So I went to look at two cars today. A 2007 911 GT3 and a 1994 E500. Both were exactly what I expected and both are in excellent shape.

Here's the problem. I'm looking to buy a house this year. I have three options.

(1) Buy 911 GT3, sell 335i and get a smaller house/pay PMI.
(2) Keep 335i, buy house.
(3) Sell 335i, buy E500, get good house, buy Porsche in a year or two and still have the E500 as a daily.

I'm really leaning towards #3. Number 1 really isn't going to happen. Stupid to spend money on a car and waste in on a house I don't want with higher payments. Buying the E500 cuts my car payment way down and can be used for furniture, renovations etc.

So what says the Revmat.ch community?

Tree

I'd vote 3 but I'm personally not a huge fan of older MBs. I know a lot of people here are and I know you do so thats why I vote that for you. How bout 4 though? pickup a used Aston and be in between 1&2?

I can see you in the E500, Alan! I say 3! But the 335i is great...

Definitely not the gt3, but for the price of that E500 you can get a better/newer car in my opinion. Its probably easiest to just stick with the 335.

Chris

the easiest is to stick with teh 335. The E500 i'd buy and keep it not as a DD but more of a once a week kinda car especially if it is mint condition. But you should prioritize and get your house before getting a GT3. Alan PM me how much the e500.

BTW Alan you should give a ballpark amount on the E500 so people can make an educated decision ;)

I bet the 3 people that voted E500 might feel differently if they knew the amount.

I was never a fan of the 335 for you anyway :).
More of a highschool chick's car (yes, yes, I expect lots of hate for that comment).

Get GT3.

Buy Benzo, keep 335, which ever works best for you. Just keep your eye on the prize.

Four
Make PT buy an M6, sell you the e39 and then buy house.

2004 E500 (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271063036&dealer_id=581371&car_year=2004&engine=&fuel=&lastStartYear=1981&sort_type=priceASC&default_sort=priceASC&systime=&drive=&style_flag=1&body_code=0&seller_type=b&min_price=&color=&model=E430&keywords_display=&advanced=y&distance=200&doors=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&awsp=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&rdm=1263153016428&marketZipError=false&keywordsfyc=&search_type=both&transmission=&model2=E500&max_price=&max_mileage=&end_year=2011&make=MB&start_year=2003&num_records=25&certified=&make3=&make2=MB&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&address=18940&first_record=26&pager.offset=25&cardist=168&standard=false&rdpage=thumb)

Check that link. Same color, same model, cheaper, 10 years newer, 30k less miles :)

Whatever you do, dont look at E55s with 60k miles for a few bucks more than that E500 :)

The older gangster E500 will fetch a premium. Something that may or may not be worth it for you especially since the Prices of Newer MB's are really reasonable.

But regardless, get the nicest house you can comfortably get into. The car can always come a few years down the road.

I personally say option 3 with a slight adjustment on the year of the E500.

Alan are you looking at teh black E500 in PA for 25k?

My heart tells you as it tells me...GT3, but my logic says house first. You will need something to park in when you do get it.
I kinda agree with Alicia on the 335, doesn't fit you well especially since your now shopping for GT3's. Get something big bad and 4 door for now.
The E500's do have a premium due to them being rare, but there is one near me if you want me to go check it out. a 94' with 97k for 17.5k
let me know. and best of luck in whatever you get.


I'd rock this
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=24658348&listingRecNum=12&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26alMdId%3D21014%26mkId%3D2 0028%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21014%26rd%3D100000%26c rSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear%26zc%3D07024%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26yrMn%3D1992%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26yrMx%3D1995%26al MkId%3D20028%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

House, especially right now. Do whatever you can to maximize the house you get. We're not going to be in a recession forever, and the rising tide lifts all boats - whatever you get is going to appreciate. Unlike the GT3 (or the 335 for that matter). I love nice cars but they're not always the smart decision.

Good luck!

The guy is asking 21.5K for the E500. It has new brakes, new Mercedes Evo II wheels and tires, new battery and is is awesome shape. Even better shape than my old 525i with the exception of a front bumper that needs a repaint.

I did some research and thinking today about what to do. If I were to get the E500, I would be spending money on fixing that bumper, upgrading the factory stereo to something better and getting a portable GPS. Right there I'm looking at 3K. And while cutting (or getting rid of) the car payment and maybe lowering the insurance a bit is tempting, I know the 335i will cost me ZERO beyond my finance payment at least until May 2011 (when the free maintenance runs out) and only regular maintenance until May 2013 when the CPO runs out - if I even keep it that long.

The pluses to the E500 (four doors, can use as daily driver when a sports car is eventually bought, easier to drive in the city, uniqueness etc) are good, I think at this point I am sticking with the 335i.

Hopefully the PPI will come back with some expensive flaw on the E500 and the decision will be made for me.

Nick - the car is pretty much perfect. Other than the bumper, it really needs nothing. I can give you the info if you are interested. He is flexible on the price.

Alan a decent nav front bumper respray and a semi decent stereo (assuming your not focussing on winning any shows) won't cost you over 1-1500.00, but even if it cost you 3g's thats shouldnt be the focus of your decision, considering older cars should come with the expectation of putting in occasional money into them, in terms of maintainance etc...... The E500 sounds nice but keeping your 335 makes the most financial sense probably at this point. Get your house, then get some toys afterwards at your convinience. I'd love to snatch up the E500, but not my priority right now, but thank you and Good luck. Don't forget to invite us over for the house warming..hahaha...

Keep the 335i, even though it isn't one of my favorites. Buy the house you want, get the car you want a few years down the line. E500 is a big meh, even if you spring for The Hammer version.

Yea i would tend to agree with keep the 3 jawn


I have been toiling with......

05+ E55

or

05 + SL55

but both seem to have their share of mb issues...not sure if I want to get mixed up in that right now....


As far as the 500E goes, it sucks they are still expensive, bc they tend to not be worth the money when compared to newer, more powerful mbs...

I saw the above 500E near nb on cars.com for 17k, I want it kinda, bad

but the 300E from florida will be back in 2 months, kinda wanna save the cash and go hard on that for awhile....few shots to sex it up
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3082/img00134201001041657.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/img00134201001041657.jpg/)
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1458/img00104200912201640.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/img00104200912201640.jpg/)

Go for number 3. House prices won't be this low again, but you can always buy another car at these prices.