Earlier this week, the 2008 BMW M3 sedan that I drive was wrecked by an employee of mine who had asked to borrow the car to take his girlfriend to lunch. I got a phone call from him telling me he had wrecked the car, the road had gotten slick and he slid off a curve into some trees. Thankfully he wasn't hurt, and although he apologized over and over again, I told him that the car could be repaired or replaced and that his apologies weren't necessary.
I have taken a lot of slack over this incident including from Agent 001, he thinks I shouldn't be loaning out my car, but the fact is several of the people who work for me have had access from time to time to the various cars I own or have owned. One guy had my M3 for a week while I was out of town on vacation. I have always jokingly told people that if they wreck my car, just make sure they total it.
Although the car has not been declared a total loss yet (a matter I am fighting with the insurance company), the whole ordeal got me thinking in the direction of what would I replace the M3 with if it is in fact declared a total loss.
There are several cars that have crossed my mind, and since the accident I have taken a VW GTI and Mini Cooper S for test drives as well as looking at the Nissan 370Z and Honda Civic Si. Of course until a final determination is made on my car, it is just looking for me, but the prospect does seem exciting.
But what about you, if you needed to replace your car would you replace it with the same make and/or model, or would you consider other brands to fill your garage. I know I get excited about the new car process, and with so many options available the choice is difficult.
So why not check in a tell us what you are currently driving, and offer up a suggestion of two of what you might replace it with should it need to be replaced.
Will you buy the same brand again, how about from the same country? What things will be important to you as you make the decision.
I know for me that replacing the M3 is a daunting task although a broad range has crossed my mind - everything from a Honda Civic Si to a Porsche Cayman S. From my perspective I am excited to get to go look at drive some great cars before making up my mind, I hope to get a suggestion or two from the cars considered by you. I don't think I am going as expensive this time around, but that doesn't mean it won't be a fun car.
So go ahead, have some fun, enlighten us. Let's see how much brand loyalty the makers really have. And lets see the creative options you come up with.
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