///M-Spec
Staff Emeritus
- 4,928
I was going to post this in Cars, but its not general enough to put there since its specific to me, so here it is.
I'm trying to decide on a car to replace my M3 sedan this summer. Its been a wonderful car, but its getting on in the years and its time for me to move on.
The requirements are simple. In order of priority, the new car must have four seats with ample space for a child seat, offer enough practicality to use as a daily driver and long distance tourer, offer top drawer handling and be a minimum mid 14 second car. After much debate on whether to go new or used, I decided it needs to be brand new. Price cap is USD $40,000.
The three finalists, in order of price: Mazda RX-8 6MT Grand Touring Package, Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT Premium Package, BMW 330i 6MT M-Technic/ZHP Performance Package. Honorable mentions inlcude Lancer Evolution, A4 3.0 Quattro and Mustang Mach 1.
The wife HATES the RX-8. She told me it was ugly little kid's car. As many of you know, I'm rather fond of the 8. I like the G35, but feel it is the weakest of the three in the driving experience dept and it doesn't offer much of a space advantage over the 8. It does have a very polished GT feel to it and is the quickest one of all three --in a straight line.
I told myself I was going to take a break from BMW for a few years and try something new, but I've heard and read so many overwhelmingly positive things about the 330i ZHP package I felt compelled to consider it. (the ZHP has 235 horsepower, more aggressive M-Technic suspension tuning, bigger wheels, shorter gearing and unique interior trim)
In fact, despite it being almost 10 grand more expensive than the 8 and right up against the price cap, the ZHP is both my wife and my first choice. It has the most room by far, highest level of build quality, does the GT job just fine, yet has enough suspension moxie to tumble with the RX-8 in the twisty stuff. It even has a trick Alcantara (suede) interior.
Play devil's advocate. Talk me into something else. Show a flaw in my logic. If you were in my seat, which would you choose? Comments definately welcome. Please try to make them constructive.
M
I'm trying to decide on a car to replace my M3 sedan this summer. Its been a wonderful car, but its getting on in the years and its time for me to move on.
The requirements are simple. In order of priority, the new car must have four seats with ample space for a child seat, offer enough practicality to use as a daily driver and long distance tourer, offer top drawer handling and be a minimum mid 14 second car. After much debate on whether to go new or used, I decided it needs to be brand new. Price cap is USD $40,000.
The three finalists, in order of price: Mazda RX-8 6MT Grand Touring Package, Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT Premium Package, BMW 330i 6MT M-Technic/ZHP Performance Package. Honorable mentions inlcude Lancer Evolution, A4 3.0 Quattro and Mustang Mach 1.
The wife HATES the RX-8. She told me it was ugly little kid's car. As many of you know, I'm rather fond of the 8. I like the G35, but feel it is the weakest of the three in the driving experience dept and it doesn't offer much of a space advantage over the 8. It does have a very polished GT feel to it and is the quickest one of all three --in a straight line.
I told myself I was going to take a break from BMW for a few years and try something new, but I've heard and read so many overwhelmingly positive things about the 330i ZHP package I felt compelled to consider it. (the ZHP has 235 horsepower, more aggressive M-Technic suspension tuning, bigger wheels, shorter gearing and unique interior trim)
In fact, despite it being almost 10 grand more expensive than the 8 and right up against the price cap, the ZHP is both my wife and my first choice. It has the most room by far, highest level of build quality, does the GT job just fine, yet has enough suspension moxie to tumble with the RX-8 in the twisty stuff. It even has a trick Alcantara (suede) interior.
Play devil's advocate. Talk me into something else. Show a flaw in my logic. If you were in my seat, which would you choose? Comments definately welcome. Please try to make them constructive.
M
👍 I want my dad to get a Magnum, but our Outback's too new for replacing.
I could get a used 2000 or 01 M3... but I don't want to spend 40 large for a used car... even that car.
not sure though. . . Taxi rides blow monkey dong btw. . .
(or worse, a YJ) But rear doors + child seats doesn't sound practical to me... maybe I'm a bit lazy.
