Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducguy46
My first BMW was a 2008 BMW Z4 M Coupe that I purchased in 2010. I had been looking for cars for awhile, doing my research and looking for something unique as this was going to be my first car over $30,000 as my budget was $32,000. I found this Z4 M Coupe in Barrington, IL at the BMW dealership. Apparently the previous owner was an older gentleman that bought the car and then realized that for winters in IL a rear wheel drive low clearance car was not the best choice and he turned it back in with 2,000 miles and bought himself an M3. The problem was the car was going for $40,000 and even though I talked them down to $38,000 at the time I was still short. My father, a short Italian man with a passion for motorsports and cars saw my conundrum and without hesitation said, "Buy it before someone else does and I'll give you the money you need," in his Italian/English accent. I completed the deal and till this day I own this baby. She only has 7,500 miles as I now own multiple M cars and Ducati's that keep me busy but the reality is that this car was special not only because it's a scary racing machine even compared to the other M's but because it's one of the best memories I have of my father who passed away not quite 2 years ago. We did the road trip together from NC to IL and put the car on a trailer and drove it back home. My dad made us stop at some tiny, no name restaurant to get a 'big bisteca' or steak as he'd say, to celebrate this occasion. I think he was just as happy as I was and now that I'm a father to a 3 and almost 1 year old I realize he was happy for me. We talked a lot on that drive back to NC and connected in a way we hadn't done it a bit. The drive back was on snowy mountain roads and at times towing the car on a trailer seemed like we were just asking for the grim reaper to visit us early but we made it back home safely. My plan currently (although as a parent I realize more than ever how plans change constantly) is to hold onto this gem for my son. When he's old enough I'll tell him how his Nonno helped me get my first BMW and then tell him about his Nonno who came from a little town outside of Naples (Sassano) and made something pretty impressive of himself by working hard, being kind to people from all walks of life and doing things by the book...that's just who he was.
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Great story, i'm sorry to hear about your father, but I'm glad you got to spend that time with him. Those are the kind of memories that you can treasure forever.
I recently gifted a car to a family member, my one owner, never modified 350Z which I gave to my father in law who has always wanted one. It's a fantastic feeling and I love being able to visit it and see all the love he showers it with (It's absolutely his baby.)
Anyway, i've never been much of a BMW person, though my dad had a mid-70's BMW 320i when I was growing up, so as far as the European brand's BMW has always been my favorite.
But ever since childhood i'd always fancied myself as more of a JDM guy and my first automotive loves were mid-90's Toyotas like the MR2 and Supra. My first car was even an all-wheel drive Celica from 1988.
I've basically been waiting for the new Supra for 20 years. I wasn't really bothered when I found it was going to basically be a BMW....but I was pretty crestfallen when I found out it would be auto only. I've never owned an automatic (no disrespect if that's anyone's preference, it just isn't mine) and I just didn't really think I could hold my nose and buy the Supra anyway because I just don't want an auto sports car.
But all that talk of the Supra ACTUALLY being a BMW got me thinking "hey...I was basically gonna buy a BMW anyway, what else do they have in their lineup?" That led me to the M2 Comp, which was in my budget (barely) and actually does a reasonably good job of mimic the MKIV supra in it's setup: RWD, I-6 with twin turbos, M/T and 2+2 seating. And it makes an amount of horsepower that's perfect for me (and right about where i'd want a MKIV supra to be if i had one) enough to be quick, but not so much I can't exploit it.
