GTI is now almost 9 years old. It's doing fine but I'm getting an itch to replace it. Today I had some time on my hands so I drove an M2, a used 340xi and an X3 M40i (for shits and gigs).
M2:
+: That thing is fun. Handled like a gokart, made the right noises, quick as hell, very responsive. I really liked it to the point where I'd consider going for one despite it's shortcomings
-: coupe, low ground clearance, flashy, could.get annoying to DD, expensive, I want one too badly
340xi
+: Fast, practical, found used easily and for reasonable prices
-: Boring, not much fun to drive, felt like a really fast Honda Accord with a better sounding motor. This ain't ye olde 3er.
X3 was driven for shits and gigs but I gotta say that thing was impressive. It was honestly a lot of fun even though it felt its size. That motor is an absolute gem and the car can hold its own hustling through a back road. I wouldn't consider one as it's just too big and too expensive, but I was impressed. I only tried it after the BMW dealer prodded me.
Also on the list:
4Runner:
+: Just ask ISIS. The durability and all weather capability are huge in my book.
-: Not exactly a fun daily driver in the same vain as the GTI or an M2, gas guzzler, big but I'd get over it
WRX STI:
+: 4 door, AWD, Handles like it's on rails,
-: crude, lack of refinement could get old even if I think it would be fine.
I'm starting residency next July and prob gonna be moving in with my girlfriend (who has an RDX). If everything works out like we want it to, my commute would be like 45m each way. Also no such thing as a snow day and we'd be ideally in the New England area so all weather capability is huge.
This is all tentative of course. Keeping the GTI another 9 years is also a very very strong option
Civic Type R?
The car is actually pretty comfy in its softest setting while being stupid practical in daily driving and the best performing car short of the M2 on your list. Sure, its also the most obnoxious but there are always trade offs. I don't like the STI and I don't think people should be giving Subaru money for that turd until they actually update the engine. Its going on what, 20 years with no major changes at this point?
Thought about it and I do like the CTR a lot. I don't want FWD this go around.
Do you know how much your residency will pay?
X3 M40i?
What about an.... God what a stupid fucking name.... M240xi? As fast as the M2, much more fun than the 340xi (shorter wheelbase), good to go in bad weather
Golf R and S3 may be worth looks too
But the 2 series is the last of a dying breed
You should be able to get a great deal on an M2 with the new Comp pack coming out.
It is a lot of fun but if you are not ever going to track it do test an M240i too. A bit less rad (I'd go for the full M in any case).
The 3er is on its way out and deals should be available. But is you want a fun one it'd have to be a RWD sport package. If AWD get an Audi. Ugh.
Quote from: Laconian on September 17, 2018, 07:57:32 PM
Do you know how much your residency will pay?
It's partially a graduation gift
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 17, 2018, 09:07:52 PM
What about an.... God what a stupid fucking name.... M240xi? As fast as the M2, much more fun than the 340xi (shorter wheelbase), good to go in bad weather
Golf R and S3 may be worth looks too
But the 2 series is the last of a dying breed
Thing about the M240xi is if I'm gonna do a 2door, I'm gonna go all out. I'd rather just go for a 4door 340xi over a 2 door M240. M2 would make me ok with a 2door.
Golf/S3- I don't want another Golf. They're great cars but I want something else.
4Runner is also appealing from a "beat it and don't worry about it" standpoint
What about a lightly used last gen S4? You can get a stick with it and its still a pretty good performance sedan and looks great inside and out.
Quote from: Xer0 on September 18, 2018, 10:27:59 AM
What about a lightly used last gen S4? You can get a stick with it and its still a pretty good performance sedan and looks great inside and out.
That's a good idea. I like them a lot too
How much are you looking to spend? It seems you have mixed priorities desires looking at cars as different as an M2 and a 4Runner.
Slammed 4Runner with a 13b Turbo swap.
Do you need/want something as big as the 4runner? If the 4Runner is in consideration why is the x3 too big?
I love the 4Runner but would probably not buy a new one now just because the 5th gen is so late in its life cycle, and I hate buying a car this late in a given generation.
I'd prob just keep what you got and save the money.
Oh abs wouldn't be a new one
Quote from: CALL_911 on September 18, 2018, 04:31:53 AM
Thing about the M240xi is if I'm gonna do a 2door, I'm gonna go all out. I'd rather just go for a 4door 340xi over a 2 door M240. M2 would make me ok with a 2door.
Golf/S3- I don't want another Golf. They're great cars but I want something else.
I'd at least test drive the M240xi. M2 will get you more internet cool points but up north where the roads look like the moon and you have months of snow the M240xi will work so much better. Plus it's still a 12 second go kart. You have plenty of time to move somewhere where you can enjoy RWD year round
Drove an STI today. Man that thing is fun. Honestly I could live with that as a daily
STI daily driver + S2000 weekend car?
Are you trying to become the Vape King or something?
Quote from: MrH on September 20, 2018, 09:01:49 AM
Are you trying to become the Vape King or something?
Vanity plate: VAP GOD
Quote from: MrH on September 20, 2018, 09:01:49 AM
STI daily driver + S2000 weekend car?
Are you trying to become the Vape King or something?
Aaahahahahaha
Quote from: MrH on September 20, 2018, 09:01:49 AM
STI daily driver + S2000 weekend car?
Are you trying to become the Vape King or something?
Haha they're onto something
45 min commute for residency is going to be tough. I tried to do it early on and had to move closer.
Maybe your residency would be more lax, but on certain rotations literally there were months of the year when I left the hospital at 10-11pm (or later) and had to be back at the hospital by 4:00AM the next day. Figuring time for basic hygiene and walking from the garage to the call room etc, you might have less than 4-5 hours total to eat, sleep, read for cases, etc. Spending 1.5hrs to 2 hrs on the road is going to be killer.
Personally I would wait for the match first, then find a place very close to the hospital you will be spending the most time at (ask the other residents where they are living), and then purchase a car based on that information.
When I went to residency, I left the Z06 back at home.
Also where are you rotating in New England?
Unfortunately the bmw dealer isn't the right place to go for a great sports sedan anymore -sigh-
Quote from: r0tor on September 20, 2018, 06:47:01 PM
Unfortunately the bmw dealer isn't the right place to go for a great sports sedan anymore -sigh-
The drive I just had begs to differ. But I get your point. I'd go for a Giulia over a normal F30.
But 911 is contemplating an M2. That has to be encouraged.
The Giulia is an amazing driver's car. It's everything the F30 should be but isn't...
Quote from: r0tor on September 21, 2018, 04:12:14 AM
The Giulia is an amazing driver's car. It's everything the F30 should be but isn't...
Except reliable and good at being, you know, an actual car for daily driving.
Quote from: Xer0 on September 21, 2018, 09:07:42 AM
Except reliable and good at being, you know, an actual car for daily driving.
So far it's better reliability wise than the germans
https://www.allpar.com/news/2018/09/quality-survey-alfa-beats-the-germans-42105
Quote from: r0tor on September 21, 2018, 04:12:14 AM
The Giulia is an amazing driver's car. It's everything the F30 should be but isn't...
It's not reliable or practical (back seat is basically "+2"). F30's dynamic issues are easily fixed; Giulia's quality and space issues are not
The interior/exterior dimensions between the two are so close that I'm not sure how you can make that claim - shrug-
... and there is no way your getting the driving feel of giulia in an F30