[M3forMe]

So I ask this question. If you didn't have an M3 what would you drive.

Here are the parameters.
1. Would be a DD
2. Cost would be under $35K
3. Can be anything from coupe to SUV.

The fun factor or driving experience needs to be the single reason you would pick the car with above parameters.

Thoughts?

[F32]

There's really nothing under $35K worth driving which measures on the "fun factor or driving experience" scale. Nothing beats a Civic or Accord, and you can keep $12-18K in your pocket.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by F32

There's really nothing under $35K worth driving which measures on the "fun factor or driving experience" scale. Nothing beats a Civic or Accord, and you can keep $12-18K in your pocket.

According to who, you? This couldn't be further from the truth.

[Red Bread]

Under $35k new? BRZ/FRS or a Miata, more fun than most things that cost double that. Used? Add in an S2k, Elise/Exige or Boxster/Cayman.

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by F32

There's really nothing under $35K worth driving which measures on the "fun factor or driving experience" scale. Nothing beats a Civic or Accord, and you can keep $12-18K in your pocket.

Are you sure about that?

[W12x]

Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S with 6MT, about 25-28K depends on which one you pick.

I drove one for about a month, and it was very, very fun, possibly the best handling car I ever tried. It doesn't have much power(about 160-170RWHP) compared to E90/E92 M3, but it's also about 1000 lbs lighter.

If you want a little more power, get some intake, crank pulley, and exhaust and it should give you another 20RWHP or so, cheap maintenance and cheap mods.


Actually, I think the BRZ/FR-S is more fun to drive than E92 M3 if you value handling above power, just IMO tho.

[Year's_End]

If we're talking strictly new, then in no particular order, these are what I'd be looking at.

1) FT86 twins
2) MkVII GTI
3) Focus ST
4) MS3 (new one coming in the next year or two)
5) Mustang 5.0

There are plenty of other fun new cars; these are simply my picks. This is avoiding the massive used car market too.

Do you need power? Can you appreciate a competent chassis? How important is the fun to drive factor? There are tons of cars on the market, and plenty of them offer equal levels of driving enjoyment to the M3, they just might not have the same level of DD capability/luxury.

[W12x]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

If we're talking strictly new, then in no particular order, these are what I'd be looking at.

1) FT86 twins
2) MkVII GTI
3) Focus ST
4) MS3 (new one coming in the next year or two)
5) Mustang 5.0

There are plenty of other fun new cars; these are simply my picks. This is avoiding the massive used car market too.

Do you need power? Can you appreciate a competent chassis? How important is the fun to drive factor? There are tons of cars on the market, and plenty of them offer equal levels of driving enjoyment to the M3, they just might not have the same level of DD capability/luxury.

I'd add Golf R as well

[F32]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

According to who, you? This couldn't be further from the truth.

Yes, according to me. I did write the post, didn't I? Did you really think I was writing from the perspective of someone else? Did you not read the OP mention "If you didn't...."?

So, no...the above is not according to me. LOL.

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

If we're talking strictly new, then in no particular order, these are what I'd be looking at.

1) FT86 twins
2) MkVII GTI
3) Focus ST
4) MS3 (new one coming in the next year or two)
5) Mustang 5.0

There are plenty of other fun new cars; these are simply my picks. This is avoiding the massive used car market too.

Do you need power? Can you appreciate a competent chassis? How important is the fun to drive factor? There are tons of cars on the market, and plenty of them offer equal levels of driving enjoyment to the M3, they just might not have the same level of DD capability/luxury.

Interesting list. What is FT86. Has to be a DD. Luxury not necessary but like to have some nice electronics, Nav etc.

[F32]

Originally Posted by yarviinn

Are you sure about that?

Yeah...pretty sure nothing beats an Accord or Civic as a daily driver for under $35K. I just bought both of those cars as gifts last night as deals on 2013 models were agressive. The Accord for my mother and Civic for my soon to be sister-in-law as she's beginning grad school this week. Both will be used as daily beaters.

If I personally needed a daily driver with a hard budget of $35K, I'd look no further. I would rather save some of the money and get something comfortable, didn't care about, and wouldn't be embarassed to drive, versus spend nearly all of my budget on some piece of shit wannabe sporty boy-racer econo-box.

But hey, since I have to spell it out for the odd chance that I'm being forced to write this against my will...this is my opinion.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

Interesting list. What is FT86. Has to be a DD. Luxury not necessary but like to have some nice electronics, Nav etc.

The FT86 is the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S in the US. I've driven them and they're very fun. The BRZ comes with nav and bluetooth standard and the upper level trim has heated seats and keyless entry. I'm 6'2" and it's not exactly a roomy car, and the rear seats are 911 levels of comical, but it's more practical than a Miata and aftermarket performance is gaining momentum very quickly.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by F32

Yeah...pretty sure nothing beats an Accord or Civic as a daily driver for under $35K. I just bought both of those cars as gifts last night as deals on 2013 models were agressive. The Accord for my mother and Civic for my soon to be sister-in-law as she's beginning grad school this week. Both will be used as daily beaters.

If I personally needed a daily driver with a hard budget of $35K, I'd look no further. I would rather save some of the money and get something comfortable, didn't care about, and wouldn't be embarassed to drive, versus spend nearly all of my budget on some piece of shit wannabe sporty boy-racer econo-box.

But hey, since I have to spell it out for the odd chance that I'm being forced to write this against my will...this is my opinion.

Keep it classy, San Francisco (in your imaginary car).

[jaehshim]

under 35K, WRX STI wagon without any dilemma...

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by F32

Yes, according to me. I did write the post, didn't I? Did you really think I was writing from the perspective of someone else? Did you not read the OP mention "If you didn't...."?

So, no...the above is not according to me. LOL.

No need to come in guns hot there, buddy.

[03///m3]

Ford ST looks nice.

[F32]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

No need to come in guns hot there, buddy.

All is cool, champ. I figured the "LOL" at the end was enough of an indication. Guess not.

[quagmire]

Buick Regal Turbo is one I would consider as well. I would say the GS( with 2014 the GS is basically an appearance package now with the only real benefit is the adjustable suspension), but that is just outside your budget. It's pretty decent to drive. Maybe not as much as the FR-S/BRZ level, but certainly better then the Accord/Civic.

* puts on flamesuit for recommending a Buick*

[lsmkr01]

993 C2... Don't even have to think twice about it.

[IEDEI]

under $35k NEW?

128i
BRZ
Miata
Focus ST
Fiesta ST
GTI

all really fun cars for not that much loot.

[NoMore335]

Originally Posted by F32

There's really nothing under $35K worth driving which measures on the "fun factor or driving experience" scale.

So what would you pick?

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

So I ask this question. If you didn't have an M3 what would you drive.

Here are the parameters.
1. Would be a DD
2. Cost would be under $35K
3. Can be anything from coupe to SUV.

The fun factor or driving experience needs to be the single reason you would pick the car with above parameters.

Thoughts?

Easy..

Used 2002 Acura NSX and I would daily drive it. Been there, done that. I sold my old 02 for $40k+ over 5 years ago and now can be had from $35k-$58k.