I'm stuck in a dilema folks. I'm starting a new full time job in Sept 2011 and it's a healthy salary. I'm considering getting another car or keeping the MINI.

If I keep the MINI:
Pros:
-It's a fun car
-I already have a lot of work done to it (customized and modified)
-A lot of blood, sweat, tears and memories in the car.
-It's a fun car
-Low insurance
-It's paid off

Cons:
-It's getting old (2004 85K)
-Things need to get repaired/replaced soon such as:
-Supercharger
-Window Motors x2
-All the engine/tranny bushings
-Maybe the water pump & ac compressor
-Steering pump
-Chips ahoy on the front bumper/hood
-It's starting to become a money pit

Cars I'm thinking about getting (Within a 25K budget):
-Certified Pre-owned Audi TT Quattro - I hear it's a fun car, great clutch and it's 4 wheel drive.
-A used R56 with everything but the JCW tuning kit - So I can RMW tune it. Less mods for more power.
-A used Subaru WRX STi - It's a stereotyped ******* car, but it's a car in a different class. It's fast, powerful and reliable. But everyone beats the **** out of them if it's used.
-Used BMW 135i? Lovely, but not in my price range.
-Maybe a Rx8? Too much a gas guzzler
-Fiat 500 will just make me miss my MINI.

Can you guys think of any other fun cars? Or should I just keep my car and deal with the maintenance 1 by 1 as they come?

I think the biggest thing that's making me reconsider is seeing how my friend's R56 got RMW tuned and it's making bigger TQ than I am with much less mods (less $$).

 

I'd hang onto it and do some preventative repairs/replacement, and keep the fat salary for other toys, travel, etc, but that's just me!

 

If you think the R53 is a money pit...run away from the 56 (assuming it will be out of warranty). I'd be much more comfortable owning an R53 out of warranty than a 56 out of warranty...

I've had both, the R53 has a bulletproof motor. The 56 is a pile of junk (mechanically speaking). The torque (especially when tuned) is wonnnnnnnnderful and they get great gas mileage, but expect things to break.

I'd keep the MINI as a fun 2nd car and find a lease special on something for your daily driver. BMW has awesome lease specials on 3's and VW had some good ones on GTI's.

Or...if you want to buy something, you can definitely find an E46 M3 in your price range. Fantastic car, fantastic motor...try to find a 6 speed though (no SMG). STi's are fun, but in my opinion you'll get tired of it real fast.

 

GTI might be a good option for fun and newer.

The MINI is going to be more raw and pure (in a good way). My friends are buying GTI's lately, and we've been having fun comparing my MINI with their cars. Both are great cars.

 

I say keep the mini and buy a second car to use as a daily driver. save some money and have Jan build you a nice stroker motor for the mini let's see a R56 keep up with that

 

A nice CPO 2009 or later A3, better version of the GTI, can get it in AWD.

 

I feel like this forum is gonna be a little biased.

Keep your R53. If you have a little extra money, you're going to get a lot more satisfaction about restoring a car you love than switching to something new, especially if it's not a MINI.

Curious about what word the forum bleeped out about the WRX. My mind is putting in the most horrible, bigoted words in the blank when you probably said something totally innocuous that got caught by the profanity filter (starts with "a" ends with "hole"). I'm the same way when something's bleeped on TV. They probably just said "goddamn" but my mind assumes it must be bad if it's bleeped and I hear "f***ing c***" or something along those lines.

 

I've been very disappointed in the repairs bills on my mini has been stacking up but I'm personally a fan of keeping cars and fixing them. You would have to replace a TON of major parts for it to be a better dission to buy a new car then fix it.
That said I'm getting nostalgic for my old Celica. I had far fewer issues with it then the my '06 MCS and the mini is still half the age and mileage of the Celica when I sold it.

 

I've been spending some time over at the M3 forums and I think I got my eyes on a E46 M3, preferably 2005-2006. Gonna take some time to look around, not in a rush. Will be patiently waiting for that special car to come up.

 

I'm in your boat. Mine has become a money pit and with 65k on the clock, I wouldn't have expected as many problems as I've got right now. Lowspeed fan is out, flywheel rattles, oil pan gasket leaks, catalytic converter is plugged. I'm going for a Buick Regal GS this Summer. Oh, and a STI would be a fun car for you.

 

Haha, awesome. I've been drooling over a M3 for a while now.

If I sell my car, I don't know what price I should sell it at.

 

I think I've decided on a E46 M3 by next year. I will be giving this car to my younger brother and have him take care of it. My brother is going to be 20 next year and this car might be a bit much for him which is why I'm going to test him. I'm going to give him a list of every single part I've upgraded or fixed and have him explain to me what each part does

But I've been stalking around in M3 forums, and I think I'm gonna go for a low mileage (under 50K) 2005-2006 M3. Should be able to get one, well equipped for less then $30K

 

I wish I had a first gen... love that cars body like no other ... ill trade you my 2011 mcs lol

 

my wife loves her 2010 a4. sport package is nice, but i don't think it drives as well as the bmws we drove or my MCS. the audi is a great ride and it is quick, but i don't think it is as fund to drive as the m3. what about a slightly later model 335? those are super fun cars.

 

Those 335i are definitely nice. One of the best engines by far. I think they won another Engine of the Year award for 2011. I'll definitely go test drive one of those too.

 

mmm.. every mechanic whos honest that ive talked to at the bmw dealers say that the 335 and 135 are really fun cars, but to stay away as the turbo's that come on those motors are sh**. he advised that if you get one change the turbos out for a better, single unit, as the twins are causing some issues now that will lead to large issues down the road.
The n54 is a good motor though, although they are not a fan of valvetronic, even they say its "just too much precision tight-tolerance sh** to go wrong"
Thats also why he warned me off from an 11 countryman. he says hes already had several come back in the shop.
My advise, buy a used car that's fun and proven to be reliable. If possible buy a first owner from someone who has all the receipts for everything ever done. hard to find, but worth it if you do.
If you want reliable fun id have to go with a vtech mini. fun, honda reliablility, and will get you LOTS of compliments and questions, and can be had for ~21k used.