Sold the M3 this week. I'll be back (one day?). Need new less expensive ride

[rexb16]

OP needs to decide what he wants 2-3 years from now before he gets a new car. Personally, I think the GTI is the best idea based on your requirements.

[Jojipoji]

Yolo. Keep the m! But seriously though, make sure you get a car that you can resell for close to what you buy it at just in case your wife gets a better job or your financial outlook improves so that you can get back into the game.

[mwh2009]

Originally Posted by DanIAM3

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Nurburgring records usually driven by the manufacturer?

Also please enlighten us with the "multitude of modifications" the Type R had when it smashed the FWD record.

From what I read it was on stock tires, and the necessary roll cage added for safety was a floating one that didn't add any structural stiffness.

For the OP, I vote new Honda Accord Sport 2.0T 6spd with a Hondata flash. Or if you want German, go with a CPO Audi S3.

Would you recommend the Accord 2.0T over the Civic Si?

[Zero_Cool]

I’m sorry to hear about your wife getting downsized. People come on here to vent and ask for opinions, from “digital people”, outside of their circle and members have the nerve to heckle. Anyway. Don’t buy the STI. I bought a new one in 15 because the body change looked neat. I sold it in 10 months. The factory tune is known to cause “ringsland” failures. If you want to go above 300hp you have to forge the internals. The seats were rough on 6-7 hour drives. However, it held its value and I sold it for a nice penny. The Golf R would get my vote assuming it fits your new budget. But like others have said, maybe consider an E36 M that you could get for a decent price. Heck even the N54 powered 335i can be had under 20k. But if you want to spend 35k I would look for an E9X M.

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by NicoleLusts4BMW

Sounds like you probably couldn't afford the bucket list car ever. If a down sizing of a job made you sell you were not financially capable of owning a $75K vehicle. GL.

Jesus, this is a piece of very dire and over-generalized advice. Please resume partying immediately.

[BitchinManWheels]

http://www.carmixautosales.com/2016-...-18708/6378421
$41k cpo selling for $27k! I know the owner, the car is legit!

[Mr Pete]

I vote for the R. Comfortable, good utility, and manual was surprisingly good.

I had an STI, but too loud, and interior is very very plasticky. Very fun daily driver though.

I've owned a GTI, and the R is a better vehicle. GTi isn't a bad choice if you want a cheaper vehicle than the R.

Best of luck!

[swifty]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but a used e90 335D if available in your area.

They don't rev that high but power and rwd. Plus exceptional mileage.

[Yes2m3cs]

I have an M4 and GTI - the GTI does everything well and when tuned is a blast to drive. I say GTI all day.

Good luck brother!

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by xG35guy

I have an M4 and GTI - the GTI does everything well and when tuned is a blast to drive. I say GTI all day.

Good luck brother!

Me too! Honestly...it's really the only car one needs. lol

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by mwh2009

This might be true - if it is, then I don't imagine that everyone here would meet your definition of capable. I wonder how many here are independently wealthy to the point that they can lose 1/2 their income and NOT think about their personal budget and the wisdom of investing in cars vs buffering against future uncertainty.

One of the things I remind myself is that just because things got bad all of the sudden, it doesn't mean that they can't continue to get worse.

I think you are right, and a lot of people don't meet Nicole's definition of capable. That's their problem and they will have to make the tough choices also if that situation ever comes to them.

If you think it can get worse, don't replace the m3 even if your wife gets a comparable job

In addition to the e36m you should consider modded miatas and "spec" 986 and 996. the best are the ones where someone is partway through a project and has done the suspension and reliability mods but has kept the interior. Just stop the project and keep the license plate and you are golden. Super fun and below budget of a gti and golf r

[gatorfast]

GTI for sure. Super fun and practical car. Can be made pretty fast for pretty cheap as well.

[BimmerNugget]

CPO F30 335i...those have come down in price to $24k to $26k from $31k+ ever since the 340i came out.

I bet you can find an Msport, 6mt, rwd model for $30k with under 40k miles because of the rarity of this combo. Throw on a JB4 for $500 and you pretty much have 80% of an M3.

[jmg]

Good on you for making the tough choice. If you think it's only going to be 2 years or you are looking to save short term money, why not consider taking over someone's lease with only 2 years left? That way you can get back into the M in 2 years. Out of that list though golf r gets my vote. VAG leases aren't that great though.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

CPO F30 335i...those have come down in price to $24k to $26k from $31k+ ever since the 340i came out.

I bet you can find an Msport, 6mt, rwd model for $30k with under 40k miles because of the rarity of this combo. Throw on a JB4 for $500 and you pretty much have 80% of an M3.

Disagree on that.

My wife had an f30 335 rwd with the sport suspension and it was so crappy that it's the only car I have left a DE early because it was so bad (limp mode, no steering feel, stock tires got greasy too early). It's so far from an f80 it isn't funny. It would only remind OP of how great the f80 is in comparison.

I'd rather go back all the way to e36 m sedan than a f30

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by mwh2009

Would you recommend the Accord 2.0T over the Civic Si?

I would, the Accord is just so much nicer to be in plus I think it looks much better and more mature.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Disagree on that.

My wife had an f30 335 rwd with the sport suspension and it was so crappy that it's the only car I have left a DE early because it was so bad (limp mode, no steering feel, stock tires got greasy too early). It's so far from an f80 it isn't funny. It would only remind OP of how great the f80 is in comparison.

I'd rather go back all the way to e36 m sedan than a f30

I agree with nicknaz 100 percent. I was in the market for an F30 335i M Sport a few years back to replace my E90 335i. I test drove it quite a few times, I couldn't do an F80 M3 at the time because it was too much $$ since everyone wanted full MSRP++.

I remember EVERY SINGLE time getting out of the F30 being disappointed in the car, it just felt weird in a bad way. Everything from the steering, to the ride, to the handling felt like a downgrade from my E90.

When I finally had a chance to test drive an F80 I was prepared to be disappointed because of my experience with the F30. Wow was I ever wrong, it's not even close to being in the same universe. No wonder BMW gave the new M3 a totally different chassis code, they're like totally different cars.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Wifey and I have both and F30 340 and the F82 M4. They really are two totally different cars. The 340 is great for her but I'm not a fan.

I too couldn't tolerate the F30 when they 1st came out. My 1st e92 335 was great. I test drove a bunch of different F30 configurations but the steering was soooooo bad. I ended up going backwards to an e92 335is. That car was the shit. If I hadn't got too aggressive on a turn and totaled it I would still have it.

[mwh2009]

Originally Posted by DanIAM3

I would, the Accord is just so much nicer to be in plus I think it looks much better and more mature.

Yeah - went to the auto show in Richmond this weekend (such as it is - really has gone downhill the last couple of years), and was impressed with the Accord interior - nicer than the Civic for sure.

BTW - the Stinger GT interior was easily as nice as my either of my BMWs - seriously. Too bad it's stickered at $52k. If that car was $42k instead, they'd have a winner on their hands. I just don't see many with $52k to spend on a car going for a Kia badge.

[trey100]

Golf R or GTI. If I were in your situation, I'd probably go GTI since it's significant less expensive and still a great car. If you want to make an impact, no need to stretch to an R. I test one a few years ago and it's a great car.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by mwh2009

Yeah - went to the auto show in Richmond this weekend (such as it is - really has gone downhill the last couple of years), and was impressed with the Accord interior - nicer than the Civic for sure.

BTW - the Stinger GT interior was easily as nice as my either of my BMWs - seriously. Too bad it's stickered at $52k. If that car was $42k instead, they'd have a winner on their hands. I just don't see many with $52k to spend on a car going for a Kia badge.

It's getting $10k off already. Check out the other post on these forums where it is being discussed.

I saw one in grey that looked like a paint to specification m3 grey. Looked great.

But even $42k I think wouldn't be great for OP situation and the change in badge of primary from M3 to Kia would be tough

[blinkme323]

My vote is for the S3 / Golf R. Good luck!