Learn me about the BMW 1 series

[Cycle61]

My repair bills add up to far less than any new vehicle lease.

Doing my own work helps quite a bit.

And I realize that my approach is not a feasible solution for many people.

 

[Var]

My repair bills add up to far less than any new vehicle lease.

Doing my own work helps quite a bit.

And I realize that my approach is not a feasible solution for many people.

It was my solution for a long time. I bought and sold used cars like a mad man since i was 16. I have owned over 30 vehicles. I'm over the novelty of cars. At this point I would take whatever works. If i made more money, I'd be leasing a new car every 2 years

 

[jt2]

I've always been a fan of buying inexpensive reliable used cars, maintaining and repairing them myself, and driving them several hundred thousand miles each.

But I'm weird like that.

That traditionally has been a good plan financially. But there has been a shift in the market over the last couple of years - used cars are holding thier values better, narrowing the gap between new and used.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...205383041923996.html?KEYWORDS=used+car+values

FTA:

The average price tag on previously owned vehicles is on track to rise 1.8% in 2012...

It would mark the third-consecutive year that used-car prices—already running at or near record highs—will have risen. Prices jumped 3% in 2011 from the prior year...

"What we had in the past was abnormal," said Manheim Consulting chief economist Tom Webb, who publishes the Manheim Used Car Value Index. "There has been a permanent shift here, and unless you return to high incentives and overcapacity, we aren't going back."​

In a lot of cases, buying used just doesn't pencil out anymore.

 

[Cycle61]

In a lot of cases, buying used just doesn't pencil out anymore.

I was just having this debate with a friend last night. His $24k Mini that gets 36mpg vs my $2200 Honda that gets 32mpg, and needs occasional maintenance.

 

[Var]

I would compare it to an 8 thousand dollar used mini to be fair. And the trade off there is driving dynamics. The mini is really fun. The civic..not so.

 

[Cycle61]

I never said it was a Civic.

 

[jt2]

I was thinking more of the comparison of late-model used vs. new that many make.

 

[Var]

I never said it was a Civic.

If it's not an S2000, it's a boring Honda

 

[Cycle61]

It's a Prelude. One of the best-handling FWD cars built in a long time.

I'm just stirring the pot.

OP's wife wants a new shiny BMW, and hey, it's not my money. arty

 

[Var]

It's a Prelude. One of the best-handling FWD cars built in a long time.

I'm just stirring the pot.

OP's wife wants a new shiny BMW, and hey, it's not my money. arty

Ok, I concede. Preludes aren't bad

 

[Ogier le Danois]

Parts are expensive. When the car drops to a defined low value, it's too expensive to keep them alive...and people tend to put ALOT of miles on BMW's for some reason.

Similar to some of the Cadillacs.

A friend of mind found a very nice Eldorado coupe (mid 90s I believe) that only needed new shocks/struts. The car was dangerous to drive due to the worn components. I thought we were going to die on the test drive.

We went to the local Tire/shock/muffler shop to see how much they would cost (before buying the car). It was something outrageous like $1,200 per corner, because it was their self leveling/electronic/make you coffee type.

A $2,000 car soon became a $6,800 car.

 

[HellFyre]

My time has a cost. I'd prefer to be in the garage working on my racebike than tinkering with her used car that needs "a little maintenance" to keep it going.

I'm also willing to pay for peace of mind, that assurance that the woman I care so deeply about will never be stuck on the side of the road.

(Of course, this could happen with a brand-new car, too, but the likelihood is much lower.)

 

[Cycle61]

And there you have it.

Priorities differ.

(Lemme know when you get that 135, I'll race ya over 17 )

 

[Sharky]

If it's not an S2000, it's a boring Honda

if it is an S2000 it's still a pretty boring Honda (redundant no?).

 

[theAmazingKickstand]

And the trade off there is driving dynamics. The mini is really fun. The civic..not so.

It's kinda funny. The people who LOVE cars and know a lot about them end up driving the cheapest junk cuz they got it all out of there systems by owning super fancy fancy cars and super fun fancy classics that always need work.

Most people who buy fancy new cars get it to tell their friends how cool their new cars are. They don't really value all the good stuff the car can do (while it's still not broken)

 

[Mr. White]

My time has a cost. I'd prefer to be in the garage working on my racebike than tinkering with her used car that needs "a little maintenance" to keep it going.

I'm also willing to pay for peace of mind, that assurance that the woman I care so deeply about will never be stuck on the side of the road.

(Of course, this could happen with a brand-new car, too, but the likelihood is much lower.)

I'm not knocking your plan to buy/lease a new 135. I'm actually jealous...post some pics when you get it!

 

[HellFyre]

And there you have it.

Priorities differ.

(Lemme know when you get that 135, I'll race ya over 17 )

I'm not knocking your plan to buy/lease a new 135. I'm actually jealous...post some pics when you get it!

I appreciate that, thanks.

Yes, priorities do differ. That's why I drive a paid-off 6-speed manual pickup truck.

 

[theAmazingKickstand]

(Lemme know when you get that 135, I'll race ya over 17 )

Racing a dudes GF who thinks a Passat and 135 are about the same isn't really a race.
Like a guy drag racing a Lamborghini in his POS mustang. Mustang guy is killing his shitty car while Lambo guy is just getting annoyed he cant move over to his exit to get to work.

 

[HellFyre]

Racing a dudes GF who thinks a Passat and 135 are about the same isn't really a race.
Like a guy drag racing a Lamborghini in his POS mustang. Mustang guy is killing his shitty car while Lambo guy is just getting annoyed he cant move over to his exit to get to work.

What gave you that idea?

 

[Cycle61]

My kids think my car is about the same as the Pontiac Sunfire that I usually park next to when I'm at their apartment.