[cooldude346]

Hello Bimmerpost forum users,

I hope that everyone is having a great day! I know this question is completely unrelated to BMWs but I wanted to ask this on a neutral forum.

To give you guys some background, I am a 24 year old med student who is a car enthusiast. Since I am usually super busy with academics I don't have the time to work on my car as much as I would like. Nonetheless, I appreciate driving my car every day. On weekends I usually drive back home (500 mile round trip) and on weekdays I drive to the gym or to get groceries (5-10 miles). With that being said I drive around 25k miles a year.

My current car is a 2007 BMW 335i E90 and I love that car. It has 152k miles on it and I got it 4 years ago when it had 50k miles. I've modified it with a tune, DCIs, intercooler, and catback exhaust. I have also gotten it custom wrapped. When its running optimally its quite fast and sounds nice too. I get compliments on it all the time (even though its worth about $6-7k However, I am sick of it having random problems and having to stress over getting it repaired especially now that I am really busy with school (in undergrad i didn't mind ).

I have saved up for a long time now and I've been in the market to get a new car now. I was considering a Stingray and a Supra earlier but I realized I need a 2+2 and a 2 door 2 seater is not ideal for me. I briefly looked at the M2 competition but it does not lay down the power I am looking for. Meanwhile, the M6 is priced too high and the M4 is way too common for my liking. The new generation M4 won't be available until late next year anyways.

Furthermore, I really don't have the time to modify the next car I get with everything going on. Aside from some window tints and front end clear coat protection, I am looking forward to driving the car bone stock. With that being said I want it to be as powerful and fun as possible if I am spending upwards of 70k.

Thats why I bring up this question. A new 2020 Mustang GT500 will cost me around 75k or I can pick up a used 2017/2018 GTR Premium with less than 15k miles for around 75k also. If I get the GTR it has to be the latest body style (2017+).

The only thing that worries me about either of these cars is how comfortable/refined they will be? I know my 3 series is one of the most basic cars you could get from BMW in 2007 yet I love the refinement in it. Its very comfortable on long drives. I haven't driven a Shelby/powerfulStang or the GTR so I'm not sure how those cars do in that aspect. If anybody has experience driving either of these cars please do let me know how they would compare to a E90/E92 3 series on the comfort aspect.

Nonetheless, i'm torn between these two cars. Both are amazing machines in my opinion. What do you fellow car enthusiasts think is a better option for me and why do you think so?
This car will be my daily driver and I will drive it about 25k miles a year. I will barely take it out on a track--maybe like once a year tops. I live in Virginia (so the weather is not too bad and I can definitely manage a RWD monster even in the winter). I plan to buy in Spring 2020!

[NYG]

My guy, I know this isn't exactly the answer you're looking for but I'd take a Z51 C8 Corvette light years before I'd ever waste money on a GT500 or a GTR.

GTRs are fat pigs.

[NickyC]

I voted GT500, but the M4 is way too common for your liking? The GT500 looks similar to about a billion other Mustangs on the road, far more common looking than an M4 I'd say.

GTR is of course fantastic, but way long in the tooth now.

[NoGuru]

I picked GTR just because it's more rare.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by NYG

GTRs are fat pigs.

The GT500 is as well. I think they released it's going to be 4200 lbs.

[OkieSnuffBox]

OP, I suspect if you buy a GT500 to put 25k miles a year on, you're going to end up like multiple GT350 buyers who bought it because they thought it was cool. Then 1 year and less than 10k miles later it's back up for sale at a nice discount because it's really a street-legal, track ready car.

If you aren't going to track the car (maybe 1 time per year means you're not going to track it), just buy something fast and comfy, not something meant to set fast lap times.

[Humdizzle]

I had a 2010 GTR. FBO E85. And have also spent time in a e92 M3. The e92 is a farrr more refined experience. They have stepped up the interior refinement in the years since though. I don't have much experience with the 2017. You can definitely drive a GTR all year, awd system grips even in bad weather on summer tires.

Sounds like you want performance, refinement, reliability, and rarity. And you aren't going to find that unless you go with something like Porsche or Ferrari.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

The GT500 is as well. I think they released it's going to be 4200 lbs.

That's why I'd rather have a mid-engine Corvette over both.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by NYG

That's why I'd rather have a mid-engine Corvette over both.

+1

[Darth One]

Interesting that as i write this, more than 70% of the poll respondents would pick a car that was launched when Dubya was president, instead of the newest and best that Ford has to offer

[MightyM3]

Get a Porsche.... Mustangs are extremely common and GTR's are heavy as hell and AWD.

I am looking at the 981 GT4 as we speak. The 2016 models run around 80k, right in the same price point you are looking at. Willing to bet you that you will not see any others on the road for a long time lol.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Interesting that as i write this, more than 70% of the poll respondents would pick a car that was launched when Dubya was president, instead of the newest and best that Ford has to offer

I'd say that's the GT even if it isn't the newest. Unfortunately it's overpriced by a magnitude of 1000x

[Dthltm]

A med student buying a $75k car... I was born into the wrong family

I think that a Porsche is the right answer as it will retain value, but all signs point to financials not being an issue.

[WestRace]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

OP, I suspect if you buy a GT500 to put 25k miles a year on, you're going to end up like multiple GT350 buyers who bought it because they thought it was cool. Then 1 year and less than 10k miles later it's back up for sale at a nice discount because it's really a street-legal, track ready car.

It depends on how exclusive the GT500 will become. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more C8 on the road a few years from now than GT500. Personally I have not seen any GT350 on my commute but have seen tons of C7 and the GT350's have come out quite a few years ago. Is the GT500 a better car than the C8? I don't know but the GT50 will be made only in limited number, its resale value will hold up well down the road.

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

If you aren't going to track the car (maybe 1 time per year means you're not going to track it), just buy something fast and comfy, not something meant to set fast lap times.

That's missing the point. There are people who want raw, demanding, and rewarding driving experience. If you're right, then everybody would be buying M5 and so on. That's why car like Ferrari 458 Speciale costs about either the same or more today vs. when it was brand new. The going price for the 458 Speciale spider is about $600K now. On the other hand, C8 will be just a dime and a dozen a few years from now.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Interesting that as i write this, more than 70% of the poll respondents would pick a car that was launched when Dubya was president, instead of the newest and best that Ford has to offer

Ford has always been a step behind with their chassis, whether it’s IRS, fitting actually wide tires, reducing weight with the IRS, etc. Finally with PP2 they have something to go up against the 1LE, but that’s been beating the GT350 and close to the R for all our performance. Not even getting into ZL1 and ZL1 1LE trims. And on top of that you have C7 gran sports, z06s and ZR1s. It’s not that a GT350 or GT500 is bad...it’s just 5-10 years too late. I’m not sure what Fords mentality is with this, ultimately selling is the goal, not necessarily performance, so that might be part of it, but ford is notorious for doing things like skinny tires on V8s, solid axles, over-powered chassis with little control, etc. The 350 was the first serious car they made in a long time, then PP2 the second. The 500 probably won’t be bad, but I’d rather have a whole bunch of other cars that will likely be more balanced and drivable.

[eluded]

What is your medical specialty ?

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by WestRace

That's missing the point. There are people who want raw, demanding, and rewarding driving experience.

I wouldn't say the average commute is a chance to really test any vehicle.

[NCThreePedals]

Neither?
Mustangs are not refined, GTRs have no soul
25K miles is a shit ton, maybe look into something more comfortable like a 911 GTS or a M3/4

[Alfisti]

40,000Km a year? Jesus H.

Lightly use M3 or Caddy man, otherwise it's suicidal financially.

[TSM330i]

At 24, I wouldn't be spending $75K on a car. Do you own a home?

If you're in a much better position financially than most new graduates and are able to spend $75K on a car, I wouldn't get either of the two you have listed.
I'd get a 911 and be done with it. It'll be my next car 100%.

[TwinTurboXI]

CPO C63?

[c1pher]

At their respective price points, I can think of so many and better options.