Looking for a daily driver suggestion

TedA · 01-10-2019, 12:06 PM

Hi,
My M3 is and will always be a garage queen... so with that in mind, I’m looking for a daily driver. I am 6’6, so looking for a larger vehicle.

Here are my must haves:
1. Manual transmission
2. 4 doors (family utility)

I drive about 20-25K per year, so I’m looking for something that will last. I have cross referenced all current (new) and recent (2-3 year old certified) models and I have come up with the following list:

2018 Mazda 6
2019 Honda Accord
2019 Genesis G70
2018/2017 Audi A4 (size MAY be a concern)
2016/2018 BMW 3 series (size is DEFINITELY a concern)

Am I missing another alternative? I live in the northeast, so 4WD is a definite plus, but not an absolute necessity.

derbo · 01-10-2019, 12:10 PM

I'm driving a 2017 Civic hatchback as my commuter. Have you tried to sit in one of them?

I drive about 30-40k/year and I'm already at 60K on my car. I get about 38mpg on the average.

spazzyfry123 · 01-10-2019, 12:22 PM

Newer 4 door Mini Cooper S (F55)! You'll be super surprised how much space is in one of those things and it is a hell of a bargain for what they sell for on the used market. I drive the two door F56S and it's literally a BMW inside. Super happy.

TedA · 01-10-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derbo

I'm driving a 2017 Civic hatchback as my commuter. Have you tried to sit in one of them?

I drive about 30-40k/year and I'm already at 60K on my car. I get about 38mpg on the average.

Similar to the Mazda 3, I fit perfectly in a civic but no one can sit behind me.

SAMM3Y · 01-10-2019, 12:37 PM

Kia stinger

jaehshim · 01-10-2019, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Newer 4 door Mini Cooper S (F55)! You'll be super surprised how much space is in one of those things and it is a hell of a bargain for what they sell for on the used market. I drive the two door F56S and it's literally a BMW inside. Super happy.

the "new" mini cooper, along with the 4 door version and countryman, are the ugliest piece of shit on the road...no wonder the sales went down overall compared to last yr... funny because R53 and R56, although refinement was crap, was good looking cooper

Kamen · 01-10-2019, 12:53 PM

Aren't the Minies one the least reliable cars?

MahiC · 01-10-2019, 12:56 PM

Love my Toyota Highlander Hybrid

28 mpg combined and only $1000 spent over the last 100,000 miles.

jaehshim · 01-10-2019, 12:59 PM

my buddy (6'2) has GTI and it's surprisingly comfortable for him, and most importantly, it's really fun to drive in 6MT and MPG is amazing. I had the car for about a month, the manual is so easy and it's overall a very well made vehicle.
I honestly am very anti-VAG (VW + AUDI) but GTI is one of my favorite cars after my short ownership of GTI

at 6'6, it might be too tight, i'd say Accord would be your best choice.
it has gotten bigger, and if anyone has experience of owning a recent 17+ honda models, it's just a perfect daily driver, comfortable, good ergonomics + MPG, easy to toss around

spiderspider · 01-10-2019, 01:02 PM

I'd check out the Infiniti sedans as well..

jmeek83 · 01-10-2019, 01:25 PM

I have a 2016 Mazda 6 sport with the manual. I love it as a daily while reserving my m3 for fun only.

I'd say factory tires (which were yokos) were horrible. Swap those out and you've got a very nice handling ride. I'd buy another 6 again, particularly with how cheap you can get one.

R3dliner · 01-10-2019, 01:42 PM

The Hyundai G70 is a incredible car. With the former M boss leading the development, it will only get better. With that being said, I've only driven the 3.3L TT version(auto only) and it blew my expectations. Wish I had a chance to drive the 2.0T manual as well. I would definitely test drive both versions.

SYT_Shadow · 01-10-2019, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3dliner

The Hyundai G70 is a incredible car. With the former M boss leading the development, it will only get better. With that being said, I've only driven the 3.3L TT version(auto only) and it blew my expectations. Wish I had a chance to drive the 2.0T manual as well. I would definitely test drive both versions.

the manual version was just tested in C&D and they did not like it

SYT_Shadow · 01-10-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Newer 4 door Mini Cooper S (F55)! You'll be super surprised how much space is in one of those things and it is a hell of a bargain for what they sell for on the used market. I drive the two door F56S and it's literally a BMW inside. Super happy.

I agree. Great little car, manual has great feel and heft

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaehshim

the "new" mini cooper, along with the 4 door version and countryman, are the ugliest piece of shit on the road...no wonder the sales went down overall compared to last yr... funny because R53 and R56, although refinement was crap, was good looking cooper

I think the F56 looks great, puts a smile on my face whenever I see it

spazzyfry123 · 01-10-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaehshim

the "new" mini cooper, along with the 4 door version and countryman, are the ugliest piece of shit on the road...no wonder the sales went down overall compared to last yr... funny because R53 and R56, although refinement was crap, was good looking cooper

Well all right then!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen

Aren't the Minies one the least reliable cars?

Not the new F gen. R gen cars had quite a few problems, yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I agree. Great little car, manual has great feel and heft

I think the F56 looks great, puts a smile on my face whenever I see it

Yeah I've always liked the new styling. Not nearly as go-karty as the previous gens, but still a hoot of fun. For a daily driver, the F gen no doubt.

R3dliner · 01-10-2019, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

the manual version was just tested in C&D and they did not like it

Bummer. Looked promising with the AWD

TedA · 01-10-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Kia stinger

No manual transmission in the US ...deal breaker

TedA · 01-10-2019, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderspider

I'd check out the Infiniti sedans as well..

No manual transmission

TedA · 01-10-2019, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

the manual version was just tested in C&D and they did not like it

I wonder if it was a pre-production car... this is their 1st luxury branded product (in this segment) .. no way they didn’t test the shit out of it to cross every “t”.

SYT_Shadow · 01-10-2019, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedA

I wonder if it was a pre-production car... this is their 1st luxury branded product (in this segment) .. no way they didn’t test the shit out of it to cross every “t”.

it's a shame

Methinks the 3.3T version is the 'good' one while the 2.0 is more of an afterthought

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...by-the-numbers

nlam13 · 01-10-2019, 03:30 PM

E90 M3

pbonsalb · 01-10-2019, 03:44 PM

I agree. E90M3 is my driver. If I had a 991TT it would be my driver. I am not one to park my nice or fun car and drive something less nice and less fun instead.

01-10-2019, 12:06 PM	#1
TedA Private First Class 49 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 ZCP Mineral White Join Date: May 2014 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Looking for a daily driver suggestion Hi, My M3 is and will always be a garage queen... so with that in mind, I’m looking for a daily driver. I am 6’6, so looking for a larger vehicle. Here are my must haves: 1. Manual transmission 2. 4 doors (family utility) I drive about 20-25K per year, so I’m looking for something that will last. I have cross referenced all current (new) and recent (2-3 year old certified) models and I have come up with the following list: 2018 Mazda 6 2019 Honda Accord 2019 Genesis G70 2018/2017 Audi A4 (size MAY be a concern) 2016/2018 BMW 3 series (size is DEFINITELY a concern) Am I missing another alternative? I live in the northeast, so 4WD is a definite plus, but not an absolute necessity.
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01-10-2019, 12:10 PM	#2
derbo Derbo Tuning 3665 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	I'm driving a 2017 Civic hatchback as my commuter. Have you tried to sit in one of them? I drive about 30-40k/year and I'm already at 60K on my car. I get about 38mpg on the average. __________________ IG:ruhrohz_m3 Journal: Link E9x ZCP Suspension Info: Link Track Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/VsKbTyqBVj
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01-10-2019, 12:22 PM	#3
spazzyfry123 Lieutenant Colonel 4827 Rep 1,941 Posts Drives: Here and There Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: North Georgia Mountains iTrader: (1) Garage List 98 Lexus LS400 [10.00] 16 Toyota Land Cruiser [10.00] 97 Toyota Land Cruiser [8.33] 11 BMW E90 M3 Stripper [10.00]	Newer 4 door Mini Cooper S (F55)! You'll be super surprised how much space is in one of those things and it is a hell of a bargain for what they sell for on the used market. I drive the two door F56S and it's literally a BMW inside. Super happy.
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01-10-2019, 12:37 PM	#5
SAMM3Y Colonel 3090 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Kia stinger __________________ 9ers
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01-10-2019, 12:53 PM	#7
Kamen Private First Class 70 Rep 162 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E92 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Aren't the Minies one the least reliable cars?
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01-10-2019, 12:56 PM	#8
MahiC Banned 88 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2013 e92 m3 ZCP Jet Black . Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Jose, California iTrader: (0)	Love my Toyota Highlander Hybrid 28 mpg combined and only $1000 spent over the last 100,000 miles.
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01-10-2019, 12:59 PM	#9
jaehshim Major 497 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NE iTrader: (3)	my buddy (6'2) has GTI and it's surprisingly comfortable for him, and most importantly, it's really fun to drive in 6MT and MPG is amazing. I had the car for about a month, the manual is so easy and it's overall a very well made vehicle. I honestly am very anti-VAG (VW + AUDI) but GTI is one of my favorite cars after my short ownership of GTI at 6'6, it might be too tight, i'd say Accord would be your best choice. it has gotten bigger, and if anyone has experience of owning a recent 17+ honda models, it's just a perfect daily driver, comfortable, good ergonomics + MPG, easy to toss around __________________
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01-10-2019, 01:02 PM	#10
spiderspider Captain 314 Rep 657 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT, 991 C4S, E46 330i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	I'd check out the Infiniti sedans as well..
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01-10-2019, 01:25 PM	#11
jmeek83 Private 37 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 13 M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I have a 2016 Mazda 6 sport with the manual. I love it as a daily while reserving my m3 for fun only. I'd say factory tires (which were yokos) were horrible. Swap those out and you've got a very nice handling ride. I'd buy another 6 again, particularly with how cheap you can get one.
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01-10-2019, 01:42 PM	#12
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 939 Rep 1,929 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	The Hyundai G70 is a incredible car. With the former M boss leading the development, it will only get better. With that being said, I've only driven the 3.3L TT version(auto only) and it blew my expectations. Wish I had a chance to drive the 2.0T manual as well. I would definitely test drive both versions.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2019, 03:30 PM	#21
nlam13 NGL 21 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	E90 M3 __________________ 2010 E92 M3 DCT
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01-10-2019, 03:44 PM	#22
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5720 Rep 11,239 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I agree. E90M3 is my driver. If I had a 991TT it would be my driver. I am not one to park my nice or fun car and drive something less nice and less fun instead.
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