[lm1z]

Guys,

I need your opinions.

Currently in an F80 M3 as a daily commuter. Wife is currently in an IS350 F Sport. The M is a lease, and as I have moved further away from my work headquarters, I have toyed with the idea of grabbing a cheap daily and second fun vehicle for weekends. The F80 M has a lost a bit of 'soul', but obviously still a fantastic car and I absolutely enjoy driving it. That being said, I do not think I would grab one to primarily be a second vehicle.

Based on some family circumstances, I have access to a '15 Honda Civic sedan that I can drive to and from work, and/or wherever I need to go for the duration of the lease - the lease is up in about 1.5 years. At that time, I would hop into another cheap daily that gets me from "A" to "B".

This leads me to my question. Based on my current budget, I can comfortably hop into a slightly used '17 GT350 with track (standard now) and tech package, 3k miles. Essentially a loaded car. The price is competitive. I would purchase the car, not lease.

Would you have any buyers remorse? Would you stick with the M as your second car? Lease/buy something else?

All opinions welcomed. I have thought about it from both sides, which include the pros/cons of the vehicle. Would love to hear your thoughts.

L

[overcoil]

What color is the Mustang ?

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

What color is the Mustang ?

Avalanche Grey

[David70]

Depends on what percentage of time you actually plan to drive each. Z4M is my weekend car and I only drive it 10% off the time (based on what I do for a living I can never drive the BMW for work). Cadillac ATS is driven 90% of the time. I wouldn't want to spend more money and drive a GT350 10% of the time and a Civic 90% of the time.

What will the slightly used GT 350 cost? What will you spend on the daily when the Civic is gone?

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by David70

Depends on what percentage of time you actually plan to drive each. Z4M is my weekend car and I only drive it 10% off the time (based on what I do for a living I can never drive the BMW for work). Cadillac ATS is driven 90% of the time. I wouldn't want to spend more money and drive a GT350 10% of the time and a Civic 90% of the time.

What will the slightly used GT 350 cost? What will you spend on the daily when the Civic is gone?

I definitely agree with your assessment.

Without disclosing too much financial info, the only additional out of pocket I would need to assess would be the daily once the Civic lease is up. This can be anywhere from $200-300 a mo. plus insurance.

The GT350 can be driven to work when desired. Looking at only driving the car on weekends, I would be driving it roughly 25% of the time. 52 weeks x 2 days (Sat/Sun - I won't include Friday evenings for the sake of simplicity) = 104 days a year / 365 is about 28%.

I would like to add that for me, it's not necessarily the money that has me questioning this decision. I respect the car as it's an amazing machine, but it's still has the Mustang "stigma." - "cheap interior", "it's a Ford", etc. While I know I should buy the car for the car, this is something I might need to get over. I personally think the build quality is fine, especially for a 2nd vehicle. Also, I don't believe there are a lot of other cars you can own in this price range that deliver the performance and exhilaration. That is why this car "called" to me. The fact that we still have the Lexus to drive when we head out to a nice dinner, etc, also provides some comfort coming from BMW quality.

[ChiDiddy]

Ford mustangs are nice now in general. I wouldn't consider them low quality like decades ago. Gt350 is awesome

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by ChiDiddy

Ford mustangs are nice now in general. I wouldn't consider them low quality like decades ago. Gt350 is awesome

Thanks for the input.

[NickyC]

GT350 all over the F80 M3, blech.

[R N M]

Have you considered E92 M3?

The GT350 sounds and looks great but it is a BIG car, Seating position sucks, has very light steering, crappy interior etc.
I thinks its pretty different driving experience comared to BMW M.

If i were you, for a weekend car get a used 997 911.

[David70]

Originally Posted by lm1z

I definitely agree with your assessment.

Without disclosing too much financial info, the only additional out of pocket I would need to assess would be the daily once the Civic lease is up. This can be anywhere from $200-300 a mo. plus insurance.

The GT350 can be driven to work when desired. Looking at only driving the car on weekends, I would be driving it roughly 25% of the time. 52 weeks x 2 days (Sat/Sun - I won't include Friday evenings for the sake of simplicity) = 104 days a year / 365 is about 28%.

I would like to add that for me, it's not necessarily the money that has me questioning this decision. I respect the car as it's an amazing machine, but it's still has the Mustang "stigma." - "cheap interior", "it's a Ford", etc. While I know I should buy the car for the car, this is something I might need to get over. I personally think the build quality is fine, especially for a 2nd vehicle. Also, I don't believe there are a lot of other cars you can own in this price range that deliver the performance and exhilaration. That is why this car "called" to me. The fact that we still have the Lexus to drive when we head out to a nice dinner, etc, also provides some comfort coming from BMW quality.

I would buy the GT350 and don't care about "stigma", "it's a Ford" or the rest of it, or what other people think. Great performance for the money, high rpm special engine, not a modded standard GT, it's a great car. I will be interested in seeing how many they build, how long they build them and what the values do. Currently Boss 302's go for mid $30k's with less than 30k miles so at some point I might be interested in a used GT350.

I found that the idea of 28% of the time being the weekend worked out on paper but reality is I don't drive 28% of the miles on the weekend and there ended up being so many places and times that I needed a bigger car, I go with my wife in her car, other people, etc. that the 28% drops to a much lower percentage. At 28% GT350 and 72% Civic I would still prefer to up the daily and drop the weekend value as I don't want to daily drive a Civic most of the time when I have $70-$80k worth of cars for me personally.

My ATS and Z4M together were $65k (I think 4 years ago?) and I for me this allowed me to drive something fun all the time. Then the Z4M hasn't lost much value so depreciation is only hitting the ATS.

I never look at "out of pocket" as meaning much, instead what does it really cost me overall. I also don't lease or finance so getting an expensive car requires writing a big check which keeps me from doing it. No matter how you slice it the GT 350 or M3 are expensive cars and a relatively cheap monthly doesn't matter to me (I fully understand cheap finance rates and the value of money but prefer to not do it for reasons it keeps me from buying expensive cars I don't need.).

[baege]

cpo 981 cayman S will offer more fun on weekends than a gt350....just saying

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by R N M

Have you considered E92 M3?

The GT350 sounds and looks great but it is a BIG car, Seating position sucks, has very light steering, crappy interior etc.
I thinks its pretty different driving experience comared to BMW M.

If i were you, for a weekend car get a used 997 911.

I've had 2 E92 M3's. I definitely thought about another one however I would prefer something different. Definitely a good suggestion.

Have you driven the 350 to comment on the steering? I've heard that comment if it's not in "track" mode.

I will definitely look into a 997. The thought crossed my mind.

Originally Posted by David70

I would buy the GT350 and don't care about "stigma", "it's a Ford" or the rest of it, or what other people think. Great performance for the money, high rpm special engine, not a modded standard GT, it's a great car. I will be interested in seeing how many they build, how long they build them and what the values do. Currently Boss 302's go for mid $30k's with less than 30k miles so at some point I might be interested in a used GT350.

I found that the idea of 28% of the time being the weekend worked out on paper but reality is I don't drive 28% of the miles on the weekend and there ended up being so many places and times that I needed a bigger car, I go with my wife in her car, other people, etc. that the 28% drops to a much lower percentage. At 28% GT350 and 72% Civic I would still prefer to up the daily and drop the weekend value as I don't want to daily drive a Civic most of the time when I have $70-$80k worth of cars for me personally.

My ATS and Z4M together were $65k (I think 4 years ago?) and I for me this allowed me to drive something fun all the time. Then the Z4M hasn't lost much value so depreciation is only hitting the ATS.

I never look at "out of pocket" as meaning much, instead what does it really cost me overall. I also don't lease or finance so getting an expensive car requires writing a big check which keeps me from doing it. No matter how you slice it the GT 350 or M3 are expensive cars and a relatively cheap monthly doesn't matter to me (I fully understand cheap finance rates and the value of money but prefer to not do it for reasons it keeps me from buying expensive cars I don't need.).

I 100% agree with your thoughts on the quality and performance aspect, as well as the stigma. Also interested to see how many they will build. I know production is now through 2018 but dealers are still marking these up $10k off the lot new.

I've had an E92 M and a Jeep Cherokee Overland for a daily previously. I drove my M plenty enough to justify having it as a second vehicle. I drove the M roughly 20-25% of the time and had me grinning ear to ear after getting out of the SUV. I agree about stepping up the daily - this is something I would need to think about.

Props for buying your cars in cash. This is the way to do it. My circumstances are different, as I receive my vehicles as fringe benefits (up to a certain allowance). The main switch I am making is finally starting to build equity in the vehicles I drive vs. continuing to lease and swap every 2-3 years. Even if the asset depreciates, it's better to have some equity rather than none.

Originally Posted by baege

cpo 981 cayman S will offer more fun on weekends than a gt350....just saying

I will definitely look into this more - I have dabbled with the idea.

[David70]

Originally Posted by lm1z

Props for buying your cars in cash. This is the way to do it. My circumstances are different, as I receive my vehicles as fringe benefits (up to a certain allowance). The main switch I am making is finally starting to build equity in the vehicles I drive vs. continuing to lease and swap every 2-3 years. Even if the asset depreciates, it's better to have some equity rather than none.

I also get a monthly allowance from my employer to pay for my car, probably pays about 75%, so not as different as you think. I look at this money no different than my other pay and don't change my buying habits because of it (besides meeting their requirements for the vehicle).

[stooker]

My coworker just got his last month and it is amazing. I love that all the aero and vents are actually functional unlike most Mustangs. It's a high-revving NA V-8 with that sound... omg, the sound...

This is the one Mustang that even haters have to respect as a phenomenal car. If they keep it to limited production, it should keep value really well. If you're only going to drive it on weekends, go for it. As a daily driver, though, be warned... it's thirsty!

[F80Dreamer]

I have some perspective for you...I too am considering swapping my F80 sometime this year (that has now become my weekend car as I daily a GTI) for something more raw. I also used to own a current gen Mustang GT...the GT350 is a completely different animal, but I have to say I was very impressed with the Mustang. I would be all for you getting a GT350, just for the sound of that voodoo engine Good luck!

[buddalun]

I have spent time with both platforms and find the GT350 to be what the F8X M3/4 should have been. That V8 is glorious.

[robbys3m3]

I have never owned a mustang before, but I too am enamored with the gt350...especially in avalanche grey to match my truck. I'm gonna go drive the one my dealer has this weekend just to make sure I don't like it!

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by stooker

My coworker just got his last month and it is amazing. I love that all the aero and vents are actually functional unlike most Mustangs. It's a high-revving NA V-8 with that sound... omg, the sound...

This is the one Mustang that even haters have to respect as a phenomenal car. If they keep it to limited production, it should keep value really well. If you're only going to drive it on weekends, go for it. As a daily driver, though, be warned... it's thirsty!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

I have some perspective for you...I too am considering swapping my F80 sometime this year (that has now become my weekend car as I daily a GTI) for something more raw. I also used to own a current gen Mustang GT...the GT350 is a completely different animal, but I have to say I was very impressed with the Mustang. I would be all for you getting a GT350, just for the sound of that voodoo engine Good luck!

I 100% agree.

Originally Posted by buddalun

I have spent time with both platforms and find the GT350 to be what the F8X M3/4 should have been. That V8 is glorious.

Glad to know your opinion comes from experience!

Originally Posted by robbys3m3

I have never owned a mustang before, but I too am enamored with the gt350...especially in avalanche grey to match my truck. I'm gonna go drive the one my dealer has this weekend just to make sure I don't like it!

You are too funny! I am enamored with the car as well.

I think it's very obvious as a secondary vehicle, in this price range, it is tough to beat.

[TSM330i]

[baege]

I think it's very obvious as a secondary vehicle, in this price range, it is tough to beat.[/QUOTE]

l dont want to sound paternalistic but I do feel my c7 experience is relevant to those going from a higher end euro brand to a domestic

I went from a 2014 cayman s to a 2015 c7. i relied on countless reviews which loved the c7 and said it had finally reached the euro marques in refinment and precision. it took me all of 3 days to discover that for me it hadnt. it is just cruder in a.lot of subtle ways and that all adds up to a much less enjoyable driving experience


make sure you go for a long long test drive in a gt350 before you pull the trigger

best with the decision

[overcoil]

That's exactly what my friend said, above.
And a very talented Pro driver (the above guy worked with) said the automatic c7 was very sketchy at speed on track.

Think your correct about using your own research before listening to articles and YouTube.

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by baege

I think it's very obvious as a secondary vehicle, in this price range, it is tough to beat.

l dont want to sound paternalistic but I do feel my c7 experience is relevant to those going from a higher end euro brand to a domestic

I went from a 2014 cayman s to a 2015 c7. i relied on countless reviews which loved the c7 and said it had finally reached the euro marques in refinment and precision. it took me all of 3 days to discover that for me it hadnt. it is just cruder in a.lot of subtle ways and that all adds up to a much less enjoyable driving experience


make sure you go for a long long test drive in a gt350 before you pull the trigger

best with the decision[/QUOTE]

I appreciate this comment. I have also looked at a C7 GS. Were you in a base C7?

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

That's exactly what my friend said, above.
And a very talented Pro driver (the above guy worked with) said the automatic c7 was very sketchy at speed on track.

Think your correct about using your own research before listening to articles and YouTube.

Thanks. I was always considering the auto in the C7. Good info.