Anyone own a new M3 Convertable also

[1973911s]

I have th bug to buy a new car, can't afford the porsche, and have been thinking about the M3 Convertable, seems like a lot of car for 62K

[Neilk]

You can always get a slightly used 996 for that price.

[89911]

Originally posted by 1973911s
I have th bug to buy a new car, can't afford the porsche, and have been thinking about the M3 Convertable, seems like a lot of car for 62K

Sorry you have to drop down to an entry level M3 at 62K a pop ! I actually like the M3 and BMW to boot. As far as a convertable, it is a pretty heavy car for sure. If it were up to me, I'd go for less serious road car and a more fun convertable. A used Boxster S would be nice and save you 20K.

[1973911s]

The catch is I need a back seat that holds a rear facing car seat.

[Mike Feinstein]

Having three young kids I have to ask....if the car seat is going in the back...why must it face rearward? The only time this is necessary is when you are installing a carseat in front to avoid airbag injury.

You could get a killer 996 cab, backseat and all, for well below $62k.

[1973911s]

The law is that children under a year must face the rear of the car, and this can't be done in a 996

[ZAMIRZ]

The new M3 is the absolute weakest sounding car ever, it's got a disgusting buzz to it when you hit the gas......that alone has totally turned me off to it, although it is a nice car other than that.

[s2per]

A good friend of mine had a new M3 ragtop for about 6 months. He enjoyed it at first, loved the power and 6 speed, but traded it for a year old 996. He didn't need the back seat as much as he thought and the M3 didn't have the sports car "soul" that he hoped it would.

Fowr the record, a 330ci would do the same job and leave extra $ for P-car projects!

[1973911s]

Yeah, trying to find a used 330cic is hard, but a m3 not a problem if I went the used route.

I guess that says something about the m3

[Bruce M.]

Does the E36 M3 have rear-facing child seat capability? If so, you can pick one up for a song, and reliably modify it to outperform a new M3 pretty easily.

[nostatic]

I thought you were looking for an SC or early car?

[1973911s]

That also!

[makaio]

Originally posted by Mike Feinstein
The only time this is necessary is when you are installing a carseat in front to avoid airbag injury.

Mike, you don't ever want to put a child in the front seat of an airbag equiped car, regardless of how the car seat is orientated, unless you can turn it off (like in a pick-up). Even with a car seat facing backwards, an airbag will do some serious damage to a child and a car seat.

I try to stay as up to date as possible on this stuff, since I help teach "auto-extrication" to our fire department.

[1973911s]

I would never put my child in the front seat, that is why I need a back seat.

[Mike Feinstein]

Guess it's a matter of determining which is more important....safety for the baby or fun for you. If it's safety for the baby....buy a Suburban. Your child will be much safer in the back of a big SUV than in the back of a small 300 hp convertible BMW.

A simple matter of priorities.

[1973911s]

I already have a 2003 Denali XL, so I have that base covered. Wife says if I want a new sports car it must have the back seat, and then I can still get my Porsche.

[yelcab1]

Originally posted by Bruce M.
Does the E36 M3 have rear-facing child seat capability? If so, you can pick one up for a song, and reliably modify it to outperform a new M3 pretty easily.

Yup, it sure does. If you look, you might even find a 4 door Sedan M3 in 1998 models. That, however, was the last year they made a 4 door M3. Mine was probably the last one rolling off the assembly line.

[nostatic]

why not just get a really nice 911 and forget the "new" sports car? I'm not sure I understand exactly what itch you're trying to scratch...

[fig911]

I don't mean to steal you post, but do boxters have the ability to turn off the passenger air bag? If so, is it OK to put a child seat in the front?

[nostatic]

from what I understand, you have to use a Porsche car seat, and that will deactivate the passenger air bag.