M3 lease is up, exploring my options...

[ChuckGm3]

So my lease is up in about a month, my buy out price is great so I'm not going to turn it in, I'm going to buy it, but then what? Obviously I know the opinions here will be biased but I'm curious to see what you guys think.

1. Keep my 2008 M3
Pros: $33k, Love it, Handles great, Familiar
Cons: iDrive just went out ($??), Spendy maintenance, not new

2. 2011 M3
Pros: Love it, Maintenance and Warranty, handles great, possible collector car, new
Cons: $68k, A lot of $ for the same car I've had the last 3 years

3. 2011 Corvette Grand Sport
Pros: Fast, Looks good (imho), cheap to maintain
Cons: $68k decently equipped, old man car stigma

4. 2008 Corvette
Pros: $36k, Fast, cheap to make stupid fast
Cons: pre-owned, old man car stigma

5. 2011 CTS-V Coupe
Pros: Looks Great (imho), Different, stupid fast
Cons: $68k, Not sure about handling, cadillac

6. 2011 Cayman S
Pros: Looks good, Handles great, different
Cons: $66k, slow, douche stigma

7. 2008 Cayman S
Pros: Price, Looks good, handles great, different
Cons: spendy to maintain, slow, douche stigma

8. 2012 1M Coupe
Pros: Price, Handles well, different
Cons: slow, ugly

What do you guys think? I'm open to other suggestions also.

[TailHappyM3]

no brainer... keep your M3 and buy an extended warranty.

[w00tw00t]

GTR!

[GOLFFRR]

ext warranty on your current rig or add a SC kit

[Brandon26pdx]

I'd wait for a 2012 anyway if you were gonna go for another M3. Maybe the gap in ownership would make it a fun wait/anticipation all over again?

Then again, $33k is not bad for an 08 M3 either. You'd have to look closely at the milage and condition to determine whether or not it would be a good "buy" or not. Is the car out of warranty on mileage I take it? (Otherwise who cares if the iDrive is broken right?)

[Scoobe]

I see you have two seaters on your list. If I could get away with a 2 seater, it would be either a Vette or Caymen. And between those, if its a manual I'd take the Vette, automatic I'd get the PDK Caymen.

If you want the +2, then one I'd look at CTS-V (manual) or another M3 (DCT). One thats not on your list is the new C63 Coupe which is pretty sick with the 8 speed.

If you want the next gen M3, I'd just hold on to your 08 for a couple more years.

Best to break it down by your wants rather than what stigma you think it has.

[wwjd15]

I believe you want us to tell you to keep your M3. So keep it.

[enfield]

I am going to be in the same boat soon & will but my leased '08 E92 M3. I will not be getting an extended warranty but will supercharge it once the warranty is over.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by ChuckGm3

6. 2011 Cayman S
Pros: Looks good, Handles great, different
Cons: $66k, slow, douche stigma

7. 2008 Cayman S
Pros: Price, Looks good, handles great, different
Cons: spendy to maintain, slow, douche stigma

.

Lol, Porsche has douche stigma? No more than a BMW. Cayman S is slow? Have you ever driven one? Yes, it's not as quick in a straight line as some of your other options, but will beat many of those on a tight course.

[Echo M3]

Don't forget about the Cayman R.

[erio]

I'm in a similar boat as you with residual of around 37000. I'm leaning towards keeping it, but have recently been looking at the 1m. At first I didn't like the car due to looks and various other reasons, but it's growing on me, esp. with the glowing reviews. I think it would be a blast to drive that little beast with all the low end torque and M3 handling for the most part. Plus, you still get a back seat. However, I would really have to drive one first and that's nearly impossible and getting one for less than MSRP is difficult. Also, I'm afraid I would miss the high rev NA engine. For a little more than some of the cars on your list, you could also pick up a used 997 S.

[spdy330]

I'd say keep it and do some engine mods.

[needspeed]

I am getting the CTS-V coupe for my wife when her 3 series lease is up this year, it is nutz beyond the M3 and cheap for all you get........Steve

[SamS]

1M slow? You betta drive one, first.

[Mookster]

Option #5, 556HP and 550 LBS or torque!

[jasonlu]

read and thought about it carefully.
i d say buy it anyway. no matter what car you want, if you want a new car, you can sell it for a much higher price then 33k. i think the next generation M3 is coming out in 2years. you can chose to wait until then. if you want to change to a canyman or CTS-V. you can get it after you resell the car. then you are able to leave a little bit more down payment and get a lower interest.
hope this helps.
JASON

[Brandon26pdx]

1M is a downgrade from an M3 in basically every way except price, but to each their own.

[e92_m3]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

You lost me when you wrote that the Cayman S and the 1M are slow.... you are clueless.

+1!

Op,
Test them out first.

Cayman S are brutal and so is the 1M, not in a straight line but wait til you see one driving on twisty backroads and especially on the track...

[Nutballa]

Originally Posted by stingray23

It looks like you care more about what people may think of you instead of enjoying the car for what it is.

This.

[AngelinIsRich08]

CTS-V. Accelerations are brutal. Also it drives fine and is quite luxurious.

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by ChuckGm3

So my lease is up in about a month, my buy out price is great so I'm not going to turn it in, I'm going to buy it, but then what? Obviously I know the opinions here will be biased but I'm curious to see what you guys think.

1. Keep my 2008 M3
Pros: $33k, Love it, Handles great, Familiar
Cons: iDrive just went out ($??), Spendy maintenance, not new

2. 2011 M3
Pros: Love it, Maintenance and Warranty, handles great, possible collector car, new
Cons: $68k, A lot of $ for the same car I've had the last 3 years

3. 2011 Corvette Grand Sport
Pros: Fast, Looks good (imho), cheap to maintain
Cons: $68k decently equipped, old man car stigma

4. 2008 Corvette
Pros: $36k, Fast, cheap to make stupid fast
Cons: pre-owned, old man car stigma

5. 2011 CTS-V Coupe
Pros: Looks Great (imho), Different, stupid fast
Cons: $68k, Not sure about handling, cadillac

6. 2011 Cayman S
Pros: Looks good, Handles great, different
Cons: $66k, slow, douche stigma

7. 2008 Cayman S
Pros: Price, Looks good, handles great, different
Cons: spendy to maintain, slow, douche stigma

8. 2012 1M Coupe
Pros: Price, Handles well, different
Cons: slow, ugly

What do you guys think? I'm open to other suggestions also.

go with a carrera

[scheherazade]

Originally Posted by ChuckGm3

So my lease is up in about a month, my buy out price is great so I'm not going to turn it in, I'm going to buy it, but then what? Obviously I know the opinions here will be biased but I'm curious to see what you guys think.

1. Keep my 2008 M3
Pros: $33k, Love it, Handles great, Familiar
Cons: iDrive just went out ($??), Spendy maintenance, not new

2. 2011 M3
Pros: Love it, Maintenance and Warranty, handles great, possible collector car, new
Cons: $68k, A lot of $ for the same car I've had the last 3 years

3. 2011 Corvette Grand Sport
Pros: Fast, Looks good (imho), cheap to maintain
Cons: $68k decently equipped, old man car stigma

4. 2008 Corvette
Pros: $36k, Fast, cheap to make stupid fast
Cons: pre-owned, old man car stigma

5. 2011 CTS-V Coupe
Pros: Looks Great (imho), Different, stupid fast
Cons: $68k, Not sure about handling, cadillac

6. 2011 Cayman S
Pros: Looks good, Handles great, different
Cons: $66k, slow, douche stigma

7. 2008 Cayman S
Pros: Price, Looks good, handles great, different
Cons: spendy to maintain, slow, douche stigma

8. 2012 1M Coupe
Pros: Price, Handles well, different
Cons: slow, ugly

What do you guys think? I'm open to other suggestions also.

I'd get a used C6 Z06 and just have fun with it till the 2012 M3 comes out.
Then sell it, and get the 2012 M3 (granted that the 2012 M3 is any good).

I wouldn't worry about it having some miles, though.
You'd only be using it as a toy for a year or two.
Who cares, just have some fun.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

F the old man stigma shit.
You won't give a crap when you're grinning ear to ear with your foot on the floor.

(Although I get the Porsche tiny penis thing... If I was single that car would probably work against me, lol. But with a turbo kit, who gives a crap. That little thing is a mini GT2. Plus cost of entry + turbo isn't that much, so it's a great little set-up. http://www.tpcracing.com/products/TP...n-S-Turbo-Kit/)

-scheherazade