LOLA3G

Would it be bad to trade my 2006 GS 300 (18,000miles) for a fully loaded 2006 M3 Covertible (w 5K miles)?

some points to consider:

this would be my daily driver
space / roominess
reliability
fuel economy
fun factor
etc....

Thanks in advance for helping me sort my thoughts!

Cut-Throat

Let me get this straight. You want to trade your Lexus for a BMW for better reliability?

LOLA3G

No those are points disscussion points. So I am assuming you are saying Lexus is more reliable than BMW. I would agree.

audimerc

What is the price of the used 06 M3? It may be close to the price of a new 335i and the 335i sedan is just as fast and with a little modification would be faster than a 06 M3 and can still seat 4.
As to your car compared to an M3 it would be impossible to compare the two. The M3 is loud and a little harsh riding but handles amazingly while the G300 is luxurious, quiet, and seats 4 comfortably but is relatively slow.

INHOCJP

Great summary.

hitechgs3t

well i owned a e46 m3 convertible..let me tell..it a different feeling..m3 is great in handling...for a daily driver i wouldn't...the rear seat is not mean for an adult..maybe a kid...fuel is not that bad but i don't drive my m3 that much..but when i do i get about 20-22 hwy and about 15-17 city..it is very fun driving it..esp. in the spring/summer fun...but remember it a german car so everything is expensive..in moding..

GlockMan9c

M3 = performance, period. Nothing else. Consider it a Porsche.

I did not trade my M5 in with 24K miles for a GS350 for no reason.

dob0308

hey... I drive an M3 coupe and I absolutely love it...even as my daily driver. But there's no equal comparison.... totally different. The lexus is smooth, quiet, reliable, and big....all opposite the M3. If you really like to get on it and have spirited drives, then go for the M3. If you have passengers, stay w/ the GS! The m3's backseat is no place for kids!
For fuel eco I get ~18-19mpg in the city. Fun? Its hard to beat for fun! The reliability won't be as high the Lexus. Maintenance will be more $$.

LOLA3G

Thanks for all the feed back! Yes I've come to find that there is no way to compare the GS to the M3 - not like asking "GS or BMW 5 series"... I love my GS - it has great room, mileage is great, the style/look is top ranks, trunk space is not huge but somewhat usuable... with all that said - it's not that fun to drive. I drive 35 - 50 miles one way (app 70 - 100 miles a day)!! So, I'm really looking for something more fun to drive! I live in northern cali so there are great drives all over the place to really take advantage of a "driver's car" and even more reasons to enjoy a convertible here in california. I've just turned 30, so I feel that I would enjoy a convertible more now than later down the road. I've owned 2 SUV's (MDX & FX), 3 sporty cars (200SX Turbo, Conquest TSi, Accord V6), and 1 sedan (my current GS) - never a convertible! I've decided that I will not get a motorcycle so a convertible is my alternative! There's so much truth in the saying "a convertible is good for the soul" - and that is the kind of daily drive I'm looking for. Imagine: 'Top down after a long day's work - nice spirited commute back home - I know any driver can feel me on that!! Wish the M3 just had a bit more of a usuable back seat in case I did need to transport a third or fourth and/or at least have some more usuable trunk space. I think all those things I would find in a 650CiC but those things are so damn expensive! I've been looking at M3 because since the 335 release the price drops on M3 are huge (10-20K savings)! And to be honest I really don't like to get into first model year of a car (go figure I bought a 2006 GS!!?!?!?)...

Well, I still have yet to find the perfect one that is in good enough condition to make me trade my GS in...

Thanks again for the feedback and feel free to give any input in helping me make the right decission...

ted5469

What are you doing with your rims?

bobbyt01nc

nice pic of the gs300 first...the rims look sweet.
I don't trust convertibles for some reason but I just want the bigger engine in my cars and then open SR and all windows for open air feeling. the m3 satisifies a lot of things...image, speed/power, fun factor and coolness. not to mention $$$ but go for it. The only other option for you would have with Lexus is to check out the SC430...maybe a lightly used one would price it better.

chocaholic

Get an older Carrera (late 80's to late 90's) for fun and keep your Lexus. I have an 89 911 Targa with a 3.6 Varioram engine in it, lowered, aligned and corner balanced with larger torsion bars, 930 brakes, no AC, no power steering, no ABS, no airbags, etc. Amazing road feel, power, handling, and open top fun. The GS3 is the perfect alternative for work and family.

Just a thought.

Shawnmack

I would keep the GS. yours look real good. It don't have the performance of the M3 but as a daily driver stick with the Lexus.

Acuraelin

WELL, if u got a little bit of money on the side what about a Z4 lease?

doug_999

As pointed out, the back seat of the BMW sucks. I could not fit my 5 year old back there (well I could, but she was not happy).

However it sure would be a fun car.

So it depends on your priorities. My only comment would be that since I went back to BMW I love driving my car again. But that's because my priorities favor the driving experience over the things that Lexus is better at.