[beatboy77]

Out of all modern manual vehicles, would you say a lightly used M2 is the best all around value for drivers who prefer manual transmissions? Just curious of opinions

Josh

[arquitecto]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

Out of all modern manual vehicles, would you say a lightly used M2 is the best all around value for drivers who prefer manual transmissions? Just curious of opinions

Josh

Absolutely, it’s slim pickings if you’re in the market for a manual these days and we are especially lucky that the manual in this case is paired to such a great car. I turned down three M2’s with dct my dealer offered me when I was waiting for mine to be built and it was the best decision I have ever made

[Moflow]

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. It all depends what you value?

Here are some other M/T sporty cars that aren't FWD.

Mustang GT
Camaro SS
Cayman
STi
Golf R
370Z
MX-5
GT86

The Mustang and the Camaro will likely be faster in a straight line and cost less than M2 when new, but they have questionable interiors and build quality. They're also much bigger cars.

The Cayman is said to handle better, but its going to be slower in a straight line.

The other cars are all significantly slower, but have a lower cost of entry to go along with it. A brand new 370Z, Miata or GT86 would still be significantly cheaper than a used M2, so if you value things like a warranty and having something new while also not really caring that much about speed, they could be a decent value to you.

If you value all-wheel drive, the STi and the Golf R are your options. The Sti is ancient though, but its engine is mounted north south instead of being transverse like the Golf R, which is a FWD car converted to all-wheel drive.

Personally, yeah, i'd probably take a used M2, but i don't think anyone on this site is unbiased.

[beatboy77]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. It all depends what you value?

Here are some other M/T sporty cars that aren't FWD.

Mustang GT
Camaro SS
Cayman
STi
Golf R
370Z
MX-5
GT86

The Mustang and the Camaro will likely be faster in a straight line and cost less than M2 when new, but they have questionable interiors and build quality. They're also much bigger cars.

The Cayman is said to handle better, but its going to be slower in a straight line.

The other cars are all significantly slower, but have a lower cost of entry to go along with it. A brand new 370Z, Miata or GT86 would still be significantly cheaper than a used M2, so if you value things like a warranty and having something new while also not really caring that much about speed, they could be a decent value to you.

If you value all-wheel drive, the STi and the Golf R are your options. The Sti is ancient though, but its engine is mounted north south instead of being transverse like the Golf R, which is a FWD car converted to all-wheel drive.

Personally, yeah, i'd probably take a used M2, but i don't think anyone on this site is unbiased.

Thank You!

[beatboy77]

Originally Posted by arquitecto

Absolutely, it’s slim pickings if you’re in the market for a manual these days and we are especially lucky that the manual in this case is paired to such a great car. I turned down three M2’s with dct my dealer offered me when I was waiting for mine to be built and it was the best decision I have ever made

Great Information

[beatboy77]

I have heard the technology in the 2018 M2 and up is improved. I noticed in the re-sale market, the 2018 commands around a $7k premium over a 2017 or 2016. Is this increase in cost justified?

[TemjinX2]

probably depends at what price level would you consider it a value car. i'm basing my opinion on used car prices not new.

I would say on the luxury sport side

BMW M2
718 cayman
BMW M4
ats-v

muscle car
c7 corvette
mustang gt350
camaro z1e

japanese
s2000
370z
r32 gtr
frs

[Poochie]

Long term, like 5 years from now, the manual will be a novelty and fetch you more money in the used car market.

It will be rare combination and will always have its niche audience.

I say its safe as stock and bonds

[nachob]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

Out of all modern manual vehicles, would you say a lightly used M2 is the best all around value for drivers who prefer manual transmissions? Just curious of opinions

Josh

Value can be taken both ways for example people used to say that for $8k less a 135i was a better value than a 1M. People even used "stupid" when describing anyone that would want a 1M because a 135i with a tune was just as fast. So you spent $42k on a loaded 135i vs $52k on a 1M. That 135i with $40k miles is worth $15k and the 1M with same miles is worth $40k assuming 60k miles. Even at a generous $20k for the 135i you lost $22k vs $12k for 1M. So which was really the better value? I think there are two value criteria. Cost of entry and cost to own. I think the best overall value is a clean S2000. You can get a nice on for 20k and it will go down very little. A normally aspirated Cayman S is a lot more expensive but they also depreciate slowly and the right combination of trim colors etc can even rise in value. For example I am looking for a nice 128i M Sport and I find almost perfect ones with red interior. So I pass. Same with Caymans with peanut butter dashes or M3s with grey interiors. But something desirable to many like a 2014-2016 Cayman S with Black Interior manual and low options can even appreciate because so many are PDK, colored interiors and loaded with crap that makes them super expensive. So the right Cayman can be a good long term value. As far as BMWs. Yes the M2 is a great value if you get a low option manual car with black interior. Fluff like Executive PKg adds needless cost and there are many that not only don't care about that but feel executive package is akin to executive cut suits.... just a nice way of saying suits for pudgy people. Executive pkg is a nice way of saying fluff for posers that want to look like real car guys but really aren't car guys. When looking at certain types of cars like the S2000, Cayman, M2 etc these are cars appeal to real old school car buffs and also many less rugged types. By loading them you are paying more for the car that will also reduce you buyer pool. For example when I see loaded in an ad for a sports car I ignore it. While loaded might make sense in a luxury car it can ruin a sports car for some and can be controversial. So if you care about value both in getting into a car and cost of ownership/resale be prudent. A basic option M2 is already loaded with power seats and stuff that most people like it is a safe bet. While the M2 has some drawbacks to predecessors like the E46 M3 and 1M, cars for old for old school enthusiasts are going to $H1T in a hurry. Digital instruments, speed limiters, electric button parking brakes so no more parking brake maneuvers, automatic only gearboxes, auto stopping that will get you banned from track events, etc etc etc. All of this stuff is snowballing and soon car guys like me will be fighting for a few low option manual transmission M2s and despite the current things that we don't like about the m2 like fake sound, power seats only, small instruments, no oil temp gauge, electric steering and weight gain in US versions will seem pidly in comparison to what is happening with the rest of the car industry. So yes the M2 is a good value if you like manual transmission and unless the car Industry does a 180, they will be desirable to many of us in the future.

[JustChris]

MX5
Mini JCW

Great bang for buck there. Depends what we really mean by value

[akkando]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

Out of all modern manual vehicles, would you say a lightly used M2 is the best all around value for drivers who prefer manual transmissions? Just curious of opinions

Josh

Probably Camaro SS 1LE, at least by the numbers.


But some people have good reasons to prefer something else. I think a used 135is or m235i is a pretty good value.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by akkando

Probably Camaro SS 1LE, at least by the numbers.


But some people have good reasons to prefer something else. I think a used 135is or m235i is a pretty good value.

I agree that an M235i or an M240i would be a great value. Probably better than an M2 but not the handling and performance of the M2.

[magha]

Originally Posted by DanG

I agree that an M235i or an M240i would be a great value. Probably better than an M2 but not the handling and performance of the M2.

Couldn't agree more I went from a tuned 135 to the M2 and huge diff in overall performance. The m lsd itself is worth the price of admission and let's not forget the exhaust note (n55 that is )

[bi0hazard]

Camaro and Mustang V8 - great value and good manual trans. BMW = bad value, good manual trans.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I have heard the technology in the 2018 M2 and up is improved. I noticed in the re-sale market, the 2018 commands around a $7k premium over a 2017 or 2016. Is this increase in cost justified?

You might say the 2016 and 2017 have a dated interior but honestly if the 2017 is 7k cheaper, it's great value.

The updated dash, epically the speedo is a big change. Some say it was hard to see the old one and I think it looked it bit plain. For exterior, the updated LED lights both front and rear really change the cars look at night and during the day.

Is it worth 7k? No. Am I glad I have it, yeah.

[Aualexa2]

Cayman GT4 is pricier than an M2, but in my opinion exceeds the M2 in "value". The GT4 is manual only, 385ish hp, 3000lbs, is incredibly balanced, and stickered for around $86k when new. With the next model being announced shortly, prices for used GT4s have been coming down.

[LuvMyE92]

I don't think anyone listed the GTI. It's got a big strike against it, being FWD, and it's not much on power when the RPMs are low. But it has German build quality (for good or bad, LOL) and handles remarkably well, is competitively priced (hence the value) and is really quite fun to drive.

I almost bought one.

I also almost bought a Mustang GT, but I just couldn't get past that horrible interior.

The Cayman is awesome, but it's stupid expensive, even used.

[grl.racr]

If you can’t afford a P car, bmw is the next best thing

[quikM2]

be different grab an A110

[mr_lab_rat]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I have heard the technology in the 2018 M2 and up is improved. I noticed in the re-sale market, the 2018 commands around a $7k premium over a 2017 or 2016. Is this increase in cost justified?

Not really, the major change was for the 2019 model (called M2 Competition). The 2018s are probably more expensive just because they are newer.

[KO7]

I came from a MK7 Golf R which was a terrific value in Canada, and was available in manual. But an enthusiast car that stirs the soul, it is not.

The OG M2 on the used market is a great value IMO. It "only" cost me a few grand more than what a new Golf R or Civic Type R would go for, and my M2 only had 11,315 kms, no accidents, and is fully loaded.

My friend just picked up a Cayman GT4 which is an amazing car, but that's a completely different price point.

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by quikM2

be different grab an A110

True...that is why my girlfriend ordered one instead of a 718 Cayman/Boxster. Excited about this new addition to our garage! Still keeping my manual M2 as my own daily car






A110 should be a nice and different replacement for the Z4M that left last year...