[shadowfax]

I'd considered a few Lexus models until I learned they no longer offer a manual transmission. At one point I thought about a Prius Prime (I think it was called). It was going to have a plug-in battery that would work for the first 22 miles, which would cover my round-trip commute. My plan was to only use ethanol-free gas and have a trouble free Toyota engine that would last 10-20 years with minimal problems. In hindsight I want to punch myself in the face for even considering that option. However, just the thought of that alternate reality/dystopian future in which I drive a Prius makes me enjoy my 2er even more.

[RvR]

GTI was somewhat tempting, but the Mk VII has taller gearing (CAFE, most likely) and a touch of turbo lag that a Mk V GTI did not have. The GTI's Achilles' Heel, traction in lower gears with wider throttle openings. Just too much torque for the front tires to manage. Back in the day, Ferdinand Piech determined that 200 HP was about all a FWD car could manage, and from that point went Quattro. I still think his number remains correct.

The Golf R solves that problem, I looked very hard at the Mk V R32, but in the U.S. it came with a DSG only. Evo magazine advised that even in EU form, the extra AWD gear, VR6 (a sublime motor), and heavier PDK gave the R32 the same power-to-weight ratio as the GTI, and recommended the GTI instead.

Moving to the Mk VII Golf R, the first year (2015, in the U.S., I think), it came with DSG only. I think the automotive press shamed VWoA into offering a manual a year later. That was a lot closer to right, but it was really hard to find one to test drive. I finally did, liked it quite a bit, the traction issues were solved. It still had a few issues, being 4 doors only in the U.S. market--did not want. Then some strange stuff like grossly inferior taillights to the EU market LEDs, and while a retrofit was possible, it was a PITA to do, and expensive.

I kept hoping for the too many doors problem to get fixed, but it actually went the other way, all U.S. Golfs became four doors. VWoA has seriously lost clue where it comes to the enthusiast market. Then the driver's "assistance" package became mandatory on the U.S. R and the base price went up, went to a glass cockpit, things that increase frequency of repair over time, especially out of warranty. The local VW dealer was and remains awful.

Given all this, looked at the 2er, and bought one. Far superior engine, excellent local dealer, 6 MT standard, LSD available, ED available, lowest frequency of repair in all of BMW, lots to like from the folks in Bavaria and Saxony. Doesn't look as good as an E46, but the F22 doesn't have all the strange rear floor reinforcement needs, and there are some spooky YT rust repair videos from England on E46 rust remediation, Reddish Motorsports, IIRC.

RvR

[Rocky58]

This may not fit here but I just put a deposit down on an i4.

[DeaconBlues]

Before I bought my 228i in 2014, I considered the then-new Audi A3 -- until I learned Audi was phasing out manual transmissions and would not offer one in that model.

So I decided I'd buy a BMW -- the question was which model. I recall sitting in a gray/red 2013 328i coupe at a car show, and I really enjoyed it, though I decided I wanted something smaller.

I had always admired the 1 Series, and remember spec'ing a 128i M Sport on the BMW website. But this was 2013, with the 2 very close to hitting dealers, so I chose to wait. I'm glad I did.

[waxfigure]

Audi S3
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Volvo v60

[Ajowhan]

Originally Posted by Rocky58

This may not fit here but I just put a deposit down on an i4.

My wife would literally divorce me if I get an i4.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by Ajowhan

My wife would literally divorce me if I get an i4.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[Rocky58]

Originally Posted by Ajowhan

My wife would literally divorce me if I get an i4.

The i4 is for my wife

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Rocky58

The i4 is for my wife

My wife would have killed me if I got her an i4!


(I got her an F23; the 4 series was too big for her and she wanted a convertible.)

[an1y]

As someone who just got convertible m240i, it was C43 amg cabriolet. It was pretty awesome. Less lag with two turbos, way-way better sound, much more luxurious, but TOO big for me, and too expensive. For last two years I was driving tiny, manual 124 Spider abarth, moving on full size car was really weird experience)) Even 2 series feels big and heavy for me)) Well it is, moving from 2400lbs car to almost 4000 is quite a difference.
I can't say m240 is as connected as was Fiata, but for sure it is quick. Really, stupidly quick and way more comfortable)) There some other sort of fun with this car.
Plus I can put kids on rear seat, so car is not spending whole time in the garage)) And it is automatic, so my wife can drive it ))
I test drove as well new Supra, and it was really good. But two seats only and roof over my head was not really what I was looking for. So yes, I have now orange convertible BMW, pretty strange for me, I had Alfa Romeo before as well)). I like it for sure, even tho I miss some moments of some of my previous cars)) New experience.. hah
P.S. it really needs LSD...

[SoftShoe]

It was an adventure. I’d love and shopped Evoras for the drive and hand-made-ness. But was turned away by the price, plus fear of upkeep impracticality. A Miata would cure a lot my sickness, but I can’t fit into one. I found an underpriced loaded 2014 Boxster S and was going to drive it. I called before leaving and someone had put down a 20k deposit for it sight unseen. Then they drove 300 miles to pick it up - it was the least expensive listing of its kind in the country. In the end, I got in an m240 during COVID (when they just handed you the keys and told you to bring it back), turned everything off and laughed for the entire ride.

Ultimately I overpaid for Sunset Orange with carbon fiber all over. Had them put on ps4s, paint the wheels and install an oem windshield (car was used and windshield was peppered). Just installed the lsd.
And now I’m happy.

[Rocky58]

I drove a rental Mustang convertible recently. It was of course a completely different experience. I had thought about it when shopping but rejected it because of the overall feel and incredibly high gas consumption of the V8. One thing I noticed immediately is that putting the top up and down is one smooth motion and much quicker than the BMW which seems to take forever while holding down the switch. I also noticed that even though the car had less than 15,000 miles, the rear windows did not shut completely so that it would be soaked inside in any rain. Ford quality.

[an1y]

Originally Posted by Rocky58

I drove a rental Mustang convertible recently. It was of course a completely different experience. I had thought about it when shopping but rejected it because of the overall feel and incredibly high gas consumption of the V8. One thing I noticed immediately is that putting the top up and down is one smooth motion and much quicker than the BMW which seems to take forever while holding down the switch. I also noticed that even though the car had less than 15,000 miles, the rear windows did not shut completely so that it would be soaked inside in any rain. Ford quality.

Oh those windows))) My mom have eco-boost convertible, it hase the same problem. Plus there manual lock... And about the roof - best roof is ND miata/124 spider- one single manual move taking 3 seconds to close or open it