Buying used has its risks, but you can get a very good car for quite a bit less.

does have warranty issues, but if you're not modding and not racing, you'll be fine.

 

I'd rather get an older Porsche. But if you're looking at that list, get a' M3

 

The M3 has very high maintenance prices, even oil changes, probably very high insurance versus the SRT.

It's rather easy. If planning on modding, Evo or SRT. Lots of potential.
Leaving stock, Z06 or M

Forget the Z. It doesn't do anything well. I had a 3.5 Altima before my Evo and I ran nearly identical 1/4 times with it against a new Z. They are mid-high 14 sec cars. And intake and exhaust does nearly nothing for HP on them. They have to be boosted to really move.

 

i get free brakes, clutch, maintence, oil change for free...its a package we bought up front, its covered...transferable to the next owner too muahahahaha
i havnet gotten a new clutch yet, still perfect, even though i should be taking advantage of the free clutch and flywheel, since i bought the package, but oil changes have been free

 

I just sold my '95 M3 (E36) and bought a new (unsold) 2003 Evo.

the comments here about the M3 are absolutely correct. if you get certified pre-owned with the 6yr (from new) 100k mile warranty then that is one thing... but if you don't, or you own it beyond those terms, Bend Over.

they are expensive cars to own. I fully believe they are more reliable than Audi, but not much concern is given to how much something costs or how much labor is involved with servicing it. cost is a last concern.

in 2.5 years of ownership, nothing critical broke on my M3 and it still cost somewhere in the realm of $4,000 - 5,000 for shop visits. and, I sold it with noisy, but functional, VANOS ($1500 when it breaks) and a throttle body that sticks shut ($1000 to replace; butterfly shaft was grooved).

and you know what? the E46 M3's reliability is a lot worse. the S52 was a far more reliable engine and the SMGs haven't been wonderful.

don't bother with the Neon though, who are you kidding? ditch now while you can get reasonable money from a kid who doesn't know any better... FWD + performance don't mix.

the answer is easy: get an Evo.

 

i was supposed to have the E46 that self destructs since it is the "2001 blown engine" one, i havent had a SINGLE problem yet, A/C stopped working one day, it was warrantied, and the side seals, the cloth started coming off, they just attached it back on, thats it so far, and i dont baby the car either, but i dont have SMG bull****, i have 6 speed, i have no complaints, and i havent paid anything for repairs yet...only thing is i had a flat tire, and M3's dont ahve spares, they have M mobility, if theres a hole, u use the "m mobility" and fill it up with this goo, that hardens and seals the hole, but mine was a huge hole...hahahahahha i ran on 3 days on a flat and didnt know it, (even though my air pressure monitor told me so, my friend said thats not air pressure thats the brake pad warning) LOL and i went 120 on the flat one night ont he way to a casino...M3's have runflat tires they are DAMN good i went 120mph and i drove on the flat for 3 days
that was the only time i had to pay for something, flat tire but it was EXPENSIVE cuz it got towed to the dealership $400 for the tire but roadside assistance was free
michelin pilot sport runflats are GOOOOD stuff though...even on the flat, i didnt do ANY damage to my rim

 

id say keep the SRT and just mod it, it seems those cars can become beasts! You should consider a supra! If you build those right, no one can touch you.

 

Ditch the SRT, drive all others and buy what you like most.
[edit] i would consider a 2005 STi too with the imobilizer and improved suspension and wider rims