RemyLebeau97

Personally I'd go with the Vette, more stylish, faster, get's more looks, and you don't have to worry about a car full of people bugging the hell out of you. I drove a 2002, they are sweet, basically the perfect american sports car. Grace, style and muscle. However, since you live in Maryland I'd have a car for the winter, I've heard Vette's can't ice skate too well.

SLM3

I'm definitely biased, owning an M3 and all, but it's a good thing because I can give you some feedback. Now, first things first, does the MCoupe you're looking at have the 333hp engine or the older 240hp engine? 1999 and 2000 models have the 3.2L 240hp engine shared with the E36 M3. 2001 and 2002 models had the 3.2L 333hp engine shared with the E46 M3.

I own an E36 M3 with the 240hp engine. I'll tell you right now, it's the most potent 240 horses you'll ever use. BMW geared this engine for low end power so you'll see 0-60 times way lower than you'd expect of a 240hp car. While it wont posess the kick in the back torque of the Vette, you'll definitely be holding on when you punch it. Handling? In my mind it's no question. The M Coupe was built by BMW engineers in their spare time before they approached the head office with their idea. It's an enthusiast's machine built by enthusiasts. It's a brilliant drive.

I don't think I even need to approach build quality. There's no comparison there. Hope this helps.




SLM3

bad30th

the greatest AMERICAN sports car in history....or some ugly Honda-hatch-looking thing just because its german

You will get far more respect in a vette....well in my city anyway. Corvette is an attitude, an image. BMW says...I have a lot of money and i'm going to drive a status symbol so everyone knows it.


edit: Not trying to offend anyone, I guess this just reflects my philosohpy of making my car faster and handle better myself, rather than just buying those things with lots of money.


Just my .02

thadon

be different and go w/ the M coupe. Anyone can have a Vette. But the M coupe is more rare and unique. Plus the interior is more refined in the BMW

gourami74

vette has more aftermarket options and it would be my choice

jferris722

It depends on what you're looking for. If you want brute force get a vette, if you want precision get an M. The line becomes blurrier with the Z06 vette because it does handle really well, and the newer M's with 333hp are really fast. In the end you just have to test drive them both, sometimes individual preferences like shifter throw/position can make a huge difference that you just have to feel to decide which car you like the most.

Kurant

M-Coupe, please.

It's a pleasure seeing that car. Vettes are for old men in they're mid-life crisis. And they're ugly. =)

peacy

M it is
'cause M stands for "Must have"...

telekinetic2

Anyone can have an M coupe, too....I'd have to say 'vette, and to all you people who are saying "Only if it's a ZO6..." stop being sheep! Have you driven both, and found the ZO6 to be superior? Or are you just buying into the popular mentality that if there is a better model, the base model must not be that great.

The standard C5 is still one of the most well engineered driving machines ever to pound pavement, and is far too often slighted because it does not have (from the factory) the extra 50 HP that its ZO6 big brother does.

brandon11983

You must never have felt the fucking break-neck torque of a new Z06. The kind of torque that still sends the ass end sideways when you shift into 4th gear.

Not that I'm anti M... you are comparing apples and oranges. Both cars are amazing machines, and I would love to own either.

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zipper

If you are going to buy a NEW car......get the BMW, I am living in Italy driving a 10yr old 520I and it is by FAR the best car I have ever owned.

Personally, I'd take that $50,000 and buy a classic muscle car. Something that will never depreciate and get 3 times more loooks than anything new!

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Creteman

Just out of curiosity, what are the respective sticker prices?

Peryn

Well, Blue book suggested retail for 2002s is 33-35k for both of em. (not the z06, just the 'vette coupe). So teh price is identical for all purposes.

As for safety and convenience features (not necesarily quality) the vette has a tilt wheel while the bimmer has side airbags and optional sunroof. Thats it.

The vetter has 35 more HP, and 109 more lb/ft of tourque. Also makes it at 1800 less rpm. The vette has lower compression, and they get almost equal mileage with the vetter getting 1 more MPG in the city. negligable. Weight? basically identical. The vette is longer, wider and shorter.

The vetter has far more cargo room, but a 40ft turning circle (thats huge) as opposed to teh 34 feet on teh bimmer.

Info from http://autos.msn.com/compare/choose....=10325&pt=dual

That being said, with teh expcetion of power, and even then, mainly just torque and the powercurve, they are identical in almost every regard. Its purely a matter of what feels better, and the image associated with each one. One may be of better build quality, but will cost more to fix when it does break. and all cars do break eventually. One may look cooler, but cost more to insure. Its all a matter of drivers opinion. Test drive em both and pick whichever one you find more enjoyable.

Personally, i dont think i could drive a 'vette yet. They are friggin huge cars. They may look big in picture, but in person that thing is massive. And the HUD in the vette rules , though mainly pointless. Just whatever you do, dont even think of getting the red leather if you get a vette :shudders at the thought:

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pagliachi2003

Both are great cars so I'd just go with what feels better to you. If it were my cash I'd go with the Bimmer because its not as common, looks badass, and its much more nimble. The above poster said the vette has 40' turning circle! That's more than my Xterra 4x4!

Gnzo

Get which ever car you feel is more fun to drive. I am assuming you like the way both cars look. If that's the case, then it all comes down to which car you will enjoy driving more.

Now, if you asked which car would I buy. I would take the money and restore a '67 Mustang GT convertible (It's not enough to do a Shelby)

Have fun with which ever car you choose, and remember, baby the paint, not the pedals