Dream Come True

[gprsh924]

Since I was 10 years old (I'm a month shy of 20 now), my dream car has been the BMW M3. I have constantly thought about the time when I would be able to afford one of my own. Today, I came one step closer. It is still a ways off for me, but for now I can steal the keys from my dad when I am home from school. He had been driving the 924 daily but he has been looking passively for something new for almost 6 months. I went home for the weekend and convinced him to go look at a couple cars. Today he finally bit the bullet and picked up his new DD: a 2004 M3 Convertible.

Its carbon black (which looks black/dark blue/purple depending on the lighting) with black leather. We wanted grey leather, but this one was in better shape. It has 22,000 miles, CPO with free maintenance til Nov. 08 and warranty til Nov. 2010. Every option but nav (19 inch wheels, cold weather package, park assist, aluminum trim, harmon kardon sound, xenon headlights). He drove both smg and 6-speeds and didnt really have a preference, but this one happened to be SMG, which will work out well because he does do a fair amount of driving in heavy traffic. The car is virtually flawless, there isn't even curb rash under the front bumper, which almost every M3 seems to have because of the low stature. I am excited beyond words right now. Here are a few pics he snapped today, should have some more when he picks it up next week. Of course, now I have to wait an entire month until I go home for spring break so that I can drive it.

[azasadny]

Nice Bimmer! I've always liked those, too!

[gassy]

They should've used that car for the Knight Rider movie that was on last night.
C

[speedracer]

Originally Posted by gassy

They should've used that car for the Knight Rider movie that was on last night.
C

A BMW would have been too classy for that movie...

Nice car though. I always loved M3's too.

[KaptKaos]

Garrett,

I don't want to sound preachy, but please learn from the mistake that kid in Florida made last month.

An M3 is a very powerful car. When you drive it, you need to respect it, or it will bite, and bite hard.

Nice car! Have fun with it, but within reason.

[gprsh924]

Joe, thank you. I have driven a couple and am still in awe of the power. I know it will take a long time until I even begin to truly have a handle on that car, and as such will be taking it easy for awhile. There is a time and a place for everything, and 3am isn't it.

To be honest, if I did something stupid in it and hurt myself or anyone else (or the car) the fear of facing my dad afterwards is almost worse than anything else that could happen.

Hell he wanted to kill me when the rental car I was driving got a cracked windshield from a rock that hit it when I was driving on the highway. Imagine his reaction if I banged up the car screwing around.

[Hugh R]

Yeah, I have a 19 y/o son, don't kill yourself and a bunch of friends being stupid. Or if you do, at least have the good graces to not kill someone else. Hey! I sound like a crotchity old guy! Cool!

Seriously, have fun, but don't be stupid. A car like that can easily dish out more than your able/prepared to deal with.

[911Rob]

Congrats Garrett,
You sound 'very happy' in your post!
One step closer to the real dream; at least you get to touch, feel, smell AND drive it!

Wish
Want
Need
Got!
that's the order buddy
Having your hands clenched around that steering wheel has gotta build the NEED!
Cheers,

[kach22i]

When I was 20 years old I had a rusty 13 year old Mustang and a year old Honda Hawk motorcycle, just could not afford an all in one performance machine.

Still can't.

Lucky dog, I want one.

Don't get yourself killed in it, remember that Florida thing every day.

[gprsh924]

Thanks Kach

Just to clarify, I still can't afford an all in one performance machine, this is my dad's car, I will just drive it sometimes

I'm driving my dad's rusty 15 year old bmw for the foreseeable future. I will be careful

[nostatic]

smg cab = chick car

sorry

[CurtEgerer]

Nice car. I had a 04 Carbon Black SMG Coupe (which is 1/2 second quicker 0-60 then the Cab!). I sold it partly because the performance limits were ridiculous for the street. 120 comes quickly and feels like 70. The car begs you to drive it fast. Enjoy, but be careful.

BTW: Have you tried Launch Control yet?

[CurtEgerer]

SMG=Chick Car

?? You can't be serious.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

SMG=Chick Car

?? You can't be serious.

you agree about the cab part?

If it doesn't have a clutch pedal, you should have a purse. I hate automatic anything wrt transmission. DSG, SMG...all CRAP to me. ymmv.

Yes, I know F1 cars have automatic sequentials. These aren't F1 cars, and I'm not Fernando Alonso...

[gprsh924]

It has some of the elements of a chick car. Luckily it has an a raspy, rev-happy, 8,200 rpm redline engine to make up for it.

Two things led to this outcome. First, my dad's feeling was if he was going to get something fun, the roof had to come off. I agree there, because its really fun to drive with the top down on the way up to the lake in the summer time. Second, he really did not have a preference between the two transmissions. We drove 10 or 12 M3's and this one was by far in the best cosmetic and mechanical shape. That was the biggest thing, that this was like new. Add in the fact that it had really low miles, it was certified, and was actually fairly low price relative to other ones we drove, it was a no-brainer. My dad drove it, then immediately called me and said "This is the car."

ETA: I wanted a manual, and actually my mom would've preferred that too, but ultimately its my dad's car so it was his final decision

[kimlangley7]

I thought the first year the M3's came out they were so cool.. had the squareish flares... THe new ones are good looking and plenty of power... I'll just have to get my Tii back on the street ... not many of them on the road these days

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

It has some of the elements of a chick car. Luckily it has an a raspy, rev-happy, 8,200 rpm redline engine to make up for it.

I hope your Dad never lets you drive that car on your own. For your own sake...no offense...but kids with only a couple years driving experience should not be licenced to drive cars like this.

Yes I'm an old man...45...but I've seen alot.

[JeremyD]

Now now - just because it's a cab doesn't make it a chick car. At least it's not an SC