[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by austinwho

I agree, I just wasn't sure if they wanted another bmw. But might as well right? If I could, I would no doubt. But I never see snow so no reason.

I've been telling my wife.... the REAL solution is moving to the SW. Would love to move to Phoenix area. And she usually starts off agreeing and then starts talking about how our daughter has made all these friends now and it'll be hard to move.

[tturedraider]

I know you’re not really interested, but just fyi, that white X1 xDrive35i is available. Apparently the pending deal didn’t go through. https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/2582410

btw, I drove a 2006 E90 330i for 11 1/2 years and had very few issues. The main one was a leaking mechatronic sleeve on the transmission, which was pretty common. It had 116,000+ miles when I sold it to move into my 2018 F30 340i M Sport.

edit: I just remembered I did have a failed window lift on each of the back windows right at the end.

[gonzo]

New.
Mazda.
Done.

Home prices are going to plummet in Phoenix. Fyi.

[psuibmw]

Get the new Accord I’m seeing YouTube reviews saying it’s a great vehicle!

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

Get the new Accord I’m seeing YouTube reviews saying it’s a great vehicle!

Too big unfortunately

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I've been telling my wife.... the REAL solution is moving to the SW. Would love to move to Phoenix area. And she usually starts off agreeing and then starts talking about how our daughter has made all these friends now and it'll be hard to move.

Just returned from a week in PHX... wouldn't wish it on my enemies. It's just okay for a couple months of the year, but still exurban sprawl everywhere.

Sedona, Prescott, Flag... yeah, those are great year round living!

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Just returned from a week in PHX... wouldn't wish it on my enemies. It's just okay for a couple months of the year, but still exurban sprawl everywhere.

Sedona, Prescott, Flag... yeah, those are great year round living!

I've been to Phoenix many times and I absolutely love it. The wide open spaces, proximity to great driving roads, the lack of humidity, great scenery, and not overly crowded... my kind of place.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I've been to Phoenix many times and I absolutely love it. The wide open spaces, proximity to great driving roads, the lack of humidity, great scenery, and not overly crowded... my kind of place.

And no need for a winter car!

[whyzee125]

My mom used to have a GLK350 AWD. It was legitimately more reliable than even the Toyota's we've had (and my whole family are huge Toyota people).

Bought it almost new and sold it with 150k miles on it without one single issue whatsoever. Still had the original tires and brake pads at 115k, no joke. Fantastic car.

[whyzee125]

I also don't know if this is too big but I've always loved Volvo XC90's and think they're about the best SUV in that class that you can buy, especially for the price. I'm talking about the last gen. They look great, super reliable, ride like a dream, handle snow well and don't rust, easy enough to maintain, and did I say cheap? The last few years (12-14 I think?) they restyled them a bit and I think they look fantastic but that's probably an unpopular opinion lol.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I also don't know if this is too big but I've always loved Volvo XC90's and think they're about the best SUV in that class that you can buy, especially for the price. I'm talking about the last gen. They look great, super reliable, ride like a dream, handle snow well and don't rust, easy enough to maintain, and did I say cheap? The last few years (12-14 I think?) they restyled them a bit and I think they look fantastic but that's probably an unpopular opinion lol.

The xc90s have always been good SUVs... but yes way too big

[nicholasn]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Agreed it doesn't need to be a fun car. But it is fun to talk about what it could possibly be.

Ultimately I'll probably end up in the smallest CUV segment if I'm buying new. If I can keep this car for 10 years and only put 30-40k miles on it, reliability shouldn't be too much of a concern. And it'll serve me well when I ultimately graduate from my m3 and into my next bucket list car... a 911

Corolla cross
CX-30
Hyundai kona
Etc

Life's too short to drive boring cars. Doesn't mean you have to daily a Lotus but the Toyota is utterly forgettable, the Hyundai is meh, and the Mazda thinks it's an Italian CUV.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by nicholasn

Life's too short to drive boring cars. Doesn't mean you have to daily a Lotus but the Toyota is utterly forgettable, the Hyundai is meh, and the Mazda thinks it's an Italian CUV.

You're right, life is too short... that's why I bought an M3.

[MaC-N54-E82]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Awesome suggestion - I think that whole class is full of some good options... Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, might even look into something like a Chevy Bolt. Not exactly the most exciting group of cars but reliable and easy to drive.

Add the Subaru Crosstrek to that list. Great MPG and solid with the 2.5 turbo.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

My mom used to have a GLK350 AWD. It was legitimately more reliable than even the Toyota's we've had (and my whole family are huge Toyota people).

Bought it almost new and sold it with 150k miles on it without one single issue whatsoever. Still had the original tires and brake pads at 115k, no joke. Fantastic car.

I've always liked the GLKs... they have that boxy look that was really unique. Then they quickly dropped it and copied the Q5 and lost their personality with the GLCs.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Just returned from a week in PHX... wouldn't wish it on my enemies. It's just okay for a couple months of the year, but still exurban sprawl everywhere.

Sedona, Prescott, Flag... yeah, those are great year round living!

Exactly, there's a few months where it's not above 90 every day. The air quality is horrid too. Nice to visit in peak winter months, but apart from that, it's absolutely horrible. I warned my parents when they moved to Apache Jct, but after a few years they couldn't take it and moved away. Places like Prescott and Flag get snow, but it's literally gone in a few hours due to sublimation and it's just temperate most of the year, vs. a couple months. Still gets cool enough at night in the summer to not have to run AC.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by MaC-N54-E82

Add the Subaru Crosstrek to that list. Great MPG and solid with the 2.5 turbo.

Uh, wut? Which Crosstrek trim is turbo?

[John4C]

Great thread. Given your size constraint, I’d get a new CUV. This isn’t a car you want to deal with. This is your convenience car, I would prioritize newer, comfort, and reliability over fun to drive.

If you can be flexible on the size I have some other recommendations but given the size I might look at the Dodge Hornet, Kia Seltos, or VW Taos. None of those will get a ton of love here but ~30k new (probably will sell for less), decent styling, warranty, etc. Could be interesting options.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by RM7

Exactly, there's a few months where it's not above 90 every day. The air quality is horrid too. Nice to visit in peak winter months, but apart from that, it's absolutely horrible. I warned my parents when they moved to Apache Jct, but after a few years they couldn't take it and moved away. Places like Prescott and Flag get snow, but it's literally gone in a few hours due to sublimation and it's just temperate most of the year, vs. a couple months. Still gets cool enough at night in the summer to not have to run AC.

I honestly don't understand the hate. I've been there many times year round and I absolutely love it out there. I'll take a 100 degree day out there over a miserably hot and sticky 85 degree day in Chicago.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by John4C

Great thread. Given your size constraint, I’d get a new CUV. This isn’t a car you want to deal with. This is your convenience car, I would prioritize newer, comfort, and reliability over fun to drive.

If you can be flexible on the size I have some other recommendations but given the size I might look at the Dodge Hornet, Kia Seltos, or VW Taos. None of those will get a ton of love here but ~30k new (probably will sell for less), decent styling, warranty, etc. Could be interesting options.

I think that's the best route - something I don't have to worry about. It starts up without trouble and just works.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

You're right, life is too short... that's why I bought an M3.

Then honestly, i'd just drive the mother fucker. Let's be honest, great car but will never be a classic due to having ahead like a bashed crab... so drive it and forego the hassle and cost of a 3rd car. It's not a sports car right, the entire point of a M3 is you don't need a second car, that's the compromise and why it weight 4000lbs.

You're gonna drop 30K @ 6% (even if you pay cash there's opportunity cost of that money), running costs, insurance, hassle...... just drive the M3.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Then honestly, i'd just drive the mother fucker. Let's be honest, great car but will never be a classic due to having ahead like a bashed crab... so drive it and forego the hassle and cost of a 3rd car. It's not a sports car right, the entire point of a M3 is you don't need a second car, that's the compromise and why it weight 4000lbs.

You're gonna drop 30K @ 6% (even if you pay cash there's opportunity cost of that money), running costs, insurance, hassle...... just drive the M3.

Well there's other issues. It's RWD so not great in the snow... and my wife can't drive manual and has no desire to learn. So if I need to take the SUV she'll be stranded at home, with kids.

As for the wear and tear thing... it's not about resale for me or the potential for it to be a future classic. The M3 is a special car to me. I've had 3 cars on my "realistic" bucket list to own in my lifetime since my early 20s:

M3
911
458 (will obviously be used unless time travel is invented)

So while I may have waited nearly a year from order to delivery for this M3, you could say I've waited at least 15 years for it. It marks the beginning of me achieving my dreams. So for that I'd like to hold on to it for a while and keep it in great condition as long as I do.