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Reply to "Lane sold his coupe."

I want to thank everybody who chimed in with positive comments.  I really appreciate that.  As you might expect, I am a little disappointed in the hammer price as it was at the very bottom of my expected price window, but if I'd kept the car I would still have the same issues that prompted me to sell in the first place - My legs aren't getting any shorter after all .

So I guess it's time to move on.  The question of the day is what will I buy next.  The factors in play are:

  1. I'm retiring in a couple of years or so.  At that point I won't be able to justify three cars.  Also, if we move to the mountains as planned, finding a three car garage is pricey and difficult.  I also feel the need to simplify things at this point in my life.
  2. I would be better off with one car for me that encompasses any practical needs I might have as well as scratching my sports car itch.  Major practical needs can be dealt with using Pam's car, but sometimes that won't be feasible.  I probably want something that I am comfortable taking to the track once or twice a year.
  3. Has modern safety features.  This is a need largely because the drivers where I live are godawful.  I hired an old buddy of mine a few years back who moved down from DC.  He says the drivers here are worse - much worse.  On top of that - and probably a factor in it - is the fact that the population in and around Charleston is exploding.  The town of Mount Pleasant, where I live, has almost tripled in size since we moved here in 2002 and the roads are woefully behind that growth.  I am paranoid every time I take the Beck out.  On top of all this, there are virtually no nice, twisty backroads to drive on.  The increasing unpleasantness of driving here is a significant reason I want to move to the mountains.
  4. I want something that is fun to drive, looks good, has a modicum of practicality, is reliable, and fits my budget.  In other words, the perfect car (for me).
  5. If used, it must be relatively low mileage and in excellent condition.  My last used car purchase was a '71 Pinto in '74.

So who are the candidates?  In no particular order, they are:

  1. Porsche Cayman: Either new or used.  New would be tough within my budget, but not impossible.  A used '13-'16 981 Cayman S (6-cyl) is what most of my friends suggest.   A new one would depend on whether or not I can find a dealer that will sell at sticker and not add one of those maddening markups.
  2. New BMW M240i.  I'm not crazy about some of what they've done with the interior, but the size and packaging is similar to my 128i that I have enjoyed for the last 12 years.  Unfortunately not available with a stick, but the BMW auto is almost as good as a PDK.
  3. New BMW M2.  At the very edge of affordability and I'm not wild about the front fascia, but oooohhhh the power!  And it's available with manual or automatic.
  4. A previous generation M2.  Less expensive and nicer looking.  I would have to get over the whole "used car" phobia, though.
  5. A new Supra, now available with a manual.
  6. A friend's lightly used Z4M40i convertible.  Hmmm...  Do I want a convertible?
  7. Other suggestions are welcomed.

So there you have it.  I am consoling myself on the low sales price by looking ahead.

Last edited by Lane Anderson
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