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

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by M3Fanatics

I would get into a e92 with n54 engine, its a fun car that can be had for under 20k with lots of tuning capability.

335is FTW!

[mwh2009]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

I have a 17 golf gti. Its ok but boring to drive. Get a Fiesta ST, much more fun and cheaper!

I tried it out back to back with a Focus ST way back when I was still driving the 340i (pre-F80 for me). The Fiesta was just too small. Focus ST was OK, but I didn't love the shift action. I think I need to drive it again.

Seems like I always come back to the same 3 cars:
Focus ST
WRX
GTI

If only the GTI had AWD, this would be a no-brainer. Hate paying up $10k to get AWD, but I would really like to have it. But, the WRX is just so.....old.

Then I start thinking about Golf R, and all of the sudden I'm at $42k and wondering why not just stretch for a CPO 340i xdrive....

Vicious cycle - all inside my head. My wife is all "just get the GTI"

[mwh2009]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

335is FTW!

I've looked at E90 335i xdrives. A lot of car for the money, for sure. Not sure how I feel about the warranty situation though.

The VW warranty is tough to ignore right now - 6yrs, 72k miles bumper to bumper.

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by mwh2009

Wife got downsized at her job. Having belt-tightening conversations about budget over morning coffee and then jumping into my $70k sports car to go to work was just too surreal.

So I sold my bucket list car. Been having a non-stop funeral in my head over it. I know it's just a car, but it was more than that to me. *sigh*

Anyway, I hope to be back some day. My daughter goes off to college in 2 years, so it might not be for a while.

In the meantime, I'm looking for suggestions for a sensible fun DD car. Here are my criteria:

• Under $35k
• 4 door (prolly sedan or hatchback)
• AWD (preferably, FWD if not, and RWD only if it's truly a steal)
• Manual Transmission (non-negotiable)
• At least 220hp, and similar torque or better
• Lightly used (CPO-ish) is OK

My list so far is:

• Golf GTI or Golf R
• WRX or STI
• Hardtop 4dr Cooper S
• Chevy SS (really hard to find in a manual)

OK - let'er rip - open to other suggestions or thoughts on the list above.

340i is the best bang for the buck out there IMO. I had two e90 335is and they were like $33k with 30k miles. Much much nicer than other cars on the list, plenty power and space. Manual option (hard to find).

WRX is another good option which id strongly consider at your price point. Manual option, AWD, adequate space.

Golf R is questionable used ... too man kids beating them up I'd think. Manual option is nice. I have an S3 and it's cool but ... not as much fun as I'd hoped. I'd probably squeeze the budget for a new Golf R or step down to the WRX.

Good luck!

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by mwh2009

I've looked at E90 335i xdrives. A lot of car for the money, for sure. Not sure how I feel about the warranty situation though.

The VW warranty is tough to ignore right now - 6yrs, 72k miles bumper to bumper.

Sorry didn't read everything but warranty is worth paying attention to if you're keeping it for a long time.

Hope work gets sorted out for your wife; total bummer!

[MicaCeli]

Civic Si, Mazda 6, (cringe) Camry....

You might just want to think of getting a LOW Maintenance car (it might have to be an appliance). This basically means not a German car. Go Japanese, does not mean it wont be fun, it just wont be an M3.

[nicknaz]

Hi, I would get a cheapie lease 340 if you do 10k miles or less a year vs off warranty e90 335.

Or honestly if the point is to save money get e90 328 6mt sport pack or e46 6mt of some sort. Old school NA i6 vs first gen of the DI turbo i6

Sti hold value oso that's worth something

[jmg]

Originally Posted by asuh1991

I mean even my dad lost a few million dollars in a bad business venture and it didn't impact his lifestyle whatsoever.

Most of us don't live at home anymore, bro, so we tend to not bring our dad's into the conversation.

My $10mil+ net worth friends don't own M3/4s. They are smarter than that... they lease them and they are daily drivers. They have Ferraris and Lamborghinis as fun weekend cars.

[jninja]

Originally Posted by jmg

Most of us don't live at home anymore, bro, so we tend to not bring our dad's into the conversation.

My $10mil+ net worth friends don't own M3/4s. They are smarter than that... they lease them and they are daily drivers. They have Ferraris and Lamborghinis as fun weekend cars.

I don't have any friends with 10mil net worth

[jmg]

Originally Posted by jninja

I don't have any friends with 10mil net worth

Envy can be a bitch sometimes, but people are people.

[mwh2009]

Went to the Ford Dealer to look at the Focus ST/RS. Was talking to the sales guy, and he out of the blue says "You know what - F this - lets take this out instead." Holds up a set of keys...

To a 2017 Mustang GT350 w 5k miles on the odometer...Wow...

I've driven a lot of fast cars, and this car felt every bit as fast as my F80 - but the sound. OMG the sound. And the steering was perfect. I think I'm in love. Yes the interior was a little less nice than the BMW, but I don't think I care at all.

Anyway - one day when I'm in a different place in my car journey, I may have to come back to this car. Easily one of the top 5 test drives I've ever had.

I think the only thing I can remember that shocked me this way was the V10 M5...

[rexb16]

Funny, everyone here raves about the 350 and I just don't see it. I had a chance to drive a couple of them and everytime I came away feeling that I missed my F80. I guess it's never a bad thing to have such a variety of options right?

[mwh2009]

Originally Posted by rexb16

Funny, everyone here raves about the 350 and I just don't see it. I had a chance to drive a couple of them and everytime I came away feeling that I missed my F80. I guess it's never a bad thing to have such a variety of options right?

If you're a stickler for interior quality, I could see not being overwhelmed by the GT350 - it's at least one step down from the F80 if not more. The seats in particular are not good. BUT - if you're a sound guy/gal, then I can't think of a car that I've driven that sounds that good - my neighbors would hate me though.

In terms of speed, I wasn't overwhelmed compared to the F80. They're both faster than you could realistically use on a regular basis.

The other thing that impressed me was the suspension/steering. I've never been a 3-series steering-hater, but I will say this car was noticeably better than either my 340 or my F80 was.

I still think the F80 is probably the best overall enthusiast's car out there with 4 doors and a manual transmission.

And agreed on options - so many good/great cars out there.