m3 or 996 TT

 

the m or 996 hands down, depends on what you prefer

 

I would say 996tt, but for 40k you will prbably get one that has higher mileage and more maintenance issues down the road. For less money, you can get a newer m3 with a cpo warranty and have a flawless car with very low mileage. If i was in your position, I would look for a 996 c4s. Clean examples can be had in your price range, and I think it is a great compromise. Good luck with your new purchase!

 

996TT hands down.

 

I would go with an SL55. Its a lot more comfortable and luxurious than 996TT for daily driving and you can't forget about the hardtop convertible. It also has way more low-end torque. 996TT is just too outdated IMO and the interior is pretty crappy for how much you're paying. E46M3 and 335i are just too slow, I wouldn't even consider them.

 

996TT or SL55

but with that budget you won`t feel too comfortable

I`d say get a E46 M3 and call it a day

 

996TT hands down, if you can find one at that price range w/ decent miles

 

I agree. Possibly cheaper/less maint on the C4s..less expensive insurance for sure...

On the other hand...get whatever YOU want...only live once man!

 

996TT or nicely modded M3. Scratch off the Xi and SL.

 

heres my .02 about the 335i

Most people say that the 335 is not as raw as an e46 m3 which is true in a sense, but for $500 you could have a 350whp 335 that will destroy an e46 m3 in a straight line.
also, for day to day driving, when would u ever use "better handling" of the e46???
Most of our performance driving is spent on highway on-ramps and the occasional right turn on the off-ramp.
Besides, with a $250 set of H&R sport springs and wide tires (both of which you would probably add anyway considering you're asking around on a car forum about 4 cars that are popular to mod) you would probably get somewhere close to the raw "feeling" of the m3 (maybe not performance).

I know that i may be biased but you can not argue with the practicality of a 350whp 335i that averages 19.1mpg during normal driving (which i see regularly in my car).
And for those of you who have driven a modded 335i you will know that it is virtually lag-free in comparison to most boosted cars.

Here's a short example for you higher end car owners,
My father who owns an Aston Martin V8 Vantage even compliments my car as being faster "down-low" and "as stable as the vantage thru turns." Now i know that the acceleration quote is easy to argue against considering that the Vantage is "slow" in comparison to the 996's. But, it is almost impossible to dis-credit the fact that although the Vantage may not pull extremely high G's on the skidpad, it is one of the best "feeling" cars on the road except the exotics.

This story goes to show that even a man who drives a beast of a car still recognizes my 335 as "faster in a straight line" than the vantage.

Just my .02

 

E46 M3 the way to go... If you have higher budget, then 911tt.

 

I like the Z4M coupe, but then again I'm probably a bit biased!