You could always get a 325/328is - cheaper to buy and insure.

 

If you bring an ITR to the same parking lot a few times its bound to get stolen, I would rethink your decision.

I tend to agree with David's thoughts on this.

Good luck on your choice but remember If you get an R and then it gets stolen your taking away from the limited population and your Ins rates and ours will go up.

 

I wouldn't even consider a Miata... slow as molasses.

The S2000 is much quicker than I realized... one blew my wife's 2004 Mustang GT away the other day. It was embarassing. FWIW, it wouldn't have been as ugly if I had been driving, but she didn't have a clue the guy was about to blow by her... I saw it coming.

 

cant go wrong with either car, but if i had an itr i would be worried about theft, what year m3 are you looking to get, if you're looking to get an obd1 m3 they dont come with traction control, dsc so if its your first, or first rwd car i would be careful driving it around, especially in the snow

 

My 2 cents...

Get a reliable beater like a Civic or an older Accord. You are in college and you'll have enough to just about support yourself. A nice car draws interest and makes people want to do stupid things to it. I've had 2 cars in college and neither were anything I couldn't replace with a few thousand bucks. First was a 1989 Cutlass Supreme that I couldn't care less about. Now I have my 1994 Accord, if it gets stolen or damaged or needs major repairs I can fork out another $4000 to get a new one. I was in the same boat and wanted a 1995 BMW 540i black on black in 6 speed before I got my Accord, but realized that it would draw too much attention and be hard to maintain.

Just my 2 cents as a college student.

 

ok first of all if i wanted a "beater" i would keep my GSR. also the schools i am looking at are pretty small and only have like 2 small parking lots, i would definately not get a R if i was going to a large state school (ie UGA with 15000 or more students). i also plan to install the fuel cutoff switches and take all necessary safely precautions, including not getting a yellow one and taking off the type R stickers, most people dont know the difference. but you guys do know best. about the S2000, not allowed, dad says its too small and he has other reasons. and another thing about the M3 is it would be my first RWD car and that wouldnt be too good for the snow. at this point i really dont know. i still have a year to consider my options, and i appreciate your input.

 

save money and get a better car after 4 years if you still want a type r or m3 then itll be a little cheaper, not much tho seeing as if e36 m3 prices have pretty much been around 13-20k depending on year

 

thanks for your imput guys. i have a year to decide though so i will take my time. but i would like to drive an r. ive driven an M3 already but Rs are a little harder to come by. any suggestions? (i already checked all the dealers and stuff in my area).

 

autotrader.com

 

Would this Richmond school happen to be VCU? That's where I am.

There is a yellow ITR (and green FD, while we're at it) that openly park on the streets here, right off campus. To my knowledge, they haven't been touched.

I have seen a couple cars stripped not but a few blocks away from that though, but they where abandoned anyway.

My verdict: get a cheap and fun car, like a lower model Integra, a 240SX, something you like but older and less flashy. College is a bitch on money, so don't blow all your cash now and end up with high insurance and property taxes... and no money for beer.