Unpopular opinion for sure, bought I was shopping for used m2s and ended up with a manual 2018 Camaro SS 1le. Faster around a track and much better used value, the m2 are worth crazy money given age and original MSRP, the cheap ones seem super clapped.


SS 1le has active diff, suspension and exhaust, tr 6060 trans, Recaro seats, trans, diff and engine oil coolers. Mine was $37k with 6x,xxx km. Decent trunk, but fairly nice compared to some of the vehicles you're looking at.

 

As I read your first post, "Toyota Corolla GR" was what I was thinking, but as I scrolled down, I see that others were already on that track! Definitely would add it to your list (which is solid BTW).

Would also suggest a Subaru WRX RS trim (specifically). Very good value although not beautiful. Both that and the Toyota are available with manual transmissions, which is a huge plus to me.

 

Haha, I fantasize about getting a Mustang Dark Horse but I really want AWD for the winter...

 

Thanks for the question...won't really ever need it to carry more than just myself and my wife, but do want to load it up with a bike, some camping gear, etc...

 

I desperately wish the hatch version of that car came here. I find the sedan version somewhat ... unattractive, but would kill for a 400HP 5-cyl hatchback.

 

I would love a golf R wagon. Wish they also came here.

 

+1 for ITS. It is perfect daily IMO. Practical with lots of room. Really fun to drive. Pops from exhaust is addictive (just right and not too aggressive) - my 8 yo son asks me to do it all the time.

 

Note Golf R 8.5 will be automatic only. I was considering Golf R in 2023 but it had a huge order backlog at that time. Interestingly ITS was more available to me at that time, although I did need to pay a little markup (forced trade-in + extended warranty). No regrets with the ITS and I think ITS fit me a lot better. I used to own a RSX. I am probably more Honda/Acura person than a VW person. The only cons is that ITS doesn't have rear heated seats, which would be a nice feature as daily driver for my kids.

I briefly thought about GR Corolla, but its interior was too "Corolla". Also back seats are really tight and I don't think my 2 kids will like it.

 

Rivian R1T until the R3 comes out! Or the Ioniq 5 or the N version. We just picked up the Ioniq 5 and its surprisingly quick and loaded with tech.

 

Have owned, rented or demo'd a lot of the cars on this thread in a similar search a few months ago. The brief for the new car was: auto, decent power, excellent handling, solid brakes, sunroof; fun to drive; able to fit a bike and my black Lab My commute changed from short and straight to 74 mi RT through canyons and PCH. My '22 Macan S was very good but on late nights home, it was not great in the canyons.

In order from worst to best:

Corolla GR: too small; interior too low rent econobox. No auto available at the time. Just not my cup of tea.

G87 M2: Rented one for a week as I thought I would really like it. Great power, strong brakes. Jiggly ride and completely numb steering. Way too much tech and drove really heavy.

Integra Type S: Fantastic chassis, brakes and steering feel. Sadly, stick only and and no sunroof.

RS3: Rented one for a few days. Fantastic engine and brakes; typically great Audi interior. Bit of lag but not bad. Also numb Audi steering. Could have been very happy with this car but the dealers were smoking crack thinking it was still Covid.

F87 M2: Fair amount of seat time driving a friend's car. Excellent power, brakes and chassis. Good but not amazing steering. Great interior ergonomics. Would have bought one if I could have found one in a spec I liked but couldn't. Lots of manual slick top cars but few autos with sunroof. Had one I passed on for price and wish I hadn't. Probably my top choice...but...

24 Golf R: Had a Mk6 which I did not like due to bad seats and being really numb and low performance. Didn't consider it until late in the game when a good friend said the current gen was vastly improved. Test drove one and was really blown away. Huge value for money. Truly usable drive modes. Excellent suspension damping and handling. Engine feels underrated and throttle tuning is great. DSG much better now with an extra gear. DSG tuning also very seamless. Steering has pretty decent feel but not amazing. It kills under the intangible "fun to drive" for the sum of it's parts. Had read the complaints about the haptics but after about a day, i learned to deal with them without issue. Close to 4k miles on it already and really love it. Wife tries to steal it (she owns a current gen GLA 35 btw). Also, as I understand it, these cars are selling 1:1 price wise US:Can which makes them a huge bargain north of the border. Apply some of the savings to a good set of tires and a tune

Side note on the GLA 35/45. I like the new gen a lot more but agree with some of the other comments. Both cars feel like they could use a bit more throttle map tuning. They are a bit light switchy in modes other than comfort. That over time got really annoying for me. My wife doesn't notice it though. Still a good car when I have to drive it.

 

Thanks for the amazing write up and insight. You are 100% right about the Golf R, in Canada it is a bargain. I have also heard the 8.5R has made the outer haptic controls (ie heated steering wheel etc...) much harder to press accidentally, and I think can also be specced with the cloth seats they have in EUR. Will give this a look for sure.

 

Not that this really matters to all but I find the F87 M2C to be one of the best looking BMWs ever made...

 

100% agree...I had one a few years ago (for only 10 months) and then we moved out of the country so I had to sell it. I enjoyed everything about that car, except for the brake dust .

 

100%, I would think it would sell like hotcakes

 

Has anyone considered a mid-size truck? I have a 2015 BMW 335i, manual as my "daily driver". Thinking about replacing it, maybe, and going through the same agonizing search. Currently I'm hot to trot on a new Tacoma, something basic, maybe the Off road manual. My thinking is to make it as different as possible from the 4.0 GTS and usable. The idea of having a truck paired with a sports car appeals to me as there is little overlap between the two.