The BMW doesn't seem like a fit, it's so much more car then the WRX/Mazda3.

For $30K I'd have picked up this 2013 TL 6SP SH-AWD for $26k out of UT with 900 miles on it. See it here - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...64113077&Log=0

Have you looked into the Lexas IS350? It would be my pick over the BMW or the TL if you don't like how it looks.
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I looked at some of the TL's but driving them just felt very tech laden and not involving compared to the others. Thanks for that lead though! I will certainly consider it. The 335 is the aspirational one of the bunch, and it is the used vs. new of the others. They are phenomenally special feeling cars, but I am not sure that it is where I want to dump my money right now. I am worried that after getting rid of the S, replacing it with something that doesn't have that magic might lead to regrets.

 

Excellent choice but I would personally go with a 2009-2010 versus a 2011 as the 2011 was the first year of the N55 in the sedans. The N54 is the superior power plant unless you want slightly better fuel economy. A 2010 M Sport equipped car would give you the newer LCI fascia with the excellent sport seats and one of the best engines on the planet.

 

You will miss it, but if you don't have the storage/money to keep it and have something else nice to drive, sell it. You can get another one later.

I went through this with the S/WRX. Didn't have the space for both, sold the S, missed it a lot, bought another S, sold the WRX, better but not pratical, bought a C7, practical and fun. Problem solved

 

My unicorn BMW would be a 2010 or 2011 Blue/White/Gray 335i with a manual transmission, RWD and the sport(sedan) or msport package together with a tan or brown interior.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/2...-sedan-review/

Pretty much this exact car

 

Go with the 335! I have an '08 335xi and love it. 300hp/tq in a luxurious, good-looking package. The used ones are even reasonably priced. It's true that SOME of them require a lot of maintenance, and that maintenance can be expensive if you're out of warranty, but it's also true that others run great with no major problems. I've had no issues with mine. For me the combination of the E90 as a DD and the S as a weekend "fun" car is perfect.

Another good thing about the 335 is - as you say - it's an aspirational car. So if you get it, it's less likely you'll want to "move up" after a couple of years.

The Mazda is a perfectly good car if that's what floats your boat, but I would not get the WRX. They have a lot of well-documented problems, perhaps just as many as BMWs.

 

What have you heard about the WRXs? I really haven't considered them in the past because the plasticy body work and fast and furiousness annoyed the crap out of me, but the new WRX is clean and pretty decent looking aside from the overhangs. Subaru has a pretty good rep overall for reliability.

 

Subaru does not know how to tune engines from the factory.

See: WRX ringland failure; BRZ/FR-S injector seal failure

 

Thanks for the info. I think I have taken the long way around because I wanted to convince myself that I wasn't missing out on anything amazing to own for less money, but I keep coming back to the 335i. Especially the manual, msport, LeMans blue one I have found CPO.

 

The three options so far are substantially different cars, figuring out what you really want out of a commuter car will help a lot...

I affectionately refer to my E90 as the nicest POS I've owned They're perfectly nice cars, and they drive well...but I don't have any sort of emotional connection with mine, and my service experiences so far have been seriously off-putting. I know one of your requirements is a manual, but if you're using it is a daily driver, especially in traffic, give the auto some consideration...E90s run 3600+lbs and don't have the tire or electronics to hide it. Anyhow, let me know if you have any specific questions