German car enthusiasts?

[Rambler]

Of your list, the Audi TT. Might also look at Miata, 350Z or the Honda S2000. Honda would be my choice for someone who doesn't do their own work.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Of your list, the Audi TT. Might also look at Miata, 350Z or the Honda S2000. Honda would be my choice for someone who doesn't do their own work.

I don't fit in a Miata. S2000 was what I wanted for a long time but they've gone up beyond their appeal and far too many have been modded and tracked ragged.
Heck I'd do a decent MR2 Spyder but probably even less practical than posted list.

 

[payneed]

I need a commuter. Debating getting something semi fun over practical.
I "think" I found a good rec for a mechanic that specializes in (only) German vehicles.
What would you get (probably 10 year old models)?
SLK
Boxster
Z4
TT

MUST be manual, comfortable for a 6' driver, and as "reliable" as such a class of car can be.

I have had 5 BMW Z's, 2-Z3's & 3-Z4's LOVED all of them. None were daily drivers and the Z4's felt much safer than the tiny Z3's. I gave up on straight shifts when I realized I couldn't shift gears as fast as an automatic could & Atlanta traffic... I know I'm in the minority but I had very few mechanical issues & only put tires & batteries in all of them. I drove all your choices & the hard top convertible Lexus's before landing on the hard top Z4's (2009-2016) and probably 1 out of 5 is a manual... if you must.. Get in a 35i automatic and put it in double sport mode & downshift it, it sounds AWESOME! The v6 turbos (35i) are pretty darn quick and the 28i turbo 4's get 30+ mpg. I always went with a 6 cyl. NOT great in the snow, Here is my 2009 that I paid $25,000 for in 2014 & traded for $25,000 (covid - used cars were selling for stupid $'s) in 2021 with less than 35,000 miles. I miss it terribly... but it wasn't lektrik

 

[clisbyclark]

Had a 2000 Passat that I LOVED...... Until it hit 100k miles. After that, it seemed like every time we took it in for an oil change, it was another $500-$1000 in additional repairs. My love slowly faded

 

[payneed]

Here was my 2.8 z3 Supercharged 5 spd. with 385 hp & built by a speed shop with M suspension.
Super light & fast, almost as fast as a Tesla.

My 1st hard top Z4 2012 3.0 with some photo shop flags. lol Hayata

 

[basstracker89]

If you're going to have a European car, you're going to need a spare car. With that said, I'd go diesel. BMW or Mercedes 3 series. Or Porsche Cayenne

 

[Stampede]

I'd skip all on that list and get an older 3 Series coupe or convertible. They sell in good numbers, so there still should be nice examples at decent prices. Manuals didn't sell in big numbers but are available.

Fun, semi-practical for when that need arises and it wouldn't have an....ahem....image problem.

Could also look at the 2 Series coupes & convertibles of that era too.

Might as well say it....lol. No taco option???

 

[Stampede]

If you going German, why not a VW GTI? I had a black 2009 coupe that was fun and practical.

These VWs are assembled in Mexico, so are they REALLY German? Lol... German engineered I guess...

A neighbor has a Mark 7 GTI and he loves it.

 

[leetheman81]

E90 335i

 

[GFB]

I'd skip all on that list and get an older 3 Series coupe or convertible. They sell in good numbers, so there still should be nice examples at decent prices. Manuals didn't sell in big numbers but are available.

Fun, semi-practical for when that need arises and it wouldn't have an....ahem....image problem.

View attachment 6228836

View attachment 6228840

Could also look at the 2 Series coupes & convertibles of that era too.

Might as well say it....lol. No taco option???

I'd rather have a coupe than a convertible. I like the 2-series coupes, but I know I am probably in the minority on that. Plus, I'm too boring to ever pull the trigger on one.