[dgm3]

Here we are...Turbo, Auto, AWD, 4000 lbs

R.I.P. ///M Division

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by dgm3

Here we are...Turbo, Auto, AWD, 4000 lbs

R.I.P. ///M Division

If it's what it takes so they continue to make the lighter 6MT version and the M2 I'm totally fine with it.

I don't know of any other car that have 4 doors, huge power, reasonable weight and is capable of withstanding multiple track days a year without costing an arm and a leg in consumables.

[annabellapizza]

Originally Posted by PLF69

If it's what it takes so they continue to make the lighter 6MT version and the M2 I'm totally fine with it.

I don't know of any other car that have 4 doors, huge power, reasonable weight and is capable of withstanding multiple track days a year without costing an arm and a leg in consumables.

C63? Giulia? RS Cars? Not a fan of those cars but there are plenty of M3 competitors now.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by annabellapizza

C63? Giulia? RS Cars? Not a fan of those cars but there are plenty of M3 competitors now.

I realise I am in a very small % of buyers that want the part about withstanding several track days per year without going crazy on the consumables.

All these cars are "track capable" as they are advertised but they don't have the reputation of being able to cope with it on a regular basis or for some being even enjoyable doing it.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by annabellapizza

C63? Giulia? RS Cars? Not a fan of those cars but there are plenty of M3 competitors now.

Try a couple track days in a C63, Giulia, or any Audi RS product and report back. It won't be pretty.

[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by PLF69

If it's what it takes so they continue to make the lighter 6MT version and the M2 I'm totally fine with it.

I don't know of any other car that have 4 doors, huge power, reasonable weight and is capable of withstanding multiple track days a year without costing an arm and a leg in consumables.

Not that you’d consider it, but there is the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance (long name). NA V8, 472 hp. And a face only a Transformer mother could love.

And then there is the Lexus GS-F, same engine, and rarer.
And then if you want to go down market, there is the Chevy SS. Surprise people with a car that can do burnouts, and looks like you rented it from Enterprise.
Then there is the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing...
Options are grim, but here are some options.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

Not that you’d consider it, but there is the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance (long name). NA V8, 472 hp. And a face only a Transformer mother could love.

And then there is the Lexus GS-F, same engine, and rarer.
And then if you want to go down market, there is the Chevy SS. Surprise people with a car that can do burnouts, and looks like you rented it from Enterprise.
Then there is the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing...
Options are grim, but here are some options.

The IS500 is built to compete with the M340 and is not even available for sale yet. GSF is not an M3 substitute either plus it's discontinued and was a sales failure. RCF has been around for ages and still hasn't been a sales success or better performer than an M4. Furthermore, both the GSF/RCF are superior to the upcoming IS500 and if those cars were not considered M3/M4 competitors how would an IS500 be a possible contender.

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

Not that you'd consider it, but there is the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance (long name). NA V8, 472 hp. And a face only a Transformer mother could love.

And then there is the Lexus GS-F, same engine, and rarer.
And then if you want to go down market, there is the Chevy SS. Surprise people with a car that can do burnouts, and looks like you rented it from Enterprise.
Then there is the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing...
Options are grim, but here are some options.

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

They didn't use to. It has just grown on people over the years.

[Vmaxx]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

They didn't use to. It has just grown on people over the years.

I still don’t like, and I know plenty of people who think Lexus designed the worst front end ever made, but to each their own. IMO Lexus has lost their way even worse than BMW. I owned an ISF which was an amazing car but you couldn’t pay me to own the generation that followed with the spindle grille. Even the interior went two steps backwards with Lexus.

[Vmaxx]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

This is a car that you park at a questionable neighborhood, roll the windows down, and leave the keys on driver seat. Still one of the worst cars Lexus ever made.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by dgm3

Here we are...Turbo, Auto, AWD, 4000 lbs

R.I.P. ///M Division

More like RIP old things.

So can a naturally aspirated, manual, RWD, <3500 lb car beat it on a circuit? For $100k or less?

[snareman]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

Noooooooooooooooo I don't love the BMW big grille, but I HATE with a passion the Lexus grille.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by Transfer

More like RIP old things.

So can a naturally aspirated, manual, RWD, <3500 lb car beat it on a circuit? For $100k or less?

Cayman GTS. Or hell, if you want to use "old" technology like a DCT, then a C8 vette.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

Cayman GTS. Or hell, if you want to use "old" technology like a DCT, then a C8 vette.

Great then have fun with the tiny car that is >$100k with basic options and the obnoxious car.

It's also debatable if those two would win a road course vs xDrive M3.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Transfer

More like RIP old things.

So can a naturally aspirated, manual, RWD, <3500 lb car beat it on a circuit? For $100k or less?

Mustang gt350 and Camaro SS 1LE would put up a good fight, but they don't weigh less than 3500 pounds. Also don't come with 4 doors. Is the C8 getting around a track fast?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by akkando

Mustang gt350 and Camaro SS 1LE would put up a good fight, but they don't weigh less than 3500 pounds. Also don't come with 4 doors. Is the C8 getting around a track fast?

The back seats in the Mustang are damn near useless. I'm only 5'10" and my head touches the roof in my buddy's Cobra. It's super cramped back there. Most uncomfortable 20 minute ride ever. The Cobra looks nice though and it sounds amazing.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

Everyone ?

Everytime I see a new Lexus, I see this:

[dgm3]

Originally Posted by Transfer

More like RIP old things.

So can a naturally aspirated, manual, RWD, <3500 lb car beat it on a circuit? For $100k or less?

Probably not...but I am sure it would be more engaging and fun to drive

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

No, they don't.

[PVC]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

No, they don't.

I like the Lexus grill. I hate the 4 series grill and I am not a fan of M3/M4.

The funny thing about Lexus IS models is that their headlights get stolen a lot. An acquaintance of mine had hers stolen while she was parked at a hospital she works at.

[jkap27]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Here is my wife's Lexus IS.

I have to say Lexus executes the big grille far better than the BMW.

Everyone loves it.

I think they implemented the spindle pretty well on some cars but the 'fangs' you end up with to get that hourglass type look are pretty off putting in my opinion. Granted when i see them in person the total package looks great. The G80 has a big grille but the shapes look right to me. I dont much like the base 4 series grille though.