I currently own an e36 m3 that is an amazing car, it truly puts a smile on your face every day. However, I have recently changed jobs and commute a lot more now putting way more miles on the car than I'd like. Unfortunately it doesn't get the best gas mileage either at ~22mpg with premium. Before this car I have owned many cars similar to the fit, 94 prelude, integra, 2 miatas, etc. I know the fit is not fast, and I'm fine with that. I would however like to know if you drivers find it a sporty car. I'm fine with a slow momentum type car if it handles fairly well, aka miata. I do lots of biking and outdoor things so the large space in the back is very appealing.

Are there any others who have made a similar move, gone from a 'sports car' to the fit? Have you been happy so far. Try and convince me to head to the dark side.

Will I be able to get a 5 spd fit for 8-9k or should I look to pay more? If anyone happens to be looking for an m3 let me know.




said m3










Feel free to randomly show off your sexy fit if nothing else.

 

Keep them both if finances and storage allow, you will miss the //M3, however the Fit is a fun little car to drive, although it is quite slow. I personally found my stock 08 more fun to drive than my 99 Integra on coilovers though, so take that as you'd like.

 

Idk If you saw in the What you DONT like about your fit thread. You aren't the only one coming from a BMW lol. You'll miss the power and the handling badly. The Fit is a momentum car though once you put a little bit into the suspension. If I possible I'd do what Mike is suggesting. Keep both. You'll be really happy you did.

 

To answer your original question...yes, you are crazy to sell an M3 for a Fit. As previously suggested, try to keep the M3 as a weekend car and buy the Fit as a daily driver.

The E36 M3 is one of the best, most balanced all around drivers ever built. I own a '99 M3, and while the cost to maintain it is far more than for a Fit, it's "probably" worth the expense.

BTW, what wheels are on your car?

 

Unfortunately funds will not allow both. I'm trying to get into grad school right now which will not be cheap.

The wheels are SSR GT2's, not made anymore. 17x8 and only 15 lbs, being sexy is a plus as well.

 

If you have the original wheels with good tires, put them back on the car if you sell it, and sell the SSR's separately to someone on M3Forums or BimmerForums.

I used to have SSR GT3's on an '02 Porsche Boxster S, and loved them. SSR made some really nice wheels.

 

one thing ill say, if you willing to downgrade to save some $ then a fit is a perfect car to downgrade to. great gas mileage, slow but not terrible specialy if you get a 5 speed, spacious(when i had my 08' fit, i "fit" a 6 foot table and a 32 inch tv inside without a problem) cheap to maintain, i could go on.... all around for $17,000 you get a hell of a car, im quite content with mines. i basically traded my 2010 mini cooper s for a 2012 fit and not regreting it at all. good luck in ur decision!

 

Yes. Yes you are. It will be missed.

 

I for one think you are not crazy. The M3 IS a nice car, but real life revolves around smart financial choices. The Fit will fit much beter into your upcoming grad school endeavour because of the lower cost to own (fuel/maintenance/insurance). My wife and i recently switched from a pair of Euro cars. Very nice indeed, but horrendous on maintenance and related cost when approaching 100k mile mark. It was very dissapointing, but we are extremely happy with the Fit. 2012 Sport with manual may not be quick on paper compared to the M, but it certainly feels it. Love my orange Gokart and its utility ;-)

 

It's understandable to feel that way, hell I'm looking for an E46 M3 or S2000 for my second car just for the summer beach cruises But as a DD the Fit does pretty nicely, I would suggest getting the 5 speed though as the automatic just wasn't for me.

 

If you're crazy then I must be super crazy, because I just traded my 2011 WRX for a 2012 Fit Base model this past Friday.

This was my car:
12.9 secs 2011 Subaru WRX - TP Stage 2 vs 03 Nissan 350z Vortech S/C - YouTube

The Fit is definitely not the same car as the WRX. In fact, I told the salesperson helping me how much I thought the Fit sucked compared to my Subaru. But the main purpose of me doing the swap is to save money on gas, which I'm loving so far. Other than getting used to the very soft clutch on the Fit, I don't really miss the power and handling as much as I have thought I would. I'm starting to like the Fit more and more everyday. The only problem I have so far is the lack of aftermarket support available for these cars. I'd imagine the Fit being a Honda brand having a lot more aftermarket goodies. Perhaps I'm just not looking at the right places...

 

Or you bought the wrong generation Fit if you were looking for aftermarket support.

But for the cost, you could just design yourself a custom set up and still wind up ahead of the game.

 

Mechanically the 2012 should match the 08-11 pretty closely IMO. But then the Sport won't require much of anything for me. Lower springs, TRS Hid mod, taillight tint, wider tires. Done :-)

 

DSM was referring to the GD Fit's. They have more performance aftermarket parts than the GE does.

 

i wouldn't do it. it's harder and harder to find a clean E36 M. i still want a 4-door in estoril with vaders. some day...

 

Well First of all I would like to know more details…

What is your daily or weekly commute.. I know from personal experience I am averaging 30 in the city to about 35 on the highway going 70ish… that would factor of course in your decision..

if you are driving 2,000 miles a month… which is HIGH average.. you would use approx. 90 gallons in your M3.. (based on 22 MPG)versus approx. 60 gallons on the FIT.. (based on 33MPG)

a savings of 30 gallons or roughly $105 a month at $3.50 a gallon

is it worth $1200 a year?


Secondly what do you think you will get realistically from your M3… and if financial concerns were not evident would you want to keep your E36 LONG term?

The car you have is indeed a classic and will actually increase in value in ten years as does the 4cyl M3 from the 80's…

I went from a S2000 to a 2012 Sport Fit.. I do like the car overall it is very fun to drive for what is… It is obviously slow as shit but we all know that Fast cars just get you more tickets LOL

I personally would tell you to do this, Keep the M3 as long as you dont have some major service coming do that you cant afford.. And buy a complete SHITBOX like a old school escort-Fiesta/festiva or Geo Metro.. something that you can just ride till it dies for $500-$1000 and go that route… but thats just me… if you feel like its just time to part ways with the M then get a Fit it is a fun car but 100% get the stick shift , pass on the AUTO!! besides the butter soft clutch its a good manual Transmission

 

What are vaders?

 

the E36 M has two sport seat options. the vaders are the more supportive of the two...the OP has vaders it seems.

 

I think that the fit is about the sportiest/practical econo box you can find bar none. Thats wht i keep coming back to it. This 2012 sport is my third in 4 years. I always miss it when i trade it in. I bought my 2012 on monday. And i sold my 2006 mitsubishi evolution mr the next day. I was really sad....wasnt for financual reasons, mostly for garage space reasons (and wife saying "wtf" to all my cars). I still have my 1988 e30 m3 with 37000 miles on it. I wouldnt get rid of that one for the world.

 

one of my dreams.

i have an E30 325is that i play with on the weekend but it certainly would be nice to have an M3. i think i'll get an M3 someday but it will probably be an E36 since they're cheaper than an E30 and i want 4 doors.