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  Nov. 22, 2011 1:13 p.m. Caleb New Reader

  Hey guys I'm looking at picking up a new daily driver/hpde car in the next 2-3 months but I'm having a hard time deciding what to buy. My budget is between 15-20k and right now I'm really looking at either a C5 Z06 or E46 M3 (not a smg). So if anyone would like to share there experiences with owning/driving/maintaining these machines that would be fantastic.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 1:15 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  Get a GTO, it's the best of both of your choices combined into one kangaroo-hide-slathered machine.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

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  Nov. 22, 2011 1:36 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

  Go with the GTO. As a bonus if you get a purple one, there's a SERIOUSLY wicked purple interior out there that was an option

  Go fast or go broke.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 1:40 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  All Cosmos Purple GTO's have the Black/Purple interior. 2004 only. Wicked awesome.

  All other GTO's had black interiors standard and certain colors had an optional color (which are all really difficult to find).

  Phantom Black, Quicksilver, and Torrid Red could get a Black/Red interior.

  Impulse Blue could get Black/Blue.

  Fun fact: nearly every color of GTO had matching interior gauges.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

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  Nov. 22, 2011 1:45 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

  Regarding the GTO, wasn't a parts availability problem brought up in another thread? Something to the extent of ball joints and tie rod ends being NLA? They seem like wicked cool cars to me either way.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 2:07 p.m. Caleb New Reader

  One of my good friends has a GTO and i have driven it and to be honest i wasn't impressed. It is a fun car but not something i would really like to own plus I'm not a fan of the styling.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 2:22 p.m. Varkwso Reader

  I currently have a 2002 ZO6 (bought new), 2005 GTO (Yellowjacket - also bought new) and a 99 Corvette Fixed Roof Coupe bought well used. My wife loves the GTO and drives it everyday she is not on her motorcycle. The C5Z is the performance bargain of your options mentioned.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 2:27 p.m. Caleb New Reader

  How bad has the maintenance and cost of ownership been with the C5Z and whats it like living with it day to day

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  Nov. 22, 2011 3:07 p.m. corytate HalfDork

  c5Z or gto, either way not the e46 for reliability issues..
  they are awesome cars, but If I was buying an m3 I'd buy an e36 or e30 for sure.
  I vote GTO though. love those cars.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 3:14 p.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  I'd also have to throw another vote in for the GTO. They handled pretty well right out of the box, and can be made into a track monster with some suspension upgrades. They're great bargains. You could have one, upgrade it, and still have cash in your pocket when you're done. Plus, there are some subtle and tasteful appearance upgrades that'll give it a nice look.
  

  If you can't consider the GTO, the I'd go 'Vette for sure.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 3:20 p.m. Raze SuperDork

  GTO is the only car I still think about the test drive and kick myself for not buying it on the spot, it was the LS2 version...

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  Nov. 22, 2011 3:26 p.m. Cone_Junky HalfDork

  I like driving e46 bimmers, M or not. But I would not own or recommend owning one to anybody I like. I make a lot of money working on those chassis'.

  Still plays with cars...

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  Nov. 22, 2011 3:53 p.m. rotard Reader

  I just got a mint 2002 Z06 with 45k miles for $21k. I have to say that it is much, much, much more fun than any GTO I've driven. If you don't need back seats, get the Z06. If you rarely carry more than two people, let someone else drive when you're going out or whatever, lol.

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  Nov. 22, 2011 5:27 p.m. Caleb New Reader

  Any thoughts on a 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra? This is what the wife keeps suggesting i get to match her 95gt lol

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  Nov. 22, 2011 5:43 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  03-04 Cobra is the SC'd monster and the only Mod Motor worth owning. The IRS in them is pretty sub-par and the chassis has more flex than a wet noodle. The interior is 80's cheap and the front suspension geometry is crap.

  That said, it is one of only 3 Fox/SN95/NewEdge Mustangs I have ever lusted over. I love the raw power, the under-rated subtleness, and the lightness. It will be even with the GTO in a lot of categories, with the Cobra having more speed and the GTO more handling. It is way, way more cramped inside though.

  That's a tough call. Drive both, pick the one you personally like best. Can't go wrong either way, honestly.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

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  Nov. 22, 2011 11:19 p.m. Cotton Dork

  Javelin wrote: 03-04 Cobra is the SC'd monster and the *only* Mod Motor worth owning. The IRS in them is pretty sub-par and the chassis has more flex than a wet noodle. The interior is 80's cheap and the front suspension geometry is crap. That said, it is one of only 3 Fox/SN95/NewEdge Mustangs I have ever lusted over. I love the raw power, the under-rated subtleness, and the lightness. It will be even with the GTO in a lot of categories, with the Cobra having more speed and the GTO more handling. It is way, way more cramped inside though. That's a tough call. Drive both, pick the one you personally like best. Can't go wrong either way, honestly.

  I have to disagree. We love our 2003 Mach 1. Bought it with 45k and it has 80k plus with zero issues. Azure blue with wheels and minor mods and it's a blast to drive. We looked at GTOs when we bought the mach, but they were several thousand more and I prefer the looks of the Mach 1, although I really really liked the blue on blue GTO.

  That being said...the Mach 1 has been our DD for a couple of years now, so it's about time to retire it out of DD status and look at something else. The wife has been talking Wrangler, but this thread really has me thinking C5.

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  Nov. 23, 2011 2:11 a.m. clutchsmoke Reader

  I vote C5 Z06. It outperforms 95% of cars effortlessly.

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  Nov. 23, 2011 7:14 a.m. Varkwso HalfDork

  Caleb wrote: How bad has the maintenance and cost of ownership been with the C5Z and whats it like living with it day to day

  I have about 60,000 miles on my C5Z now. 40,000+ on track. I have replaced one hub and broke a valvespring (on I 20 with cruise control set at 65). Other then that it has been consumables. Great and fantastic daily driver and no problem for a cross country car. I have done the Hot Rod Power Tour 4 or 5 times with the C5Z and once with the GTO. The C5Z has a bigger trunk!

  I have owned two 99 Fixed roof coupes and they were/are reliable cars with all C5 manual cars gettting great mileage (28-30 not uncommon).

  GTO is a lot thirstier - especially in town. The back seat is a pita to get in and out of. Good luck finding aftermarket wheels for the car....

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  Nov. 23, 2011 9:15 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

  Cotton wrote:

  Javelin wrote: 03-04 Cobra is the SC'd monster and the *only* Mod Motor worth owning. The IRS in them is pretty sub-par and the chassis has more flex than a wet noodle. The interior is 80's cheap and the front suspension geometry is crap. That said, it is one of only 3 Fox/SN95/NewEdge Mustangs I have ever lusted over. I love the raw power, the under-rated subtleness, and the lightness. It will be even with the GTO in a lot of categories, with the Cobra having more speed and the GTO more handling. It is way, way more cramped inside though. That's a tough call. Drive both, pick the one you personally like best. Can't go wrong either way, honestly.

  I have to disagree. We love our 2003 Mach 1. Bought it with 45k and it has 80k plus with zero issues. Azure blue with wheels and minor mods and it's a blast to drive. We looked at GTOs when we bought the mach, but they were several thousand more and I prefer the looks of the Mach 1, although I really really liked the blue on blue GTO.

  That being said...the Mach 1 has been our DD for a couple of years now, so it's about time to retire it out of DD status and look at something else. The wife has been talking Wrangler, but this thread really has me thinking C5.

  Mach 1 would be 1 of the 2 remaining Mustangs that I like from that vintage ;) When you're ready to sell that Blue one, give me a call...

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin 360 / GoKart / 86 944 Sport / 01 Grand Prix GT / 06 Mazda5 M5

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