You didn’t ask how I arrived at my conclusion, yet you drew a conclusion anyway, based on very limited information. That’s literally the definition of jumping to conclusions.

I had the R3. I sold it for dumb reasons. I am interested in redeeming myself.

So you are quick to jump to conclusions and don’t like to use punctuation marks ...

“It’s now manual or automatic”

The 718 Cayman. It was a disappointment because I had an RX-8 R3 (sold it for stupid reasons); I test drove a manual Cayman and came away disappointed. It had less character and was not very exciting for street driving. Like so many modern German cars, you have to go very far above legal speeds to have some fun.  It…

I second that. added bonus: the Sienna hybrid has a crazy range (Perhaps most chases don’t last long, but ... )

This list is somewhat misleading. Some of these are just not available. The I Pace has been selling with a significant dealer markup. even used ones were not available last year. The demand is far, far, far higher than supply.

“For me, a car enthusiast, cargo versatility and utility are more important than an extra .04g on the skidpad.”

We have a 2017 GTS. I had a 2017 340i manual prior, couldn’t stand the garbage steering and sold it 5000 miles later. I then tried to convince myself I liked the S6, but it was just a one-trick pony (very quick accel at any speed).

Manuals, sedans/wagons... the good versions are desirable, but too many "enthusiasts " assume bad versions aren't everywhere 

Lol

Heavy steering effort is sporty, light steering is not.

Fun car:

Sure, Collin Woodard did mention paying for all maintenance as potentially part of the gift. Regardless, life gets more complicated when your cars are more complicated.  How good is a gift if it causes headaches?

I really appreciate James’s insight regarding the Bentayga vs Rav4 hybrid consideration. “More money, more problems.” A fancy car is not just a normal car with nicer features. They come with unwanted “features” that make your life difficult just because they can. Like simple filters and wear-and-tear items are going…

I agree. I have gone down between 1" to 2" for the Mazda3 (18" to 16"), 340i (19" to 18"), and Macan (20" to 19") for winter wheels. Contrary to conventional wisdom, more tire sidewall does not do jack squat for ride quality in modern cars.

Very well put!

I drove a manual 718, I completely disagree. It does not hide its weight. It drives like a great sports sedan, except it’s missing the  practically of back seats and trunk.

That curb weight though ... 3166 is a lot for a 2-seater. The Miata RF is rated at 2450. IMO, like a lot of these heavy modern German cars, the Cayman needs to be going pretty darn fast for you to have fun. 

Oh I know. I had a 2017 340i manual that was shit to drive at legal speeds. Then I got a Macan and was way happier. Only people who actually have driven a Macan understood. Most were hopping mad I dared hate on a sedan. I also disliked the S6. Yikes!