Credit union or PNC fo sho. Since the car will have more then 30K miles I'll probably go for a personal loan.

 

If you're military hit up USAA. They'll give ya a loan. Got a small one on my '99 when I got it. Its really crazy the different sections they have. My insurance is really cheap and the customer service is awesome.

 

I just bought a NC and its absolutely amazing. I got an 06 special edition that's fully loaded with 80k miles for 10k. It is better than my 95 in every way. I was getting annoyed dding my 95, an this has everything I wanted in a dd, and it's a better Miata. Plus when I make a sweet v band turbo kit for it in a year or so it will be even better. Also, built 2.3 Mzrs are pretty sweet, turns101 is making like 600 hp.

 

If you have access to USAA and you don't use them you are a fool. I have never had any issues with them and both their banking and insurance have been excellent.

 

Navy Fed will give just about anybody in the mil a loan for just about anything they want.

For me:
New 2000 Ranger
New 2001 Celica
New 2006 MS6
2002 Dodge Ram 65k
2005 4Runner 80k
2001 Ninja 900 12k
2003 Aprilia Falco 6k
1998 Four Winns 19ft
1995 Hobie 18'

I have my primary checking/savings, and a "ready-cash" money market through them as well.

We do all our credit-cards through USAA and insurance through State Farm.

 

.

 

I'll leat USAA and NavyFed get in a deathmatch for my business.

I could afford a C5 Corvette if I spent a bit more, they can be had for $15K...

 

NC w/ Cosworth SC.

 

I'd take a C5 over a SC'd NC, I think. I really wish I had a place for two cars because a C5, a stripped down cheap NA and a sportbike would be very nice. I'll probably end up getting a 01+ LS package, in black.

 

I know you said no s4 but i'd like to point out the 2003+ has a 4.2L v8 and is pretty awesome and in your price range. I have an a6 with that motor as my daily and aside from the timing belt change the maintenance has been reasonable. it's super reliable and awesome for bad weather (AWD heated seats, heated steering wheel...). it's fun to drive, comfy, fast, reasonable gas mileage 20 city 26 freeway. mine is not manual though :-/.

given your location i'd be looking for something AWD. wrx, etc... personally i love my audi. other then the $600 timing belt kit. I've been able to maintain everything on my own. I haven't had anything go out and im 110k in on the motor.

 

I'll likely be in either North Carolina, SoCal or Hawaii in 6 months so I'm not too worried about driving in the snow.
However, a friend of mine had a B5S4 and I've never felt grip like that before and with a tune I imagine it would be an awesome car, I'd really like to have a B5S4 However however, for that money I could have a 01+ Miata LS with cash left over for a nice turbo setup and have all the b00st, or I could spend a little more and get a C5 or a STI (I'd like t be able to launch my car and the WRX's 5 speed ain't gonna cut it).

 

Bought my ZHP w/98k for 10k. It did needed 100k maintenance like water pump, gaskets and such ($4-500) Also did an entire brake job (rotors, pads, etc) which which was just under $300 for everything. This was my first car that I actually worked on. Had no prior experience, but that was okay. The forums are very supportive and a lot of DIY threads.

Tricky thing about E46 BMW's is their VANOS (similar to vvti) seals which tend to wear out over time and allow oil to leak through the system which caused the car to lose low end torque. They have aftermarket seals (Dr. VANOS - $75) that are much more durable then the OEM seals.

About a 3-4 hour job. Nothing hard just time consuming. It has 132k now and it has been trouble free. They do have their quirks though, like broken window regulators and interior panels falling off due to poor adhesive. Overall
they drive great and believe they are last of the modern BMW's without all the electronic/computer gizmos. A lot of people compare them to the performance of the older E36 M3's but much more "refined".

 

Sorry for the minor thread jack. Lol.

 

No problem, good info. Aren't E46s expensive to modify? If I wanted to make it as fast as a STi/C5/high power miata would it be possible on a similar budget?

 

Aftermarket parts can be expensive, especially forced induction. About 4-6k. That would bring the power up to M3 standards. If you plan on upgrading power wise, start with the M3. Just expect the part to cost double from above.

 

I wouldn't.

I'd drive the SC NC till bored, then put an LS in it. By that time, V8R should have the swap prefected.

A C5 thats 15k will be a problem child and a half.

 

buy a different car.

 

I know but I was trying to be polite.

I really like the idea of having a C5 as long as the insurance isn't crazy. Maintenance would not be a problem, simple drive train, simple suspension and not a lot of electronic crap to worry about. The only thing I would worry about would be a possible leaky removable roof.



I'm gonna have to test drive all of em.

 

If you HAVE to buy a C5, get an FRC.

 

Just get a loan for a C6 ZO6!