[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Ok, Lease on my 328xi coupe ended. Ordered a Cayman S, then cancelled due to telling myself it wouldn't be practical enough.(Kicking myself for that.) Feel free to call me an idiot.

Here is my dilemma. I will never track the car and I am waiting till fall to see what the 2012 model year of each car holds.

Some info: The car will NEVER be tracked. It will be used to go to work and back and to school(drive around 50 miles each way) I had a torn ACL in my right knee. It will be my ONLY car so winter is an issue(with proper tires of course)


The choices:

BMW M3 - Le Mans Blue/Black Dokota. Competition Package, Premium Package 2, Convenience Package, DCT, Sunroof, Enhanced Sound, Heated Seats.

Cayman: Dark Blue Metallic, Sport Seats, I will load it up with: PASM, PDK,LSD,Carbon Fiber Package,Convenience Package, Infotainment Package, Sport Seats, 19' Wheels, Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel,Sport Chrono Plus,Sport Exhaust. And it's still cheaper then the M3.


Cayman S: Convenience Package, Infotainment Package,PDK, Sport Chrono Plus, and PASM, and Heated Seats.

[Artmasterx]

The Cayman (non S) would probably be fine if you are not tracking it and you don't need the extra power... I guess drive and decide yourself.

Consider a used 911 4S? It would have AWD for the winter...

Or you could buy the Cayman and then use the leftover money to buy a something like a used Subaru Legacy GT wagon or WRX hatchback to get some fun practicality and winter capabilities...

That's a pretty small list to choose from, and none are particularly practical, though the M3 certainly wins there, especially if it's a 4-door.

[ben14142001]

Out of those, Cayman S for sure. All are rear wheel drive, so winter driving will be ~equal with snow tires (our 2wd 911's were never bad in the snow) and the S is a hella fun car to drive.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Looks like the Cayman S is a favorite.

[Zeros and ones]

Don't want to sound like a dick or anything but.....

if you are driving 50 miles each way and you are looking for a daily driver

why don't you get something that is less in power, is great an gas consumption, and comfortable as any of the cars you just listed? With the extra money you save you can use that to beautify the car

Those cars are great, don't get me wrong, but I just don't see any of those cars being daily drivers.

[DASHOCKER]

The sporty Lexus CT200H deserves a look.

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by GhostRideTheWhip

Wakey Wakey. Those cars are DD'd(especially the M3) most of the time. I say M3.

yea... an m3 as a daily driver getting about 20 miles to the gallon with 420 hp or even the e46 m3 also getting about the same with 333hp. right

A cayman with about 270hp getting on average about 21 miles to the gallon. Right again.

20 miles and 21 miles to the gallon is a hardly good daily driver with gas prices they way they are. Both cars have firm enough suspension that if you do not live in an area with nice roads, ride will be harsh and uncomfortable.

if you guys classify these cars as daily drivers than I have no idea where you guys would rate a Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, etc.

Please don't tell me to go Wakey Wakey. I am awake and am aware of what those cars can do.

but whatever..... if you guys have money to burn on gas filling up both those cars about every 3-4 days than who I am to suggest something that can be more reasonable as a daily driver and super comfortable.

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by GhostRideTheWhip

A last resort? Family haulers? Just sayine. Fact of the matter is that your point of the vehicles not being reasonable daily drivers is moot as almost 95% of M3's are daily driven(even on this board). The Cayman/Cayman S(with PASM) is amazing even on harsh road surfaces. You'll cringe at the fact of it scrapping but it won't be break your back harsh. Again, wake up. We're not in some fantasy land where there are only Toyota's,Honda's,and Hyundai's and the Japanese ruled the market. Times have changed.

Side note: If anyone can afford anyone of those cars, I highly doubt gas is of concern. Maybe in those cars that you listed(Toyota,Honda,Hyundai) but certainly not in a $75,000 sports car.

I was not aware that you took a survey of all M3 drivers around the world and came up with that statistic.

An M3 may be a daily driver but that does not make it one. My Dinan 5 was getting 23 miles to the gallon and I was using that as my daily driver. I was filling up every 4 days. 50 miles a day to and from work only. Was it comfortable? Yes. Was it track ready? yes. Did it haul alot of my crap? yes. It was hardly a daily driver.

Sorry but an m3 is not a daily driver. A Cayman is not a daily driver. My Dinan 5 was not a daily driver.

You want a nice car that is a daily driver with comfort, speed, handling, etc.

BMW 328i, BMW 128i, Mercedes C300, etc. But yet again, whatever. To each his own. Hence why I opted to keep my Dinan 5 and get a 128i M-sport. Handles just as good as high performance cars and get 28 miles to the gallon. I never said to the guy no and I never said to you no either. Just something to think of. So again do not tell me to wake up. I am awake and to think that a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai are last resort type of cars is a very center and spoiled view.

Just because you can buy a certain type of car at a price range does not mean you can afford gas, maintenance, etc for it. Good example, just the other day I saw a brand new Nissan GT-R pumping gas at an ARCO.

[AngelinIsRich08]

I have a 128i convertible and it's so much fun! But I have the chrome BMW tires on it that are really thin and only average me 18 mpg which is really bad. Get the regular tires and you'll average 23-25 mpg easily and have lots of fun!

[AngelinIsRich08]

Or just get a Cadillac CTS-4(AWD) 3.6 direct injection. Will average you 19-20 mpg and is plenty fast, luxurious and fun. I have one of those as well and it's great.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

I was not aware that you took a survey of all M3 drivers around the world and came up with that statistic.

An M3 may be a daily driver but that does not make it one. My Dinan 5 was getting 23 miles to the gallon and I was using that as my daily driver. I was filling up every 4 days. 50 miles a day to and from work only. Was it comfortable? Yes. Was it track ready? yes. Did it haul alot of my crap? yes. It was hardly a daily driver.

Sorry but an m3 is not a daily driver. A Cayman is not a daily driver. My Dinan 5 was not a daily driver.

You want a nice car that is a daily driver with comfort, speed, handling, etc.

BMW 328i, BMW 128i, Mercedes C300, etc. But yet again, whatever. To each his own. Hence why I opted to keep my Dinan 5 and get a 128i M-sport. Handles just as good as high performance cars and get 28 miles to the gallon. I never said to the guy no and I never said to you no either. Just something to think of. So again do not tell me to wake up. I am awake and to think that a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai are last resort type of cars is a very center and spoiled view.

Just because you can buy a certain type of car at a price range does not mean you can afford gas, maintenance, etc for it. Good example, just the other day I saw a brand new Nissan GT-R pumping gas at an ARCO.

Disagree. It may not be as economical as a Camry but it sure as hell isn't a car that should only brought out on weekends - it isn't that special. At the end of the day, it's just a 3-series with some parts replaced. If you can't afford to pay the gas and maintenance to drive an M3 every day, you can't afford an M3.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by TK-421

Disagree. It may not be as economical as a Camry but it sure as hell isn't a car that should only brought out on weekends - it isn't that special. At the end of the day, it's just a 3-series with some parts replaced. If you can't afford to pay the gas and maintenance to drive an M3 every day, you can't afford an M3.

+ yup

[MediaArtist]

I don't know. The M3 can be a DD, but I think when you have a 100 mile commute, there are far better choices. You're basically burning about 1/3 of your tank every day just getting to school/work, and back (not including any trips; grocery store, etc). You might end up filling up 1-2 a week.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

I don't know. The M3 can be a DD, but I think when you have a 100 mile commute, there are far better choices. You're basically burning about 1/3 of your tank every day just getting to school/work, and back (not including any trips; grocery store, etc). You might end up filling up 1-2 a week.

The Cayman is tempting for that exact reason. Good mileage and I can load it up with almost everything and still be under what I'll be paying for a Cayman S or an M3.

[blender]

It's off the wall, but consider the 135i or Evo X for half the money of the M3. The Evo is remarkable performance for the value, if you don't mind the aesthetics, and you get a fantasticly boostable motor & AWD setup. The Audi TT, S3 and S4 might meet your criteria too. Or you could get a MINI S and invest the 50K you'll save over the M3, and have 55K+ in a year's time. The MINIs are a hoot to drive - huge fun factor, front wheel drive, snow tires for winter and you're good to go.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by rclem05

It's off the wall, but consider the MINI S or an Audi TT. Better mileage, good handling & fun factor. And cheaper too, in the case of the Mini. If fact for the cost of a new M3 (80 large?) you could get a new Mini DD and a really good preowned e46 M3 or z4M coupe 'weekender'.... just offering alternatives.

Not a mini fan but the TT sounds nice. I would like a sports car though. Just at that stage in my life. :P

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by AngelinIsRich08

I have a 128i convertible and it's so much fun! But I have the chrome BMW tires on it that are really thin and only average me 18 mpg which is really bad. Get the regular tires and you'll average 23-25 mpg easily and have lots of fun!

? VAT?

[abisson]

Mini Cooper John Cooper Works? I know it is not in the same price range, but it would allow you to save up, have fun, and later get a 911.

My 2 cents. But I would do the jump from Cayman to Cayman S without hesitating. The difference is worth a lot in terms of performance, power, and people looking at you .