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What car should I get????
Now that I've been bombing around the BMW websites, and things, now I kinda want an M3... 35 - 45k can score me a low mile 02' M3 with SMGII and all the options... WHich will give me that driving experience that only a BMW can deliver... On the other hand I would sacrafice AWD, turbo tuning options, and 4 doors... And then there's the Evo... Well, I think its safe to say that I have ruled out that car, but it still tweaks my interest every now and then.
But to the real problem...
M3 - "The BMW driving experience", SMGII, More luxury options.
STi - AWD, 4 doors, turbo performance options.
I love both these cars... There's the obvious price advantage, and the fact that I can buy an STi brand new for less than a used BMW...
What are your guys thoughts? We're you tied between the M3 and another car?
I figure the BMW folks would give me the best highlights to why I should get an M3, and the STi forums could do the same respectivly.
If you want all wheel drive and four doors get a 330xi. Cheaper then and M3 but not to short of power. Upgrades can be done and is by far a better car then the STI... unless your planning on racing it don't some windy gravel roads. then again if you are planning that with a BMW i will find you!!!!
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<a href='http://www.acantha.ca' target='_blank'>www.acantha.ca</a> 100% thrash your face off metal
I did look at the 330xi... For a good long bit too. The performance just isn't there though. 225 hp and a 0-60 thats < 6 seconds... If only it was closer to 260 I would've seriously considered that also... Unless there are aftermarket things that make it closer to the STi specs... I didn't look for too many 300xi parts online for it.
And no, I would NEVER take a Bimmer offroading... All I would think about is $$$ while my paint gets worn away...
Naturally I am a little bias but consider this. Resale, Performance, Maintance of a naturally asprated engine compared to a turbo. How long have the two cars been established and where does the breeding come from. The WOW factor. When I want to kick out the rear end and power through a corner I can. Thats not fast, but its a hell of alot of fun. There are only a few road conditions that favor awd. Wet, snow. That is not really debatable. About 300 days a year depending on where you live I would much rather have rwd. I know this was not a awd, rwd question but that to me is one big difference in these two cars. Although a BMW did win in wet conditions against an awd Audi this year. The BMW is much more then a toy. Get the Bimmer. The STI has some good numbers, but the BMW far out classes it.
__________________ Shoot Bear When Bear In Season
2004 M3 LSB SMG II Rolling on 19s
Yes thats true, but here in Michigan the weather is snowy like 5 months out of the year (It never seems to go away!!)... Not to mention that the AWD is what gets the STi those numbers. If it were FWD or RWD the car would not get the 4.7 0-60 time. But that damn SMGII really gets me excited, lol... I dunno. I have to get in the drivers seat of both and figure it out. I may have to go with he STi and when I'm a little older (and wealthier hopefully) I will get the M3 then. BUt an M3 now wouldn't exactly break the bank either... I dunn0 used
i don't know why you would get the sti if your just gunna drive it around town...are you? the sti has the uglyest interior and doesn't even come with any knid of a stereo... unless your looking for a beater get the m3 and if you are looking for a beater why would you get an 30k car.
whatever you choose be sure to obey all the traffic laws when driving on public roads
They are both fine cars, but really are quite different in most aspects....2 door vs 4, AWD vs RWD, naturally aspirated vs. turbo, 4 cylinder vs 6, etc, etc. Performance wise, which seems to be your biggest concern, they are similar however.
But since you asked, get the M3, simply based on looks alone, if nothing else. IMO, that wing on the STi is the most ridiculous thing ever ...it absolutely ruins the car (I realize it may have functionality north of 130 MPH). 90% of the drivers on the road are going to see that and instantly think 'punk ass kid' or 'ricer' not realizing it's actually stock. All the punks on the road with those huge wings on their Hondas have ruined it for the STi. Same goes for the Lexus IS300. If somebody gave me one tomorrow, the first thing I'd do is look for new rear lights.
If your still considering the EVO, you might be interested in this article from Car and Driver's 6/03 issue - STi vs EVO
I know its hard trying to compare these 2 cars because they're not even in the same class. BMW ranks with Volvo, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, etc... But I believe that Subaru's are also different from the normal class of 'ordinary' cars. Its not a Focus, It's not a Malibu... In my opinion I belive that all of Subaru's cars are better than the type of vehicles that I just mentioned.
I know these cars couldn't be any more different under the hood, and they both look competely different from one another, but they both have things that appeal to me greatly. I wish they could have sex and I could keep the offspring, lol.
Oh, and by the way... If I did get an STi, I wouldn't leave the Subaru dealer until they put a regular WRX 'lip' type spoiler on there... That wing is just huge.
I've read every comparo between the Evo and STi, and I still want the STi... I know the Evo has been around for years, but I question Mitsu's workmanship, and quality of build. I've known quite a few Mitsu owners that swear it is their last one.
go drive all the cars that you want get a feeling for all of them then you decide what one you want. That is probably the best way to figure it out. Keep in mind we can give you our opinions but you have to drive it everyday!!
straight up dude i bought a sti about a month ago put 3 thousand miles on it and then relized that it was the worst investment . it just feeels liek a really poorly made car its verry cheesy inside alot of things you would see in liek a 91 integra. i automatically sold it and am picking up a 02 red convert m3...in al honesty if your like a tuner guy thats all about rediculously fast cars then sti. but thats all you get with an sti is power ... if you want the total pimp package go with the m treezy... haha
Hmm... Your the first person to say that the interior of the STi is shotty. You said you bought yours used? ANyways, so you're getting an 02 eh? If I can find one for under 40k (02) with SMGII I'll get that. But I havn't seen one under 40k as of yet, so I'm still considering the brand new STi straight off the truck...
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used 
...it absolutely ruins the car (I realize it may have functionality north of 130 MPH). 90% of the drivers on the road are going to see that and instantly think 'punk ass kid' or 'ricer' not realizing it's actually stock. All the punks on the road with those huge wings on their Hondas have ruined it for the STi. Same goes for the Lexus IS300. If somebody gave me one tomorrow, the first thing I'd do is look for new rear lights. 
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