[CirrusSR22]

Lightly used Chevrolet SS if you need a back seat.

[eluded]

S2000

[WhatsADSM]

From a fiscal standpoint I would say a new WRX non-STI. If anything add some suspension bits to suit. They have the newer engine which is much more flexible than the old one in the STI and they are considerably cheaper, with downright unbelievable resale.

Otherwise I do like the E90 M3. As an overall it was my favorite car I've owned. You would need to budget more for general maintenance items (throttle actuators, possibly rod bearings, expensive oil changes, misc BMW BS that goes bad, etc) but it really is a great balance of luxury, fun, and family practicality. You can't go wrong.

Golf GTI or R would be my final choice. New, very practical, German car feel, and at least under warranty, and reasonably fun. Be prepared to spend more once out of warranty and get hit with depreciation in the end.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

34K or really $43K once taxes, dealer fees and other bullshit is added on?

Here in NH the dealer would nail me for 200 dollars for a 20 day temp plate/docs fee and it would be out the door

Registration/Other would be around 600 dollars more

Not a major expense

[Alfisti]

So $34k and you're out?

Strike me.

[KingOfJericho]

Also no sales tax in NH - that's a major factor.

[WhatsADSM]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

So $34k and you're out?

Strike me.

Yea most other states have sales tax which would get you for another ~3-10%.

[Alfisti]

Even then that is cheap.

[Alfisti]

Looking at $48K here for the middle of the three spec STI.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Also no sales tax in NH - that's a major factor.

Yes and no

There's no sales tax but we get pummelled every year for vehicle registrations (fees)

I have a 3 year old DD that listed for 29k that still cost me 350 to register this year......rate will go down some next year if I keep it but.......

[peopleschoice1]

Maybe consider a certified pre owned 2013 and up 335i 4door w/ Msport package, get kw v2 or 3 coilovers, downpipe, drop in filter, charge pipe, bootmod 3, front lip, rear spoiler, light weight 19' wheels and you should be set.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by jpnh

Yes and no

There's no sales tax but we get pummelled every year for vehicle registrations (fees)

I have a 3 year old DD that listed for 29k that still cost me 350 to register this year......rate will go down some next year if I keep it but.......

We have sales tax plus property tax. The tax on my Jeep GC is like $700 (and dropping... slowly). We pay another $95ish every few years for registration. The plus side is that you guys get the fun license plates where they allow symbols. I went to college up there and thought it was hilarious seeing a car with an ampersand on its tag.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

We have sales tax plus property tax. The tax on my Jeep GC is like $700 (and dropping... slowly).

the GC is on the order of 65k iirc so yea....our annual taxes/fees are roughly comparable

Ct really f-ed you guys years ago......you used to have no sales tax and only a property tax.....then then nailed a sales tax on top......

We get nailed for "Fees" on various things.....vehicles being the worst but other than that the tax burden isnt soooooo bad....dont ask me about propt taxes on the house........

[WreckerX5d]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Lightly used Chevrolet SS if you need a back seat.

I vote for this if the generic looking car doesn't bother you (it doesn't for me). 2015's can be found for under 38k with still a 100k power train warranty. LS3, LSD, MRC all standard, with a manual option as well (much harder to find).

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by jpnh

the GC is on the order of 65k iirc so yea....our annual taxes/fees are roughly comparable

Ct really f-ed you guys years ago......you used to have no sales tax and only a property tax.....then then nailed a sales tax on top......

We get nailed for "Fees" on various things.....vehicles being the worst but other than that the tax burden isnt soooooo bad....dont ask me about propt taxes on the house........

Maybe the SRT but our Overland Hemi is loaded at $54k MSRP (we paid ~$47k). We've also had sales since 1947.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Maybe the SRT but our Overland Hemi is loaded at $54k MSRP (we paid ~$47k). We've also had sales since 1947.

Sorry....it was INCOME tax I was thinking of

http://www.courant.com/opinion/edito...811-story.html

[chumley]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Golf R any day of the week.

x100. Understated, practical, unique(at least around here), and feels very well made.

[W///]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

So found an E90 M3 with 50k miles for $34k. Might be able to talk them down to 31

New STI full loaded non-limited for 36k,. Maybe talk them down to 34k.

And new focus RS. They won't budge from MSRP. 38k

Which one???

Saw your GT3 FS ad on Rennlist. It's literally my dream car, but unfortunately won't happen for a long time.

Over $30k should get you a really nice example of an E90 M3. I've got an E36 and E92 M3 combo and love it.

I think out of all the other non BMW's, I think I'd probably go with the VW.

[jpnh]

I'm actually giving some consideration to a mini cooper jcw as a DD

Would be a fun car and it appears that BMW has worked out the bugs/issues they had early on with the B48 crank bearings

Its comfortable, gets good mileage and is a hoot to drive

My heart thinks it would be fun
My wallet wants me to buy that corrolla and drive the piss out of it for 200k miles for half the price of the MC and it will also probably never need anything besides oil, filters, plugs, brakes and tires for 200k......

[jonshmoe]

E90 M3 fully loaded from CarMax w/ warranty

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by jpnh

I'm actually giving some consideration to a mini cooper jcw as a DD

Would be a fun car and it appears that BMW has worked out the bugs/issues they had early on with the B48 crank bearings

Its comfortable, gets good mileage and is a hoot to drive

My heart thinks it would be fun
My wallet wants me to buy that corrolla and drive the piss out of it for 200k miles for half the price of the MC and it will also probably never need anything besides oil, filters, plugs, brakes and tires for 200k......

Awful resale, terrible reliability and the worst build quality. What's not to love?

[chillindrdude]

I f-ing welched gentleman. I am a welcher.

Nothing really excited me that much under 40 grand. I had a nice prospect of a 2010 E90 M3 with 50k miles, but the stealership was playing the phone tag/let me get my manager game.

I received a call from a local dealership about a M2 allocation at MSRP.

Thought about it for a week, hoping to hear something back about the E90. Finally said F-it, pulled the trigger on a deposit.

LBB M2 already in production. delivery slated for mid-April.