[squishy]

Originally Posted by squishy

Love it! Now I'm exploring a 2013 M3 (new) for $69K, or 2014 Cayman S (used--7K miles) for $66K.

Will post links when I get on my laptop.

1. 2013 BMW M3 (new) -- $69,625
2. 2014 Porsche Cayman S (used; 7K miles) -- $66,993

Thoughts?

[JasonCSU]

Why spend that kind of money on a car when you are only 21? Insurance cost will also be crazy expensive at your age. My advice would be to look for a fun used car at half that price range and keep the money you would be saving for a down payment on a house/condo/town home. Once you eventually buy a place, then look at the cars you are currently considering.

[squishy]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Why spend that kind of money on a car when you are only 21? Insurance cost will also be crazy expensive at your age. My advice would be to look for a fun used car at half that price range and keep the money you would be saving for a down payment on a house/condo/town home. Once you eventually buy a place, then look at the cars you are currently considering.

I actually already have invested in a townhouse. Should be completed in mid-July.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by squishy

I actually already have invested in a townhouse. Should be completed in mid-July.

Ah, congrats and carry on then.

[upstatedoc]

If you want to get laid, get a motorcycle.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by squishy

I actually already have invested in a townhouse. Should be completed in mid-July.

I don't normally make comments like this, but 21/0 experience, a $55k car budget, and a new-construction (appears to be $4-500k) townhome in a DC/B'more burb? This screams parents' help.
My advice: get a realistic car with a realistic payment and save $.

[squishy]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

I don't normally make comments like this, but 21/0 experience, a $55k car budget, and a new-construction (appears to be $4-500k) townhome in a DC/B'more burb? This screams parents' help.
My advice: get a realistic car with a realistic payment and save $.

Nope. Had to sacrifice social life and pretty much anything fun and exciting to work my ass off and save money.

I don't need to justify myself in the thread I created. Not here to humblebrag or show off what I earned, since most people on here probably have a hell of a lot more. Just looking for opinions on cars...

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by squishy

Nope. Had to sacrifice social life and pretty much anything fun and exciting to work my ass off and save money.

I don't need to justify myself in the thread I created. Not here to humblebrag or show off what I earned, since most people on here probably have a hell of a lot more. Just looking for opinions on cars...

Oh but you do have to justify yourself. In fact, the "you got your parents help" police will be in this thread shortly.

Might as well save them the effort and just admit you're a spoiled brat who accepted a handout from your parents.

You also don't want to even dare state that you did this by yourself by working hard - that will elicit comments such as "OP thinks he hit a home run but he was born on third base"....or some other type comments.

[Joekerr]

By the way - do you need a car right now in the next year? Or can you make do for two years? Because I heard the M2 is coming down the pike in two years and probably priced around 55K USD so that might be a lot of fun if you can wait.

Should be lighter and almost as powerful as the current M3/M4. Though I read some nonsensical journalist crap about how it will have the same motor and therefore be faster because its lighter. Theoretically, yes, but BMW would need to be out of their mind to make it faster than the M3/M4 because that would just cannibalize sales of existing models. So that guy is an idiot...don't expect that.

[Billup]

My thoughts still settle with a Cayman. Awesome package all around, and I think you'll thoroughly enjoy it.

[NemesisX]

Buying a car is such a personal experience, though. I can't imagine why anyone would want input on what random strangers on the internet prefer. My preference for cars should have 0 impact on what you buy.

Drive everything that piques your interest and buy what you like.

This isn't like food where there are hundreds of thousands of choices for restaurants and it's therefore useful to get other opinions to narrow down the list. There are only so many $55k luxury cars out there. Just test drive them all. No input from strangers needed.

[Nkc]

Funny how such a simple thread on OT can go completely OT in 2 pages. That's why I love this forum.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Oh but you do have to justify yourself. In fact, the "you got your parents help" police will be in this thread shortly.

Might as well save them the effort and just admit you're a spoiled brat who accepted a handout from your parents.

You also don't want to even dare state that you did this by yourself by working hard - that will elicit comments such as "OP thinks he hit a home run but he was born on third base"....or some other type comments.

Yeah these threads always devolve into subtle dick measuring contests with people bragging about how they came from nothing.

[SAM135iAM]

+1 for Cayman S

[954Stealth]

and Porsche makes a roof rack system for the Cayman that will support a Kayak. Actually I think it's a Thule product, but still...

[128Convertibleguy]

First thing, I'd go AWD. 2nd, I'd go new, with a new car warranty. Both are very practical choices that can be had on something sporty. Finally, I'd avoid BMWs with run flats.

So, Audi S4/5. 3.0L V6 with supercharger. 333HP. Fantastic interior, great seats. Understated styling, may turn some off, I like understated. All the toys, optional Bang & Olufsen sound system and rear LSD.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2014-Au...verview-c24022

Just a bit under your 55K budget.

[Taskmaster]

Don't buy a VW product.

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Don't buy a VW product.

Truth. Don't bother with Audi/VW. You will end up bored and unimpressed u less you can somehow get an R8 V10, don't bother.

A E92 M3 would be your best option. Either way, buying a sporty/fun car is a very personal decision. You are doing well for yourself so there should be no issues being able to drive the short list of cars that you are interested.

[ejheverest]

Originally Posted by squishy

Nope. Had to sacrifice social life and pretty much anything fun and exciting to work my ass off and save money.

I don't need to justify myself in the thread I created. Not here to humblebrag or show off what I earned, since most people on here probably have a hell of a lot more. Just looking for opinions on cars...

Sacrificed for a yr to save for a downpayment for a property. That is a rarity these days, i did the same except it was 2 yrs and it was to pay off an investment property. If your saving 1/3 your gross income and enjoy your current job, buy whatever you want, in 5 yrs you"ll want something different anyway.

[rjd598]

You don't NEED a new car. Why not just save your money you already have a relatively new car? I highly doubt you will listen or care but thought it was worth a shot

[Fifty3bags]

Originally Posted by squishy

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a new car to replace my X1 35i. Not really looking for anything specific or have any needs to be honest. Just something to daily drive that is still fun and exciting to drive. Looking for something up to $55,000!

A little info about me, I'm 21, about to graduate college and have found a nice job where I can afford this car. Drive about 40 miles a day, take road trips often. No kids, no wife; just me.

I know this is very general, but any good recommendations?

I'm currently looking into a 2013 M3 ($69K), but it's just a bit out of my price range. Still considering it though.

Thanks!

I can't believe no one has asked this yet, but what are you graduating with? You're only 21 so it has to only be a bachelors in something. I'm having a hard time seeing how you bought a house and are thinking of buying a $70k car and you haven't even graduated yet, single so no second income, and your parents aren't helping you. I don't know of many degrees that will net you this, even without student loans and kids.

But I agree with the few above, buy something used and save the extra money you'd be spending on that m3/cayman

[954Stealth]

Maybe just buy a new Kayak, build a moat around your townhouse and use that.