OT: - I'm trying to buy a new car... | Page 2 | The Boneyard

OT: I'm trying to buy a new car...

jleves said:
It's funny that people comment without actually reading the post. While he said new car in the title, he meant a new to him car and clearly said in the post that he is looking for a used BMW in the 15k range.

I've owned two BMWs and I'll likely get a third in another 3 or so years. But if I was looking for a quality used car in that price range, I would not look at BMW. They are great cars when they are under warranty, but they are expensive after that,

There are many good suggestions for quality nice cars. Buy a Beamer when you can afford a new one.
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Funny you are calling out posters for not reading OP and used #alternate facts in calling out posters.

The title of his thread bleeds in to his first sentence.

He is looking at new cars. While researching new cars, he realized he could also afford some used bimmers.

Wanted suggestions from BMW owners.

Finished off with request for suggestions of alternative brands and used/certified.

Every response has been in line with what he has asked for help.
 
Bezzz said:
Brand, model?
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BMW 2002. I thought that was obvious, since the thread is about BMWs, and the 2002 was the model that "made" them. That 2002 that I bought new for $3200 would be worth about 5 grand in "restorable" condition today. I have no idea why. As far as I'm concerned, it was the worst car I ever bought new.
 
Chin Diesel said:
Funny you are calling out posters for not reading OP and used #alternate facts in calling out posters.

The title of his thread bleeds in to his first sentence.

He is looking at new cars. While researching new cars, he realized he could also afford some used bimmers.

Wanted suggestions from BMW owners.

Finished off with request for suggestions of alternative brands and used/certified.

Every response has been in line with what he has asked for help.
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Funny - I totally didn't read it that way at all and now I'm not sure either way. I believe you are most likely correct. I didn't think you could buy a new car for 15k anymore.
 
Spend a couple thousand more and get a brand new Jetta or Corrola. The new Civics are absolutely gorgeous too. If you want AWD get an Impreza. You'll be surprised how nice they are. When my friend got his first job out of college he bought a 10 yr old Lexus with ~80k miles on it for a ~$17 grand. A couple years later,on top of insurance, the payment, and putting 50 bucks of premium gas in it a week just going back and forth to work the mounting repairs became too much to handle and he got rid of it. I bought a brand new Honda Fit in 2014 for 18k and 50,000 miles later I've only changed the oil, well I just got new tires too. And it goes 10k miles between oil changes! I'd recommend one of those too but it's not what you're looking for. Not the flashiest car but it's definitely not ugly and is insanely reliable. Just some food for thought.
 
HCope said:
Be careful with any #35i cars if they're equipped with the N54 turbo engine. They commonly had high pressure fuel pump issues that BMW ended up extending the warranty on, not sure if they'd still be covered though. In mid 2011 they replaced the N54 engine with the n55 engine and that was more reliable. Any #28i car with the naturally aspirated N51/N52 are often quite reliable in terms of powertrain.
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sledog said:
I've owned 5 bimmers, and of the ones I've kept for the longer haul, 2 went 230k+ miles, including a year 2002 M5, before I sold. No major problems - no engine work despite the fact the the cars have raced on the Lime Rock track (and others) in BMW club races. Can't go wrong with a bimmer. Biggest problem has been minor parking lot hit-and-runs leaving me with nuisance paint nicks - they add up.

Luckily I have an indy BMW shop nearby that is run by a former BMW dealer mechanic (factory trained) for up-keep. Interesting to see that his parking lot is loaded with track cars (not street legal). Basic advice - change the oil every 5k.

The best buy deals are to get a car coming off 3 year lease that's 'certified pre-owned'. And get a mechanic ( a BMW non-dealer) to inspect the car before you close the deal to be sure engine compression is on-spec, etc.
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These guys pretty much hit the nail on the head. I'd avoid broad generalizations of any brand... I'll just say that I've bought two used BMWs and have had great experiences with each. That's not to say flawless (had to replace an ignition switch two times) but the first took me over 125k happy miles and I'm 14k miles in to the second. Autotrader is your friend, but also check out BMWs used listings on their website. Find a good local mechanic you trust and you'll be fine.

Edit: I would also recommend that, if/when you find one, have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic so that you know what you are getting in to. For me, I had relatively clean bills of health, so it was peace of mind. An added expense, but a worthwhile one I think for such a significant purchase.
 
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Car buying is great for consumers right now if you put in the work.

We had been looking for a couple of months. We knew what each dealer had on the lot, how many miles and what the features were for each car. We used online information requests to set up times. We'd go to a dealer and have 2-3 cars to look at. When salesman would pitch other cars we'd tell them why we didn't want it before they were done speaking.

You can check dealer inventory online, see free Carfax report for many dealers, use Car&Driver, Road and Track, Auto trader, cars.com, Edmunds and a bunch of other sites to get multiple opinions and price ranges for any car.

You may also want to check out reputable, high volume independent used car lots. There you can try a Lexus, Acura, Honda and Subaru all at one site.
 
I owned about 6 different BMWs. I will just say they don't hold their value at all and the depreciate like crazy. Most had some form of electrical problem one time or another. Couple had alternators go at 70k miles or so, and they were expensive. I still remember the $3k repair bill I got the 2001 330i at only 70k miles. They were fun to drive but expensive to maintain.

I had a few Hondas and a few Lexus. 2006 Lexus RX400h is by far the most reliable car I had. Never one problem. I just did the regular maintenance and tire change. Original tire lasted a long time on the car too. When I was selling the car, I had 17 calls in couple of days. Lexus and Honda really hold their values for resell.

When selling my BMWs, I was lucky to get a few calls in a couple of weeks. Those people that want BMWs also were nitpicking everything too. BMWs just don't resell very well.

Now I have a new Lexus NX200t. It is a great little SUV. I also got a Tesla. My Tesla had a crack sunroof before 10k miles and a few minor electrical stuff, but were fixed after software upgrade.

If you want a luxury car that hold its resell value and won't give you any problem, get a Lexus. If money is an issue, get a Honda.
 
Durks07 said:
Or in lieu of that, recommendations on what types of cars to get (i.e., new, used, certified, lease)? Any advice would be helpful.
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I don't know a heck of a lot about cars. I buy them and then I drive them until they become unreliable and then I get something else. While some people get invested in their cars, I consider them appliances.

I have had an Audi, a BMW 325i, a few Volkswagens, a Nissan Altima, an Oldsmobile Intrigue, a Dodge of some sort when I graduated college, a few Jeeps, etc.

The Jeeps were nightmares. The Oldsmobile Intrigue was so awful that I actually gave it away in a fit of anger. The BMW was fine, but it basically had no backseat at a time when car seats became a fact of life for us, so I had to get rid of it. The Audi and the Volkswagens were all good, but when something went wrong, it was never a simple fix. I current have a Passat and it's now at the point where I'll be getting rid of it soon.

The only truly trouble-free cars I've owned was a Acura TSX Sportwagon and the Nissan Altima. The Altima eventually had 245,000 miles - I had bought the Audi at that point, but I liked the Altima so much that I could not get rid of it. One day, my wife texted me a picture of it on a flatbed and told me she had given it to the Cancer Society. I replaced a frozen rear brake caliper on that car...that was it over 245,000 miles.

None of this helps you. Don't buy a Jeep. Don't buy a German car if you don't want to build an addition on some mechanic's house. You can't buy an Oldsmobile because God smote them and they are no longer a thing.

@zls44, bought a three-year old Japanese car from somewhere in Connecticut that specializes in just-off-lease cars. I forgot where that was, but he showed me the car at the time and I thought he got a great deal for what he got. Perhaps he can chime in.
 
I buy new cars and dump them in 2-4 years because I like reliability, new safety features and honestly, I just like new stuff. I'm not really a fan of knowing some sweaty stranger farted in my driver seat a couple thousand times before I took over.

Hondas have been nearly flawless for me over the years. Accords and Pilots were both fantastic. I had a loaded 2016 4Runner that was great but had a couple of annoying issues, like tire pressure monitoring lights that came back on an hour after the dealer would get them to shut off. Still, I loved that truck. Volvo was always in the shop, VW was better but not good, Subaru was excellent and Acura was flawless.

BMW was a disaster after 60k. Valve seals and transmission repairs were rough. The best of the German cars was an Audi by far. Car was reliable, dealer was honest and service, while pricey, was cheaper than BMW or Mercedes. We have another one now, which my wife drives and I love it. Perfect blend of comfort and performance.

In summary, if you want a "status" car, I like Audi. If you want a good car, I'd go Honda, Subaru or Toyota in that order. I put Toyota last because I don't like the personality of their cars. Their suvs and trucks are nice though. Honda and Subaru have a tighter feel and are more attractive.
 
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Best ROI I ever had on a car was Dodge Van, followed by a Subaru. I love Audi's, I have 2, but repair costs are high if you require the dealer to fix. I'm lucky that I have a local guy who is great.
 
Or a mid-priced one, or higher end

I fortunately have a good local German mechanic, recent basic service, 4 wheel brake/rotor service dealer quoted like $1500+, my mechanic was $650 with same genuine parts

Fishy said:
The most expensive car in the world is a cheap German car.
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German cars are notorious for having mechanical issues. I used to sell MB's many years ago, every Monday, the service line would be full of cars checking in to get serviced.

If you are looking for a reliable high line, go with an Acura or Lexus. The maintenance cost for German cars is very expensive.
 
Subaru's are OK. I don't think they are what they used to be though. My family and I have owned 4 over the years. Nowadays, they're trendy in the north east, and you overpay for what your getting. I don't think they quite have the staying power they once had.
 
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Interesting take on Subaru. I think you get more than you pay for on cars like Impreza and Crosstrek. I'd agree that the loaded Outback can get a bit pricey for a Subaru wagon.

I find they are well built, use quality materials, especially in the cabin and give you AWD for free when compared to comparable Hondas and Toyotas.
 
Durks07 said:
For the first time. I've owned lousy, get me through school, cars in the past, but now need a more reliable vehicle, and am starting to do the research in actually getting myself a good car.

While researching, I discovered that I can afford a used 2010 - 2011 BMW with something like 45-60k miles on it ($15,000k range). Considering I found used non-luxury vehicles with similar years and mileage in similar price ranges, I think it might be worth it to just go ahead and get the BMW.

Part of what is holding me back is that the cost of repairing the car is a big unknown for me and is giving me pause. However, I also figure that if I get a BMW in the 45k - 60k mile range that I won't have to worry about the repairs for a few years, by which point I would be looking to get an newer car anyway.

Anyone here willing to share their BMW experiences? Or in lieu of that, recommendations on what types of cars to get (i.e., new, used, certified, lease)? Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!
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A Better Way in Naugutuck has the lowest prices on used cars and the biggest selection in New England. The car I got (a year old Hyundai Elantra with only 10k miles) was thousands less than it should have been, to the point the salesman told me to crash it into a tree and call the insurance to get more cash back than I paid.
 
In January of 2004 my 1996 Mitsubishi Galant died at a Toyota dealership as I was browsing for a replacement. It started to snow and as soon as I pulled into that lot the galant died. I had no choice and purchased a brand new 2004 Toyota 4Runner. 227,000 miles Later I still have that truck and the only heavy money I put into it was to replace the oxygen sensors for emissions. That was about $2000. If that truck ever dies, I'll buy another 4Runner . My wife has had three trucks during the time I've had my 4Runner - a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee ( garbage, stalled at red lights) a 2004 Land Rover ( high mantienance, engine problems) and a 2012 Pathfinder ( excellent truck, still have it). Good Luck
 
Hoophound said:
Interesting take on Subaru. I think you get more than you pay for on cars like Impreza and Crosstrek. I'd agree that the loaded Outback can get a bit pricey for a Subaru wagon.

I find they are well built, use quality materials, especially in the cabin and give you AWD for free when compared to comparable Hondas and Toyotas.
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You might be right on the Impreza. If I was looking at something like a Crosstrek, I'd get a Mazda CX-3 or CX-5 for a few shekels more. Mazda's are amazing these days.
 
Horatio said:
In January of 2004 my 1996 Mitsubishi Galant died at a Toyota dealership as I was browsing for a replacement. It started to snow and as soon as I pulled into that lot the galant died. I had no choice and purchased a brand new 2004 Toyota 4Runner. 227,000 miles Later I still have that truck and the only heavy money I put into it was to replace the oxygen sensors for emissions. That was about $2000. If that truck ever dies, I'll buy another 4Runner . My wife has had three trucks during the time I've had my 4Runner - a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee ( garbage, stalled at red lights) a 2004 Land Rover ( high mantienance, engine problems) and a 2012 Pathfinder ( excellent truck, still have it). Good Luck
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This cracks me up. My old beater died pulling into the dealer......so I walked out with a brand new Toyota 4Runner!
 
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intlzncster said:
You might be right on the Impreza. If I was looking at something like a Crosstrek, I'd get a Mazda CX-3 or CX-5 for a few shekels more. Mazda's are amazing these days.
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For those who drive in snow isn't the AWD on all Subarus the appeal?

Also, Boxer engine sits low in engine bay giving it a low center of gravity and help with stability in snow.
 
I forgot to mention every time I want to sell my BMWs, I had to discount thousands of dollars to get rid of it due to lack of interest. My Lexus I sold it at full asking price to the first guy that came to look at it.

This might not be important to some people, but when you sold as many cars I have sold it all added up at some point. If resell value is important to you, get a Lexus, Honda, or a Toyota.
 
Durks07 said:
For the first time. I've owned lousy, get me through school, cars in the past, but now need a more reliable vehicle, and am starting to do the research in actually getting myself a good car.

While researching, I discovered that I can afford a used 2010 - 2011 BMW with something like 45-60k miles on it ($15,000k range). Considering I found used non-luxury vehicles with similar years and mileage in similar price ranges, I think it might be worth it to just go ahead and get the BMW.

Part of what is holding me back is that the cost of repairing the car is a big unknown for me and is giving me pause. However, I also figure that if I get a BMW in the 45k - 60k mile range that I won't have to worry about the repairs for a few years, by which point I would be looking to get an newer car anyway.

Anyone here willing to share their BMW experiences? Or in lieu of that, recommendations on what types of cars to get (i.e., new, used, certified, lease)? Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!
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I'm echoing many here on this one. I would stay away from an older used BMW. I'm admittedly biased here because I think BMWs are crap. Sure they drive nice and handle great but when they break your wallet hurts and when I go down 684 in Weschester County, NY in a snow storm I see BMWs in the median that spun out stranded and beat up. Nearly every snow storm or ice storm I see them. X drive my ass. Of course it could be that these folks drive them like idiots because they think they are bullet proof. If you don't live in a place that gets snow then you will just have the repair bills to deal with. You will look good and think you are as hot as molten lead but you will pay. My next door neighbor is a 30 something guy and has a young family. He bought a used 325i not sure of the year, it was pretty new, but he traded it in in about 18 months for a Nissan Rogue. His reason? It always had some problem that cost him major bank. If $15K is your target price point, forgive me if I read that incorrectly, I would go for a used Toyota or Subaru. My first Toyota never had a major problem, got 245,000 miles and I replaced the clutch twice I think. I have two Rav4s now, one with 108,000 miles and one with 195,000 miles and both drive like they are brand new and are great in the snow. They also have never had major mechanical issues. Subaru's AWD cars are also great for Northeastern driving. I've never been a Honda guy but some of my friends drive them and swear by them. The CRV and Accord are both good cars and I know a lot of people that enjoy them. Don't be lured in or overawed by a luxury car, unless you can afford to light it on fire and walk away. Or any car for that matter. It may look pretty, and have leather seats and all that stuff but the thing that gets you is the maintenance. If money is no object, get a Mercedes. The maintenance will still cost you a fortune, but they are far superior cars based on friends that have had both.
 
Chin Diesel said:
For those who drive in snow isn't the AWD on all Subarus the appeal?

Also, Boxer engine sits low in engine bay giving it a low center of gravity and help with stability in snow.
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Those Mazda's are AWD too. I've driven both in substandard conditions when looking for a car, and the Mazda, for me, was superior handling wise. Their traction/drive system is crazy good.

Maybe it plays out differently for other people idk
 
intlzncster said:
Those Mazda's are AWD too. I've driven both in substandard conditions when looking for a car, and the Mazda, for me, was superior handling wise. Their traction/drive system is crazy good.

Maybe it plays out differently for other people idk
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I love Mazdas and the new ones are really nice. My first car, the one I learned to drive on and eventually drove into the ground, was a Mazda GLC hatchback with a manual 5 speed. Great car. Biggest problem it had was it rotted away from road salt. The car makers have largely solved that now. I actually had two 2x4s and a stolen street sign holding my driver's seat up so it didn't fall through the car into the road. If I had been t-boned by a bicycle it would have cut the car in half. Again, they have solved that now.
 
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