SOT- how to tell if you're getting too pissy to use a 2002

[Harv]

Our interests define who we are.

Wait. Who we are, define our interests. Therefore, the cars we choose if we choose to be interested in cars, define our interests.

John

[poonker]

Do what I did. I bought both. E36 M3 first. Then I realized I was to careful with it and it was so reliable that it got boring. Enter the 2002. The E36 is way better to take the wife to dinner in though

[TobyB]

Or keep the 02 for daily and get a s2000 (you know you want it) for the track. Does it have to be all or none?

Amusingly, I'm out of room with a 122, a datsun roadster I never drive,

a 2002 electroproject, a Mitsu Montero (better than a pickup most of the time

and not very exciting) a 2002 race car and the 2002 street/track car. To add

one is to remove another, at this point. Really, I should remove 2.

Oh, then Jenn's 2002 and her Suzuki (which preciptated this whole crisis)

Sadly, right about the time I got motivated to put a 2l motor in the roadster,

EVERY club (INCLUDING Alfa) decided that convertibles were verboten.

So the S2000 would be the next race car, anyway...

I decided this afternoon- the Atlantik track rat must go. Sadly.

Eventually. It really WAS a parts car 15 years ago!!

Ahh, the sagas that determine the shape of the intrest of our lives

t

[MMII73]

Selling a track rat? I wish I had some cash!

Does it have a cage? Maybe I could find some. How much?

If you just want to park it for a while my wife probably wouldn't notice one more. In exchange for some technical advice for cheap/free go fast tricks on a chumpcar '02.

[mtriple]

No way Toby! give it some thought man..

[JFT]

So if I'm reading this correctly, a number of you who are longtime 2002ers seem to think that an E30 coupe is a better deal for all-round use - those of you, at least, who wouldn't rather drive a pickup.

This has been a very helpful string because I continue to wrestle with this question. Certainly seems to me that in some ways, an E30 is an improved 02. Howls of protest, maybe, but about the same size, better motors, standard 5-speed transmission, better interior, better HVAC. Quieter, more comfortable. Ah, but electronics that are a pain in the butt. But not as visceral. And for all their visual similarities, not nearly as cool looking.

My wife, who is incredibly patient with me and who puts up with my mechanical whims, including a long string of motorcycles, this time is urging me toward "something we would actually use." That's sounding a lot like an E30. I'm well into codgerhood now, and don't relish being uncomfortable.

[TobyB]

"something we would actually use."

yeah, exactly. Having driven a bunch of E30's, my fave was the 318is.

The m20 motor is very powerful, but reminds me too much of my Chevy

pickup. The M42, while not as torquey, adds a 'zip' that the 6 doesn't have.

Maybe it's just the sound.

Prejudice on my part, I'm sure.

And yeah, the Atlantik will show up in the 'for sale' section sometime.

It needs a few things before I'm ready to do that, tho.

t