Endlessly shopping dailies, I’m currently on the fence between the constant V6 6 speed Acura TL 3rd-gen. $4000-7000 for one with 90-150k miles in reasonable shape. But then something else has come to my attention: E46 330s aren’t all that unreliable. $600 buys a kit to replace the faulty cooling system components and then you have a perfectly reliable sports coupe until the $500 alternator shits the bed.
BMW Pros:
RWD
Ultimate Driving Machine
Looks phenomenal, aged super well
Straight 6 smoothness
Badge snobbery
Better fuel economy according to EPA numbers (??!?!?)
Available as a coupe
Well-built turgid German turn signals
BMW Cons:
Potentially more expensive repairs due to parts costs.
Insurance?
Acura Pros:
Looks phenomenal
Honda reliability
Not pretentious/flies under the radar
Acura Cons:
Sedan only
FWD
Not as flashy
Would not be as fun on twisties/autox
I’m considering replacing the Miata with one of these to have a larger, safer, more practical daily. To that end I lean towards the E46 because it would be a better “fun car” that can also do road trips and seat multiple people.
Curious on your thoughts. I’ve spoken to owners of both cars and most of the Acura owners would give up their cars for an E46 330 and all the 330 owners I’ve talked to have had better luck with reliability than I have with my Miata.