[rondocap]

I've been toying with this idea - currently I daily drive a manual GTI, and I have a Boxster S as my fun car.

I do like that combo, but sometimes I just wish I had 1 good car instead of splitting it up into 2. The GTI is great, but manual can get tricky with traffic that I encounter often, and drive it about 25,000 miles a year or a little more.

The Boxster is a PDK, and obviously a lot of fun, but I don't always get to drive it.

So I was thinking about possibly getting a preowned 535i or 550i. I know that it'd be much more comfortable of a daily driver than the GTI, and more planted and effortless on the highway. I also know the MPG would be worse, and that the driving experience is certainly very isolated and a bit more dull. Can't really compare it to the Boxster in that sense.

Would I regret it? I had a 335i before and wife has a 35i X3 currently.

[ferrarif1]

Stick with 2 cars, the Boxster is much sportier than the 550 will ever be. Have you considered replacing the GTI with a 320/328 or 528?

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by ferrarif1

Stick with 2 cars, the Boxster is much sportier than the 550 will ever be. Have you considered replacing the GTI with a 320/328 or 528?

I agree. I have a new 535 X Drive and as the Porsches start hitting the road now that it is spring, I wish I had one in my garage.

[SonicEndeavor]

Or a used S6 or Panamera depending on your budget.

[Silververtu]

I would stick with 2 cars. I traded both Z4M Roadster and Audi A4 for 550i due to the age of both vehicles and I moved to a house with 1-car garage.

If parking space isn't your concern, stick with 2 cars. You may trade the GTI for something more comfortable for daily driving and keep the Boxster S as the weekend warrior.

I do miss the days driving the M Roadster top down after work.

[totes152]

I agree. Stick with the two if you can. I have a 911 and picked up a used 550 as my daily. The 550 is great but not a sports car feel.

[0_steve]

I agree - 2 cars. I also have a 550 as a daily and a 911 for fun and honestly LOVE getting into the 911 even though its now 5yrs old. The 550 is fantastic for every day use but still lacks the sportiness though i couldn't imagine driving a P car as a daily (did it in 2001 and it was horrifying). There is something about having 2 that allows you to escape for just a second. Plus a better write off if you own a business...

[ezmaass]

I'm all about having dedicated cars. If you can afford the 550 as your daily while still maintaining a separate sports car, that's the way to go. If not, and you're a real sports car enthusiast, I'd keep it how it is - maybe replace your daily with something comparable to the GTI (or slightly larger if that's necessary for comfort).

The only way I'd suggest consolidating would be if you're "over" the sports car thing, and you're really just looking for one really nice car in the garage. The 550 is certainly sporty for a sedan. It'll do things that many sedans can't. But it won't do things that a Porsche can do... and it won't ever feel remotely like one. That said, the 550 can wrap you in luxury, comfort, and tech toys until your heart's content. And it'll haul on when you lay down the accelerator. It's a very nice executive sedan with great power, luxury, class, comfort, etc.

If you were to pick up a 550 pre-owned, I'd definitely recommend going CPO and/or making sure you have sufficient warranty coverage. If you put 25k miles a year on your daily driver, too, you should really consider the maintenance costs. The 550 will be a lot more expensive to maintain than a GTI while you rack up that kind of mileage.

That said, you can also save by cutting down to one car. Maintenance and insurance for one vehicle instead of two - that could save you a bit.

Good luck with the decision.

[mlai]

IF, and that's a big IF, I can only have one good car, I would go either the new F80 M3 or a second hand F10 M5. That should be able to have the right balance between practicality and tossability (if there is such a word)

But if you can, stick with 2 cars. Heck I am keeping my 650i GranCoupe and replacing my E93M3 with a F83M4

And travel in a Lexus LS600HL on a daily basis

[rondocap]

I may keep it as is currently, my only issue is the gti being a manual in nyc traffic. But otherwise it's great.

[613Bimmer]

If you don't mind the GTI, trade it in for a next=gen GTI or the new Golf R when it is released with the DSG tranny.

[0_steve]

BTW - something else to consider on the 550i. Though I absolutely LOVE my 7 day old 550 so far i am midway through my 2nd tank of gas and it only has 250 miles on it. I knew what I was getting into coming from (3) 8cyl SUVs (one being a supercharged Range Rover) but it may be blinding to someone unsuspecting. 25k miles per year could be costly.

If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a certified 2011/12 535 or possibly a 2012 335. Both great for different reasons.

[ezmaass]

Another thing to consider, aside from Steve's comments about costly commuting with the 550 and its gas guzzling nature... is the wheels and tires. You mentioned commuting to NYC? I wouldn't use this car for it... at least not with the M Sport package... and that's half the fun of the car! The tires and rims get damaged way too easily as it is, and I drive on much nicer roads in CT. I think the car would be tough to keep in good shape if you commuted each day in NYC with it. I know people DO it... but it would personally drive me nuts.

I'd go in just the opposite direction for your situation. I'd get a nice, gas-friendly, parking-friendly small SUV for NYC commuting. Something where potholes wouldn't bother me as much, but it would still be a manageable size for maneuvering and parking in various places... maybe an X3, Q5, or similar. But a 3-series, like a 328, would also make a great commuter car... without the sports suspension for your situation.

[rondocap]

Good thoughts, guys. This winter I went through 4 tires and 1 rim with the GTI and bad roads, so the 550i with m sport, which I'd want, may be a bad idea.

The GTI is good, but being a manual and daily driver really make a poor choice for me in the NYC environment. You just can't have fun with it, and the shifting is super tiring.

I may replace it with something mundane like a Japanese sedan and keep the Porsche, that may be the best option.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by rondocap

Good thoughts, guys. This winter I went through 4 tires and 1 rim with the GTI and bad roads, so the 550i with m sport, which I'd want, may be a bad idea.

The GTI is good, but being a manual and daily driver really make a poor choice for me in the NYC environment. You just can't have fun with it, and the shifting is super tiring.

I may replace it with something mundane like a Japanese sedan and keep the Porsche, that may be the best option.

Or maybe another option - get a really inexpensive and reliable daily driver... it sounds like you put loads of mileage on the car, and it's driving in/out of NYC (re: abuse). Put your "car money" into a nice weekend car.

So, one scenario:

Commuter car: Older, inexpensive Honda Accord (automatic)
Weekend car: Porsche 911

If I was really beating on my daily driver, as much as I love cars, I'd probably go for something that would take the abuse, not depreciate much (or have limited room for depreciation), and put my money into something I'd enjoy on the weekends. Seriously... in your shoes I may consider something that's like a $10k car for commuting. Reliable enough to make sure I get there, but nothing more. That way I'd drive and park with impunity, wouldn't sweat the pot-holes or a-holes who bump your car to get in/out of parking spots, etc. And then I'd enjoy something really nice on the weekend.

[rondocap]

ezmaas: I like that idea, here's my only thought: I also need to at least be comfortable in the car, and I sort of got used to have a decent built in GPS/bluetooth because I am on the phone a lot for work.

I could just get a headset and portable GPS, I guess. The only issue is that I wonder how reliable and comfortable a $10k car could be. Maybe a 2007 Lexus ES350?

Hm, that'd make the Porsche even more fun! ha

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

Keep both, perhaps trade gti for a more practical reliable car.

I have my five abd live being able to get on the super snake conversion every once in a while and just laying down 550hp to the ground

[1HOT BMR]

It sounds to me like you like the Porsche and you would not mind keeping it, but you need more luxury and an automatic in your daily driver. I would keep the Porsche and buy a used, low mile, Acura RL. I've had a couple of those and they were super reliable, inexpensive to maintain, and super comfy and luxurious in many ways. 2005+ RLs have the super handling all wheel drive with a torque vectoring rear end that produces great handling. OK, I know, an RL? What is he talking about! No brand cachet, boring, uncool, mundane looking if not downright ugly - no BMW for sure. My advice is to go and drive one to make sure you agree with the people's assessment of the RL BTW, used RLs are very inexpensive for what they are.

OR, sell both and order a new Porsche Macan S with enough goodies to make it comfy but no more so the price stays reasonable. The Macan will give you comfort, fun and utility . . all at the same time . . and you will be driving a Porsche with all the associated bragging rights. If you order it you can use the wait time to sell the Boxster yourself and get top dollar for it.

The 550 is a great car but I wouldn't have one as my only car if I crave the feel of a sports car now and then - which I do. It's unreliable and expensive to maintain out of warranty - mine has been good but I feel it's probably the exception to the rule. There are also many things that bug me about it: like the run flat tires (I got rid of those), useless navigator, high cowl with a sunken driving position, and if you raise the comfort seats then you can't see the instruments. Also, the interface with external gadgets, like iPhones, iPods, bluetooth audio connections, etc. is MUCH MORE cumbersome than the competition. The RL was a joy of simplicity compared to my 550i.

[Gripster]

I'm weighing in late here, but the F10 is a boat compared to the Boxster. Two cars is the ideal solution if you need something practical, but want something fun/sporty. There are downsides (cost/maintenance) but it's the way to go. I have an older 911 as my fun car and there's no way I would combine unless it was an M5 or something in that league.

[eddieb4]

Cant go wrong with either ... 01 911 Turbo 6sp or 5 Series Dinan.
My Dinan is an unbelievable car ... every option except the bigger turbos.