I need help picking a used daily driver

"superdave847" (superdave847)
03/25/2019 at 20:28 • Filed to: BMW Jalopnik Edition 320i, Car Shopping, Audi A4, Manual Transmission, Golf GTI, BMW 328i M-Sport, Bimmers R Us

I had to let go of my E90 335i last Thursday and now I need to replace it ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). I have a long commute at an average of 70 miles per day round trip, which will put a ton of miles on any car quickly. I like BMWs a lot, but I also want to buy a sports car that isn’t a commuter car.

Is the right Jalop move to buy a Prius for the commute and a used sports car for weekends? I have been looking at E46 M3s and 997.1 911s for awhile and have a green light from my wife to buy one when the time is right.

Or should I keep the commute interesting with a BMW 3 series or Audi A4? Right now, these are the two cars I am looking at:

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I am getting a PPI on the later at Autohaus BMW in Maplewood, Missouri this Friday.

I would also consider an A4, Ford Focus, or GTI (especially if either of those is equipped with a manual).

But, by quite a lot, I prefer a rear wheel drive car with an engine that is mounted transversely. This is why I fell in love with BMW back when the E39 came out. It just clicked in my brain as the way a car should be built . And here I am, unable to change that core belief.

Used Subaru WRXs with low miles hover a little bit above my budget.

Or should I just get the Prius to save money for the greater Oppo-good?

I’m torn.

DISCUSSION (18)

Spanfeller is a twat > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:00

The A4 ultra sport is still on sale?

Otherwise, Prius-M3 combo is my recommendation.

superdave847 > Spanfeller is a twat
03/25/2019 at 21:01

That’s the right decision. I’m just slow to accept the inevitability of that .

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:02

If you’re doing 70miles a day why not 328d?

superdave847 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
03/25/2019 at 21:03

That’s not a bad idea.

E90M3 > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:05

If you can swing two cars, I would go that route. I like knowing my M3 is safely tucked away in the garage all the time. I also used to commute 75 miles a day and putting those miles on the M3 wasn’t something I could stomach. I’m sure, as is everyone else here, I went with an E92 328i as my DD. I figured if I was going to spend a lot of time in the car, I should get something I like spending time in. Now that my commute is 15 minutes each way, I’m beginning to wonder if I should’ve gotten something cheaper. Still wouldn’t be open to DDing the M3, there’s something wonderful about only being in your car when you want to be, not when you have to be.

Spanfeller is a twat > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:06

Though the Prius really shines in city traffic, if you do a lot of highway miles it might underwhelm you.

Still a super efficient car

Censored > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:16

Priuses are actually wonderful for just soaking up miles. If I had room for a 3rd car, I'd have one for my 80 mile round trip daily. My boss has an 07 with 300k and has literally done oil and bulbs (nothing else at all) and it still runs great. His batteries only charge up to about 80% but hasn't affected driving at all. It will run 85+ comfortably on the hwy while getting over 40. He has a horrible lead foot and still averages 48mpg.

412GTI > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:21

Life’s too short to drive a Prius. If you had a long stop and go commute, they’re the way to go. A highway commute on the other hand eh. I’d be tempted by those two BMW’s or something with a good ride.

I really like the look of that 320i but hear the base seats suck.

NKato > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:22

For such a commute, get a car with 35mpg or better. Put the extra money toward a Viper GTS or something.

HoustonRunner > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 21:36

Have you driven a GTI? I’m a BMW guy also, but put a bunch of miles on a 2007 GTI commuting to and from the airport. With a stage 1 APR tune it was a blast.

Stopcallingmesir > Censored
03/25/2019 at 21:42

Just a note on hybrid batteries... the world they live in is the 40 -80% range. A hybrid battery at 100% means the hybrid system is not working. Why build electric power to not use it? Imagine if you never drained nor overcharged your phone.. it would last forever.

superdave847 > HoustonRunner
03/25/2019 at 21:43

No, but when I was a kid my dad had a diesel Rabbit so I have fond memories of VW hatchbacks.

Censored > Stopcallingmesir
03/25/2019 at 22:03

True, however it is my understanding that the 40-80 rule is factored into the battery gauge on the dash. That is the meter on his that only reads 80ish. It has slowly degraded over the last year.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > superdave847
03/25/2019 at 22:06

2 car combo is always best, I feel. Maybe even a CT200h so it’s a little nicer while you protect whatever the purpose-built fun car is. I would do it if I had typical office job.

superdave847 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/25/2019 at 22:10

I feel guilty that I ruined a LeMans Blue E90 M-Sport, but it was great. A Lexus version of a Prius is a good idea.

404 - User No Longer Available > superdave847
03/26/2019 at 00:00

Just be careful of the N20, they are prone to timing chain guide fracture which could lead to a totalled engine. There’s an ongoing class action for that engine.

Otherwise fine car... I’m biased, lol.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > superdave847
03/26/2019 at 02:00

Hybrids are great around town, but aren’t as efficient on longer drives. Here’s a good two car combo that would be fun, efficient and reliable:

Kinja'd!!!

I’ve owned mostly German cars in my 36 years of driving, and am now enjoying this thing I heard so much about called ‘reliability’. Plus, given my avatar, would you expect any less from me?

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > superdave847
03/26/2019 at 08:43

you can see what i was trying to find but here: https://www.lasvegasmini.com/used/BMW/2006-BMW-Z4-4a664f1b0a0d0cc7585ee6f7b01fc751.htm