[BMW F22]

Lease is ending in a few months and I'm exploring a few options.

1. Buy out the current car (I'm guestimating to be mid to high 20's).
2. F80 M3 - always wanted an M3 and would like to get back into a sedan. I'm open to buying used as well.
3. Porsche Macan S - lately an SUV/SAV has been on my mind. I like the utility for going places and I think Porsche is mote reliable than BMW.

For SUV, I really like the Lexus RX350 for its supple ride and reliability (although I have read mixed reviews). It's most affordable and is also the most boring to drive. Thinking of the best route as I'm looking to buy a house in the next year and would like to save/not spend as much as possible.

Heart says M3 or Macan S. Head says RX350 and wallet would like to buy iut current lease (cheapest route).

[B_Rice]

What do you need/are you looking for in your next car?


I'd suggest a Subaru Sti if you're looking to really save money and are determined to go with 4 doors.

I'd personally go with what my heart wants and get the m3. Nothing worse than paying monthly for something I was lukewarm with.

[augerpro]

I'm sorta in the same - need a year 'round car with some hauling/loading capacity - and looked at the Lexus and (very briefly) Macan. If you are going that route check out the MB GLC. That is what I may settle on when the lease is up. Of course you could consider the X3 also.

BTW Consumer Reports has teh Macan reliability as average, while the 2 series gets top marks.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

What do you need/are you looking for in your next car?

I'd suggest a Subaru Sti if you're looking to really save money and are determined to go with 4 doors.

I'd personally go with what my heart wants and get the m3. Nothing worse than paying monthly for something I was lukewarm with.

I feel like Subaru cars feel cheap. Not sure if that's changed but years ago the STI was all plastic. I don't like the racer looks either.

I like the practicality of an SUV. I rarely have the need for them on a weekly basis but having a reliable SUV allows me to do long distance trips without worrying it will break down. Also, easier to go snowboarding in the winter which I usually do.

Parents are looking to pick up an SUV so I suppose I could swap cars with them for when I need an SUV. They should be okay driving an M3.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by augerpro

I'm sorta in the same - need a year 'round car with some hauling/loading capacity - and looked at the Lexus and (very briefly) Macan. If you are going that route check out the MB GLC. That is what I may settle on when the lease is up. Of course you could consider the X3 also.

BTW Consumer Reports has teh Macan reliability as average, while the 2 series gets top marks.

Did not know that about Macan. I thought overall Porsche has excellent reliability. Hence I was thinking Macan would be a good, sporty SUV for year round needs. Not sure about Mercedes. I've always thought that they're about there with BMW in terms of reliability.

The 2 series is a great car. That's why I'm thinking of buying it out as an option.

[evilalien]

FWIW, I'm moving from a Subaru STI to an M240i xdrive. The subie is a great drive-it-hard all-weather warrior. You lose comfort and fuel economy, and depending on how much and what kind of driving you do it'll add up significantly.

If I needed a sedan, I'd likely have opted for a 3-series. I considered the Audi S3 as the STI replacement as well, but decided that sedan wasn't a requirement and the F22 won.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by evilalien

FWIW, I'm moving from a Subaru STI to an M240i xdrive. The subie is a great drive-it-hard all-weather warrior. You lose comfort and fuel economy, and depending on how much and what kind of driving you do it'll add up significantly.

If I needed a sedan, I'd likely have opted for a 3-series. I considered the Audi S3 as the STI replacement as well, but decided that sedan wasn't a requirement and the F22 won.

Current 3 series is so crappy I'd rather drive a Lexus. Hence why I went with F22 in the first place.

[evilalien]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Current 3 series is so crappy I'd rather drive a Lexus. Hence why I went with F22 in the first place.

The bloat in 3- and 4-series really turned me off. After a test drive in an M235i I decided it was a perfect size for what I wanted. The A/S3 felt really cramped and claustrophobic after that, and honestly the interior just didn't seem as good.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Lease is ending in a few months and I'm exploring a few options.

1. Buy out the current car (I'm guestimating to be mid to high 20's).
2. F80 M3 - always wanted an M3 and would like to get back into a sedan. I'm open to buying used as well.
3. Porsche Macan S - lately an SUV/SAV has been on my mind. I like the utility for going places and I think Porsche is mote reliable than BMW.

For SUV, I really like the Lexus RX350 for its supple ride and reliability (although I have read mixed reviews). It's most affordable and is also the most boring to drive. Thinking of the best route as I'm looking to buy a house in the next year and would like to save/not spend as much as possible.

Heart says M3 or Macan S. Head says RX350 and wallet would like to buy iut current lease (cheapest route).

Wrong, not more reliable than BMW. I have had my X3 for 5 years 70K and it costs a lot less than a Macan. Not to mention outrageous Porsche service.

[p912guy]

If your looking at an SUV, we looked at them all back in August for my wife. The X3 was nice but the rear seat was very uncomfortable. The GLC was also very nice but seemed expensive comparably equiped, especially considering it was just 4 cylinders. I really liked the F Pace, but my wife didn't care for it, and they were selling so well that getting any kind of discount off MSRP was unlikely. The Macan is a great car, but as others have mentioned reliability was a little questionable and it was more expensive, not to mention the cost of Porsche maintenance and repair. The Audi Q5 that we ended up with wasn't best in any one area, but was an overall winner. Our's is a 2016 and has been on the market a while and therefore is a little dated, but the new Q5 looks terrific - a very nice upgrade on an already good vehicle. The Lexus RX was never a consideration. From my understanding, RX reliability hasn't been what it use do to be and it's just seemed like such bland and uninteresting vehicle to us.

I don't envy you, as you seem to be comparing apples to oranges to grapefruits looking at 2 Series (small and sporty), 3 Series (basic sedan) and SUV's (fun utility). Good luck with your deciding.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by p912guy

I don't envy you, as you seem to be comparing apples to oranges to grapefruits looking at 2 Series (small and sporty), 3 Series (basic sedan) and SUV's (fun utility). Good luck with your deciding.

The Q5 has been talked about a lot lately. Will have to seriously look into it.

It's tough to find an all rounder vehicle. All have compromises in one way or another unless I'm willing to spend a lot. I think at this point I'm leaning towards the M3.

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

The Q5 has been talked about a lot lately. Will have to seriously look into it.

It's tough to find an all rounder vehicle. All have compromises in one way or another unless I'm willing to spend a lot. I think at this point I'm leaning towards the M3.

My wife liked the ventilated seats available in the Luxury Package. I on the other hand liked the Sport Package that came with paddle shifters. For some reason with Audi, it's one or the other. Even without the paddle shifters, I find her Q5 quite fun to drive.

[cohenfive]

I'd also suggest looking at an X3, maybe with Msport package. We love ours, and find the seats pretty comfy. Coming from an e92 m3 I'm surprised how much we like the X3.

[rainfall]

The STI definitely got a lot better interior from 2015 and later.

If you don't mind about being AWD, I'd look at the S4 in manual transmission. I drove the DSG and it was really good. I can't wait to see how the manual does before it goes extinct.

I think the M3 got way too big. Not that the S4 is a small car, but at least it's a lot more affordable.

Another overlooked car is the Golf R. I drove it and it's seriously fun, although being FWD-based AWD. It has a very nice interior (better than the BMW to be honest)

[Maynard]

Can't really parse cross shopping a Macan and a 235, or thinking that Porsche has great reliability. I think I woke up on the wrong planet this morning.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

The Q5 has been talked about a lot lately. Will have to seriously look into it.

It's tough to find an all rounder vehicle. All have compromises in one way or another unless I'm willing to spend a lot. I think at this point I'm leaning towards the M3.

Have you given the Mercedes C43 (a 340i equivalent) or the MB C63 (M3 equivalent) any consideration?

[BMWZ4]

I'd go either M3 or an X3. We're on our 2nd X3 (traded an '11 for a '15). Fantastic SUV to date, lots of room for hauling stuff to the cottage etc and great performance.

[Rayscott]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I'd go either M3 or an X3. We're on our 2nd X3 (traded an '11 for a '15). Fantastic SUV to date, lots of room for hauling stuff to the cottage etc and great performance.

One of the highest rated SUV's every year. Will buy another next year.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

One of the highest rated SUV's every year. Will buy another next year.

I'll definitely be looking at another X3 within 2 years, maybe even the X3M if it ever comes to life!

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Can't really parse cross shopping a Macan and a 235, or thinking that Porsche has great reliability. I think I woke up on the wrong planet this morning.

Not really cross shopping. I'm simply exploring options that make the most sense - either keeping my current car, buy something I've been wanting, or get something with more utility year round. Caveat being financially responsible. If money were no object I would get a Cayman GTS and have an X5 or ML for every day driving.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by rainfall

The STI definitely got a lot better interior from 2015 and later.

If you don't mind about being AWD, I'd look at the S4 in manual transmission. I drove the DSG and it was really good. I can't wait to see how the manual does before it goes extinct.

I think the M3 got way too big. Not that the S4 is a small car, but at least it's a lot more affordable.

Another overlooked car is the Golf R. I drove it and it's seriously fun, although being FWD-based AWD. It has a very nice interior (better than the BMW to be honest)

Thank you. I will take a look ar Audi. Never really considered them as I heard they break down often and the depreciation is really high.

[BMW F22]

I like the size of the X3. I heard some people mentioned that it's not as capable. Not sure if they meant off-roading or just overall. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Have you given the Mercedes C43 (a 340i equivalent) or the MB C63 (M3 equivalent) any consideration?

I have not. To be frank I'm a bit leary of how much power MB gets out of such small engines. Example is CLA AMG - 360hp out of 2.0L engine. Not sure how big the C43 is but I will look into it as well. Thanks!