M3 Esqs New Daily Driver

[M3 Esq]

Here it is - 2010 Mazda3 S Sport. Picked her up Monday 12/31 as a CPO with 25K miles. I drove it in to work this morning its going to take some getting used to. It's not a bad little car, it handles well, it's light, has some zip, has 4 doors, and gets 30 MPG on the highway. I am sure I will get the "why don't you daily drive your M3 in the winter, it's not meant to be a garage queen" comments and that's fine. I have daily driven each of my BMWs since 2002 and each of them has gotten chewed up by the salt, sand, potholes, etc. that are common here during the winters. I decided I had had enough of that and had some available cash so I am going this route at least for now. Anyway, here she is:

[slicer]

I don't blame you. I plan to do the same if/when I move back to the midwest.

[GB///M]

nice little addition you got there! I definitely can understand not wanting to drive the M3 in winter. Plus whenever you get the chance to drive your M3 now you will enjoy it and appreciate it more!

[Denk]

Smart move.

[W///]

Nice addition. My M3 is far from a garage queen (bought it with 57k miles). But it's just so nice to have a car that you can park somewhere without worrying.

Which is why I bought myself a 1997 4Runner SR5 with only 157k miles for $3000. I'm about $4k into it now with all the stuff I'm replacing. Now I can take my dogs anywhere without worrying about the leather, park anywhere, not having to swerve away from potholes ect...

P.S. When I jump back in the M3, it's like falling in love all over again haha.

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by GB///M3

nice little addition you got there! I definitely can understand not wanting to drive the M3 in winter. Plus whenever you get the chance to drive your M3 now you will enjoy it and appreciate it more!

Thanks. I do have winter tires/wheels on the M3 so I will take it out here and there to get the cobwebs out but I will not be daily driving her until spring.

And I agree about appreciating the M3 more - I took it out yesterday for the first time in about a week and it felt great!

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by W///

Nice addition. My M3 is far from a garage queen (bought it with 57k miles). But it's just so nice to have a car that you can park somewhere without worrying.

Which is why I bought myself a 1997 4Runner SR5 with only 157k miles for $3000. I'm about $4k into it now with all the stuff I'm replacing. Now I can take my dogs anywhere without worrying about the leather, park anywhere, not having to swerve away from potholes ect...

P.S. When I jump back in the M3, it's like falling in love all over again haha.

I test drove a lot of cars older cars with higher milage before making this decision and my concern was exactly what you described - that I could pay less for something older with higher miles and out of warranty with the risk that the car would need greater maintenance at a greater cost down the road. That's why I went with this CPO. And like you said, I can get my dogs in there without worrying, and I can get my daughter in and out of the back seat more easily. It just seemed to make sense.

Also, sweet E30 in your sig pic.

[Raja Ventureshield]

i need a winter beater too. lol. but have no funds for that.

[W///]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq.

I test drove a lot of cars older cars with higher milage before making this decision and my concern was exactly what you described - that I could pay less for something older with higher miles and out of warranty with the risk that the car would need greater maintenance at a greater cost down the road. That's why I went with this CPO. And like you said, I can get my dogs in there without worrying, and I can get my daughter in and out of the back seat more easily. It just seemed to make sense.

Also, sweet E30 in your sig pic.

Right, we are exactly on the same boat. The dogs were the biggest concern. But I really did my homework and started looking specifically for 3rd generation 4Runners. With regular maintenance, the car will run 3-400k miles no problem and are so over engineered/bulletproof. For example, I'm replacing the radiator for only $120 shipped. Gotta love not having ///M taxes on parts.

Good thing about older car: paid cash for it so no extra monthly payments. And the right car with the right mileage has plenty of life left.

Newer car: More technology, and if it's CPO like yours, you don't have to work on it like I am.

Either way, it's a win-win for the M3. The biggest thing for me is to go from an automatic soft SUV, to a 6MT M car. Almost went through the window the first time I pressed on the brakes

[JSCO]

smart!! I drive a civic now..

[positiveions]

ZOOM ZOOM. I think that's a smart move.
I have an 09 MKV Jetta 2.5L which I drive daily. I took my E90 yesterday, drove down to Newport Beach, and then onto PCH all the way to Dana point. Car felt so nice when I took it out; especially it was parked for a period of 3 weeks without driving it.

[snowmants]

Looks good! did you drive the current focus hatch? It is an excellent car.

[JulieDriving]

Hey, cool!

You know what's funny? I was thinking about picking up a used Mazda3 as a beater in the future. Because I hear it's the most engaging beater in that price category. I also like Mazda's emphasis on fun-to-drive. Am a big fan of the Miata.

My M also has winter tires and rims, but some days she stays in the garage. She is first car I have not wanted to potentially get 'harmed' in winter.

And when the weather's nice, it's extra special to take the M out to stretch her legs.....

[Park2670]

This would be my goal as well when I am able to pick up an M3. Have a nice used Mazda to daily and keep the M feeling amazing each time you drive it.

[Powerbeast]

Cool dd

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by snowmants

Looks good! did you drive the current focus hatch? It is an excellent car.

My mom has a Focus and I agree they are nice. I know a guy at Mazda (wifey drives a CX-9) and I got a decent deal. Plus Mazda was offering 0.9% on CPOs so I couldn't really go wrong.

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

Hey, cool!

You know what's funny? I was thinking about picking up a used Mazda3 as a beater in the future. Because I hear it's the most engaging beater in that price category. I also like Mazda's emphasis on fun-to-drive. Am a big fan of the Miata.

My M also has winter tires and rims, but some days she stays in the garage. She is first car I have not wanted to potentially get 'harmed' in winter.

And when the weather's nice, it's extra special to take the M out to stretch her legs.....

It's a nice car for the money. It's FWD so it feels a lot different but I did get it to slide a bit going hard into a corner so that was fun. The suspension is nice and firm and it handles well for what it is. The interior is relatively sporty and the seats are nicely bolstered. The seats are one of the reasons I chose this car. It's light too compared to the contemporary 3 series at about 2900 lbs. Yeah, the next time I drive the M3 it's gonna feel like a beast in comparison.