[cournot]

TL;DR:
Would you rather have a ‘22 BRZ and a ‘20 M340i or M550i

OR

One G80 M3 6MT

Or

Context:
I currently have a ‘22 BRZ that I love—it’s cheap, cheerful, and incredibly balanced (although wish it had 100hp more). I’m thinking of placing an order on a G80 M3 manual, but I’m wondering if I’ll regret selling the BRZ. Should I just buy a fast DD to scratch my luxury sedan itch and just keep the BRZ, or can the G80 do double duty?

 

[KrisA]

Why not get the G80 M3, sell the BRZ and give it a go? If you find the "one car solution" isn't for you I can't imagine that getting a BRZ (or better yet, a GR86) in a couple of years will be hard.

 

[BGTI1]

As a former M3 owner, it can definitely do double duty. It pretty much is the definition of a double duty.

 

[Jimmy Russells]

The M3. If I'm going to do two cars the weekend car better be special. Like an E46 M3 or a Cayman GTS or something.

 

[VarianceVQ]

I've gone back and forth between the one versus two car thing.

I've recently gone back down to one fun new car. I've concluded that I won't do two again unless the second:

- Is special to me and/or hard to come across.

-Is something I can pay for in cash or pay it off in a year or less.

Otherwise, it's not worth trying to juggle two sets of payments, taxes, maintenance and insurance.

So personally, I would go the M3 option.

 

[6cylVWguy]

It would come down to the use case for me. If we're just talking street and backroad driving, I'd opt for the 1 car solution in this case. If we're talking track days and modifications, I'd prefer the 2 car solution.

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[2.0_Mazda]

BRZ and 3/5-series

 

[johntesi]

Main reason I advocate for two-car solution is the one car is so fast and so nice that you'll lose a lot of the "fun car" charm of the BRZ. Every time I buy a hot hatch/sport sedan type car, I miss the utility of my daily and the fun of a lighter, more playful car. Everyone's calculus is different, but if you're pining for horsepower and luxury, then I think you're on the right track to add a non-M BMW to your current stable.

 

[mittencuh]

No poll? I’d rather just keep the Toyobaru. It’s just about the ideal daily in my mind. The BMW’s ain’t special.

 

[Fined]

I learned years ago to leave my sports car to do its sports car thing and not try to get a luxo-sporto-matic do-it-all. I like the sports car aspect too much to have a luxury-esque car in the stable that tries and fails to do the sports car thing. Different folks have a different tolerance level for a sporty car that can't quite be an actual sports car. For me, getting an M car that does a very good impression of a sports car only works if I also have an actual sports car for when I just want to drive for joy alone. 2 car solution would be my vote.

 

[maskedSONY]

I would always have a beater ready, but that's just me. My vote is to keep the BRZ and then have your choice of German beasts for playtime.

 

[ValveCoverGasket]

I learned years ago to leave my sports car to do its sports car thing and not try to get a luxo-sporto-matic do-it-all. I like the sports car aspect too much to have a luxury-esque car in the stable that tries and fails to do the sports car thing. Different folks have a different tolerance level for a sporty car that can't quite be an actual sports car. For me, getting an M car that does a very good impression of a sports car only works if I also have an actual sports car for when I just want to drive for joy alone. 2 car solution would be my vote.

This

At some point on a rainy cold Tuesday afternoon after work, no matter how special the do-it-all luxobarge claims to be, you're just climbing into "your car".

There's something about a unique non daily that heightens the sense of occasion.

IMO, of course.


2 cars. The compromise solution is just that, a compromise.

 

[Kiyokix]

This

At some point on a rainy cold Tuesday afternoon after work, no matter how special the do-it-all luxobarge claims to be, you're just climbing into "your car".

There's something about a unique non daily that heightens the sense of occasion.

IMO, of course.


2 cars. The compromise solution is just that, a compromise.

This right here, I always prefer two cars of differing purposes.

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[Canaletto]

The BMW’s ain’t special.

Hard disagree. Especially with manual transmission and the carbon seats.

 

[monkibouy]

The problem I’ve found with the 2 car solution is, eventually, you’ll just be driving one of them (the daily becomes too boring or the special car isn’t special enough). The new M3s are a button press away from whatever you’re feeling that day/minute/second and can do either mode pretty well, G80 gets my vote .

 

[Hostile]

M3

 

[Tommietank]

Always do the 2 car thing. makes driving that much more special.

 

[sandwich-chris]

I have no space for two cars, but if I did, and I had the budget for an M3, I think I'd do something like a manual Supra or E46 M3 or 6cylinder Porsche and just daily something cheap like a Mazda 3 hatch.

That M3 does look tempting. I think I'd go for a CT5-BW though - they just seem a bit more special/rare.

 

[SwiftGTI]

2nd gen BRZ owner here. It’s funny because I think of it AS the one car solution, but I suppose for people who want a lightweight NA RWD sports car that is also comfortable/practical. It’s like if an ap2 s2000 and e36 m3 coupe had a modern day baby.

If you do go with a 2 car solution, I think you could go less practical than the BRZ even. Lotus Elise/Exige would be perfect IMO. I can’t think of any cars that are as visceral or exciting.

I’ve driven a friend’s manual f80 m3 on the street and while hilarious in a straight line, I don’t think I could ever be satisfied with it as my only car. Too insulated and big/heavy/turbo. I know for sure I’d be itching for something lighter and sharper to toss around on the weekends.

 

[ghost03]

A 5 series is a better daily driver than an M3. A BRZ is a better sports car than an M3. If you can store and maintain two cars, I think you'll be happier with that solution.

Not that the M3 isn't a good car, but it's heavier and riding higher than the sports car, whilst being more cramped and riding worse than the luxury car. It "makes up" for that with a boatload of power, something you'd get with the M550i regardless.

That said not sure about a BRZ and an M340i, quite a bit of overlap falling under the M3. I think you need the mid-size to make the two car solution worth your while.