by "SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
Published 02/08/2017 at 16:41
by "SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
Published 02/08/2017 at 16:41
No Tags
STARS: 2
I know this is the land of 3 pedal fun. I’ve been a member of the Manuél society for quite some time. But for some reason I find myself considering to get an Auto this time. DC traffic does that to you sometimes. But I want something that’ll still be fun to drive and preferably around $15k or lower. Can stretch up a little bit trying to stay considerably under $20k and can be financed. Any good suggestions Oppo?
Thinking maybe a 135i Sport could work.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
02/08/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 1
Why not just sell your entire soul to the devil and get a CVT while you’re at it?
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
02/08/2017 at 16:48, STARS: 4
traffic can make even the most hardened manual lover reach for an auto.
if I ever get back to the elite status of having a daily driver and a toy, my daily will likely be an auto.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
02/08/2017 at 16:48, STARS: 4
The best way to own an auto is to do what I do - get a HUEG car with soft suspension, plenty of power and an auto, so it’s like driving a sofa when you’re commuting, but it’s also unnerving (and therefore fun) to do Slow Car Fast with.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/08/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 1
My dad has a 135is with a DCT and it is pretty phenomenal.
"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
02/08/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 1
I’m with ya. Seattle traffic has gotten progressively worse and worse in the last few years. I hardly enjoy shifting anymore. I’m saying “fuck it!” and I’m buying a truck next.
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0
I was thinking something fun but you have reminded me about a Jag XJR. Already have a back up car in my beater for when the big cat inevitability goes in for service.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/08/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 1
I’ve had a strange desire to daily a Park Avenue Ultra for a while. I just don’t need a different daily, and also there are never any for sale here.
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 1
The Fun to Drive CVTs (Honda brand) all out of my budget:)
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 0
Right now my only wheels is a manual. My protege beater
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/08/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 0
Vancouver has appalling traffic, I can totally relate to wanting an auto for traffic. That’s what I have now, and it’s really nice to have. I just need to get something with a manual for not commuting.
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
02/08/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
Life-long manual driver here, except for when I lived in Baltimore. Granted, it’s been 10 years, so things may have changed, but DC traffic was substantially more frustrating than Baltimore.
To hell with a three mile commute five feet at a time with three pedals. I think any slushbox with a decent paddle shift setup would be a happy balance. More involved than a traditional automatic when the roads are clear, or you can just pull it down into drive and limp along as traffic will allow in gridlock.
Obligatory Smart Went Crazy song (song title is essentially in your post):
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
02/08/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 0
Auto Mustang?
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
02/08/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 0
Used V6 Accord Coupe.
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
02/08/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 1
GTI?
"Phatboyphil" (justphil)
02/08/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0
The most fun to drive auto I have any experience with is a Pontiac G6. However I can’t recommend it because the reliability is astoundingly crap. The particular specimen my friend loaned me would leaked so bad there would be an actual puddle in the footwell, at 60k miles. Not to mention random spouts of not starting, for various reasons.
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 1
A clean Park Ave Ultra SC would be so so nice. Cars were huge and softer than a Lay Z Boy
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 0
Used to work at a BMW in the loaner car department. We convinced upper management that we needed one in our inventory for the M customers. Me and the other manager pretty much took turns with it as our commuter. How’s reliability been?
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 17:10, STARS: 2
It’s high on my list. 278hp and room for living beings in the back seat sounds nice.
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
Couldn’t bring myself to getting one. Have an unwritten code that if I get a muscle car must have a V8 and stick
"KFN" (kfn)
02/08/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0
I see nothing wrong with automatic transmissions. Sometimes I even wish I had gone with DCT for my car, but mostly because my wife won’t drive it. If I had a long commute, I would certainly consider an auto, especially with all the double clutch options.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
02/08/2017 at 17:20, STARS: 0
Touche. They’re not all that bad!
"Tripper" (tripe46)
02/08/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 1
I felt the same way (wanting auto for daily use), and for a while the DSG in my S3 was fine. I even have a another car that has three pedals, but after we bought my Wife’s Forester, I want a stick for daily use again. I’m not going to be in the market for another year or so, but I’m definitely going to be back in a stick shift.
Metro traffic is much worse than anything I’m dealing with though, so I don’t know your struggle.
I can tell you that you had better get yourself a pre purchase inspection on any TT BMW 6 cyl.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/08/2017 at 17:36, STARS: 0
If you’re going 135i auto, the trade-off is there’s more tuning headroom on the pre-LCI N54 but the DCT on the LCI N55 is way better than the 6-speed Steptronic.
(I had a 135is DCT.)
"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
02/08/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 1
Also N55 is a touch more reliable than N54. What made you get rid of your 135is?
"Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
02/08/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 0
Same issue here in Seattle, my manual Cayman isn’t the tool of choice in rush hour traffic. I bought a 2016 Focus Titanium with every option possible for $24k new; even with the DCT it gets 37mpg’s on the highway. The transmission is okay, I preferred the DSG on my VW TDI though (I hate CVT’s with a passion). I’m sure you can find a CPO for well under your max budget.
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
02/08/2017 at 17:52, STARS: 0
It’s a BMW! It would be different if you were getting a CUV or something soulless like that. You’ll regret it. Seriously. You’ll be driving on a nice road and you’ll look down at the shifter and you’ll say to yourself “Damn, I should have gone with the stick.”
"finn's arm" (andjeee)
02/08/2017 at 17:53, STARS: 0
If it is bumper to bumper traffic, avoid the DCT and go w/ the prior gearbox coupled w/ the old N54.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/08/2017 at 17:53, STARS: 0
I live in Wisconsin and had a Grand Cherokee to go with the 135is, but wanted to get down to one vehicle so replaced both with a 335xi coupe.
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
02/08/2017 at 17:55, STARS: 0
You can get an auto daily and a really fun manual sports car for weekends. All for the price of that BMW!
I’d look into having two cars be almost polar opposites of each other. That way when you get into the other car after a while, it feels phenomenal. We all get this weird itch to get something different than our current ride. But if your two cars cover different bases, a lot of those itches are scratched.
For example - a pure sports car like a Miata, and a comfy GT euro luxoboat.
Or a small, nippy hatchback like a CRX and an American landyacht.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/08/2017 at 19:23, STARS: 0
He had a VANOS issue or something, other than that nothing. He’s only put like 5k miles on it in like 20 months.