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If the car doesn't have a clutch pedal, then I won't buy it
Well, then, you're not buying anything, because everything on the market you're shunning for one reason or another. You're going to have to get over one of your requirements: either get over the styling of the Mustang/Camaro, get over the lack of a third pedal to wiggle every few minutes, or get over the convertible.
It could be time to consider whether you REALLY have a strong need to move your foot to make shifts. An automated manual is not the same as a slushbox. Some are better than others though apparently. Might be worth trying out, although perhaps you already have tried some.
Well, then, you're not buying anything, because everything on the market you're shunning for one reason or another. You're going to have to get over one of your requirements: either get over the styling of the Mustang/Camaro, get over the lack of a third pedal to wiggle every few minutes, or get over the convertible.
Or just buy another M3 convertible. You seem to have missed that option in my original post.
I currently own an e46 M3 convertible with a 3.2L I6
Actually IMHO most of the cars you are looking at would be a step DOWN from this car, in terms of overall performance and driving enjoyment.
Maybe you just want to put an aftermaket cat-back exhaust on the M and call it a day?
If you just HAVE to have 8 or more pots, probably a Mustang is the best choice, looks less like a cartoon of itself than the Camaro. It's been a while since I have driven a convertible 'stang, but last time I did it seemed to have a lot less body rigidity than BMW cars. They may have fixed that, dunno. Won't hurt you to go test drive one and see what you think.
Or, as others have pointed out, get a newer M3 with the V-8. As PDD pointed out, way more money than the 'stang, but drive this too and decide if the extra dosh is something you personally can justify or not. You will just have to answer that question for yourself, by driving them both, no way it can be addressed here in a forum.
There are various convertible 911 Porkers out there, you could find one of them with a Boxer 6 and 6-speed, they are technically 2 + 2 cars, although your boys will probably outgrow the rear seats pretty quick.
IMHO no need to buy any of these new. You can find a good clean one for sale from the original owner. You strike me as the type who would not be put off by, say, brake pads that have only 40% thickness left, or some similar wear part triviality. Easy enough to change them out, or get a shop to do it. I'd definitely buy from an individual rather than a dealer if I could find anything like what I wanted that way.
Actually IMHO most of the cars you are looking at would be a step DOWN from this car, in terms of overall performance and driving enjoyment.
Yes. That thought has crossed my mind once or twice. The E46 M3 has been a joy to drive, but I've got 10 years and 127K miles on it and I'm just ready for something different. I've looked at newer E46s with fewer miles, but for now, my preference is still for an E93 if I was to go that route and buy another M3.
In any event, since OP hadn't specified what difference he was looknig for besides adding cylinders, I was curious as to his reasoning.
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An automated manual is not the same as a slushbox. Some are better than others though apparently. Might be worth trying out, although perhaps you already have tried some.
