Thinking of getting rid of my E92 328xi - what next?

[overdrivex]

Im thinking of getting rid of my beloved 328xi e92 after winter for something else. Ive had the car for 3 years and it has 84k miles on it, but im looking for something a little easier on the wallet as a DD. Have an 01 Miata as the weekend car. What im looking for in a new DD is:
1.) fun to drive
2.) cheaper to maintain/repair than the e92
3.) good aftermarket mods support available
4.) manual preferred, also N/A preferred

So far, Ive been looking into the R56 Mini Cooper S (yes, i know, its turbo), MKVI Jetta SE (2.5L), and if i can find one in a good price, a Honda Civic Si. Any suggestions or anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

[FriskyDingo]

1) GTI (Mk6 or 7)

2) Golf R (Mk6) or R32 (Mk5)

3) WRX/STI

4) R56 Cooper S (like you mentioned)

5) Focus/Fiesta ST

6) Civic Si


Probably in that order, too. I've driven every car on that list, so any questions, ask away.

[overdrivex]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

1) GTI (Mk6 or 7)

2) Golf R (Mk6) or R32 (Mk5)

3) WRX/STI

4) R56 Cooper S (like you mentioned)

5) Focus/Fiesta ST

6) Civic Si


Probably in that order, too. I've driven every car on that list, so any questions, ask away.

Oh thanks! Forgot all about the ST focus and Fiesta....what did you think of those and the GTI?

[lowbudgethero]

The SI/RSX-S are probably the two best n/a fwd cars i've ever driven.

[GeorgeA]

Honestly for what you'll get for the 328xi, I would say keep it. I'd go with the 328xi vs most of those cars for DD.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by overdrivex

Oh thanks! Forgot all about the ST focus and Fiesta....what did you think of those and the GTI?

The Fiesta is the most rowdy and fun of the trio. And they can be bought so cheap, they offer a lot of value. The Focus ST is in the middle. Larger, and a little nicer than the Fiesta, but not as nice and refined as the GTI.

The GTI is far superior to the ST in terms of interior quality, materials, fit/finish, comfort, ride quality, refinement. I little quicker, as well. Especially with the DSG. Roomier back seat, and the Mk7 GTI offers a true LSD w/ the Performance Package. GTI also gains a lot more power with tuning.

If I were to buy an ST, it'd be a Fiesta. The Focus isn't worth the extra money over it when taking into account it's compromises when compared to the GTI, imo.

The Civic Si is fun, but the lack of torque/acceleration would kill it as a DD for me. The Cooper is fun, but reliability scares me. Jetta 2.5 is just not a very fun car to drive, though not bad.

[overdrivex]

Thanks guys! Im going to have to think about it more....keeping the 328xi until the wheels fall off might honestly be a better choice right now as GeorgeA said. I mean I just got new tires and had the VCG done about 10k miles ago.

[overdrivex]

Has anyone here ever owned an Infiniti G35 coupe? What do you guys think about that? Theres a nice one near me that fits in my budget, however it has 101k miles on it.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by overdrivex

Has anyone here ever owned an Infiniti G35 coupe? What do you guys think about that? Theres a nice one near me that fits in my budget, however it has 101k miles on it.

Never owned one, but have friends that have had them and I had a 350Z. From a reliability standpoint, they hold up pretty well. And they are decent drivers. But there's little aftermarket support for them, they don't respond well to mods, they're really only compelling with the Sport Pkg (Brembo brakes, LSD, Rays wheels), and most of them are pretty worn out these days.

I personally wouldn't touch one w/ 100K+ miles with the intentions of it being a daily. Just my .02

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by overdrivex

Has anyone here ever owned an Infiniti G35 coupe? What do you guys think about that? Theres a nice one near me that fits in my budget, however it has 101k miles on it.

Know a few people that have them with that mileage and the car kind of starts falling apart as far as interior and all goes. Even G37s, which have a much much better interior still don't hold up as well as E92s. But it depends on how its been kept as well. I wouldn't get it with those miles though, plus the E92 is still a better all around car. (Coming from a sedan and coupe previous G37S owner)