I can't make up my mind at all on my next car

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 03/29/2016 at 11:15 • Filed to: None

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As I often post around here, I lease a 2013 BMW 135is and own a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I want/need to get down to 1 car, and I can’t make up my mind about this at all. I’ve thought about anything from an Audi TTS Roadster to an Infiniti FX50. I have a problem.

My 135is lease ends June 29. I’m going to sell my Jeep ASAP. I got the 2 cars when I lived by myself, but I now live with my gf and we have a 1-car garage. Most of the year it’s no big deal to have the 3 cars but winter in Wisconsin makes for more juggling of vehicles than I (and she) really can tolerate.

If we were looking for a place to move into together we would’ve gotten a 2-car garage, but she found this place for herself first, and I joined her later. We don’t want to move because it’s super cheap for the amount of space and amenities we have, so we’ll deal with the 1-car garage.

Part of me wants to just buy my 135is at the end of the lease and drive it year round. Sure, I’m in Wisconsin, and it’s a 320 hp rwd car with an open differential and low ground clearance, but hey snow tires are magic, right?

The purchase price at the end of the lease is $30,700 and change. Which if I were to go buy one on the used market, is a pretty solid deal, because with my driving the Jeep in the winter, I’ve only put just shy of 16k miles on the 135is. The smart thing would be to spend that or less on something fun and awd and doesn’t cost any more than my 135is to fuel and insure.

My only problem is, I keep getting ideas that cost more than keeping my 135is as my only car. For example: a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which might only be a few grand over the $30,700 limit but gets 16 mpg on premium, or !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that shall soon arrive at my local Ford dealer and hasn’t been bought by anyone yet, and is fully-loaded with a sticker price of $40k and change.

If I got something brand new, it’d probably be a lease for $450/month or less, unless I could get it in the ballpark of that $31k or less number, otherwise I’d look to buy something 2012 or newer with 35k or less miles on it. Manual, or good automatic (dual clutch, ZF 8-speed, etc) transmissions only.

Here is a list of cars I am thinking about:

Acura TLX SH-AWD (new, lease)
Audi S4 3.0T (used)
Audi S5 3.0T coupe or cabrio (used)
Audi TTS Roadster (used)
BMW 335i xDrive (used)
BMW M235i xDrive (new, lease)
Infiniti G37xS coupe (used)
VW Golf R (used)

Here is a list of cars I have ruled out, and why:

Acura TL SH-AWD - stiff ride and you sit way too far down in it
Audi A6 3.0T avant - mediocre transmission
Audi S3 - coworker drives one
Audi S5 4.2 - fuel economy
Cadillac CTS 3.6 awd coupe - bad seats, terrible visibility
Ford Focus RS - price
Infiniti G37xS sedan - loses all the good stuff from the sport package like the suspension, brakes & LSD, and is ugly
Infiniti FX50S - fuel economy
Mini Clubman S All4 - too slow
Mitsubishi Evo - no Mitsubishi dealers where I live
Subaru WRX/STI - my gf is probably about to get an Impreza

What’s an indecisive car nerd to do?

Slant6 > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:24

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Focus RS. You’ll love it.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:31

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I have the same problem. But my list ranges from a ND Miata to a 2012 Raptor... My car obsession has no direction.

My vote would be Audi TTS.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:35

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Subaru BRZ. I’d say Scion FR-S, since it’s clearly the better of the two, but you seem like a man who enjoys his sports cars with the finer things and somewhat look at the image portrayed by them. The BRZ is the more well-equipped of the two cars and holds a better image in the public eye, whereas the FR-S is clearly the more race car oriented model with its lighter chassis and lack of those unnecessary luxury features. ;)

-You can find used examples for a steal, they’re pretty much at bottom of market value right now, and a brand new one would still be under your $31k mark.
-They’re incredibly fun, handle amazingly, and the manual gearbox in them is quite good.
-With a set of winter tires they have no trouble with the midwest winters, mine has done just fine in Chicagoland winters with quite a few drives up to central/northern WI and MKE for winter rallycross events.
-They’re surprisingly more practical than one might thing, I fit a set of wheels with unmounted tires in my car.
-Gas mileage isn’t bad, mine is hovering at an Avg. MPG of 28.6 with quite a bit of long driving, several winter rallycross events, and a track day since it was last reset.

From the other cars you’ve considered it may not have the fast straight line speed you’re looking for, but it’s a car that can be driven very fast in the hands of the right driver. Plus WI, like IL, is excellently located in terms of opportunities/places/organizations to go track/autocross/rallycross your sports car with!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:39

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Why no GTI?

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 03/29/2016 at 11:47

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If I go with rwd it’s my 135is. I’ve driven a BRZ and want more power, and a sunroof.

Textured Soy Protein > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/29/2016 at 11:48

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Awd only.

BeaterGT > Slant6 03/29/2016 at 11:51

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Too bad he’ll have to wait for it.

Slant6 > BeaterGT 03/29/2016 at 11:52

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Worth it.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:53

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If you want something new, I think the easiest decision is to see if there’s any equity left in the lease for you and roll that over into a new lease on the 235. I don't recall exact specs, but I'm sure you're getting at least the same amount of power, if not more, plus all wheel drive (which is generally a plus).

PICKLEBOY > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:55

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You ruled out the Focus RS for price, but are considering used German sedans? What am I not getting here? Have you considered a used Lexus IS of some kind?

Ssfancyfresh > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 11:55

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I vote TT / TTS, but I am biased because I used to own one.

It offers a good blend of comfort, economy, and utility for daily driving.

It’s fancy enough to valet when you take your lady friend out for a special evening.

While it’s no match for a Boxster or M-whatever in performance, it is fun to drive at the limit on public roads.

Bonus - AWD.

BeaterGT > Slant6 03/29/2016 at 11:55

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Unpopular opinion I know but it’s pretty ugly in person. Then again, this is a weird list created but I’d probably go with the 335xi or S4.

Textured Soy Protein > Slant6 03/29/2016 at 12:00

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I won’t love paying for it though! I’m paying about $700/month between my two cars and don’t want to do that anymore.

Slant6 > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 12:01

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I thought you owned the Jeep.

Textured Soy Protein > PICKLEBOY 03/29/2016 at 12:02

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I’d do certified or get an extended warranty thru USAA. Tried an IS350 AWD and it has this stupid hump in the driver’s footwell for the awd system. I hate that hump.

Textured Soy Protein > Slant6 03/29/2016 at 12:04

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I do but I took out a short term loan on it.

Textured Soy Protein > Ssfancyfresh 03/29/2016 at 12:07

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It’s one that I’m more tempted by. I like convertibles and it’ll get me awd and better mileage over the 135is. I have to sit inside one and take it out on the highway to see how it works for cruising. Problem is it’s hard to find cars like this locally for me to drive.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 12:07

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Then my vote is to keep the 135is, or find a used Cayman. ;)

The Dummy Gummy > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 12:49

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If you like the Focus RS, why not just go for the Focus ST. Still a lot of fun, but a huge savings in cost.

The Dummy Gummy > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 12:50

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This means you don’t own it lol. The bank owns it until paid off.

PICKLEBOY > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 12:55

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I understand AWD is important to you, but as an enthusiast you realize that AWD, for what I’d imagine is mainly city driving, gives little benefit to you once you have a decent set of winter tires?

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 13:01

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What happened to the Mitsu dealer in Madison? I thought there was one on the southeast side by the Nissan dealer

Textured Soy Protein > PICKLEBOY 03/29/2016 at 13:01

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Assuming snow tires on both cars the one with awd will have more traction than rwd. I don’t *need* awd but if I get something other than my BMW it will be awd.

Textured Soy Protein > Tohru 03/29/2016 at 13:02

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It’s now only a Ford/Lincoln dealer. That’s actually where I’d get the Focus RS.

TTercel > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 13:02

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WRX!

Textured Soy Protein > The Dummy Gummy 03/29/2016 at 13:03

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I own it, the bank has a lien on the title.

Textured Soy Protein > TTercel 03/29/2016 at 13:03

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I don’t want to be a 2 Impreza household.

Textured Soy Protein > The Dummy Gummy 03/29/2016 at 13:04

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I like the Focus RS because it’s awd.

The Dummy Gummy > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 13:13

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Oh! I didn’t realize the new AWD system was limited to the RS. Good call.

Textured Soy Protein > The Dummy Gummy 03/29/2016 at 13:20

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The ST is fwd only.

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 03/29/2016 at 13:28

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Can’t get a sunroof on a Cayman. There’s always a Boxster I suppose. But really I’m supposed to be thinking about something awd and better in the winter, not yet another rwd car.

Also you’ve got me pegged a bit wrong as far as being hung up on premium brands. It just so happens that the cars that have the stuff I want on them (awd + horsepower) are mostly made by premium brands.

I dislike the image associated with driving my BMW. I’m not a fancy guy. I like cars that are unique but I very much don’t want to come off as some kind of prick with a bunch of money, because really I’m not all that rich anyway. I just make above average money and live in a cheap house with my gf and no kids. If it was the same exact car but had a Honda badge on it I’d be fine.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 13:28

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What about the Fusion Sport? I don’t remember the cost, but I remember fast and AWD.

Also, what about a used X1 with the inline 6?

320i xDrive new? With a tune? Ok, that will be disappointing after the 135is.

3000GT?

3000GT.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 13:31

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I went for a 2012 CPO 335xi coupe,with the M-Sport (manual, natch). We drove through several nasty winter storms to Montreal and back (stormed both ways, 35cm (14") of snow each way) over Christmas.I was able to find used base 335i rims and have a set of winters, and nothing stops it. The car has been completely trouble free for the 10 months I have had it, and I have put 6000 miles on it. I have auto-x’d the car, tracked it, and DD’d it. It does 95% of the things your 135is does, and I pay ~$500/mnth CAD and I think I overpaid slightly to get what I wanted.

That said, if you want 4 doors, and even more power, the S4 (make sure it has the sport diff, it’s a requirement) is the one to have. I liked the 4 door 335xi, but the S4 was a better value (and I couldn’t find any of the 4 door 335i’s at the time in stick, with the Msport, with the aluminium trim, and nav, and the better stereo, ect... ). The CPO warranty is also great from Audi (a friend of mine has the S4, and I have the 335i).

Both drive well, I found the S4 a little more giggly over large bumps, but softer overall. I did like the interior feel of the S4 more than the BME as well, but I liked iDrive (come at me bro) more than MMI. The V6 is a beast, and makes a decent noise. The trunk was larger than my coupes, but I think the sedans are a wash. The GF liked the look of the Audi more, but I like the BM.

Either would be a great single car, and would do you well in winter and as a DD.

I drove the Inifiti as well, and came away impressed, but I felt like I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hadn’t at least given the BMW a go. As you have, it’s a great car that should run for a long time with less maintenance than the Germans. Hard to find a CPO one, or one that hasn’t been beaten on though.

Hope this help. Man can I ramble.

Textured Soy Protein > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 03/29/2016 at 14:12

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Fusion Sport isn’t out yet, but I’ve thought about it.

I actually tried an X1 35i before I bought my 135is, and have had them as service loaners. It has the old Steptronic 6-speed auto which I don’t like. Even if I decided I could live with that transmission, the base suspension is too soft, and tracking down an M Sport would probably be difficult.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 14:15

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Meh, RWD is fine in the snow with the right tires, which I know you know, but I get the point.

Sorry if it seemed that I implied that you were an pompous BMW asshat, t’was not meant that way. Just that I figured you’d prefer the sensible successful young man image the Subaru portrays, to the skinny pants and flat brim wearing imagine that people seem to associate with Scion. It sometimes even makes me wish I had the Subaru. lol

What about a Volvo S60? Checks all of your boxes, as far as I can tell, and is a bit more unique than the other options listed above. Also, if by some miracle you came across a great deal on a used Polestar... <3

Or maybe a Cadillac ATS? Obviously the -V is out of the price range, but I hear the regular models are quite nice too.

Alex Zapata > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 14:23

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I was gonna say get the S3, and if your coworker has the Sedan, just get the hatch or viceversa, then I remembered you are probably American and the US doesn’t get the hatch.

Mmmmm, there is a Clubman JCW, so maybe thats not so slow?

The right financial decision is to keep your current car, so that’s what I would do, then save up until you can afford a 340xi Gran Coupe :D

TTercel > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 15:08

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Tell your gf to get something else so you can enjoy all of the Subaru fun!

Textured Soy Protein > TTercel 03/29/2016 at 15:41

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A hatchback Impreza Sport Premium or Sport Limited is the perfect car for her whereas the WRX/STI has some appeal to me but is not necessarily at the top of my list. So she gets first dibs on a Subaru.

Textured Soy Protein > Alex Zapata 03/29/2016 at 15:51

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I actually somewhat liked the fwd Clubman S that I checked out. The handling was nice, it seemed like a useful amount of space in a small overall package. But I just want more power than even the JCW would offer. Before the 135is, I had a Mazdaspeed 6 (Mazda 6 MPS outside the US, but here in the US it had 276 hp vs I think 256 elsewhere?). Not that I’m hung up on drag race times but if I remember correctly, the 135is does a 1/4 mile in 13.0 seconds and the MS6 was I think 13.8. The Clubman S is more like 15.something, and it just didn’t feel nearly as quick as I wanted.

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 16:54

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Fiat 124 Spyder with snow tires? I know there's a Fiat dealer off the Beltline.

Textured Soy Protein > Tohru 03/29/2016 at 17:05

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If I get rid of the 135is, it’s not going to be for another rwd car.

Chasaboo > Textured Soy Protein 03/29/2016 at 23:24

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Odd, I don’t see the Honda Fit anywhere on your list. Just a simple oversight, I’m sure.

Alex Zapata > Textured Soy Protein 03/30/2016 at 00:55

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I get you I had a MazdaSpeed 3 and now have a 350Z, so I get the need for speed, in terms of usable speed I think the new Minis are incredible, maybe give them a try.

Honestly also give the Audi 3.0T (Actually supercharged) a try, they are sooooo fast in a whooshy, torquey, saloon-ey kind of way, 10/10 would recommend, and wayyyyy more reliable than the 35 BMWs

Textured Soy Protein > Alex Zapata 03/30/2016 at 09:19

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I very recently drove a Clubman S. Like, 2 days ago. It’s entertaining enough I suppose, but a big step down in power.

Textured Soy Protein > Chasaboo 03/30/2016 at 09:20

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“I want a powerful awd car.”

“The Honda Fit should do nicely.”