Green Light!! Urgent car advice needed

"LastFirstMI is my name" (donstone13) 07/01/2017 at 23:55 • Filed to: Impulse buy

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So a few years ago Mrs. LastFirstMI got tired of my constant internet obsessing over cars and said “just buy one already”. I immediately went online and bought an M3 from 500 miles away (I mean, you can’t wait and risk a last minute change of heart, right?). A year later we sold most of our stuff to move overseas; now we’re back and here I am stalking cars on the interwebs.

I have, once again, been given the “green light” and I need OPPO guidance. My budget is lower this time (15-25k), the car must have a back seat for munchkin transport duty and be reliable enough for once or twice a week 60 mile commutes. My short list follows:

Focus ST

Audi S3 wagon

E46 M3

Also-rans but DNF:

Volvo C30 R design

Volkswagen GTI

Lexis IS 350

Subaru WRX

Best interior- my butt wants this one

All around best choice for adult and not-grown-up me

The heart wants what the heart wants

Obviously it will be blue. I told her the answer was Miata, but my proposal to store the kids in the trunk didn’t fly. Any other alternatives I’m missing?

My brain says Ford (with a warranty and all that boring stuff), but my heart wants another M3, repair bills and 10 year old infotainment tech be damned!

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:03

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The back seat can fit baby seat, don’t believe what the internet says.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:04

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I’ve always liked the S3, it’d be cool to have an Oppo with one.

notsomethingstructural > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:04

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If you ever want another M3, then get the M3, since I don’t see them ever being much less expensive than they are now.

awmaster10 > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:10

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Do you like 6th gen camaros?

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 07/02/2017 at 00:13

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He wants a hothatch or sports sedan, I didn’t see him Say he wanted to puke when he looked into his garage

LastFirstMI is my name > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 07/02/2017 at 00:16

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Wow it’s like you know me!

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 07/02/2017 at 00:17

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CompactLuxuryFan > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:19

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Is this in the US? That generation S3 never made it here so you can go ahead and scratch that one right off the list.

LastFirstMI is my name > notsomethingstructural 07/02/2017 at 00:20

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I haven’t inspected or driven any of them yet, but I was surprised at the number of E46 M3's with 60-80k miles for a decent price. Maybe they’re all salvage disasters, but it’s so tempting! Also crazy that some are asking 30 grand (!?!) for low mileage ones

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:22

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No I just read your post and determined that a juke was NOT similar to a Focus ST, E46, or WRX and would probably not be what your looking for. Maybe a new civic Si though?

LastFirstMI is my name > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 07/02/2017 at 00:22

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They’re like a GTI for grown ups. I love Audi interiors, and the 2.0 has great tuner support. I would love a wicked little 300 hp A3

LastFirstMI is my name > awmaster10 07/02/2017 at 00:24

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They’re a great value, but my Blue Oval Only family might disown me... I might go drive one just for fun though! Thanks for the idea.

iSureWilll > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:27

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How about this Focus ST? It’s my brother’s car!

http://www.503motoringsales.com/vehicle-details/2014-ford-focus-st—one-owner—loaded-tuxedo-black-black—hatchback-d2b74e58985b4787bb88a83f086aca75/

Not blue, but if you like black...

Steve in Manhattan > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:30

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Saab. Because someone has to ...

LastFirstMI is my name > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 07/02/2017 at 00:31

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It is a little like a carnival mirror version of a Macan... I’m almost convinced to go test drive one

LastFirstMI is my name > CompactLuxuryFan 07/02/2017 at 00:34

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Freudian slip. I was imagining building my own poor-boy version by tuning an A3.

LastFirstMI is my name > Steve in Manhattan 07/02/2017 at 00:36

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It checks two boxes- quirky and blue

Steve in Manhattan > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:45

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And dat wagon ...

awmaster10 > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:48

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A 6th gen v8 is a bit more than that price range, but the v6 is now pretty fast. But in that case id just opt for c6 corvette base. THAT is a fun car for your money.

Also drive the new mustang of course.

awmaster10 > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:51

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Also of the ones you listed ive always wanted an is350. But if you can maintain it an e46 would be a good purchase right now. Actually, an e92 would be an even better purchase. They can be had for cheap right now and they are the last NA m3 so they will keep their value.

Even an e92 335i with a tune...great car.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 00:58

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The only two cars I’d drop that kind of cash for. A Hawkeye STI or the more menacing Evo 9 MR. The hard part wouldbe the that I’d want a stock one. 300hp is more than enough for me.

marshknute > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 01:01

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You can get an A3 with the 3.2 VR6 (literally a mk5 Golf R32 in an Audi business suit). Unfortunately, it’s auto-only, and that early generation dual-clutch is slow AF to shift. Slow as in a 0.5+ second delay between clicking the paddle and the transmission responding.

Matsayz > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 01:40

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You can pick up a VW Golf R (mk6) for “cheap” these days just an FYI

Audistein > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 02:25

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What about a Mk VI Golf R? Probably faster than everything on your list and gets decent mpg. Basically an S3 hatch but cheaper and less pretentious. You can find these all day for under $25k.

Also I can’t imagine a E90 or E92 335i being any worse than an E46 M3 to maintain. Might even be more reliable than the E46, but at least as expensive if not more to expensive to fix when it goes wrong. You could maybe even get a later car with the N55 for $25k. If you can find an M-Sport or at least a Sport package model they drive very sharp. Way more refined than the E46 too for that longer drive.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 04:58

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Do it. Do it. Do it.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 08:12

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Leguna Seca BlueM3 if you can find one....

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 08:19

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Why no GTI? The MK7 base model can be found at the upper end of your budget new and it has plenty of room for kids and does long drives really well.

I haven’t had any major issues with mine in the year plus I’ve owned it.

Discerning > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 08:19

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IS350. You won’t regret it

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 09:28

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Audi S4 has a bigger back seat and should be in your budget, or a CTS-V, if miled up or the first gen.

LastFirstMI is my name > Audistein 07/02/2017 at 10:01

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The 335 makes sense, but I just don’t like the Bangle design. Every time I see an E46 I think “That’s the best looking car I’ve seen all day”

LastFirstMI is my name > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 07/02/2017 at 10:03

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I’ll admit it’s the reliability reputation that kept me away. Otherwise it’s a perfect fit

LastFirstMI is my name > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/02/2017 at 10:10

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If I found a pristine unmolested one, heck yeah. And it would be sitting on a cotton candy cloud at the end of a rainbow with all the other unicorns :)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 10:17

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The MK7 is just fine. Haven’t seen anything major and widespread like the earlier generations.

Also plaid seats>everything else.

notsomethingstructural > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 11:06

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Buddy, you’re preaching to the choir. $15k and you’re in something where you won’t be the last owner, for sure.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/buy-drive-kill-a-transcontinental-round-up-1796566894

Steve in Manhattan > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 12:23

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Had to use my ZIP

This and this ... of course you have time to shop price.

And was the 9-7 Saab just some sort of GM rebadgery?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 19:51

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https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=460085327&zip=54806&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D54806%26startYear%3D2006%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26incremental%3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2007%26modelCodeList%3DIMPWRX%26makeCodeList%3DSUB%26searchRadius%3D500&startYear=2006&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2007&modelCodeList=IMPWRX&makeCodeList=SUB&searchRadius=500&makeCode1=SUB&modelCode1=IMPWRX

LastFirstMI is my name > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/02/2017 at 21:13

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That’s a nice one! I’ll keep my eyes open for something closer to home.... somewhere there’s a little old lady that only drove it to church on Sundays and is ready to sell

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 21:21

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I that old lady exists I’d like to be her grandson

Moltenburn > LastFirstMI is my name 07/02/2017 at 23:46

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Go get a new GTI sport for just under 25k W Auto or less in a manual. 4dr hatch is very usable and the PP package makes the car drive like a dream

LastFirstMI is my name > Moltenburn 07/03/2017 at 10:36

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I’m going to drive one today. They’re a screaming deal right now, some are under 20k

Audistein > LastFirstMI is my name 07/04/2017 at 02:40

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The E90 sedan is a little wonky looking but the E92 coupe is fantastic, especially in m-sport form.

But even the older (pre-LCI) non-M-Sport older E92 coupes look good.

LastFirstMI is my name > Audistein 07/04/2017 at 09:58

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It’s funny - I really like the current BMW design, especially the coupes, and it’s like they took some of the Bangle elements and combined those with classic BMW styling, and it really works. But the pure Bangle cars- artistic but not pretty to me.

I test drove a new GTI yesterday and it’s now at the top of my list....

Audistein > LastFirstMI is my name 07/06/2017 at 19:15

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Yeah, I’m a big fan of the BMW coupes too. I almost like the cleaner styling of the E92 over the F32 even though the new sedan looks better than the old one.

The MkVII GTI really seems like the perfect car for your situation. You had it in the “DNF” category in your original post, but if that hadn’t been the case I’m sure it would’ve been the #1 suggestion. The performance pack with its trick differential, which I think is the Sport trim and above, makes it feel very planted under throttle while cornering even though it’s FWD. Even the base model is very fun to drive though and still grips surprisingly well in my experience, and the “S” trim is the best value. Much better MPG than the other cars you’re looking at too.

LastFirstMI is my name > Audistein 07/06/2017 at 22:19

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So true! I actually test drove a GTI today thanks to everyone’s suggestions. Fun to drive! Now I’m even more conflicted....