Экзотические суперкары теряют в цене так же быстро, как обычные автомобили: стоит ли рисковать ради BMW M3?

Life is full of decisions, and while most are actually quite dull – like deciding what's for dinner, again – others are actually quite exciting, like deciding whether to buy a brand-new BMW M3 or a heavily depreciated supercar. There are pros and cons to consider for both, but the fact of the matter is, there are some seriously exotic machines out there changing hands for top sports sedan money, and we've come up with the proof. Depreciation Hits Exotica Just As Harshly As Any Other Sector On average, a new vehicle is expected to lose just over 50% of its original value after five years on the road. Some cars manage to cling to much more than that, with various Subaru, Toyota, and Honda models retaining closer to 70% of their original value over that period. The same is true of some premium and sports cars too, like many Porsche offerings, but this is more the exception than the rule. While virtually every car sold will depreciate, some sectors suffer more than others. Electric and luxury cars tend to lose more value than any other complete segment. While it might seem reasonable to assume that highly desirable and exclusive supercars would sidestep large drops in residual values, the reality is really quite different. See, while modern exotics are built in tiny numbers and finished with the best materials the auto industry has to offer, the segment is constantly evolving. Each new release brings more power, higher top speeds, faster 0 to 60 mph sprints, and, with the advent of hybrid performance, the rate of improvement has been off the charts in recent years. Naturally, those who buy these cars while new have deep pockets and can spring for the latest releases. Once something better, faster, and more exclusive hits showrooms, the previous model becomes somewhat outdated in their eyes. So these models drop into the hands of enthusiasts who aren't as concerned with having the best of the best, but prices need to reflect that later models have pushed the needle forward in terms of tech. Aside from the typical reasons for depreciation, such as age, mileage, and older cars slipping out of warranty and generally becoming more maintenance-dependent, this is why the most exotic of modern machinery tends to slide into the realm of relative affordability. Meanwhile, M3 Prices Continue To Climb While prices of secondhand supercars are slipping each year, the cash required to take home a shiny new BMW M3 is instead soaring, along with the prices of new cars in general. When the current generation of M3, known by its internal 'G80' model code, debuted for the 2021 model year, it sported an MSRP of $69,900. Here's how things have progressed over the last five years: 2027 BMW M3 Pricing - M3 Sedan: $79,300 - M3 Competition: $83,500 - M3 Competition xDrive Sedan: $88,600 Give or take a few hundred bucks, the evergreen German sports sedan of choice has increased in price by $10,000, which is not an inconsiderable sum. Sure, inflation has been working overtime over the years. Still, a little over $70,000 in cash would have bought someone a complete, new M3 back in 2021, whereas today that same buyer would be sitting with the dealership's business manager, discussing APR, loan terms, and predicted annual mileage. Should the same buyer fancy a flagship Competition model with all-wheel drive, perhaps shelling out for the best-of-the-best before the all-new Neue Klasse M3 arrives next year, the price commanded would sit at virtually $90,000, once destination charges and other such figures have been lumped onto the final bill. Oh, and that figure assumes the buyer isn't interested in any of the M3's tantalizing performance options, such as $3,600 optional paint colors, $14,300 worth of carbon-fiber accessories, or $2,550 for two-tone Merino leather. Supercar Or Sports Sedan: The Choice Is Yours Before buyers sign across that dotted line on the $90,000+ invoice for their shiny new M3, with a few tasty options tacked on for good measure, they might take a moment to pause and consider how else they could be spending their money. There are plenty of other tempting sports sedans out there for the money, but the aforementioned effects of depreciation also bring far more exotic machinery into the mix. These are just three options for new M3 money, but in reality, the pool of depreciated modern exotica is quite deep. Audi R8 V10 Some think the R8 stretches the definition of 'supercar' a little too thinly, but hey, it's got a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated V10 engine, can dart from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, hits 200 mph+, and has room for only two. Kind of like a Porsche Carrera GT or Lexus LFA, and no one would ever argue the case against those now, would they? 2015 Audi R8 Coupe 5.2 V10 plus quattro Automatic AWD Coupe - Price Trends See this model on No matter what sector you cram the R8 into, you can secure one for M3 money, and that's a swap worth considering. Chevrolet C7 Corvette Z06 Modern exotica need not hail from Europe, as America's very own Chevrolet Corvette is always ready to prove itself. The regular C7 is a little tame for M3 comparisons, but a supercharged, 650-horsepower Z06? Yeah, that seems like a fitting alternative. This is far more than just a point-and-shoot 'Vette too, as proved by the Z06's 7:13.90 Nürburgring time, as set by German magazine Sport Auto, which is around 15 seconds faster than BMW's official effort in the 2023 M3 CS. A fine example of Chevrolet's last front-engine Z06 can easily be secured for less than what a new M3 commands, allowing plenty of spare cash left over for new tires, more new tires, and plenty of gas, too - even at today's steep prices. McLaren MP4-12C There is no arguing with this one; it's a McLaren. That name immediately pins the MP4-12C as a supercar, rather than a sports, muscle, or anything-else-car. Just imagine answering that old "what're you driving these days" question with "McLaren" rather than "BMW" - the former carries a lot more weight, doesn't it? The McLaren MP4-12C was the first time I remember the feeling of what I call scary fast. That's when acceleration goes beyond thrilling and into the realm of actually making you feel like you're about to meet your maker. That 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is a masterpiece, and there's no doubt in my mind that it was the quickest and fastest car in its segment at the time. — Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor, CarBuzz Still, $90,000+ is a lot to pay for a name, which is why it's also worth mentioning how absolutely brilliant the 12C is. It sports a carbon-fiber MonoCell chassis, F1-derived brake-steer tech, a hydraulic rear wing which also aids braking, and a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine, capable of churning out well north of 600 horsepower. Most examples trade hands for north of $100,000, but a handful are to be found south of that figure, and therefore cross-shop-able with BMW's mightiest of track-capable sedans. Here's Why It's A Great Idea If you're here, that means you're likely a car enthusiast, and the appeal of something like a mid-engine supercar or supercharged Corvette likely doesn't need explaining in detail. Then again, neither would the appeal of an M3, but there is a key difference. The BMW has always sat relatively close to being affordable, or attainable rather, whereas anything V10-powered or adorning a McLaren badge is meant to exist in the land of dreams only. Cars like these frequently start with asking prices in excess of $200,000, which is probably more than what a lot of people paid for their homes, let alone for an impractical two-seater. Depreciation allows enthusiasts to discover and enjoy cars that otherwise seem unobtainable, so if the opportunity arrives and they suddenly look somewhat affordable, it's a chance any enthusiast should take. And Here's Why You Might Want To Reconsider That's one way to approach a depreciated supercar, at least; buyers could also act with their head rather than their heart, and when logic enters the equation, the outcome likely points toward the BMW. Keeping these older depreciated machines on the road often commands a significant financial investment, and that's not referring to the purchase price either. McLaren 12C's suffer from electrical and hydraulic issues, Audi's R8 requires engine-out servicing for certain jobs, and just about any other car of this ilk boasts a list of common issues destined to strip your bank balance of every last dollar and cent. The M3, on the other hand, comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, scheduled maintenance packages, and the peace of mind that comes with 0 miles on the odometer. It also has four doors, a usable trunk, and more than enough grunt and technical know-how to keep even the most experienced drivers on their toes. Opting for a decade-old supercar is certainly a risk, and possibly even a daft one depending on the buyer's specific circumstances, but then again, if we all went for the most sensible option on the road, every one of us would be in a Toyota Camry or RAV4, wouldn't we? So, perhaps it's OK to roll the dice and take a gamble from time to time, but do you bet your money on the somewhat sensible M3, or the depreciated exotic? Sources: AutoTempest, Audi, BMW, CarEdge, Chevrolet, McLaren, Road & Track.