Looking at some new rides.
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350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
^^ that's a wicked looking vette
I'm gonna have to say the BMW 135. 1st year production problems won't be an issue it's been out for a while in Europe. Performance wise it is right there with the other 2.
I like the Evo but the 1-series will be a better package overall if you figure in overall build quality and the interior would be many classes away from the Evo or the zo6. If AWD and/or 4 doors is not an issue then pass on the Evo unless anything but pure performance doesn't matter to you. The TT i6 (imagine the modification possibilities with this drivetrain) of the BMW would be much more smooth and refined then the other too especially the Evo.
The zo6 I'm sure is a good car but being an '04 model makes it not as good a choice as the brand new cars. I'm sure any little work done on the somewhat specialized engine of the Zo6 would be costly.
I would say in the long run the 1-series will hold it's value a little better, too. It will also be the more rare car after a few years if you are looking for something unique.
I would definitely test drive all of them the same week for a good comparison.
Good luck!
I'm gonna have to say the BMW 135. 1st year production problems won't be an issue it's been out for a while in Europe. Performance wise it is right there with the other 2.
I like the Evo but the 1-series will be a better package overall if you figure in overall build quality and the interior would be many classes away from the Evo or the zo6. If AWD and/or 4 doors is not an issue then pass on the Evo unless anything but pure performance doesn't matter to you. The TT i6 (imagine the modification possibilities with this drivetrain) of the BMW would be much more smooth and refined then the other too especially the Evo.
The zo6 I'm sure is a good car but being an '04 model makes it not as good a choice as the brand new cars. I'm sure any little work done on the somewhat specialized engine of the Zo6 would be costly.
I would say in the long run the 1-series will hold it's value a little better, too. It will also be the more rare car after a few years if you are looking for something unique.
I would definitely test drive all of them the same week for a good comparison.
Good luck!
Very thorough advice here thanks man.
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
Any car I get will be taking me to the same place. (Whether thats a good or bad thing that remains to be seen, lol)
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350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
Well, the "plan" is to not have kids for the first few years so seating won't be too big of an issue. I am definately considering the EVO for this reason. But the 135i has 4 seats as well.
07 6M Black
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Apopka, Fl
I own an older Vette so the Z06 seems nice. But I wonder what Dinan will offer to spice up the 135. Not that you should need anything. Dont they run high 13's stock?
The 135 comes with better brakes/suspension/etc standard versus the 128.
The 135 comes with better brakes/suspension/etc standard versus the 128.
Spin Triangles! Spin!
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From: Texas, US
Last edited by dmorales; Sep 9, 2011 at 03:29 AM.
It's a Cavalier
Joined: May 2007
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From: Austin, TX
Good advice? Are you kidding? JR, man, if you know absolutely nothing about Vettes, it's probably not a good idea to give advice out about them...
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
The 135 actually is supposed to run in the low 13's stock. With a simple tune it should be able to get into the high 12's.
'03 Dodge Viper
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: University of Maryland
Those are all great cars you listed. Personally, I'm into muscle right now, so I would go with the Z06. Don't bother with buying a car from carmax - do the research and save yourself several thousand dollars. You can buy a pristine C5 Z06 for $25,000. It's an amazing deal, and an amazing car.
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Registered
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Livermore, CA
I vote for the 135i since it sounds like you're looking for a balance of performance and understated recognition. You two sound perfect for each other. If you're buying a car solely for yourself get the one YOU enjoyed driving the most when you went on your test drives. Who cares what other people think.
I'd have to agree with those saying the 135. It's going to be a nicer daily driver and the service and dealer experiences I've had with BMW have been much better than others (at least with mazda... guessing mitsubishi has similar, no clue about chevy though). My parents have had a 525i (not sure exact model year, all I remember is that it was the year they got rid of the black door trim stuff and matched to paint color). Had essentially no issues aside from expected wear items (tires, brakes, ect...)
based on the fact that you're engaged and the price range you're looking at, I'm guessing you're late 20's to 30's so the bmw will be a bit of a cross between class and sporty for you. That said, I'd also lean towards the evo but I'm more into the whole sports thing with sacrifices of some comfort such as noise and ride. So my advice would be 135 if you want a good all around car, but if you want to make some sacrifices of comfort and such, go for the evo.
based on the fact that you're engaged and the price range you're looking at, I'm guessing you're late 20's to 30's so the bmw will be a bit of a cross between class and sporty for you. That said, I'd also lean towards the evo but I'm more into the whole sports thing with sacrifices of some comfort such as noise and ride. So my advice would be 135 if you want a good all around car, but if you want to make some sacrifices of comfort and such, go for the evo.
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
That will be well into the 40's off the lot wouldn't it? The 1-series is already pushing my limits as far as price and I can option it for a total of $36.5K.
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
I think I have a rough idea of what I might do. I am actually leaning more towards the 2004 Z06 right now. I figure I can buy a Z06 in good shape for about $27K. Then I will buy a dependable used car for about $5K as my daily driver. The Z06 will be mainly a weekend and evening car. I'm sure the DD I find will be very cheap to insure. I will probably only insure it liability only. So then I'm spending $5K less than I would than if I bought the bimmer and I would have a 405 HP beast.
Either that or I am going to save for about a year or so and the go for the bimmer. I haven't test drove the EVO yet but I have heard horror stories about the Mitsubishi dealers and I think the $4K extra to buy the BMW would be worth it on reliability and warranty issues alone.
Either that or I am going to save for about a year or so and the go for the bimmer. I haven't test drove the EVO yet but I have heard horror stories about the Mitsubishi dealers and I think the $4K extra to buy the BMW would be worth it on reliability and warranty issues alone.
Grand Chancellor
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Home of the NIMBYs
Get the 'vette. It's a proper RWD sports car like the rx-8. The other two are boxy things that pretend to be sports car. Not to mention EVO and 135i are hideously ugly. better yet, get a Cayman. It is closest to the rx-8 in terms of driving balance and dynamics.
It's a Cavalier
Joined: May 2007
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From: Austin, TX
There's a reason the Z06's are fixed roof coupe (FRC) only. It's a REAL MANS CAR.
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Greenville, SC
To be completely honest, I don't know enough about cars to be modding anyways. I feel like the only way I would be into serious modding besides the intake and exhaust is if I knew exactly what they did in the car, exactly what the risks were to the car, and exactly how to fix them if they went wrong.
Thread Starter
350Z Killer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 418
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From: Greenville, SC
The EVO is very much a personal taste thing but I definately wouldn't call the 135 ugly by any means. The only disadvantage I see in its looks is the fact that it looks like all other BMWs. That sucks, but ugly isn't the word I would use. In fact, I think with the metallic paint and a good tint it would be a nice *** ride.