Would you have problems buying a 2 or 3 owner car?

[Neon01]

I'm considering some used M3s in lieu of going for a new one. Very slightly used - all MY 2009 and up - and with plenty of warranty. Some of them were initially dealer management demos and then sold to a customer, who is now looking to sell. So technically they've had 2 owners. They're priced accordingly I think, but my concern is that I know I tend to buy and sell cars a lot, so I'm concerned that a 3-owner car (me being the third) would be tough to sell, even with a clean record. What do you think?

[Scoobe]

While I think the "one owner" mantra sounds good, doesn't really mean much. Most would have a concern that a 3 owner car must be a lemon or something if it had low miles. You'd probably just have to have the maintenance records handy to show that it's not a 3 owner because of lemon issues.

[toper]

if you buy and sell cars alot, then maybe you should lease?

[Neon01]

Originally Posted by toper

if you buy and sell cars alot, then maybe you should lease?

I'm still considering it, actually. But leasing not only gives me a higher payment (as opposed to money down on a loan that I usually recapture), but I'm just not sure I can accept the whole "paying $XXX dollars every month for use of a vehicle". At least with a loan, there is the sense that if I were prudent, I would actually keep the car beyond the loan period without continually paying for it. At least I would have that option.

[MistaVauros]

Originally Posted by Neon01

I'm still considering it, actually. But leasing not only gives me a higher payment (as opposed to money down on a loan that I usually recapture)

How does leasing give you a higher payment? Lease payments are usually lower than loan payments.

[Neon01]

Originally Posted by Mista_Vanquish

How does leasing give you a higher payment? Lease payments are usually lower than loan payments.

Well I'm not comparing them on the same duration. It would be a 5 year loan or a 36 month lease. I just don't see the need to compare them 1 to 1 on length, since you don't own the car at the end of a lease anyway, and as long as you can sell it for more than the lease residual plus the down payment you put in, you're doing better with the loan than than with the lease anyway, AND you have more options. The only thing the lease really buys you is the peace of mind that you'll never have to sell the car.

See what I'm saying?

edit: here was the breakdown I did over on Bimmerfest:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...67&postcount=1

[Neon01]

btw, if you guys have input on the original question, that'd be appreciated too.

[phrozen06]

That fact that it's a MY09 ///M3 I don't think the number of owners would matter too much. Remember there are tons of cars purchased on the road that were leased at one time also. And not everyone complies to lease agreements either. So to me the number of owners is irrelevant.

[JCtx]

There're all kinds of buyers (and owners) man, so there will always be a market for every car. My opinion is buyers of used cars like the M3 are going to be pickier than a family sedan, for instance, but there's a big gap there. I personally would never buy a demo, leased, or anything other than an original owner car, but I'm pretty damn picky . I've always bought new for that reason, but it makes little financial sense when I use my cars very little, and sell them basically as new, with very few miles. My next nice car (probably a Porsche) will be used, bought from somebody like me. As said above, many owners don't mind buying a multiple-owner car as long as it's well maintained (documented), and under warranty. I'd assume the single-owner car can sell it a bit better, but shouldn't be much different, since dealers usually can get away selling higher. The other reason I'd only buy from an original owner is to get all keys, documents, etc., plus knowing car has been garaged since new (most will), and knowing the full history of the car (again, most will be honest), with future access to the owner for any questions. And finally, all depends how long you want to keep the car. If only during warranty, you'd have much less to worry about. Good luck man.

[jeffnnj]

Originally Posted by toper

if you buy and sell cars alot, then maybe you should lease?

Actually BMW statistics show that customers who purchase their cars trade them in faster then those who lease.

[Serious]

Shouldnt make a difference as long as the car is clean and well maintained.

[double eagle]

How it was driven and maintained should be your guide.

[RevFreak14]

In a word..........yes

[TailHappyM3]

Originally Posted by Serious

Shouldnt make a difference as long as the car is clean and well maintained.

+1 and have records