I need your HELP...What to buy with $35,000

[dailyATX82sc]

Originally Posted by nineball

check out the jaguar x-type. it is around that price new with every option (but much cheaper used), retains the classic jaguar front end appeal and has all wheel drive. i have a 2004 and love it.

TOTAL CRAP......i would get the XJR over that thing any day.....

[dailyATX82sc]

Originally Posted by Starless

The three cars you named will suck in the snow. I would stay in Spain, move to Alicante and enjoy your 911 year round.

used to have a villa there....not bad (rather corrupt) but good fun

[DaveE]

I second the used Cayman idea. I drive a Boxster in the winter all the time, with good winter tires, and have no problems. Good heating system, heated seats, and traction control make it a very fun ride. I spent a week in Montreal between Christmas and New Years a few years back with no issues. Why not have something fun to drive year round?

[crashmy911]

m3 with snow tires are fine. PLus you can have fun too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Looking_for_911]

"...on top of that I will not dare to leave her alone at the station the full day under the snow, rain, etc (you can perceive I am little emotional about my 911)"

You've received some good advise so far, but read again the above quote pulled from your post.
Not only would you be leaving the car in the elements, you would be exposing the car to thieves and people decidedly hell-bent on removing parts or just plain beating the sides off your nice shiny 35k work cruiser.
Hate to side the with wifey but she may have a point. Or at least don't invest 35k into a car that will be out of your sight for so many hours a day.
That's the Scot in me speaking! Go cheaper on the daily driver and use the overage in funds to spruce up the 911!!!

[scottb]

How about the reincarnated Dodge Challenger?

[rluciano]

m3 with snow tires are fine. PLus you can have fun too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uh no. BMW M cars suck in the snow in my experience. You need 150+ lbs of sand in the trunk.
964 C4 or 993 C2 or 4 are much better snow cars in my experience (former NJ resident).

[yelcab1]

Used M3, E36, 4 doors, decent snow tires, utility car with fun. $10K

[TARGAJACK]

I used to have a E46 M3, I live North East in Quebec Canada, and I drove it for 3 years in the snow with no problems, my choice would be a M3- 2006 with the competition package, cold weather package and 17" for winter. OR a Audi S4 AVANT 2007. Just my 2 cents,

[nineball]

Originally Posted by dailyATX82sc

TOTAL CRAP......i would get the XJR over that thing any day.....

to each his own but mine has been flawless for 36000 miles not to mention the only xjr you will touch under $35k will have 100k miles or better and no awd for the winter, but thanks for your wonderful post.

[tonypai]

Spend $15K on an Audi S8. 360 hp, AWD, decent brakes and suspension. Save the other $20K for repairs.

I have an A8 here in Chicago, never had a problem during winter.

[bourgeois911]

M3 fer me, but I'll agree that they suck in the snow. I curse my 325 everytime we get more than 4 inches or so.

[kiwiokie]

2008 VW GTI is my daily driver and it is great. Sure there are faster options out there but value for money it is tough to beat in my opinion. Handles snow and ice just fine due to FWD and traction control. Accelerates as well as my SC but gets 30mpg cruising. Previous daily driver was a 2006 Audi A4 and much to my surprise I prefer the GTI. Cheers, John

[euro911sc]

Originally Posted by tonypai

Spend $15K on an Audi S8. 360 hp, AWD, decent brakes and suspension. Save the other $20K for repairs.

I have an A8 here in Chicago, never had a problem during winter.

BINGO! or do the S4 with a big turbo kit. Great in winter and all you do is swap tires for the summer and you can blow the doors off an M3 (stock).

You will even have some $$ left over to show your wife that you were frugal and wise in your search

-Michael

[aigel]

My vote is a 993 C4 or if you can wing it a 993 C4S. They will keep their value much better than any pony car or corvette and you will be driving in style.

George

[jimho]

I've got an E46 M3 Convertible and I drive it in the snow, when I have to, with winter tires on 18's in NY. If you're in the NYC area shouldn't be a problem unless you're expecting several inches in which case ground clearance is the issue - the car is very well balanced. Plus, I get to put the top down on warmer winter days.... that's fun.

The M's are not alot of fun in stop and go. And unless you mod, they won't blow anyone away racing between stoplights- they aren't made for that. Especially E46's which have well documented problems with full throtle off the line, but they are fun to drive, comfortable and stable at high speeds -

Given what you already have, I agree, you should be thinking S4 or S4 Cab if you want to keep it stock ... they are fairly understated so they won't draw too much attention at the station and they are equally fun to drive.

If you're set on an M though, for $35K I might consider selling mine- with the 2nd set of wheels and snows- it has 42,000 miles, CPO and Scheduled Maintenance till October 2010.

Otherwise, I'm saving it for one of these:
http://m3turbo.com/ .....
http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/partdetails/HorsepowerFreaks/Turbos/Turbo_Kits/E46_M3/11037

Which is something else you should consider for the same $ (if you really want to have fun on your way to the train station): Get an M3 Coupe with 50K+ miles and toss in a turbo (option 2) from HPFreaks ...
;-)

[rnln]

996 carrera S

[nyne11]

Personally I think you have more money than sense! Paying 35K for a car that is going to be sitting at a train station all day is insane!....Unless of course you can insure it for Fire, Theft and unrepairable damage for 50K......+1 for the wife's idea, buy something nobody wants to steal!

[ShakinJoe]

Subie, 996 C4, or Audi A4.

It really depends on how safe the train station is and if you will agonize about it all day sitting there. What a great choice to have. $35K goes a LONG way in today's market as you can see in the "cars for sale" section on this forum.

BTW - A friend of mine is selling his 04' Cayenne Turbo for $27. It has 90K miles BUT a brand spanking new engine!

[Paulporsche]

Ford Fusion Sport or GT (new)

Audi A4 (used)

Golf GTi