you should check out the BMW F22 / 2-series (2014-2020). can find them with MT and RWD, and you can definitely find them under $15K.

this mirrors my thinking as well.

i think most of the reliability issues are pre-2015. since then, their reliability has been much better (and, BTW, so has BMW overall). i think prices are depressed because of the reputation of BMW/MINI of yore.

sunset orange metallic

it’s like we share a brain...very similar approach especially over the last 20-ish years (about the time we had kids).

i’ve owned and financed A LOT of cars since 1987...including many bavarian luxury sport vehicles. over the last 20 years i’ve generally abided the same approach: (1) buy used / certified pre-owned; (2) finance for 48 months; and (3) down payment sufficient to keep the monthly payment under $500.

this needs to be a blipshift tee!!

have you ever driven a mini? i’ve driven a bunch of small cars as rentals over the last 40 years and not a single one of them are as fun to drive as my wife’s 2015 mini 5-dr hatch (not even a ‘real’ mini by zealot standards). they are a quirky enthusiast car through and through. i own an M2 competition, and i am 10x…

i’m definitely not soft-spoken, but i’m mostly certainly polite. i use my my turn signals religiously while driving my 2021 sunset orange 6MT M2 competition.

good call on karate kid!! cant believe i didnt think of that one!

valley girl and footloose were the two notable omissions for me as well!

and soundtracked by stevie nicks best song.  i will not debate this.

jurassic park 2: electric bugaloo

if that’s your reason for walking away then you are really missing out. the B58 is one of the greatest BMW engines of all-time...especially from a reliability perspective. it’s also tunable AF!

wondering if the selection ceremony becomes more elaborate with each round? they may move it outside to be closer to nature? everyone may already be costumed for the impending hunt? the hunt likely becomes part of the ritual?

weather looks great for a weekend trip to annapolis!  cheers!

this feels like product placement in a krusty the clown episode

if you’re ever in annapolis, then check out either davis’ pub or pip’s dock street dogs for two very fine examples of this delicacy!

where’s the representation for the fine state of maryland? we have the “crabby dog” aka chesapeake bay retriever. traditional grilled hot dog topped with maryland style crab dip, bacon bits, and shredded cheddar.

my 2-series has been in service for 7 years and over 90K miles. it has been one of the most reliable cars i’ve ever owned in 35+ years of car ownership.