Bit uneasy about car decision

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totalburnout

Well-Known Member
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...so as of about 15minutes ago, it looks as though my car will be sold tomorrow.

I'm scared about the next car I'm going to move into. I really want to make the move into a 2006+ 3 series BMW but I'm not sure if I should be spending that sort of money if I'm going to be driving 25,000-30,000miles a year.

I fell in love with my friends '08 328i when he first bought it last year and after spending the weekend driving around in it, I fell in love with the car. The idrive and the smoothness of the car are just amazing.

The car I was planning on buying was the Acura TL. There's a 2005 6speed red w/ tan interior with 13,500 miles that it looks like I can pick up for $21,000 or less in a private sale.

If I buy the BMW I am going to be looking at spending $25,000 pretax and the insurance will be a bit higher.

I just feel like I should probably be tucking away some more cash. I still live at home and will be making six figures in what looks to be two more years.

I figure chicks probably dig homes moreso than they dig cars, but this almost feels like a present to myself. I drive so damn much that I want to enjoy my time in the vehicle.
 
Looks like you've got your situation set out in front of you and know your options. If you're still living at home and will be making six figures in only 2 years, get the damn BMW. Don't go all out on everything, but you can afford a 25k car fine. Like you said, treat yourself on this one. Especially if you're gonna spend that much time in it.
 
wait, you actually LIKE iDrive????????? i think you're the first. lol


a big thing to consider-- winter. you might not get much snow, but the day it does, you're fucked in the bimmer.

hell, for 25k, you can score an m3 if you want to get an 02 or 03 with 80k+ on it.


eBay Motors: BMW : M3 (item 170255163542 end time Sep-15-08 10:13:55 PDT)


eBay Motors: BMW : M3 (item 130249664433 end time Aug-31-08 20:31:44 PDT)


eBay Motors: BMW : M3 (item 320290901559 end time Aug-31-08 17:21:08 PDT)


I was in your situation a while ago... and i bought the 32k STi when i was still living at home. Less than a year later, i moved out into my condo.


In all honesty, if i were in your shoes, I'd keep the WRX, and buy a house. It's a GREAT time to buy right now, especially since you have nothing to sell.
2 years from now, who knows what happens to interst rates and/or porperty values.
Right now, both are historic lows.
get a cheap car, buy a house/condo (something you own and can sell) and worry about the car later.
 
hell yea its a buyers market for sure,,sell the subaru,get a cheap get around car,buy a house,sell the get around car and then get a nicer car:)
 
...so as of about 15minutes ago, it looks as though my car will be sold tomorrow.

I'm scared about the next car I'm going to move into. I really want to make the move into a 2006+ 3 series BMW but I'm not sure if I should be spending that sort of money if I'm going to be driving 25,000-30,000miles a year.

I fell in love with my friends '08 328i when he first bought it last year and after spending the weekend driving around in it, I fell in love with the car. The idrive and the smoothness of the car are just amazing.

The car I was planning on buying was the Acura TL. There's a 2005 6speed red w/ tan interior with 13,500 miles that it looks like I can pick up for $21,000 or less in a private sale.

If I buy the BMW I am going to be looking at spending $25,000 pretax and the insurance will be a bit higher.

I just feel like I should probably be tucking away some more cash. I still live at home and will be making six figures in what looks to be two more years.

I figure chicks probably dig homes moreso than they dig cars, but this almost feels like a present to myself. I drive so damn much that I want to enjoy my time in the vehicle.

Didn't you post a thread some months back saying that you weren't going to buy a luxury car because your boss told you not too? Something about offending your clients by being so young and driving a Beamer?

Maybe that was somebody else, I dunno...
 
That's a very good point, Brutal. Driving a BMW definitely does have the "oh, you're rich" stereotype attached to it.

I usually come to that conclusion after I have seen the driver. If I see some prep kid getting out of a BMW, I just associate money with his car choice. If I see a normal Joe get out of one, wearing typical attire and not displaying that "I am better than you" attitude, then I don't really think twice.
 
I usually come to that conclusion after I have seen the driver. If I see some prep kid getting out of a BMW, I just associate money with his car choice. If I see a normal Joe get out of one, wearing typical attire and not displaying that "I am better than you" attitude, then I don't really think twice.

Yeah, same here. I don't really care if the OP buys a Beamer or not, I just remember him saying a while back that his boss told him not to get an expensive car, so I was wondering if he changed his mind or what...
 
Well, bimmer is going to run you 30k-ish.

Thats a nice (used) Cadillac, a new crotch rocket, and a project car or pickup.
 
wait, you actually LIKE iDrive????????? i think you're the first. lol


a big thing to consider-- winter. you might not get much snow, but the day it does, you're fucked in the bimmer.

hell, for 25k, you can score an m3 if you want to get an 02 or 03 with 80k+ on it.


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...oryZ6131QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemI was in your situation a while ago... and i bought the 32k STi when i was still living at home. Less than a year later, i moved out into my condo.


In all honesty, if i were in your shoes, I'd keep the WRX, and buy a house. It's a GREAT time to buy right now, especially since you have nothing to sell.
2 years from now, who knows what happens to interst rates and/or porperty values.
Right now, both are historic lows.
get a cheap car, buy a house/condo (something you own and can sell) and worry about the car later.

I looked out '02 BMWs with around 30-50k. I don't think I want a car that old or with that many miles, especially if I'm going to be racking up the miles.

Also about selling the car thing... too late, dropped it off and they paid cash.
 
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Didn't you post a thread some months back saying that you weren't going to buy a luxury car because your boss told you not too? Something about offending your clients by being so young and driving a Beamer?

Maybe that was somebody else, I dunno...

I believe you're referring to a thread where I was offering my advice to get_nick. The industry I was interning in a year ago, supported having luxury cars - every financial rep/advisor drives a luxury vehicle to exude the feeling of prosperity and financial soundness.

My current industry of logistics is a mixed bag. People don't expect to see a person so young in my position, so right when I walk in the door I already face resistance from certain clients. Not a huge issue.
 
What about something that still says class and is fun to drive, such as the TSX? Or maybe even a newer Volvo?
 
I thought about a S40, but looking at the interior online did not do much for me.

I test drove the TSX and really wanted to fall in love with the car, prior to the test drive, but the engine simply was not available. If I could buy a TSX with a TL engine, it would be in my driveway now.

I like where your head is at...

I was thinking 06+ G35 Sedan, 06+ 325i/330i, 04+ Acura TL. I don't know what else that would fit in that segment that is a nice luxurious ride but will offer a positive driving experience like the 3 series and still be reliable with 25mpg+.

I tried a Saab 9-3 Aero, the engine was great but the interior felt cheap and the transmission had the most awful throw I've ever experienced. I thought about the S40 T5 and even the S60r. The S60r gets fairly terrible gas mileage and is supposed to have the turning radius of a boat.

I just test drove my friends new '08 Jetta Wolfsburg and was unimpressed. The car looked great but I thought it would offer much more power than it did - then again it was automatic. Even so, I heard the VW DSG automatic is the best transmission you can buy besides the SMG box.
 
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I believe you're referring to a thread where I was offering my advice to get_nick. The industry I was interning in a year ago, supported having luxury cars - every financial rep/advisor drives a luxury vehicle to exude the feeling of prosperity and financial soundness.

My current industry of logistics is a mixed bag. People don't expect to see a person so young in my position, so right when I walk in the door I already face resistance from certain clients. Not a huge issue.

Weren't you hoping to become a financial advisor before? I think that's what I remember, could be wrong though. So what exactly is it that you're doing now?
 
If you are putting some cash down a 25k car won't be that bad for a payment.

If you are driving 25-30k a year I would get something that gets good gas mileage.
 
yeah, if you're going to be hitting 30k a year without a company gas card, look for soemthing 30+ in mpg.
fuel has dropped in recent weeks, but next june and july, expect $6 gas.
 
If you're looking for 25-30k. Look for a non-premium/higher gas mileage car. You're in a horrid trade where you have to foot your own gas bill. Something I'd have trouble doing driving that
much.




I've been test driving a ton of cars lately, and I'm in love with the c300 4matic or the G35X. Both are 09's though. :p
 
The 08 328i isn't too bad. I drove the 08 M3, but that wasn't what I was looking for.


My mom's got the 328i, and she loves the BMW emblem to death. iDrive isn't bad, it's just a little more driving assist than I need.

It's too bad about the TSX, I really like them, but then again, they're higher powered in europe, and have better gearing. :D


Have you looked at any Infinity's?
 
Actually, it just hit me.

Go over to your local Audi dealership. Try the A3. If you want, you can get the S3 or the A3 s-line, and it won't look expensive.
 
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