Selling My Cars - What To Buy Next?

[R8Spyderman]

I'm moving back to Miami - Coconut Grove, to be exact - and feel unsafe driving flashy cars in such a high crime city after the safety of peaceful & quiet Sanibel Island. I hope this statement doesn't arouse the ire of Miami members but it's how I feel and as a native Miamian who is turning 65 next month, I know I'll always feel I have a target on my back. Sporting a white beard and driving a Bentley or an R8 Spyder might attract the wrong kind of attention, so right or wrong, I'm planning on divesting myself of both cars.

The question then is, what to buy that will satisfy my love of cars? It's got to be a convertible and needs to be high performance, and due to Achilles tendinitis in my left foot, no more clutch pedal (alas!). The likely candidates are very few: 2012 BMW M3 is my first choice even though I've never driven one; Audi S5 Cabriolet is second; Boxster, third. I've never driven any of the aforementioned and fully intend to, but on paper it seems there is no contest: The M3 seems to be one of the best driver's cars regardless of price, though BMW dealers all seem to have very bad reputations (along with BMW owners, it seems).

So, I'd like some feedback - not hostility, please - about car choices based on personal ownership experience of any of the above cars or others you think might fit the bill (under $100K). Thanks.

[FredBMOC]

BMW M6, Porsche 911 Turbo , lots around South Florida! None of these are too flashy and nice.
Good luck on whatever car you decide to get.

[R8Spyderman]

I don't believe there is an M6 being currently made, though might be one in the future. It will be well north of $100K as is the 911 Turbo and I'm not interested in buying a used car.

[sundowner]

Cadillac CTS V coupe but, if it must be a convertible then M3.

[ptaylor_9849]

You want a beautiful convertible with a really smooth automatic transmission?
How bout one of these:

http://face2012cars.tk/jaguar-xkr-convertible.html

[phlabrasca]

I'm moving back to Miami - Coconut Grove, to be exact - and feel unsafe driving flashy cars in such a high crime city after the safety of peaceful & quiet Sanibel Island. I hope this statement doesn't arouse the ire of Miami members but it's how I feel and as a native Miamian who is turning 65 next month, I know I'll always feel I have a target on my back. Sporting a white beard and driving a Bentley or an R8 Spyder might attract the wrong kind of attention, so right or wrong, I'm planning on divesting myself of both cars.

The question then is, what to buy that will satisfy my love of cars? It's got to be a convertible and needs to be high performance, and due to Achilles tendinitis in my left foot, no more clutch pedal (alas!). The likely candidates are very few: 2012 BMW M3 is my first choice even though I've never driven one; Audi S5 Cabriolet is second; Boxster, third. I've never driven any of the aforementioned and fully intend to, but on paper it seems there is no contest: The M3 seems to be one of the best driver's cars regardless of price, though BMW dealers all seem to have very bad reputations (along with BMW owners, it seems).

So, I'd like some feedback - not hostility, please - about car choices based on personal ownership experience of any of the above cars or others you think might fit the bill (under $100K). Thanks.

The new Boxster is a beautiful car in person but it lacks balls. You'll love the way it hugs the road but when you hit on the gas you'll be bored... Same with the S5. I think the S5s only come in V6t which also lacks balls but it has the nicest interior, the most mature of your choices and is probably the most comfortable of the bunch. The M3 is a performer and will definitely be the most enjoyable drive. I think its in need of a cosmetic update though, check to see if a refresh is coming out any time soon. It's the closest you'll come to an R8 convertible in terms of performance... In terms of overall quality I'd go with the S5.

I've owned the IS-F, M3 and S5, personally found the IS-F the most enjoyable however there is no convertible form of it but you do get 4 open windows and a sun roof :P I vacation at Sanibel and I always see a silver IS-F over at that bean cafe. I really miss that car, but nothing compares to the R8.

As for the Jaguar XKR... It carries that "poor man's Aston" stigma. Never drove one though. Cadillac has the XLR-V but it's dull.

[dajjy]

Cayman s or r

drives like a little r8

i loved mine

[AJR8]

The BMW M3 DKG is an AMAZING car...BUT NOT THE CONVERTIBLE, the convertible is almost 1900kg...NOT GOOD!

I would say Porsche is the answer (ONLY 911 OF COURSE)...but I don't know or don't remember if it is to flashy in Miami...but I don't think so, I saw more ferraris and lambos in Miami that in Modena where they're built!

[Monkey boy UK]

Hi Jeff,

Sorry to hear you are leaving Sanibel, are you selling the house there or keeping as a vacation rental?

Re which car, the new Porsche boxter is due out next year http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au..._revealed.html

Have you considered a used Aston vantage roadster ? sounds great although not the best handling car.

The new E Class cabriolet is a nice car but lacks performance

So, other than new boxter i would say M3 Convertible, de badge it if it makes you feel safer!

Take care

[M3R8]

I don't know about you, but if safety and security in hostile areas is of any concern I would not go for a rag top no matter what.