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

[thecadman99]

It sounds like most of the cars being suggested are not going to really save you any money in the long run vs. just keeping your 3.

If you are serious about getting by on the cheap, sell your car outright, and just get some basic transportation, maybe something like an older model Focus. The wagons are very practical and usually have been taken decent care of. A zx5 is also good basic transportation and you'll be able to buy a used one for less than 5k.

If you are trying to buy a car that will compete with your 3 you might as well keep the 3. Buy some tools, and ramps, do the waterpump yourself, and start doing your own maintaining.
Good luck with your house!

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by bbbuzzy

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.

My car is CPO'ed. And I could cut my monthly payments AND INSURANCE by 100's of dollers.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yea I do NOT want to go back to FWD, but understand I may have too. RWD FTW! ... I'll go AWD before FWD if I can...

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

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.

Yea, I think I am going to do some research on some of the older BMWs...

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by GChase

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).

No family. No wife. No kids. No dog.

Just a young, single guy, looking to make some good money choices.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

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

No, I am financing my car, but I am not "leasing it" .. Yes I don't own it outright or have the title, but if I wanted to cut the springs, put on a huge exhaust on and modify some body panels, I could, unlike a real "lease" car.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by 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.

Those are really nice looking cars but..

They are a brand new car=probably some kinks to be worked out AND i am not looking to buy a new car for 25k (think thats how much they run new+well equiped) and for that much $$ I'd keep my bimmer.

[AllBlackBimmer]

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

I have always told myself, I will never own a VW or Audi. A bunch of my friends have had those cars and have had nothing but problems - from little things to huge issues. I know they have improved and VW is "bmw's little wanna-be brother", but am just not a VW fan. I don't want or like jetta's that much and GTIs are fun to drive, but a hatchback is not for me. VR6's and R32s are great cars, but not for me.

[GChase]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

No family. No wife. No kids. No dog.

Just a young, single guy, looking to make some good money choices.

Definitely go for the S2000. Throw a supercharger in that b***h and go crazy.

[fireline43]

everyone is pretty much naming cars over his price range. 15k area is either older luxury cars or newer cheaper cars. You could get a decent mustang probably? An fr-s/brz would be in the 22k range.
If you have to go that cheap and your looking to buy a house, I'd say just lease something cheaper. That low monthly payment will help you with a house. Get the fr-s leased.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

Yea, I think I am going to do some research on some of the older BMWs...

We just sold 2 2000 740s, both below $5k and both had around 110k miles. Pretty good cars.

Guy I know sold 2000 740i sport w/ 130k miles for $1700 Carfax had miles rolled back thing......but $1700 is still cheap, those sport wheels must be like $1000 lol

EDIT: my bad, one 740 sold for $5.8k, another was below $5k for $4.5-4.8k

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by GChase

Definitely go for the S2000. Throw a supercharger in that b***h and go crazy.

Need a little more car than a 2 door roadster But seriously, I would love an s2000, but they are unpractical for what I need.. I don't need a kid hualing mini van, but I do travel for work and sometimes need to put things in my car - either things or people, which is way I have a BMW sedan and not coupe... however not completely opposed to another 2 door car, as long as it atleast has rear seats and decent trunk...

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by fireline43

everyone is pretty much naming cars over his price range. 15k area is either older luxury cars or newer cheaper cars. You could get a decent mustang probably? An fr-s/brz would be in the 22k range.
If you have to go that cheap and your looking to buy a house, I'd say just lease something cheaper. That low monthly payment will help you with a house. Get the fr-s leased.

very hesitant to lease a car... however, perhaps is not as bad as I always thought... would keep me under warranty and any repairs would be on their bill... I don't like the thought of mileage restriction and not being able to do whatever I want with my own car... even though I wouldn't be modifying anything other than maybe a new set of wheels.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

We just sold 2 2000 740s, both below $5k and both had around 110k miles. Pretty good cars.

Guy I know sold 2000 740i sport w/ 130k miles for $1700 Carfax had miles rolled back thing......but $1700 is still cheap, those sport wheels must be like $1000 lol

sounds like good deals, but no way do I want an older 7 series... 5 series maybe, but those 7 series have to have a bunch of electronic gimos and gadgets, and on a car that is 13-14 years old... I am going to look into older 3 and 5 series though...

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

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

True Hondas have great engines but really crappy transmissions. My DD 2002 Civic coupe had a tranny replaced at 97K miles, BUT not even close to 3-3.5K... I paid $400 for rebuilt one and $400 to install it at my local mechanic. I guess I saved myself 2.7K

Back to topic, how about 2012 Mazda3 with skyactiv DI 2.0L rated at 40 HWY MPG. Hatch looks great but sedans are cheaper, saw few around $15K. Non-skyactiv 2011s are about $11K.

[SaMaster14]

Infiniti G37 (although I doubt that would be less expensive than a 328i)...

Maybe VW GTi, BR-Z/FR-S, Subaru WRX

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

True Hondas have great engines but really crappy transmissions. My DD 2002 Civic coupe had a tranny replaced at 97K miles, BUT not even close to 3-3.5K... I paid $400 for rebuilt one and $400 to install it at my local mechanic. I guess I saved myself 2.7K

Back to topic, how about 2012 Mazda3 with skyactiv DI 2.0L rated at 40 HWY MPG. Hatch looks great but sedans are cheaper, saw few around $15K. Non-skyactiv 2011s are about $11K.

was it manual ? or maybe just Civic ? I saw a bill for new tranny in Accord (Vtec V6) and it was $3000. But rebuilds are also different. I had mechanic quote $2k for Saturn tranny, but $3.5k with warranty.

some cars people just never buy and they are SO cheap at least at auctions. for $3500 you can get yourself 2001-2002 TL or RL with just over 100k mark.

[e90Krisztian]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

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

Looks like you have two 328's in your garage... troll

[son_of_siggy]

Go pick up a nice E36 M3. I had one a few years back and it was a fantastic car. Decent MPG, good performance, good handling, and great looks. I stole the rims off my Dad's 335i and I think it updated the dated look a bit.



Only issues I had was that it needed a new evap canister, and new timing tensionsers. I drove it from 78k to ~120k.

There are plenty around, some in better shape than others, but for the money you'd have a hard time finding something more entertaining to drive in my opinion.

Mine was a 4 door-5 speed, so it had a lot of practicality, but still all of the fun.

[Ovaltine]

Originally Posted by 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!

World record contender for the longest sentence with no punctuation.

[cuiter23]

Originally Posted by Ovaltine

World record contender for the longest sentence with no punctuation.

LOOOL

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

was it manual ? or maybe just Civic ? I saw a bill for new tranny in Accord (Vtec V6) and it was $3000. But rebuilds are also different. I had mechanic quote $2k for Saturn tranny, but $3.5k with warranty.

some cars people just never buy and they are SO cheap at least at auctions. for $3500 you can get yourself 2001-2002 TL or RL with just over 100k mark.

No, that was auto, I think manuals are much more durable. Actually also rebuilt auto tranny (german ZF unit) in my 2001 X5 4.4i at 90K which was $2200 after everything, done by local AAMCO. That’s why I think $3000 for any Honda is way too much.