Fun Daily Driver Around $35k..What would you have? - Page 3

blacksc400 · 10-19-09, 12:50 PM

M3 or 335Ci.
Cayman is great but it's too small and no rear seats, could be a trouble as daily.

jaseman · 10-19-09, 12:52 PM

Totally out of left field, but...

Given any thought to an MX-5 Miata?

Not very luxurious, and a bit anemic, power wise, but very, very rewarding to drive. Perfectly balanced, rear-drive, fuel efficient, top down fun. And with even a semi-decent set of snows, you can actually drive it year round. Drove mine for five years through icy, snow, miserable Pittsburgh winters.

Another option might be a well-kept, first-gen, BMW M-coupe (if you can stand the styling).

Allen K · 10-19-09, 12:57 PM

^^ I was thinking the same thing. With the power hardtop it might fare a little better in the winters too

mmarshall · 10-19-09, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaseman

Totally out of left field, but...

Given any thought to an MX-5 Miata?

Not very luxurious, and a bit anemic, power wise, but very, very rewarding to drive. Perfectly balanced, rear-drive, fuel efficient, top down fun. And with even a semi-decent set of snows, you can actually drive it year round. Drove mine for five years through icy, snow, miserable Pittsburgh winters.

Interesting thought, but the Miata is pretty small and cramped for larger guys, though the 3Gen model is a little bigger and roomier inside than the first two. I'm 6" 2" and 270 lb, and I found the older Miatas extremely cramped....the newer ones a little less so. Of course, if he's, say, 5" 10" or less, he probably won't have any problem.

jaseman · 10-19-09, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen K

^^ I was thinking the same thing. With the power hardtop it might fair a little better in the winters too

Would have loved a hardtop for my 95. Heavy rain made me feel like I was sitting in a bath-tub.

jaseman · 10-19-09, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Interesting thought, but the Miata is pretty small and cramped for larger guys, though the 3Gen model is a little bigger and roomier inside than the first two. I'm 6" 2" and 270 lb, and I found the older Miatas extremely cramped....the newer ones a little less so. Of course, if he's, say, 5" 10" or less, he probably won't have any problem.

I'm 6'1", and had no issues with mine. But I'm also only 185 lbs soaking wet. When I test drove a 3rd gen, I actually had less leg room than in my 95. (but everybody's built differently)

mmarshall · 10-19-09, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaseman

I'm 6'1", and had no issues with mine. But I'm also only 185 lbs soaking wet. When I test drove a 3rd gen, I actually had less leg room than in my 95. (but everybody's built differently)

Well, even aside from legroom, it's a lot easier to get our legs in and out under that low steering wheel when one is your size rather than mine. And you probably don't have a mens' size-15 shoe like mine to get hung up under some poorly-spaced pedals.

In a Miata (or any small two-seat convertible) you can, of course, add some leg room by pushing the bottom-seat cushion back.....but then the top part won't recline much because of the roof-drop-compartment directly behind the seat. That is a compromise you have to make in almost any small 2-seat convertible.....legroom vs. seat reclinability.

jaseman · 10-19-09, 01:32 PM

Oh, totally agree.

The fact that I'm very lanky is probably the only reason I fit in the Miata (though I did have the seat all the way to the stops

). My father, who is built more like you, had difficulty driving it.

The 3rd gen is a bit wider, though it still lacks the legroom of my 1st gen. Not sure if it was pedal placement, or the size of the footwell.

TwiBlueG35 · 10-19-09, 02:22 PM

Among those three I probably would eliminate the E46 first. I personally prefer E92 more than Cayman.

moses0324 · 10-19-09, 04:06 PM

if you want reliable then the 335 is out...hpfp problems.

only thing you could get from bmw would be m3, 328, or 330

Vantage_6 · 10-19-09, 04:20 PM

Well after a long day at work today I realized how much I'm gonna miss driving home in an automatic RX. Insane comfort, all wheel drive capability, fantastic maintenance costs, and the list goes on. Too bad it has no driver feedback or funfactor!

At this point I am focusing my efforts on finding a 6spd e92 328xi

. Mostly because It's got more comfort than the porsche/m3...cheaper maint costs and all wheel drive!

in case any of you know a friend/someone who's selling this is what I'm looking for:
2007 or 2008 model year

Options (in order of must haves to not so must haves)
Navigation/idrive
Logic 7 with usb support
Sport Seats (don't care if it has sport package...seats are a must have though)
Lumbar Support
Bluetooth
PDC
Heated Steering Wheel

Preferred Colours (but i'm not too picky): Monaco blue, Sapphire black, Any of the two greys (space and the graphite) etc

Pref interior: Saddle brown.

My priority are options over colour combos though. So if you have a friend/colleague/family member thinking of selling an e92 equipped as above PLEASE send me a PM asap.

I'm a serious buyer and I'm willing to look into shipping. (cars from the North East will obv be given priority). In the meantime I'll be searching for deals in my area!

Thanks again to all of you for your helpful feedback!

tmf2004 · 10-19-09, 04:26 PM

After much debate sounds like you made your mind up.. Congrats..

1SICKLEX · 10-19-09, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmf2004

After much debate sounds like you made your mind up.. Congrats..

Yup, good job

echelon · 10-19-09, 04:41 PM

You could get the mazdaspeed version of the Miata as well if you could put up with the cramped room.

joe80 · 10-19-09, 08:07 PM

i never trust used german cars. I've had 2 used 3 series and started making all kinds of problem after 80k miles.