04-24-2019, 08:09 AM | #31 |
Hello.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 5,532
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You'd think these prices, the disparity in used car values for sports cars with true manuals vs DCTs along with the story re: the 430 Scud we were all drooling about would make it clear to companies that there is a niche - but viable market for manual transmission cars where customers will pay a premium to get it. It needs to be a 'sporty' model with a decent engine, not the cheap-o alternative with a wheezy 4 cyl. I am really surprised Ferarri doesn't offer manuals as a +$20k option for their customers that want them. I guess when you can sell every car you make and have a waiting list of customers who cares.
Maybe this will be the next Dinan style semi-mass market tuning business.
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Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3 |
04-24-2019, 08:42 AM | #32 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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Most manufacturers are not set up to deal with niche markets, and it's not profitable to cater to those few people anyway.
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04-24-2019, 08:44 AM | #33 |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,273
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It does get more difficult over time. Soon enough there wont even be a spot to physically fit the gear shift without having to yank out some crucial i-Drive thing. Also, everything seems to be more and more tied to the automatic transmission in terms of traction control, e-diffs, and a boat load of driving automation. Maybe you can yank it all out and go back to the 90's in terms of driving tech, but that may be too large a penalty for some to take.
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04-24-2019, 09:29 AM | #34 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,313
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04-24-2019, 10:11 AM | #35 | |
Carmudgeon
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,245
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Quote:
Decent automatic versions go for around 12k, so maybe 15k for this but yeah 30 is crazy. That kind of goes for all the cars they sell- they seem to charge roughly double. This one makes even less sense though because an e91 will never be collectible. |
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04-24-2019, 11:56 AM | #36 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,466
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The answer is simple: What else can you get for $30k that is comparable to an E91?
Stick, wagon, RWD. The car literally doesn’t exist. So, given that, is it really a big deal to spend an extra $10k to get the car you want, vs. spending $60-80k (!) to get the equivalent newer car? (That isn’t even equivalent.) The automatic is cheap because it’s fundamentally not special. The stick is.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
04-24-2019, 12:25 PM | #37 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,313
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supply/demand
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04-24-2019, 12:29 PM | #38 | |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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Quote:
The fact that people desire that particular feature set and are willing to pay $30 large for it is astonishing. |
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04-24-2019, 12:34 PM | #39 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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04-24-2019, 12:52 PM | #40 | |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,466
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Quote:
Also, you say “very few,” but I challenge you to find *one* extant new car that you can buy today that is actually comparable and sold in this country.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
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