[chillindrdude]

It is with a somewhat heavy heart....

I'm simplifying my life and cash position and giving up the GT3.

Gonna funnel that capital into traveling with my kids and improvements for my home.

Looking for something under $40k...And reputation/street cred be damned. I just want fun. AND something rwd/AWD and with back seats to hold my young kids in a pinch.

In no particular order:
WRX STI - dated motor with weak block. But new gen has great chassis control and handling

Golf R - mods plentiful, and hatch back

Used Focus RS - reliability of motor and e-diff unknown. Interior is horrid. But prob the best of the hot hatches

Used m235i - fairly plentiful CPO. Just need to find one with the LSD

Used E90/92 M3 - also fairly plentiful, but dem rod bearings doe

Used E46 M3 - iconic but now getting pretty dated interiorly, again, rod bearing and subframe woes, will add to cost of acquisition.

Anything else I missed?

The only thing that intrigues me is the Civic R. But vaporware at the moment...

[Housekeeping]

Used e63, used S6/S8, 550i

[Ric in RVA]

Maybe....... a 2013 N55 135i Msport?

I mean come on it IS a 1 series forum.....

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Maybe....... a 2013 N55 135i Msport?

I mean come on it IS a 1 series forum.....

i'm posting this in the F80 forum.

[Efthreeoh]

I doubt you'd go domestic (however you did mention a Focus RS...), but why not a Mustang or Camero with a V8? New, under $40K, full warranty.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

i'm posting this in the F80 forum.

Shows up in the 1 series forum..... Who knew? not me!

Mustang is a great idea.....

That was what I crossed shopped the 1 with.

[F80Dreamer]

A clean e9x M3 would smoke all the other choices you have for overall enjoyment...I still dream about that V8 wail

[damnitBobby]

Not a fan of Subaru's glass motors and their cars in general. I wouldn't touch a used E90 M3 unless you get a warranty, but may as well get a new car if you're going to be making warranty payments each month. I feel like the Focus RS is a let down. It isn't even faster than a EvoX in a straight line and that car is nearly a decade old. The Civic R seems cool but no way in hell I'd be seen driving that thing it looks so silly. New Mustang GT seem cool but I'm not sure I could commit to buying one, plus I see way too many mustangs and while that doesn't bother some it does bother me.

I'd probably get a new VW GTI. The R is cool but I think you'll have more fun in the GTI plus you'll save money.

[Germanauto]

I'd go for an E9X M3. They aren't too old, have timeless designs, and still feel modern from inside (especially with the right colors).

As pretentious as it sounds, I would not downgrade from a Porsche 911 to a Ford, Subaru, or VW. At least stay in the BMW range.

[yousefnjr]

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8590/overview/

[Uber Commuter]

For the price you are talking you can get a 2017 Golf R with DCC; and a stage 1 or 2 tune immediately after purchase. Depending on the tuner you choose, that puts you at about 350hp/350tq for stage I, or 375/375 for stage 2.

It's no GT3; but that's pretty solid for sub-$40k brand new car; and the back seat is ample for kids as well

P.S. - And the hatch is infinitely more useful than the RS is

[wdb]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8590/overview/

Only $30K! Think of all the engine replacement parts you can buy with the savings.

[chillindrdude]

If I were getting a M5....I would get the E39 first.

[jpnh]

I was looking at the GTI's/R the other day and noticed that the engines are now made in Mexico

Sorry but I'm not spending 35-40k on a car with a mexican made engine.

[ptper]

Time to go back to Audi.

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by ptper

Time to go back to Audi.

nah

too heavy. No manual

the RS3 intrigues me. but still vaporware at the moment . and well over 40k

[fbsm]

Originally Posted by ptper

Time to go back to Audi.

Audi offfers fewer and fewer options every year it seems

Too many of the cars seem to be all the same and outside of a couple of the coupe's there isnt a manual tranny to be found anywhere

Audi seems increasingly dull as a brand these days

[Mr Pete]

I needed a AWD daily, and was down to a Golf R and Subaru STI. The STI was more enjoyable for me, and I didn't like how light the VW clutch felt. I got a great deal on a STI, which made it easier, and have completely forgotten about the extra utility/practicality that a hatch offers. The STI is a bit loud with the upgraded factory exhaust, but I do love the rumble haha.

[1MOREMOD]

Is vaporware what you store old food in, subaru is great for that

[BetoVera]

Originally Posted by jpnh

I was looking at the GTI's/R the other day and noticed that the engines are now made in Mexico

Sorry but I'm not spending 35-40k on a car with a mexican made engine.

This gotta be one of the most stupid comments I've ever heard

[chillindrdude]

im leaning towards wrx sti new

or

an used e90 m3 for the bench backseat. i test drove a buddy's coupe and it was pretty spot on.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by BetoVera

This gotta be one of the most stupid comments I've ever heard

VW has been struggling to address quality control issues in Mexico all along

The reliability ratings of the GTI year after year has plummeted and is now BELOW average

Furthermore I cant justify a 30k VW made in mexico, clearly cost savings associated with labor have NOT been factored into the price of the car.

You want a mexican made car then go for it...your choice

I would take the japanese made WRX hands down over the VW