Wanted: 1996-1999 BMW M3 Street Car

[JoeP]

Aaron:  Until Dave mentioned Audis, I had narrowed my choices down to 1996-1999 M3's or slightly newer Minis.  Since I am still on the steep part of the DE learning curve, I already have my hands full with normally aspirated cars, or at least cars that behave normally aspirated (like the Mini).  

I test-drove a new Mazdaspeed 3.  The torquesteer was unnerving, and I hated the way things became complicated as boost went in and out.  I also drove a friend's WRX.  It was better behaved, but the throttle was still very nonlinear - and would change midcurve depending on your RPM.  The Mini was not so dramatic, perhaps because it was not as radical.

This car will be my daily driver that I will also use to teach my daughter how to drive a manual transmission and introduce her to track events, starting with autocross.  An M3 or S4 would be waaaay overkill, but would give her less to learn than a turbo car.  On the practical side, an S4 or Mini would be better in Winter than an M3.  

Right now, the decision seems to depend more on the right individual car.  These babies are getting pretty old.  I keep getting tempted to spend a little more for a newer car, but that really defeats my original purpose.  Prices are dropping fast.  Here is a beautious 2003 no-sunroof M3, and they are only asking $20K:

http://streetdreamsbmwm3coupe.com/info.php