Why should I get a 3 instead of a Y?

[father_of_6]

the idea of owning a taxi is incredibly unappealing

Agreed. Can't imagine buying a $50k car to taxi it out.

 

[Zhe Wiz]

You really have to go drive them. I knew I was going Performance model, and both the MYP and the M3P were insanely good. Lots of things about the Y I liked, but one thing held me up and it was a non-starter.

Drivers position.

With the 3 you slide into the car, and feel more like your legs are extended and the steering whee comes out to you. For lack of a better description, you sit under the wheel in a way.

The Y I felt like a bus driver. No matter where I put the seat, the wheel never felt in the right place, and my legs were more bent like being in a chair at a desk. I actually went back again to drive the MYP (because the space and stuff really was appealing) and loved it. Then I sat in a 3 (not even drove. Just sat) and it was game over. Felt like home.

This is funny because I'm the exact opposite. I HATE having my legs extended on long trips, gets uncomfortable. When sitting "like a chair at a desk" I feel like I can do either - extend my legs or pull them back. That ability makes long trips MUCH more comfortable. Plus I like the "bus driver" position. I feel like I can see more and getting in/out is much easier. Especially for my wife who has hip issues.

This all points out what a lot have said - try them both and see for yourself. What you value probably isn't what I value. What I find comfortable, you may find awkward. No one here can tell you which to get, but it's HIGHLY likely that if you spend a few minutes with both, the answer will come to you.

I LOVE how the 3 looks and I'd probably love how it drives, but I hate how it sits. I need a "higher" 3, thus the Y is perfect...except I find it a bit ugly. The 3 is a beautiful car, IMHO.

 

[holmgang]

Are hatchbacks somehow *better*? I put my M3 rear seats down today and transported a big orange U-Haul furniture dolly in it. I've also "camped" in the trunk with the rear seats down and hung out with my kids with the Nintendo Switch up on the back... 3 of us laying down in the back playing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune ... does the Y really have "better" space?

yes, larger cargo volume is significantly better, and taller aperture given the same width is significantly better and allows more configuration.

if the sedan has more volume than you personally need thats fine, but asking how something that has more volume is not "better space" is a weird question.

 

[one2many]

Well i hope were not going down mini-van alley .
Take the seats out and put shag carpet, instant party.
Space is space. Cooler, beer, sorry.
Now I will always pick speed and style over "use model"
lockdown happy hour, gotta go.

 

[Two-rocks]

We went to test drive the 3/y before buying.
They were side by side, and my wife who usually has no opinions, would not even entertain a Y - her words were that it looks strange. I got in and adjusted the seat - didn’t like the rear visibility. Car never left it’s parking space. If we still had kids around, these things might be overlooked.

 

[Mahamilto]

This is funny because I'm the exact opposite. I HATE having my legs extended on long trips, gets uncomfortable. When sitting "like a chair at a desk" I feel like I can do either - extend my legs or pull them back. That ability makes long trips MUCH more comfortable. Plus I like the "bus driver" position. I feel like I can see more and getting in/out is much easier. Especially for my wife who has hip issues.

This all points out what a lot have said - try them both and see for yourself. What you value probably isn't what I value. What I find comfortable, you may find awkward. No one here can tell you which to get, but it's HIGHLY likely that if you spend a few minutes with both, the answer will come to you.

I LOVE how the 3 looks and I'd probably love how it drives, but I hate how it sits. I need a "higher" 3, thus the Y is perfect...except I find it a bit ugly. The 3 is a beautiful car, IMHO.

100% to each there own here. My wife drove both, didn’t mind either, but preferred the seat in the Y (she’s has a Lexus RX...)

I’m coming from a CTS-V and 2 cars ago a corvette. Love getting down into a car... feels more sporty and it just what I prefer.

As to style, I’m a little odd here. I actually think from the back and side I prefer the Y; the way the roof blends into the rear is sublime to me. From the B pillar forward I dramatically prefer the 3. The front of the Y looks a little off proportions wise to me. Again, everyone has different tastes.

We can always use space, but I don’t need it with my wife having an RX Lexus. So I chose the sportier 3... I’m coming from a crazy fast 4 door and headed to another. (M3P here)