"Down grade" from a BMW, suggestions? choices?

[bbbuzzy]

My warranty is up in about 3 months and don't know if I feel like dealing with unexpected repairs or expected - I.e. the water pump

It's an 08, 65k on it.

If you don't already have an extended warranty (as the thread suggests) and you have 65K miles on it, then you're already out of warranty. Worrying about an electric water pump that may fail tomorrow or never and that only costs around $1000 seems to be losing sight of your concerns. If you want to save money, why do you want to want to buy a new car? You'll be entering into another financing situation. If you only have 2 yrs of payments left, you own the car after that. No more payments. You can pay yourself every month and build up a reserve to buffer the unexpected cost of a failed water pump, etc. but owning a car AFTER it's paid off doesn't mean you will spend more for repairs. If the car has been maintained properly, the N52 cars seem to be doing quite well for long-term reliability. I'm at 141+K in my '06 and I did proactively replace the water pump recently, as well as the T-stat. It cost about $1100 at a local BMW indy shop. Other work has been wear and tear and car is running good. No payments here!

Good luck with your decision.

[catherinelam]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You act like a 2008 328 is some kind of incredible car. Seriously...

I can't believe you would say something like that. That's so rude. Seriously...

[Park2670]

Im making the same decision now. I am thinking of going Mazdaspeed 3 and then saving up for an F80 M3 in the future.

Mazda has Adaptive headlights, Comfort Access, Streaming bluetooth music, turbo power, good handling, basically a lot of the things I like about my BMW but for much less. Only thing I am not excited about is going back to FWD.

[avocet]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You act like a 2008 328 is some kind of incredible car. Seriously...

Mine is. Seriously... it is.


As for the op... Buying a home should be on top of your priority list. Sell your bimmer, pay off your debts and buy the nicest car you can afford.

Running a monthy payment on something like a car is like having your bathtub plug open while you are trying to fill the bathtub. A few years of focusing and compromise will pay off.

[The Low Key OG]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

S2000s are awesome, but very unpractical would be a great weekend car.



What About an older model bmw... Late 90s or early 2000s models? or older? i see a bunch of them on the road, they have to be somewhat cheaper to fix or is that not correct . I have a local bmw Indy...

E46 325i or 330i would be a good choice if you want to stay in a Bimmer.

[cmyk]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

2000-2001 740i sport or e39 540i Msport 6-speed manual

Can find both for about 5-7k

Not sure if serious, but if someone is looking to get out of a 328 due to potential reliability issues, an E39 is about the last car I would suggest. Yes they are fun to drive, but they are very temperamental and everything costs more to fix.

OP I would have suggested a VW but you already said you aren't interested in those (why? I loved mine and never had any issues over 78k miles outside of maintenance stuff).

Have you thought about an American car? I have a Challenger RT and it's pretty fun and has been rock solid so far (can't comment on long term since it's still fairly new). They are way cheaper to fix at least

[srSheepdog]

Originally Posted by avocet

Mine is. Seriously... it is.


As for the op... Buying a home should be on top of your priority list. Sell your bimmer, pay off your debts and buy the nicest car you can afford.

Running a monthy payment on something like a car is like having your bathtub plug open while you are trying to fill the bathtub. A few years of focusing and compromise will pay off.

Solid advice.

BTW, I have a red 2000 Honda Accord Coupe EX-V6 with Leather that I'm looking to sell sometime in the near future. 160k miles. Interior is in very good shape. Exterior has a few minor dents and the paint is fading due to being parked outside for most of its life. No mods other than 17" rims (and I just put new Michelin MXM4's on it).

Oh, and I'm the original owner.

[Beamer325xi]

Well I have had my 06 325xi since I was 16 which was in February of 06 I have had the car ever since and have drive it all over back in fourth from ohio to Georgia and it has 172,000 miles on it and I just now had to replace the water pump the car has been amazing and to me is something special and i don't think I would ever get rid of it but I don't have to worry about a payment and maintenance since its paid for but I think if you really love your car don't get rid of it unless u have already experienced major problems I'm sure it can last you many more miles!

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by cmyk

Not sure if serious, but if someone is looking to get out of a 328 due to potential reliability issues, an E39 is about the last car I would suggest. Yes they are fun to drive, but they are very temperamental and everything costs more to fix.

OP I would have suggested a VW but you already said you aren't interested in those (why? I loved mine and never had any issues over 78k miles outside of maintenance stuff).

Have you thought about an American car? I have a Challenger RT and it's pretty fun and has been rock solid so far (can't comment on long term since it's still fairly new). They are way cheaper to fix at least

Are u saying e39 is less reliable then e38 and e90?

Usually parts for older cars are much cheaper and easier to get.....

It makes ton of sense to buy a nice yet cheap car for cash and drive it. Maintenance can be more then some other cars, but at least you don't have monthly payments.

And Honda is not as reliable as people think. Need to know what you are buying or will end up with having to replace a tranny for $3-3.5k

E38s are pretty realible and relatively cheap to fix. I've seen so many of them with 200-300k miles.....even with 500k miles.

[lemmegetatthat]

aren't used 328s, g37s, accords and tsx's all in the same price range anyway? why not just keep the 328? the waterpump replacement is about an $800 fix, if you end up needin one...

[cmyk]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Are u saying e39 is less reliable then e38 and e90?

Usually parts for older cars are much cheaper and easier to get.....

Not necessarily. I was mostly pointing out that a 15 year old BMW may not be the best choice for someone who said he is looking for "reliable" transportation. I can't speak directly for the E38 but I do have extensive experience with the E39, and I would not call them reliable cars overall (especially when compared to the N52 E9x). Fun? Absolutely But I wouldn't trust one as my DD, honestly.

[Alpine390]

I would just keep your car, the 328 is reliable if you can afford the maintenance. If I HAD to downgrade I would get an Altima Se-r or a mazdaspeed3 but honestly after driving a rear wheel drive car for so long anything front wheel drive handles like a pig IMO. Also, torque steer is a b!tch.

[chrisk03]

06-10 Honda Civic Si is a reliable, fun car... 2 or 4 door. Less expensive and easier to maintain, as well. Also, keep insurance in mind. Many of these little rockets can be expensive to insure because all the kiddies buy/wreck them...but if you are over 25 and/or married, it may not matter.

Good luck on buying a house, as well...great timing with interest rates, the housing market, etc.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by cmyk

Not necessarily. I was mostly pointing out that a 15 year old BMW may not be the best choice for someone who said he is looking for "reliable" transportation. I can't speak directly for the E38 but I do have extensive experience with the E39, and I would not call them reliable cars overall (especially when compared to the N52 E9x). Fun? Absolutely But I wouldn't trust one as my DD, honestly.

15 year old BMWs are reliable and cheap to fix especially if you know where to get parts and can do some things yourself. Most e90s would never see 300-500k mile mark unlike e38s. Less electronics + cheap parts = reliable.

Its obvious that you can get worry free American shit box, but if you want a nice RWD car then older BMW is a nice way to go.

[GChase]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

Prob less than 15-17 g's... More of a " reliable" car than bmw, which is obviously debatable.... Anyone drive any of newer Acura TL or tsx?

Used Acura TSX's are hard to come by. When searching for cars a few months ago, I ultimately quit my search of TSX's just from the lack of good priced, low mileage, optioned choices.

I test drove a few in the 08-09 range and they felt great. My 328's engine bullies the TSX though, but Acura's (more specifically Hondas in general) are definitely the most reliable cars and one of the cheapest to maintain. I'd go for either a TSX or RSX type S. If you want to save even more money, maybe an Accord or S2000 if you don't have a family (guessing you do/will since you're getting a house).

[Lankster]

If I had to downgrade from my 335xi so I could afford a house (which is a possibility at sometime in my life). I would make the financially sound decision and get a toyota. Im 6'9" so I dont fit but if I were you thats what I would do. Instead of babying your BMW, you can now baby your house and have something that is an appreciating asset to be proud of, not some car that will be "old" in another 10 years.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

I own it, well 2 years left oh payments, but i am not upside down on my loan or would be for some time.

Then you don't "own" it. You're just leasing it.

[JoshuaWong1989]

May I suggest a FR-S/ BRZ / FT86 whatever they call it? Great little car, turns head and handles brilliantly.

As you can see, it doesn't look out of place beside my M3. Good on gas, insurance is cheap, and Toyota reliability + Subaru craftsmanship.

[ScarecrowBoat]

Originally Posted by chrisk03

06-10 Honda Civic Si is a reliable, fun car... 2 or 4 door. Less expensive and easier to maintain, as well. Also, keep insurance in mind. Many of these little rockets can be expensive to insure because all the kiddies buy/wreck them...but if you are over 25 and/or married, it may not matter.

Good luck on buying a house, as well...great timing with interest rates, the housing market, etc.

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You act like a 2008 328 is some kind of incredible car. Seriously...

You and your kind make this world harder to live in.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

You act like a 2008 328 is some kind of incredible car. Seriously...

Says the 3 series badge whore.

[Snaggletooth]

i'm suprised nobody has brought up the hyundai genesis coupes. tons of fun at a bargain price. mazda miata would also be a good choice if you can get away with less practicality. e36 anything would also be a good call if it's in sound mechanical condition. VW GTI would be cool, but if you can swing it the fiat 500 ABARTH (not the cheesy sport 500) would be hilariously fun to tear around in.