Can't Decide... IS-F, M3, Z06

[Kartelli]

Looking for some pro's/con's to each vehicle. I've done alot of homework for 6 months on all cars, just can't decide with which to pull the trigger on.

Background: Traded a Stage 2.5 Sti for a 07 Lexus IS350 full load. Very bored with the IS350 with the lack of aftermarket support in the performance category. Need to get back to my performance roots.


09 M3: Refinement + Power + Aftermarket support. Price range is the highest of the 3 at 75k+. Can't arrange a test drive with any of the BMW dealerships in Edmonton or Calgary, just a no go on their end.

08 IS-F: Should have gone with this option in the first place, love the way it drives/feels. Had a 2 hr test drive and couldn't stop smiling. Very good bang for buck in the M3/RS4/IS-F shootout at 60k. No aftermarket support just yet, suffers from the same "non-tunable" ecu as the is350 (has not been hacked yet). Best of both worlds performance/luxury with the mark levinson sound system and lexus navi. 5.0L V8 bulletproof design w/ 8 speed auto tranny. the 5.0L mustang crew (2010) would be proud of this japanese build.

06-08 Z06 vette: In the last 3 months, the more I read + the test drive of an 07 z06 has this vehicle much ahead of the pack. All out, balls the walls blast to drive. Could see myself keeping this vehicle for years, potentially upgrading to the ZR1 or beyond as the prices drop. Engine/Tranny are solid... rest of the GM parts + cheapie interior are not. I could see things falling apart asthetically, but not much reported mechanically as per my research.


Just can't decide, Lexus is offering a great trade up for the IS350 into the IS-F straight across. GM will require some massaging to accept the IS350 on a trade. I've tried dealing with Nicholson Chevy and it was by far the worst experience in my life regarding savage pressure tactics to sign a bill of sale without a test drive / financing details (07 Silver z06 with 7k on the clock).

What do you guys think?

[SRT]

Ask actual owners, not fanboys.

www.6speedonline.com

[max_boost]

Easy. Buy any one. Don't like it? Sell it and get another one. Rinse and repeat.

[benyl]

IS-F has no aftermarket. That would be the deal killer for me.

Z06 is not practical.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by max_boost
Easy. Buy any one. Don't like it? Sell it and get another one. Rinse and repeat.

That's only for dating man... OP's trying to find a car he can fall in love with.

[VWEvo]

M3, awesome aftermarket support, great tuners both local and abroad, and best of all, just an amazing car!!!!

[Weapon_R]

ZO6 if you are okay with the 2 seats.

[TYMSMNY]

Originally posted by Kartelli


09 M3: Refinement + Power + Aftermarket support. Price range is the highest of the 3 at 75k+. Can't arrange a test drive with any of the BMW dealerships in Edmonton or Calgary, just a no go on their end.

surprised they don't have one for test drive...

I'd go with either the M3 or ISF... leaning more towards the M3 though.

[r3ccOs]

Z06 would be fun, but the interior really kills it for me... haven't driven one, but I do like the styling

ZR1 if u're baller! lol but I really would heistate driving that widow maker

Practile & fun is where I would place the C63 AMG... I love the styling, the prestige, quality and most of all.. power

On the track it may not be the Z06 or M3, but does it matter so much when you're just spirited every day driving?

I loved that car, but surprisingly enough my other buddy's CLK 55 AMG I think may have been quicker

the IS-F I think is a mistake the IS350 though is pretty good value for a nicely pakaged car, but other than price the IS-F just isn't in the same territory as the C63, RS4/6, M3

[CSMRX7]

I was in a similar boat but was also considering the C63. The Z06 although probably the best for pure performance was out for practicality, as I wanted something I could DD. Also I prefer the handling of the M3 on the track. More of a finese car instead of a point and shoot drive.

If I was looking for a car I would never take to the track it would have been between the C63 and the ISF, and I probably would have gotten the C63 as it is more exciting.

In the end I got an M3 sedan. Practical and fun. Great on the track and on the comute the next day!

[MGCM]

I have always loved the new C6 and Z06 Corvettes, I've driven both but only in a parking lot lol. I agree the lack of appealing interior is a bit of a bullet to bite, my Cobalt was the same thing but in the end I was after performance. If you have a 2nd vehicle to drive(i'm assuming you do) then who cares about bullet biting Vette interior. Also, FYI the Vette 6spd manual gearbox is weaker than the automatic offered. The way they designed the gears, under heavy load the gears are trying to pull apart from each other and thus with added power you can easily drop a tranny and be out alot of coin. The auto tranny is apparently MUCH better and responds to added power very well. My source for all this is a GM tech that I knew a few years ago, he also thought about the 6spd manual but in the end when he bought his Vette he took the auto.

Get the vette mmmmmm power

[Kartelli]

I think you guys hit it dead on. Car to fall in love with (like my STi). I see the z06 being a 5 year build / weekend warrior. I drove a 07 with 3k on the clock back in 08. Let her rip in 2nd gear on the highway, just a blast. I could justify a 50-60k price tag, but definitely no more than that. Then again stock interiors can be upgraded fairly easy. Recaro's + nice sound system and call it a day...

Enter IS-F / M3 territory.

I've had no experience with the M product line and very much love the sedan option. ESS makes great products, I can't see myself leaving it stock for more than a month. Any recommendations of people to deal with at the BMW dealer's here? Anyone care to offer the prices they paid for their M?

IS-F fit and finish is identical to my IS350, id give it a 9/10 other than the steering wheel (needs to be smaller). Maybe I'm biased after owning one for a year. Reliability hasn't been an issue with the highest mileage F's with over 80k on the clock.

Not looking to upgrade anymore, settle with 1 car and be done with it.

Appreciate all the insights!

[CSMRX7]

If you are looking for 1 car I would stay away from the ESS SC. I may try to drive it a bit in the winter, but I think it will just be too much power.

When the car was stock it was great in the winter, and I drove it to Montana in the winter quite a bit even in storms.

As for locally your best bet would be to talk to redlinemr2 (Ryan) as he works at Gallery BMW.

[bspot]

No question I would go with the Z06. You sound like you're after performance. The luxury of the IS350 wasn't enough to convince you that it was a good replacement for your STI.

Tunning a Z06 will be WAY cheaper than either of those, and if you take the Z06 up to the budget you would have spent on the M3 anyway you are going to have a FAST car.

[max_boost]

I would go for the S4 then. AWD!

[LEGiiT]

I say the M3. This is from a real owner. I've driven an IS-F before, and as you've said it's amazing. But I do think the M3 is much better in the amount of 'refinement' it has, as in the small things that make it awesome. There are a lot of aftermarket parts for this car, as well. Lower the suspension, put some 19" wheels on it like mine and an exhaust such as Eisenmann and it performs and sounds like an F1 car.

Another reason why I would say the M3, is that you said you'd go for an 09 and the other cars you listed are 08 and lower. Newer the better, I think. Plus M3's hold their value extremely well and they may be more rare as the 2012MY's are planned to have a Twin turbo V6. This is the first, and only M3 with a V8.

I would let you test drive it, but I just acquired it and regardless the good driver you may be, it's just a little too risky.

[Graham_A_M]

Get the Vette. Seriously. I bought a Z4 over a Vette, and man that was a BAD idea. It takes quite honestly; bolt ons to make absolutely stupid power. All the while the engine isn't stressed and the fuel economy & reliability is awesome.
It would cost me $15k for a turbo kit to push over 450hp in my BMW. A C6 Z06 starts at 505, completely NA.

The dollar per performance value of a Vette is very very difficult to match. Sink $10k into one, and you'll have a land rocket on your hands. Not only that, but they hold their value very well. Check into a 10 year old Vette, to see how much its worth. Then Check into a 10 year old M3 or the like.
Lastly; a corvette has a HUGE aftermarket following, and you can do all the work on it yourself. With all the other cars you mentioned; they require a plethora of specialized parts & software to mod or fix them.

The only thing thats the deal killer for me with buying a Vette, is their typical holier then thou attitude. That kills it for me.

[Kartelli]

I suppose it comes down to what the vehicle will end up being used for in the future... m3 with a supercharger will land in the same weekend warrior position as the z06. I've been following CSMRX7 build thread since he posted it, and as he states winter driving isn't an option anymore without a health hazard attached to it. LEGiiT/CSMRX7, could you see yourself keeping the car for 10+ years, or part ways with it once in the next gen M3's hit the market?

Appreciate all the feedback, everyone has valid points!

I do miss the raw feel of the STi and all the memories of just spending hrs tinkering with the car. Z06/M3 seems to fill that void just from the fan base / aftermarket support. IS-F will always be that reliable but 2nd best choice until the aftermarket community picks up.

[Kartelli]

as much as I try to love the Merc brand, I can't pull the trigger on one. C63 is out of the running.

[C4S]

Z06!