RobertinArgyle said:
My M3 is pristine. I am the second owner. It has 64k miles, always garaged, Mobil 1, etc. Never tracked. White with natur interior. I was asking $15,800, but I think I am a couple of thousand low based on the response I've had. Maybe the guy won't show up today with the money. I think I'll take it off the market until next year if that happens. ANYWAY, I hope Overseas is incorrect about the number of cars they will be getting per month.
If it's that pristine, I'd get some more money for it. I think $19k is more like it.
I really tortured myself with the idea of selling my M3 for an Elise ... but then I regained my senses. In 5 years the E30 M3 will be worth even more (pristine ones, anyway) and the Elise will be worth maybe $25k.
Besides, my M3 doesn't stall out, leak rain, and the heater control knobs don't fall off. With my closest Lotus dealer being out-of-town, the idea of a very needy Elise will get old very quickly.
Some may say "sour grapes" or "nice rationalization" or "he'll regret it when he sees his first Elise", but I have no regrets with decision to get an '04 S2000. It doesn't have the flash of the Elise, but I've made it my summertime daily driver and everything has been flawless with the car so far (1000+ miles). Best feature? The top that goes up and down in 6 seconds. That Elise top is going to be a major pain in the ass....and there is no way I'd be parking it with the top off (crime, weather, pollen, sun damage, etc.).
Anyway, I'll shut up now. I'm not about to totally badmouth an Elise on this forum. It's a very cool car -- I'd like to own one -- but not if it means selling an E30 M3. I'm very curious to see the Elise frustrations when these cars come in with minor and major problems.
Final suggestion: Keep the M3 if you're only going to get $15k for it. Buy a new S2000 for about $15k less than an Elise. You'll have a blast and you'll keep your pristine M3. In 3 years, you'll thank me. You'll still have your M3...... a car that is a true classic even though it's not yet all that old. You'll also get your 2 seat roadster fix. Two fun cars for the price of one!