[nmehta211]

I live in NYC and will be sharing a car with my fiance.

We park in a valet garage, that has scratched my car before. I don't commute but my fiance will.

We have $70k to spend on 1 (strongly preferable) or 2 cars. I currently drive an E90 M3 but pay $400/month to park it.

If one car, it should:

1. Be able to commute 50 miles daily in potential traffic, so decent gas mileage, and able to withstand potholes is helpful. Winter capability is a bonus.
2. Have an automatic or DCT
3. Potentially able to track 1 or 2 times a year would be nice but not a must
4. Reliable to own for 5 or more years

Used is a bonus, I hate rapid depreciation.

Thoughts that come to mind in no particular order.

F80 M3 DCT
Audi S4
Audi A7
E90 M3 DCT
Porsche Macan
Audi SQ5
BMW 535 M-sport


Thoughts?

[Petrosexual]

Lease-returns makes a good candiate pool: dealer-serviced, inspected, etc. 24-36 mo old, so much of the depreciation is done.

Also, I would suggest adding a Cayman and GTI to the list of candidates.

[nmehta211]

Originally Posted by Petrosexual

Lease-returns makes a good candiate pool: dealer-serviced, inspected, etc. 24-36 mo old, so much of the depreciation is done.

Also, I would suggest adding a Cayman and GTI to the list of candidates.

Agreed--that's how I bought my M3 and loved the fact that someone else took 20k of depreciation for 3 years.

Cayman is too small, but GTI is an excellent choice. Thanks!

[Greenkirby21]

GOLF TDI

[pgviper]

The only thing able to survive those potholes is something with a large sidewall. I would go with 1 car and get two sets of wheels/tires.

A summer set with PSS and a winter set that will go on a smaller diameter wheel.

Depending on driving in winter or not BMW -> not much winter driving, Audi -> need to be able to commute in the winter.

BMW:
F80 M3 (better gas mileage)
E90 M3
335is
135is (park on street since it's small)

Audi:
S4
S6
TT-RS

[bmw-nj]

Audi sQ5 is a great choice

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by bmw-nj

Audi sQ5 is a great choice

+1. Or maycan. I like the extra height driving in the city, better vision. Yet neither car is too big to deal with tight parking. I would maybe add the Evoque to the list for these reasons too, but don't think I'd pick it over the SQ5 nor Macan.

[F1Venom]

Porsche Macan or Audi S4.

[ShocknAwe]

F80 M3, put 18" wheels on it and meatier tires, should handle potholes well. Will get better fuel economy than your current M3, great on the track, and plenty of room inside.

[valentinbmw]

1.- Bmw E 90 M3, Used.
2.- Audi S4, Used.
3.- Audi Q5, 3.0 Tdi, Used. No Track
4.- Bmw X3, 20 Diesel,no Track
5.- Bmw F80, New.

[Raja Ventureshield]

macan for u mehta

[new2the3]

m235i

[BEM-S4]

I had an S4 when I lived in Manhattan and commuted to NJ every day for work. With a set of snow tires on it the thing is virtually unstoppable. Big enough to be comfortable for passengers, not so big that you're wasting $$$ dragging around a huge car when it's just 1 person in the car (which sounds like it will be most of the time). I have nothing bad to say about that as an option. Your biggest concern, especially for the fiancé, is not being able to get somewhere. If the weather is crap you stay home. The BIG issue is her getting stranded someplace, don't want her driving to work when roads are fine then getting into trouble on the way back.

That said I am taking delivery of a Macan in two weeks, would also be an excellent option. However for living in the city, I would absolutely go the PO S4 route if I were you.

[nittany]

I have to agree with some of the others, the S4 is a great all purpose car

[nmehta211]

Originally Posted by nittany

I have to agree with some of the others, the S4 is a great all purpose car

Thanks guys. Unfortunately as both of us are physicians, weather can't be an excuse to stay home.

Looked at the Audi a7 tdi today. It's huge but drives like a smaller car and has nearly 40mpg.

Let's see how the macan and f80 m3 pan out when they are available to drive.

[AKG M3]

Having had one in the past, S4 gets my vote.

[tooch]

+1

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by nmehta211

Thanks guys. Unfortunately as both of us are physicians, weather can't be an excuse to stay home.

i drive 120 miles a day out of NYC (Williamsburg) and back every single day in my 2013 135is at all types of hours in all types of weather. popped Nokian Snow tires on it and the winter was mega fun. also drive a 6 speed......and it's been a total blast for the last 8 months. Easy to park in the city....and pretty much the perfect daily commuter....aside from my lead foot causing my MPGs to tank. lol. I'm also a physician like you guys.

my only advice is: DO NOT GET SOMETHING BORING.

i did this same commute with a 2012 Audi A3 quattro for 2 years and was bored out of my mind. never again. The 135is is the most fun car have ever owned......a 6 speed, RWD, and that singing exhaust is just the best reward after or before a long day. I have driven many B8 S4s and they're nice cars....but definitely on the boring side.

Considering your criteria.....i say you go F80 M3 with a DCT. It looks amazing and i'm sure it will be a lot of fun. Pop some snow tires on it and it won't be an issue in the winter....

oh and indoor heated and cooled self parking in my own building in Williamsburg? $225/month. :P

[apexkingjusto]

E90M3 - lower cost so worry free, plus used and with f80's prices should drop. Throw a set of snows on and they drive great winter round, I live in the woods and drive it through massive snow storms. Gas is better or equal to most suv's.

[Freon]

A Prius and a used F-1000 race car which you park out of the city in cheap storage and pay someone to haul it to the track for you. I just saved you $40k up front, and $10k of that will store and haul your race car for a few years.

[GreyCoupe]

Regular gas, or diesel Audi Q5...

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by nmehta211

F80 M3 DCT
Audi S4
E90 M3 DCT

If you are going to do track days, your list should be a lot shorter.