Car prices are insane... keep my M3 CS or get a GTS/GT4?

[jmg]

Two years ago I was willing to lease transfer my M3 CS out because I wanted something more track focused. That never happened because I decided to just keep the car until the car I want, a used 981 GTS, would come down in price.
Now, with my lease almost up, an covid causing used car prices to skyrocket, I'm stuck with a few options:


1) Buy my M3 CS out of the lease.

Pros - With a $63k buyout, and used GTS's going for about the same (or more!) and new cars being marked-up, the buyout is now a viable option. Used M3 CS with my mileage (17k) are going for north of $75-80k. Simply put, I'm not going to get nearly as much car for $63k.

Cons - I have tracked my car, so it's not been babied. I have had off-track moments and the paint isn't perfect. I don't really care personally, but it might hurt when I go to sell down the line. I also tried to get rid of this car 2 years ago, so my heart is not 100% into keeping it. Probably 80% into the idea. I love the car, but I do want something smaller and lighter for the track.

2) Buy a 981 GTS regardless of the price.

Pros - I'm now hearing we will see supply chain problems into 2023. There is no more waiting. I can pay $75k now and sell in 2 years and probably not loose too much money if used car prices continue to hold.

Cons - It will hurt a bit to pay MORE for a slower, but more track worthy car.

3) Buy a 981 GT4

Pros - at $95k this will hurt the most. Not faster than my M3 CS but a much better track car. This is my attainable dream car, and it's not going to lose much in depreciation regardless of how covid is affecting the market. I would probably keep this car well into retirement, perhaps the rest of my life if I can keep it in good condition.

Cons - Very expensive and I would probably have to get a cheaper car to track, like a GR86 when it comes out for 10/10ths tracking, and rotate the GT4 into more casual track days. It much more economical to get a GTS or S and track a $50k P-car rather than a $100k GT4.

Thoughts?

[Redacre]

How often do you track and what kind of groups do you want to run with? I am at the point where I am looking at the FRS/350Z/Miata to continue the sport. I see those guys at the events and they are always having the most fun it seems. I love the GTS (and GT4 even more) and they would be awesome back-roads cars, but I would have a lot of anxiety about seriously tracking them.

[bimmerboyE92]

I echo that the Miata guys have the most fun! I am a closet Miata tracker by choice!

We have the following 100% trailered/dedicated/no street use track cars. F80 M3, E36 M3, and NB2 Miata.

The Miata is my absolute favorite! We price parts and consumables for the other cars based off the Miata.

And guess what, it's made my wife and I both better, faster, and safer drivers and instructors!

To put this in perspective, between the wife and I we spend over 100 days a year on track. Some are paid instructor gigs in a supplied car, but a day on track nonetheless. Sometimes, the other cars just aren't ready to go (corded tires, cracked rotors, other maintenance), but the Miata always is!

AP BBK for the F80 - 1 Miata
S50 rebuild for E36 - 1 Miata
Tire budget for F80 - 1 Miata
Annual track insurance for F80 and E36 - 1 Miata
Hoosier tire budget for F80 a year - 1 Miata
Tire budget for Miata a year - 1 Hoosier

The joy of passing other cars in the F80 - Of course!
The joy of passing other cars in the E36 - Sweet!
The joy of passing other cars in the Miata - Priceless!

4S9A1025-(ZF-7678-15208-1-051) by D S, on Flickr

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Redacre

How often do you track and what kind of groups do you want to run with? I am at the point where I am looking at the FRS/350Z/Miata to continue the sport. I see those guys at the events and they are always having the most fun it seems. I love the GTS (and GT4 even more) and they would be awesome back-roads cars, but I would have a lot of anxiety about seriously tracking them.

I track once or twice a month wether it be a HPDE or Time Attack.

I do notice how much fun it is to track a Miata or 86, they are much cheaper to track and you don't worry as much about damaging your car. But then what's the point of having something like an F80 or GT4 if I don't track it?

Another option is a 981 Cayman S and a Macan S. She can borrow the Macan once and awhile and I can track a car that's in between a GT4 and a Miata.

[Ex_Stig]

Used M3 CS are not really going for north of $75k - $80k.

I sold mine to a specialty used car dealership almost 2 months ago and they still have it sitting on their lot. Asking price is $76k (20k miles on it).

I'd guess that I'd you were to sell it to a dealer you'd get between $68-72k and if you try private party sales you might be able to squeeze out $75k, but it is going to take some time to sell.

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by jmg

I track once or twice a month wether it be a HPDE or Time Attack.

I do notice how much fun it is to track a Miata or 86, they are much cheaper to track and you don't worry as much about damaging your car. But then what's the point of having something like an F80 or GT4 if I don't track it?

Another option is a 981 Cayman S and a Macan S. She can borrow the Macan once and awhile and I can track a car that's in between a GT4 and a Miata.

For 1 or 2 track events a year, get the car that is more suited for your life. If you daily/ street drive a car and do only a couple of track days a year, you will drive it better and more confidently on track... just because you spend seat time in it whether on the street or on track.

Our 2023 plan is to go G87 or G80 and tire trailer and simplify day-to-day track life. We'll reserve the full on paddock setup for longer weekends or competitive events.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Ex Stig

Used M3 CS are not really going for north of $75k - $80k.

I sold mine to a specialty used car dealership almost 2 months ago and they still have it sitting on their lot. Asking price is $76k (20k miles on it).

I'd guess that I'd you were to sell it to a dealer you'd get between $68-72k and if you try private party sales you might be able to squeeze out $75k, but it is going to take some time to sell.

True. I think my point was that cars prices are just high now. I was quoted $69k earlier this year from Carmax and Vroom etc. Private Party I think I could get $75k especially in my color, Lime Rock Grey. The only thing holding it down would be the condition. Heavy track use means paint isn't perfect.

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by jmg

True. I think my point was that cars prices are just high now. I was quoted $69k earlier this year from Carmax and Vroom etc. Private Party I think I could get $75k especially in my color, Lime Rock Grey. The only thing holding it down would be the condition. Heavy track use means paint isn't perfect.

I'm pretty sure the high watermark was end of May for used car pricing.

CarMax offered me $63k when I tried in July. Had they offered me $69k I would have taken it in an instant.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by Ex Stig

I'm pretty sure the high watermark was end of May for used car pricing.

CarMax offered me $63k when I tried in July. Had they offered me $69k I would have taken it in an instant.

Agreed. The prices are still up there but the moment seems to have passed (for now). My highest vroom quote was in June.

OP, it sounds like the CS plus adding a Miata/GR86/etc is the way to go. The fact that you're driving your CS hard enough (based on your post) and regularly suggests that it's serving your purpose as a daily with occasional track use. Meanwhile the GTS, seems to be more frequent track use compared to the CS with the ability to daily. And the GT4 sounds like it has the potential to be a garage queen.

For me the best car is always the one that allows me to use it relatively carefree for my purposes. In my case, that's a daily with 12-16 track days a year (not that I'm completely carefree with my F82's getting damaged but I just don't care to the same extent as I would if it was my dream car like the GT4 might be for you). And so 80% or more daily = CS, 70% or less daily = GTS, Less tracking than CS = GT4.

Either way, great options you've got there! Subbed

[White340]

Have a feeling prices will tick up again. Ida destroyed a lot of cars in the south and north east so might see another spike.

[Driver407]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

I echo that the Miata guys have the most fun!

AP BBK for the F80 - 1 Miata
S50 rebuild for E36 - 1 Miata
Tire budget for F80 - 1 Miata
Annual track insurance for F80 and E36 - 1 Miata
Hoosier tire budget for F80 a year - 1 Miata
Tire budget for Miata a year - 1 Hoosier

The joy of passing other cars in the F80 - Of course!
The joy of passing other cars in the E36 - Sweet!
The joy of passing other cars in the Miata - Priceless!

4S9A1025-(ZF-7678-15208-1-051) by D S, on Flickr

LOL. Love this post.
Been debating getting a secondary track car and this is how i look at it.

[clutchdj]

IMO unload the CS for a GT car if you can. The CS is trickier to drive fast but the GT4 has adjustable aero as its MR. Loves to stick in the turns even with street tires relative to the M3. I track my CS and my gt4 (718) is a relief car, so to speak. Only con is you need a trailer for spares. Have you already decided?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

IMO unload the CS for a GT car if you can. The CS is trickier to drive fast but the GT4 has adjustable aero as its MR. Loves to stick in the turns even with street tires relative to the M3. I track my CS and my gt4 (718) is a relief car, so to speak. Only con is you need a trailer for spares. Have you already decided?

I haven't decided. Interesting that the GT4 is the relief car! I can't afford both my CS and a GT4, it's one or the other, sucks to be "poor" LOL.

I've come up with a plan C:
Weekend/Track/Time Attack/HPDE: GT4/GTS/S
Daily/Occasional Autocross/Some HPDE: DSC MK7 Golf R

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by jmg

I haven't decided. Interesting that the GT4 is the relief car! I can't afford both my CS and a GT4, it's one or the other, sucks to be "poor" LOL.

I've come up with a plan C:
Weekend/Track/Time Attack/HPDE: GT4/GTS/S
Daily/Occasional Autocross/Some HPDE: DSC MK7 Golf R

As with most things... it is not the arrow, it is the indian.

Golf R... ex-pro Chuck Hawks drives a Golf R and can school most anyone. He was the classroom instructor at VIR and showed us advanced techniques on video with his Golf R... awesome.

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by jmg

I haven't decided. Interesting that the GT4 is the relief car! I can't afford both my CS and a GT4, it's one or the other, sucks to be "poor" LOL.

I've come up with a plan C:
Weekend/Track/Time Attack/HPDE: GT4/GTS/S
Daily/Occasional Autocross/Some HPDE: DSC MK7 Golf R

I was fortunate enough to find the M3cs in Jan of this year before the spike in values. It was the most inexpensive one in the country with a factory warranty intact. Had some interior wear but the dealer fixed it all.

The golfr is fun; I had serval 7 Gti/vag products and the aftermarket is huge and actually affordable lol.

Get the GT4. You won’t lose money! Wish I had more time to drive mine. And ignore the mag reviews. It’s light and the aero works excellently. The rate of acceleration after 100mph is striking.

[Tommy L Garage]

Do what I did. Keep the bmw and get a manual 981 cayman S. Get a GTs tune and you’ve got yourself a car which won’t lose any value for years.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

Do what I did. Keep the bmw and get a manual 981 cayman S. Get a GTs tune and you’ve got yourself a car which won’t lose any value for years.

Ahh yes, I saw you got one not too long ago! I don't think I need both since I have 2 other cars and another for my wife. If I had the Cayman S to track, I would never use the M3. That's pretty much all I use it for. I need something to park at the grocery store!

[jmg]

Throwing this possibility into the mix. Don't hate me!

[dawei213]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

I echo that the Miata guys have the most fun! I am a closet Miata tracker by choice!

We have the following 100% trailered/dedicated/no street use track cars. F80 M3, E36 M3, and NB2 Miata.

The Miata is my absolute favorite! We price parts and consumables for the other cars based off the Miata.

And guess what, it's made my wife and I both better, faster, and safer drivers and instructors!

To put this in perspective, between the wife and I we spend over 100 days a year on track. Some are paid instructor gigs in a supplied car, but a day on track nonetheless. Sometimes, the other cars just aren't ready to go (corded tires, cracked rotors, other maintenance), but the Miata always is!

AP BBK for the F80 - 1 Miata
S50 rebuild for E36 - 1 Miata
Tire budget for F80 - 1 Miata
Annual track insurance for F80 and E36 - 1 Miata
Hoosier tire budget for F80 a year - 1 Miata
Tire budget for Miata a year - 1 Hoosier

The joy of passing other cars in the F80 - Of course!
The joy of passing other cars in the E36 - Sweet!
The joy of passing other cars in the Miata - Priceless!

4S9A1025-(ZF-7678-15208-1-051) by D S, on Flickr

When you say "Tire budget for F80 - 1 Miata", are you saying I can get a trackable Miata for the tire budget? like wise for the other examples?

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by jmg

Throwing this possibility into the mix. Don't hate me!

No

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by dawei213

When you say "Tire budget for F80 - 1 Miata", are you saying I can get a trackable Miata for the tire budget? like wise for the other examples?

Yes! The Miata community buys/sells these cars all the time in the $6-8k range.

[Wanted_M]

Originally Posted by jmg

Throwing this possibility into the mix. Don't hate me!

Oh hell no!!