: : : Winters here are terrible at times, and I don't have the pleasure to just sit at home on the bad days and not work/goto school. My parents were looking at an X5 for winters, but again, that car wouldn't be available to me everyday during the winter, or even most of the days. It wouldn't be my car, period. Maybe once or twice a week I'd be able to take it for half the day, but that's it. I am *hoping* that the M3 with some snows will hold up well in some light snow. On days with heavy snow, I'm still wondering what I'm going to do, I may have to take the M3 out, but I'll be crying at the torture it's going through. I'm sure I'll figure out something. I can't reduce myself to buying a $5k beater and driving it. Going from an M3 to a 1988 toyota corolla would be awful. So forget that idea.

: : : Aside from bad weather, some of the streets I have to go over would make driving the Viper a nightmare (city streets are all like that these days). So I guess it's just practicality that keeps me away from the Viper. I have to say though, I heard that viper from about 100 yards away rumbling last night. And when it took off from the light at full throttle, I'm sure everyone withing 500 feet had their jaws dropped. It's a stunning looking car, just not practicaly for daily use.

: : : My experience with being in a Viper is that the inside is extremely cheap. Extremely. Personally, I hold interior build quality highly in my cars. The Viper, unfortunately, does not provide that. (Which can account for part of the reason it costs so little). The car is beautiful outside, looking a lot like, in fact, a viper. It is raw and definately not at all subtle. It will rip %95 percent of cars out there a new ***hole. It will also turn the heads of %99.9 of the people out there. The car also handles extremely well (as mentioned already) It's a winner for $70k, for sure.

: : : So in conclusion, if you've got a good winter car, the Viper will give you a lot of power, looks, and fun for only $70k, more so than an M3 (which can explain where that extra $20,000 goes to). I don't think the Viper and the M3 are in the same league, because of practicality, Viper being a garage queen, and the M3 being something that with some sacrifice, will work for you day after day. I love my BMWs, but if I was looking for a garage queen (which it seems you are with your list of cars) - the Viper would be my best choice. One thing though - PLEASE make sure if you get a Viper - you take a class on how to drive it. Those cars are hard to tame without ample experience, and can endanger your life as well as others. I remember seing a jackass in a white GTS about a year ago who fishtailed onto a curb because he lost control of his car. Take at least 1 driving school. The $2k will seem like nothing with the additional fun it will bring out of your car.

: : : Another little note: if practicality isn't an issue, maybe consider a Lotus Esprit... even more rare than a Viper, and hellishly fast as well. A beautiful looking car IMO, but, does cost more.

: : : If you have any questions - you can email me directly

: : : Cheers everyone...

: : : -m

: : : 2001 BMW M3 (Spring 2001)