[AlpineWhite_SJ]

OP - you didn't really get into why you think the F80 is less than an ideal daily that you would benefit from an SUV or sports car + daily. What do you need to haul, what comforts do you care about, etc?

For our cares, the F80 and X3M are all we really need. We kept the Pilot around only because we haul messy stuff from Home Depot or the nursery from time to time and it's less headache to do so in a car we aren't trying to keep a bit more pristine. Plus, we can take it to the snow without having to worry about getting salt on the X3M or a set of winters. Both of these could be done in it, but it's less effort to just hang on to the old Pilot.

You could almost say that the M3/X3M are the daily and the Pilot is the special occasion car

But if you need to haul serious stuff you'd be better served by a pickup. If you want a plush ride for a daily, you wouldn't want the X3M.

[RobC2]

You can lease a Toyota Tacoma for around $250 a month. One of these, plus whatever, would be a good balance of vehicles.

[quick]

Can always get a CTS-V 6- speed wagon ( sports + sedan + SUV)... problem solved

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

May as well get a car if you are going to get a GLE63 S as it has less utility than a 3 series sedan.

How?

[c1pher]

Hard to beat a Macan in this case.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Hard to beat a Macan in this case.

That's what my dad picked up as his daily driver. All the modern compact sport sedans felt watered down relative to his E90, and the Porsche Boxster/Cayman were too low for him, so Macan S it was. It's basically a hatch on stilts that you can still throw into corners. Fun car, especially in Miami Blue.

If only Porsche would produce a smaller sedan starting in the $60k range, that would be a dream come true.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's not true. SUV's can do everything and it's more a matter of level of competence they do everything. Anytime you settle into a single vehicle you are making a compromise. If you settle on a sports car you may be compromised hauling around several people or winter driving but I have driven Mustangs, MR2 Turbo, M2 year round in Canada so it can be done. Likewise you can purchase well equipped SUV's that can haul around the family handle winters like a champ but they aren't going to thrill you on winding roads like a sports car. I would say the best compromise would be something like an M340i that can handle winters with AWD, carry around a lot of people, and pull off a decent impression of a sporty car.

As the owner of an X3M I cannot trumpet it as the solution for everyone because it comes with the same ride quality as an M2 or M3 which isn't for everyone and despite how fast it can corner it's still not the same as driving a sports car fast, sitting lower to the ground. That said I have not missed my M2 even once since taking ownership of the X3M as it does everything remarkably well for my tastes.

You're right though it all depends on how much you're 'willing to put up with' the downfalls of each car. For me i just can't do an SUV. They sit so high and feel so floaty. And i've never needed to haul anything really. on the off chance i did need to haul something huge i could rent a truck from enterprise or something. Not knocking the X3M, with a simple tune it would blow by my 458 at a stoplight most likely. but the f80 is the size of a 2000s 5 series. plenty big for my needs of a two person household.

I have my 458 for the weekend fun, sound, handling. I can literally open the door, lean over, and touch the pavement. the turn in can't be matched by a front engine car imo. I never park it anywhere, its almost purely an A to A car. <2000 miles a year.

My F80 is my fun manual car. And it keeps miles down on the 458. I use it for errands around town. Grocery shopping. weekend trips to the city. Going out to dinner with the gf. I dont feel nervous leaving it parked. Its also nice having a turbo motor in the garage with monstrous torque. ~3000 miles a year.

My civic was bought for 6000 bucks and its my work car. It sees over 20k miles a year. I dont care about speed bumps, rain, hail, snow, salt tailgaiting semi trucks etc when i drive it. its the car for dealing with all the shit that i dont want to expose my nice cars to. After 50k miles it has maybe lost 3k in value. its also great because when the time comes i can sell my f80 private party and then browse ebay for months while i look for a perfect replacement. i'm not pressured to trade in.

[mmic77]

For me it‘s a split of two cars. RS6 for everyday use, longer journeys and if I need to transport more luggage.

The Mini is used for weekend drives on backroads or in the alps. It would be missed because of many reasons:
- you don‘t get that much attention
- it fits perfect in tight parking spaces
- it‘s a convertible
- and of course it‘s a manual

My wife has a SUV, Jaguar E-Pace P300.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

That's what my dad picked up as his daily driver. All the modern compact sport sedans felt watered down relative to his E90, and the Porsche Boxster/Cayman were too low for him, so Macan S it was. It's basically a hatch on stilts that you can still throw into corners. Fun car, especially in Miami Blue.

If only Porsche would produce a smaller sedan starting in the $60k range, that would be a dream come true.

I didn’t really want black but it was a really good deal at the time for this Turbo. Absolutely love it.

[rommeeeezy]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

That's what my dad picked up as his daily driver. All the modern compact sport sedans felt watered down relative to his E90, and the Porsche Boxster/Cayman were too low for him, so Macan S it was. It's basically a hatch on stilts that you can still throw into corners. Fun car, especially in Miami Blue.

If only Porsche would produce a smaller sedan starting in the $60k range, that would be a dream come true.

I've been leaning towards a Macan Turbo (used) to be the next do it all car option over the X3M. Seems to check all the boxes I need (fit 4.5 people comfortably, better ride quality, and much cheaper than a new X3M, however, the older tech and possibly more expensive maintenance is what scares me away).

For a combo, I would really love the new A90-91 Supra + whatever that Toyota dealership would have in an SUV that's cheap. I just feel like I want the next car sports car I get to feel a little special. My best friend's dad owned an NSX since 1990s and I've always thought that was such a cool idea to just have something that timeless, essentially your whole life. Only problem is that there's not a manual yet for the A90 and that's the one that will be the true enthusiast car.

Also, considering finding a 2010-2013 E9X M3, manual. Just feel like that car is going to be, and kind of already is, super special.

Mainly trying to stay within a 70k budget (all-in).

[corn18]

My friend just got a new Macan and we could not fit in the back seats with their seats set where they were when they arrived. If you're going to have 4 people in a Macan most of the time, they better be really small people.

[rommeeeezy]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

OP - you didn't really get into why you think the F80 is less than an ideal daily that you would benefit from an SUV or sports car + daily. What do you need to haul, what comforts do you care about, etc?

For our cares, the F80 and X3M are all we really need. We kept the Pilot around only because we haul messy stuff from Home Depot or the nursery from time to time and it's less headache to do so in a car we aren't trying to keep a bit more pristine. Plus, we can take it to the snow without having to worry about getting salt on the X3M or a set of winters. Both of these could be done in it, but it's less effort to just hang on to the old Pilot.

You could almost say that the M3/X3M are the daily and the Pilot is the special occasion car

But if you need to haul serious stuff you'd be better served by a pickup. If you want a plush ride for a daily, you wouldn't want the X3M.

Mainly getting a new daily / split of suv and sports car since we just recently adopted a dog in the last few months and it's been challenging to try to baby the M3 with him (long trips, getting him inside a crate in the backseat, him being a little tense and pawing at some of the leather trim, etc).

Figured it could be best to just have an SUV where I can have a nearly permanent dog crate in there at all times. And still carry 4-5 people comfortably.

The M3 is also a little harsh on the ride. I'm actually fine with it, as I've driven on some type of performance / sport suspension my whole life, but my wife isn't a fan at all.

[Alfisti]

Fucking dogs, baby that never grows up.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

I've been leaning towards a Macan Turbo (used) to be the next do it all car option over the X3M. Seems to check all the boxes I need (fit 4.5 people comfortably, better ride quality, and much cheaper than a new X3M, however, the older tech and possibly more expensive maintenance is what scares me away).

Originally Posted by corn18

My friend just got a new Macan and we could not fit in the back seats with their seats set where they were when they arrived. If you're going to have 4 people in a Macan most of the time, they better be really small people.

The Macan is essentially a CUV not an SUV and will not fit 4.5 adults comfortably. You will get more space and utility out of a Civic Hatchback than a Macan.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

I've been leaning towards a Macan Turbo (used) to be the next do it all car option over the X3M. Seems to check all the boxes I need (fit 4.5 people comfortably, better ride quality, and much cheaper than a new X3M, however, the older tech and possibly more expensive maintenance is what scares me away).

For a combo, I would really love the new A90-91 Supra + whatever that Toyota dealership would have in an SUV that's cheap. I just feel like I want the next car sports car I get to feel a little special. My best friend's dad owned an NSX since 1990s and I've always thought that was such a cool idea to just have something that timeless, essentially your whole life. Only problem is that there's not a manual yet for the A90 and that's the one that will be the true enthusiast car.

Also, considering finding a 2010-2013 E9X M3, manual. Just feel like that car is going to be, and kind of already is, super special.

Mainly trying to stay within a 70k budget (all-in).

You've definitely got a lot of options, not a bad thing. I adore the E9X M3, but maintenance scares me given how much of a headache the multiple BMWs in my family over the years, all purchased new and dealer serviced. I don't imagine a V8 M division car is going to be any better in that dept.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by corn18

My friend just got a new Macan and we could not fit in the back seats with their seats set where they were when they arrived. If you're going to have 4 people in a Macan most of the time, they better be really small people.

Hm I'm 5'10" and fit perfectly fine in a pano roof equipped car. However definitely not as spacious-feeling as say an X3.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Hm I'm 5'10" and fit perfectly fine in a pano roof equipped car. However definitely not as spacious-feeling as say an X3.

I'm talking about the back seat. I couldn't even get in the back seat unless they moved their seats up a lot. Then they couldn't get in the front seat. IMHO, you can't carry 4 adults in a Macan comfortably.

[New2Roundel]

In an ideal world, the more cars, the better. But then I read this:

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

(we live in a downtown area in a house with no garage, but relatively easy street parking within sight of the house.)

Oh hell no. Given that you don't mention it, it sounds like you don't even have a driveway. So in this case, my recommendation immediately changes. I'm not parking a bunch of my cars on the street. That sounds absolutely terrible. Honestly, I'd rather move to another place than own 3 cars (in total) that are sitting on the street. Maybe I'm strange, but I have always considered the car situation when I moved---either renting or buying.

In your case, I'd keep the M3 and either use or buy the wife something more practical that you can use for trips with the dog/others.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by corn18

I'm talking about the back seat. I couldn't even get in the back seat unless they moved their seats up a lot. Then they couldn't get in the front seat. IMHO, you can't carry 4 adults in a Macan comfortably.

I was talking about the back seat lol. It's all subjective I suppose, I'm used to small cars so the Macan's rear is adequate for me.

[spazzyfry123]

I gotta vote for splitting duties across multiple vehicles. I’ve found in trying to consolidate varying aspects of “want” always results in none of the wants getting full attention. There’s always compromise.

Plus, it makes the sports car side that much more special when it is reserved for the right moment.

[rommeeeezy]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

In an ideal world, the more cars, the better. But then I read this:


Oh hell no. Given that you don't mention it, it sounds like you don't even have a driveway. So in this case, my recommendation immediately changes. I'm not parking a bunch of my cars on the street. That sounds absolutely terrible. Honestly, I'd rather move to another place than own 3 cars (in total) that are sitting on the street. Maybe I'm strange, but I have always considered the car situation when I moved---either renting or buying.

In your case, I'd keep the M3 and either use or buy the wife something more practical that you can use for trips with the dog/others.

Yeah, parking a bunch of cars outside isn't fantastic. Which is the main reason for having just 1 car to do it all that much better

They're always in view, but yes, no driveway available. Never had a headache with parking the car on the street, and we live in a "lower" traffic area for downtown standards.

[rommeeeezy]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I was talking about the back seat lol. It's all subjective I suppose, I'm used to small cars so the Macan's rear is adequate for me.

Yeah, I'd be interested to see how I fit. I'm actually the biggest person / one of the biggest people in our immediate family and friends, so not too many worries to actually fit the rest of the people. but something that could fit 5 comfortably is a huge plus, as that's usually the magic number of people / deciding number when it comes to the age old question "should we take 1 car and squeeze together, or 2 and be comfortable?"