Remember when real men drove manuals? If you are younger than twenty-five you are probably lost right now but keep reading, as you are about to be enlightened. I’m talking manually shifting your car’s transmission. This was part art and part science so in other words it required skill and knowledge.
If you are considering buying a new 2017 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (coupe) it’s iconic; it’s patriotic and offers great value compared to a similar import. You’d get little argument from me but my philosophy is lease new and buy pre-owned so does it really offer that much value if you are buying?
It’s a crazy and confusing time to be in the market for a new vehicle BUT it’s also a great time because lines have been blurred across domestics and imports, luxury and non-luxury. The one constant that remains despite the record level sales is cars are a necessity even in places like New York City and most Americans dream of luxury ownership.
The glut of inventory for luxury vehicles from prestige brands has made owning a luxury vehicle more affordable than ever if you consider buying pre-owned. Whether you are buying near new or something older that is a certified pre-owned vehicle there isn’t an argument based in good logic to buy new.
In todays ever changing automotive world there seems to be a new model entry almost every year. However, there are still a handful of cars that have never wavered and have stayed true to their heritage since inception. It can be argued that the Porsche 911 is the most iconic of them all as for more than fifty years it has stayed true to its mission and form.
Porsche is synonymous with high performance and their 911 sports cars are the vehicles most associated with the Porsche brand even today as they now build sedans, SUVs and crossover vehicles. So it should come as no surprise that one of the most desirable cars amongst men and boys is a 911.
Many would argue that any BMW convertible would be an acceptable means of transportation and you’d get little argument from me but of all their convertible offerings there is a special one. Many of you define special in a number of ways but this kind of special is the M6 Convertible model.
Before we explore what makes this convertible so special I want to start with why the 2013 model year. First off, it is still the current body style so for outsiders looking in you are driving the latest and the greatest, or simply put, a new car! Just remember if you purchase one it will still be new, new to you! Secondly as a four-year-old model it offers sizable savings off the MSRP of a new one and you can get great deals on a certified pre-owned version. If you care to read more about why you should buy any car this way click here, as I wax poetically about lease new, buy used. The first year for this body style was 2012 and there are likely even better deals but lets get to the car.
The BMW 6 Series is arguably the best looking BMW not named an i8. It’s a big two-door coupe that delivers on all creature comforts and because it is a BMW when you mash the gas you probably won’t be disappointed. In this day and age when many manufacturers of sports coupes are deploying fancy hardtop convertibles it’s still nice to see the old school rag top look and that’s what you get with the M6 Convertible. All 6 Series have soft tops and this car’s beauty doesn’t get muted because of it. Sometimes chopping the top off of sports coupes and sports cars isn’t always pretty. These cars look great top up or top down and the exterior lines are great but what about the interior?
The interiors of these cars are laced with the latest in entertainment, communications and safety technology. The craftsmanship is very good and you won’t get many complaints about the quality, as they should also wear well.
MSRP Range New: $120,000.00
PMPR (Poor Man Price Range): $61,000.00
Current Min Savings Against MSRP New: 49%
Current Body Style: Yes but the new one is no less than 12 months away.
Total Listed Nationally: 26
For: You’ll get a 50% discount of MSRP new andnear supercar performance, which is more than you will need for the streets and you’ll look great doing it. Top down motoring trumps everything. Having a bad day? Drop the top! So what it’s December in New York City. Life is always better when the top of your baby is down (or off).
Against: The biggest complaint most would have is concerning the back seat spacing. If you are anywhere near six feet tall don’t expect any adult to be able to sit behind you therefore rendering this sexy vehicle a three seater. The space behind a six-foot driver can be utilized for small bags but the trunks on these cars aren’t bad either. While a soft-top convertible is a sexy classic look it’s still fabric and that will be subjected to wear over time. It’s also not as secure as a coupe or hardtop convertible. Most people won’t know this particular 6 Series is special and will mistake it for lesser versions until you blow past them and they witness the quad exhaust pipes only associated with BMW’s famed M models. Lastly, the next version or body style of this car will be launched within the next 12 months. The next version will likely be an evolution of this body style so for those wanting or needing the current body you won’t be able to say that for more than a year.
Single Poor Man POV: This car is a classic GT that delivers brunt force trauma when power is summoned.Just mash the gas and you’ll have power on demand when needed to dismiss the Japanese rockets that challenge you in the stop light grand prix. You’ll take pleasure in teaching them that all BMW M models feature quad exhausts. Fear the quads! This car offers dual personalities and allows you classic GT good looks but racer boy power when you feel like playing. Oh, and the top comes off and as a single guy something tells me good things tend to happen when tops come off. Know what I mean?
Married Poor Man POV: Since it has an automatic mode wifey will be able to drive it if she wants to or has to and that alone carries plenty of baggage. If you have small kids you’ll be able to pack them in and go for a drive and give the wife some “me time”. You won’t be able to do any aggressive driving with the kids on board but you’ll still be driving one of the best GTs on the planet. Your kids will get a kick out of driving with the top down.
Divorced Poor Man POV: If you still see your ex wife she’ll see you have moved on and having fun. If you don’t see her every time you hit the start button and put the car in drive you will thank yourself for the separation and be reminded about how much fun life is again! Sexy German luxury convertibles will bring your sexy back and either improve or complicate your social life.
Curb Appeal: I’d say 8.5 with the top up and 9 with the top down. If you got some style, potentially a 10 with the right aftermarket wheels 21s or 22s.
Bottom Line: The 6 Series is a classic gentleman’s GT but when you get the M version it becomes a hammer! Then add top down capabilities and it is hard to argue what’s better. This is a car that can satisfy the boulevard cruiser or the driving enthusiast. It’s class personified. It’s a great two-door coupe and if that’s what you are looking for this one is near top of the food chain in overall appeal and might be top dog for performance. I’m sure Mercedes new AMG S-Class Coupe would argue that but you’d have to spend close to $200K to experience that.
Covers you for 2 years/50,000 miles whichever comes first, after the expiration of the 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty for a total of 6 years/100,000 miles.
Includes up to 6 years of 24/7 Roadside Assistance and BMW Assist™ Emergency Call, which includes automatic collision notification, and TeleService.
BMW Certified Pre-Owned Elite: These are newer model year, lower mileage (more than 300 miles but less than 15,001 miles) vehicles. This warranty covers you for 1 year/25,000 miles* after the expiration of the 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or for a total of 5 years/75,000 miles.* This includes up to 5 years of 24/7 Roadside Assistance and BMW Assist™ Emergency Call, which includes automatic collision notification, and TeleService.
Did You Know?
BMW new car warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles, which ever comes first.
2012 is the first model year for the M6 Convertible and 2013 was the first year for the Coupe.
It’s 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds is on par with the Porsche 911.
Other Poor Man Options In Same Price Range:
BMW: 2015 750i xDrive Sedan
Maserati: 2015 Ghibli S Q4 Sedan
Porsche: 2013 911 Coupe
Poor Man Options Slightly Outside Price Range Of A 2013 BMW M6 Convertible:
The base model Corvette starts at an MSRP of $55,450.00 and options, taxes, and dealer prep (depending on what state you live in) can easily have you financing or writing a check for over $75,000.00. You have officially arrived in the “luxury zone”.
The 3 Series has enjoyed critical acclaim since it’s birth and rightfully so. It has been one of the best luxury values when new offering a great blend between usable performance and luxury and that value proposition has potential to increase with a pre-owned version.
Porsche is one of the most iconic performance brands in the World and until recently the main vehicle associated with their global status was the legendary 911 two-seat sports cars that is regularly featured here. A lot has changed since that car was introduced over 50 years ago as Porsche launched an SUV in 2004 then six years later launched their first sedan, the Panamera.
