Agreed. But it does make me wonder just how much abuse that Golf R got within a year. As much as I would love either a year old R or GTI, I don’t have faith that it would not have been abused silly.

Tom, I also would consider an F31 series wagon, but why no manual? Does BMW think that Americans are not worth the bother? It can’t be even custom ordered.

Nuts. My 2011 sportwagen is not covered.

Bob, there is no comparison on depreciation between the two vehicles you list. Although a 328xD wagon is not available as a manual in the states, the it holds its value well.

I would like to see that done in a SAAB. This, if anything, is another application of the Moose crashes for which those vehicles were designed.

Thank you for the comprehensive report. It was a good read. I will have to read your books on the A-10.

The more I hear about such unnecessary behavior that just drives up costs and deflates the value of assets, the less I would be inclined to invest in anything related to Tesla or Mr. Musk.  

All this complexity makes me want to get another diesel!

Agreed. I never forget the after noon I spent on 405 by LAX (Los Angeles traffice) with a yellow Diablo next to me. 2.5 hours later, we were still side by side, but 8 miles up the road. I was in a manual BMW, but it looked more at home in the gridlock then the Lambo!

In graduate school, during winter in Florida, I was driving home to from Tampa to the Atlantic coast. Most of the way is two lane state road, and I just entered a 60 mile section with only orange groves and cow pastures. In the last town, I noticed that my headlights had perhaps started getting dim. I knew the battery…

I am in the same boat, but will likely go for diesel 3 series wagon. I want to do better than 30 mpg without thinking about it. No crossover can do that.

Agreed on the 997 perspective. I worked in Century City, and the building’s basement garage had only three Maybachs, but plenty of S class. I have often thought that for the locals it these cars are like generic GM vehicles for the rest of the county.

My neighbor just dumped their Mazda 6 after only five years - stated that Mazda just didn’t hold up. Now they are in a SantaFe Sport.

It is what I am doing this weekend. MkIV 2.0, doesn’t look bad at all. Not sure what Justin is referring to.

Yes, it is a thing. Nothing like finding the sweet spot rpm wise. Also, I don’t txt and do come to a complete stop with my manual. It is actually fun going up hill, to come to a stop sign without using a brake, and to start off again (if traffic allows), without hitting the brake.

Thank you for the update on the motor. Too bad it will implode at 100K like the prior one.

Perhaps not best gimmick, but great way of leaving salesman speechless.

Ash78, Thanks for making sense. I agree about the Nissan Altimas vs. Bro-Dozzers. Pretty much same in CA. I have been in LA and was impressed by the number of high end cars around Huntsville. (Many engineers, scientists and government contractors.) 

Got one one of these on my block. Gets driven each day. Nice!

David,