Best buy @ $50k? F80 / M2 / M2C / 718 / A90 Supra

[See5]

Originally Posted by Ru35ian

I tested the Jag when I cross shopped and it was a riot, but ultimately I didn't like the dated tech and the thought of such an expensive car (gotta think MSRP, not used market) maintenance and parts cost. Same reason I passed on AMG GTS. M4 has a bigger base of customers, so cheaper mods, easier to maintain, bigger parts market, tunes, etc.

I like making cars my own, so availability of BimmerCode and BootMod3 were a huge plus. Just a thought. C8 I wanted to try, but the delay to market was huge and when reviews came out and complaints of understeer poured in, I bailed. C8 is only worth considering in Z06 package to me

The C8's understeer "complaints" are way overstated.

Regardless, in this price range I'd be looking at the F80, GT350, and the C7.

[adc]

My suggestion: 2016-17 M3 ZCP, M2C, C7 GS, A90 Supra.

All distinctive cars with different characters, each one has something to offer the others don't. These days heavy negotiations are in order, and significant discounts are to be had.


I would suggest an M3 with the pre-LCI headlights, because you can program the Euro dynamic lighting features easily. LCI headlights have HW changes between US and Euro. Also because those cars are cheaper to buy, and not different from the 2018 at all.

[23109VC]

how old are you? do you have kids? do you need backseats? etc... you're comparing cars that are similar in price but very different in other respects.

I"ll chime in on the 718. I recently had a chance to rent one for 48 hours - and drove it all over so cal. I had the "base" 300hp car. It does not have the brutal acceleration of an M3 but it is still fast. if you're looking at a 718 consider the boxster vs the cayman. you live in so cal. everyone should own a convertible at least once in their life and so cal is the place to do it. You can drive top down all the time - day and night. some people are not into verts, but having had a couple in my past - they are fun. very fun.

If you are considering the 718, test drive a boxster. even the base with the 2.0 motor is fun and fast. it pulls hard. I have driven the prior gen sixes and was expecting to "not like" the 718, but honestly, I loved it. If you drive a 718 you'll never "wish" you had the older version. the new one is better.

if you want to mod the car to be as fast as psosible, you probably can't make a 718 as fast as an M3. For a true track car, that you can make fast as hell - get an F80. if you want pure fun look at the 718.

good luck!

[gatorfast]

^well said. The 718 is fantastic in terms of tactile feel and driving characteristics. The clutch and shifter are near perfect. The mid engine layout makes any curve a delight. It is a real drivers car. But like you said, it does not deliver that shove you into your seat acceleration as the F80 does. It is plenty fast though and pulls hard to redline, but not nearly as brutal as the s55 engine.

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

^well said. The 718 is fantastic in terms of tactile feel and driving characteristics. The clutch and shifter are near perfect. The mid engine layout makes any curve a delight. It is a real drivers car. But like you said, it does not deliver that shove you into your seat acceleration as the F80 does. It is plenty fast though and pulls hard to redline, but not nearly as brutal as the s55 engine.

I too am thinking about a 718s in Boxster form.

Now that I am well, middle aged, I rarely need the extra seats in the back of my M4 convertible, as the kids don't want to come with me. It's only a weekend car anyway.

Financially it makes no sense, as my M4 only has 9k miles on it and is in great shape. Here in Australia, a new 718s is double the price of what my M4 is currently worth.

I can't decide if i should keep the M4 and maybe do some mods, or just build a new 718s.

[dmk08]

I would probably get an OG M2 6MT for around $40k if its big enough for you. Best bang for the buck on the list IMO.

The N55 sounds wayyyy better and provides a little more grunt down low than the S55. I think that makes it better for traffic with the windows down on a nice day.

[adc]

Originally Posted by mmmmQuattro

I too am thinking about a 718s in Boxster form.

Now that I am well, middle aged, I rarely need the extra seats in the back of my M4 convertible, as the kids don't want to come with me. It's only a weekend car anyway.

Financially it makes no sense, as my M4 only has 9k miles on it and is in great shape. Here in Australia, a new 718s is double the price of what my M4 is currently worth.

I can't decide if i should keep the M4 and maybe do some mods, or just build a new 718s.

Why not shop for a used 718? Clearly mileage isn’t a factor in your case.

[MONSTAR]

Oh wow, I didn’t realize people were still responding to this!

Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions.

I just purchased yesterday a very lightly used (11k miles) 2018 og M2 LCI in manual and mineral grey

I went to check it out a week ago and instantly knew it was the car for me!

[Carnut12]

Is this a DD? If you only need 2 seats I would be all over a 987 Boxster Spyder or a 981 GTS. I wouldn’t buy a 718, but that’s just me, I can’t buy the 4 Cylinder Porsche. Supra nice also.

Good luck!!!

[TheBreeze]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

Shattering pre-conceived notions is one of the things the Model 3 is best at, so one never really knows.

From the op's original list, I doubt he wants one of the butt-ugliest cars on the road today.

[MONSTAR]

I do like the looks of the Model S, but electric isnt for me just yet. I still love the sounds of an ICE.

This is what I purchased this Friday

[Soul Coughing]

Beautiful car, congrats!