[CDM3DCT]

Let me start with, I do a lot of driving for my current job (talking about 60-70K miles a year) I have an 04 Honda accord coupe as my DD. the car has 120K miles on it, most of which came on the car within the last year. My only dilemma is that I purchased this car pretty modified (tein coilovers, kit, exhaust, wheels). My age and career no longer represent this once modder lifestyle. Thus I'm thinking on swapping the car out. Just not sure yet as to what I should swap out too: 2010 Merc C350? 2011 Audi A5? Wait for the BRZ STi? Or just keep the accord... My budget is roughly 25-32K. What would you do?

Warranty isn't a concern because my CU offers top notch extended auto warranty and I do not want a 3 series or 5 for that matter.

[lcrain]

I think the BRZ would tempt you to go back down that path of modifications. I would go with a GTI or a golf personally. Not sure if mileage is of concern to you but a TDI would get great mileage.

The GTI will get good mileage and they are very fun cars. 25k should get you a year old fully loaded example. IMO the fully loaded GTI is more "mature" looking as you ditch the plaid seats for leather and get the bluetooth/nav/sunroof. The 4-door would be my choice as it would offer maximum space for other people/stuff.

[b0bab0i]

Drive the M3

[cloakster]

A5 would be nice, or an A3 if you don't wanna spend as much.

[bmw-nj]

I really like the look of the a5 and the interior is top notch.

[bga23]

If I'm driving that many miles for work I'd want something comfortable and gets good mileage. Ideally I'd be able to have a boring/practical work car and a fun/weekend ride.

I'd prob get something like a Altima, Jetta or maybe a Prius.

But that many miles is gonna kill the value of whatever you buy, so be prepared for this.

[abisson]

I still don't understand why people don't drive their M3. It is not a fucking Enzo for fuck's sake. It is the second best DD anyone could have, after a 911. Why don't you DRIVE IT. The 100$ or more you will pay in gas per month will be regain in the joy of driving to work every day.

[Sniz]

he's not driving to work, he's driving EVERYWHERE. I would let the M3 rest in the garage just like him. I drive 35-45k miles a year and a result I drive a 4 banger Escape and my turbo M3 is for whenever stress relief is necessary.

OP, look into diesel jetta's.....even one several years old will do just fine, will be fully loaded and cost 17-22k and hold value really well. They pull down 40-55mpg avg depending on your driving style as well.

thats where i'm going next.

[Bingobimmer]

Driving that much I would make sure you get something very comfortable. The A5 is nice mature car that would be a good choice, but reliability might be a concern. If your looking for mpg it would be hard to pas on a Prius...

[b0bab0i]

Just wondering what you do? That's almost 300 miles a day.

[Sedoy]

Wait until new MB CLA available, that thing starts at $29,995 which is not that bad.

[CDM3DCT]

Originally Posted by Sniz

he's not driving to work, he's driving EVERYWHERE. I would let the M3 rest in the garage just like him. I drive 35-45k miles a year and a result I drive a 4 banger Escape and my turbo M3 is for whenever stress relief is necessary.

Someone who understands 😎

Originally Posted by bga23

If I'm driving that many miles for work I'd want something comfortable and gets good mileage. Ideally I'd be able to have a boring/practical work car and a fun/weekend ride.

I'd prob get something like a Altima, Jetta or maybe a Prius.

But that many miles is gonna kill the value of whatever you buy, so be prepared for this.

I agree, I guess all in all I'm not looking to retain value on a DD. I could do a average DD but I guess I also want to have that additional fun factor (yeah, yeah I want to have my cake and eat it too). Altima, jetta and Prius are nice cars but wouldn't deliver that sense of enjoyment if I were to drive one.

Originally Posted by abisson

I still don't understand why people don't drive their M3. It is not a fucking Enzo for fuck's sake. It is the second best DD anyone could have, after a 911. Why don't you DRIVE IT. The 100$ or more you will pay in gas per month will be regain in the joy of driving to work every day.

Clearly it is far from an Enzo, i agree. But at the same time I don't want to drive long distances with a V8 knowing i could save gas on a 4 cylnder, leg alone deal with all the wear and tear that would come from it (which for our cars can be pretty pricey). The M is my weekend car, takes away the stress and makes me realize why I push for nothing less than perfect each day at work.

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

Just wondering what you do? That's almost 300 miles a day.

I'm a business development manager, I oversee 2 states and drive out to meet and coach my staff, meet and greet new business leads, etc... I love the job but the driving can get a little ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Wait until new MB CLA available, that thing starts at $29,995 which is not that bad.

You know I've actually thought about it. But it looks like a small car (1 series-ish). I'm not a small guy by any means.

Reliability on an A5 has been skeptical but just like any car, if it gets serviced accordingly it can last well over 200k miles. Electrical gremlins are also a concerns but unlike the M I would have a much easier time taking my DD to a reputable Indy shop.

Haha not much love for the BRZ... As fun as the car is to drive it isn't a mature vehicle in which you can take business out for lunch in persay... (But I might just be talking out of my ass as this point...)

[b0bab0i]

De-mod your Accord and just drive it to the ground.

[Year's_End]

GTI would fit the bill for a more mature look.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by Bingobimmer

Driving that much I would make sure you get something very comfortable. The A5 is nice mature car that would be a good choice, but reliability might be a concern. If your looking for mpg it would be hard to pas on a Prius...

I dont find Prius's that great for highway use.......I rented one and I was only pulling down mid 30's. not that great for a cheese wedge.

[3point0]

I'd have a serious think about driving the M3, if you think of the extra cost to buy, insure, fuel and maintain the second car, it would have to be a seriously fuel efficient machine to come close to being worth while economically speaking. I had a similar dilemma a few years ago when I had a V8 audi A6 and I bought a diesel smart car for my commuting. It seriously zapped the fun out my driving but was cost effective driving 200kms a day for work. When i changed jobs it became less advantageous and i ditched it (and the audi) and got my Zed. Sure the zed is more expensive than the smart to drive, but oh the fun. Good luck in your search!

[CDM3DCT]

Thanks for the input everyone, I do like the GTI look but I'm still not completely sold in it. I feel as if I decide to go down the GTI route ill prob end up getting springs and wheels at the minimum to give it the look I want, in any case I rather just go with a BRZ. I am leaning more towards and A5 or simply demodifying my accord. Choices are tough out here (1st world problems)...

On a side note I didn't realize how cheap used BRZ/FRS are. A simple vehicle to slap on sticky tires and track. Maybe not the more mature car but so much fun to drive...

[shivaswrath]

I'd buy a brz because the highway miles are reasonable and it is fun to toss around... Or, demodify the Honda.

I was in your situation when buying my 2012 335i and though my dealer had a black on black 2013 M3 new in stock, I felt the 335i had the best combination of exhilaration and daily drive I could justify for $700/month car payments. Especially since I drive 120 miles a day:-(

[elwesso]

I would demodify the accord.. The accord already does everything you need it to do, you have a good idea on how well it's been maintained and you're already comfortable with it...

I'm with you though, I wouldn't want to drive a car like an M3 that much, especially being out in MD where the roads are terrible especially in the winter.. You will the first time you get behind a salt truck and it sends salt chunks everywhere all over the front of the car.

You could probably keep the coilovers (depending how rough they are), ditch the body kit and put some more conservative wheels on the car and be done with it.

[5soko]

Originally Posted by Sniz

he's not driving to work, he's driving EVERYWHERE. I would let the M3 rest in the garage just like him. I drive 35-45k miles a year and a result I drive a 4 banger Escape and my turbo M3 is for whenever stress relief is necessary.

OP, look into diesel jetta's.....even one several years old will do just fine, will be fully loaded and cost 17-22k and hold value really well. They pull down 40-55mpg avg depending on your driving style as well.

thats where i'm going next.

+1 I would look into a nice diesel jetta aswell or a Honda 4 banger. I love my Honda 4 banger accord. Reliable, easy to repair, and cheap to repair.

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

You know I've actually thought about it. But it looks like a small car (1 series-ish). I'm not a small guy by any means.

Reliability on an A5 has been skeptical but just like any car, if it gets serviced accordingly it can last well over 200k miles. Electrical gremlins are also a concerns but unlike the M I would have a much easier time taking my DD to a reputable Indy shop.

Haha not much love for the BRZ... As fun as the car is to drive it isn't a mature vehicle in which you can take business out for lunch in persay... (But I might just be talking out of my ass as this point...)

Actually CLA is about the same size as 3-series F30:

CLA:
Length 182.3 in
Width 70.0 in
Height 56.6 in

F30:

Length 182.0 in
Width 71.3 in
Height 56.3 in

[Marsden]

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

Just wondering what you do? That's almost 300 miles a day.

Sitting that much is definitely not good for your body.