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nice, i'd consider it, but it's a wierd spot to be in cause the subcompacts aren't expensive enough... (yup, i felt douchey just saying that). it's not like a car + cash combo thing, i don't think. i don't know, should i ask for that? i feel dirty just thinking about buying a car then trying to trade it in after a year or two, cashing the difference, and driving around again in a old (but reliable) beater.

i mean, there's certainly better cars to buy. If you don't get the extra as cash, I'd consider spending 25k+. for the price we paid I'm 99% sure there's nothing better.

btw i think audi a4, bmw 3 series and mercedes benz C class and most mid-range lexuses would work well for this purpose.

I have had a lot of old beater cars and the German ones are by far the best- although I had a Volvo that held up just as well. That being said these were all old cars and basically even the cheap crappy modern cars are pretty well built *cough* Suzuki *cough*.

I still will never buy anything but a German car- or maybe a Volvo- and I'm American too so I'm not just some German guy pimping his country. When you take apart a German car things are tight- I drive a Jetta now and even this lower end German car is put together very well when you start taking apart the brakes, or pulling out the radiator or whatever you can see the precision vs. something like a Chevy/Ford or even some of the Japanese cars.

All things considered though pretty much any modern car will give you several years of worry free use.

i mean, there's certainly better cars to buy. If you don't get the extra as cash, I'd consider spending 25k+. for the price we paid I'm 99% sure there's nothing better.

the Honda Fit just went to the top of the list for when i trade down. i love Honda's, and i love hot hatchbacks, and i'm totally cool working small engines with a stick shift (i'm pushing around more weight with only few more horses now anyway). and i'm really digging the 4-door hatchback style (i like doors). pound for pound, it looks like a great car.

I have had a lot of old beater cars and the German ones are by far the best- although I had a Volvo that held up just as well. That being said these were all old cars and basically even the cheap crappy modern cars are pretty well built *cough* Suzuki *cough*.

I still will never buy anything but a German car- or maybe a Volvo- and I'm American too so I'm not just some German guy pimping his country. When you take apart a German car things are tight- I drive a Jetta now and even this lower end German car is put together very well when you start taking apart the brakes, or pulling out the radiator or whatever you can see the precision vs. something like a Chevy/Ford or even some of the Japanese cars.

All things considered though pretty much any modern car will give you several years of worry free use.

so you think i should trade down to another German car? or are you saying just keep the German car if i buy one? my new plan is to buy a entry-level luxury car first for the resale value (something around $25K) then trade down later to something more economical (better fuel efficiency, lower cost of repairs, etc.) and intend to drive the 2nd car into the ground. i'm not really a car guy and don't know much about repairs beyond changing oil and spark plugs.

threads like these are what scare me.

but i've never owned a German car, so maybe i'll fall in love with it and never want to part with it and become a car guy. you never know.

Have you changed your thoughts on keeping said car long term? If so I think it changes things quite a lot especially if you are just going to keep it for x ammount of months and then flip it , maybe you should go for something more frivorless (i.e. something you wouldn't buy yourself) giving you an opportunity to live as you described it "the baller lifestyle" and then latter go for practicality.

Shame the Alfa was a lot of fun. I've got a brand new 320 and love it. Although, as you can tell. It's all about Benz. If you can afford one, go for it!

Life is too short to drive shit cars.

Shame the Alfa was a lot of fun. I've got a brand new 320 and love it. Although, as you can tell. It's all about Benz. If you can afford one, go for it!

Life is too short to drive shit cars.

+1

altough i wouldnt go for a second hands alfa, they have a pretty bad history in used cars...
if you really want a good used car, buy a bmw, you wont regret it

See my avatar and you can already expect what I'm gonna suggest you

my priorities for a car in order of importance are:

1. reliability
2. fuel efficiency
3. style
4. other costs (insurance, repairs, part costs)

1. Reliability
There shouldn't be any major problems here.

2. Fuel efficiency
You didn't mention anything about car's performance. BMW produces the best engines in the world, check out how many Engine of the Year prizes they won. These engines are fast and at the same time don't consume that much fuel.

3. Style
Everyone has his own taste, but IMO the style of BMWs is outstanding, take a look at the brand new 5er F10:
http://www.firstsupercars.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/AC-Schnitzer-ACS5-BMW-F10-1-e1300069891531.jpg
http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/6/7531/z7531856X,BMW-5.jpg

4. Other costs
When buying a BMW, you have to be prepared for some costs. I am not saying it brakes down non stop, but when something happens you should just have to spend some money.


I won't talk much about my car, since it's an old E36 316i from the end of 1999, but I still love it. However, I encouraged my dad to buy a 2009 E90 318i few months ago.

Here are some pics of the car:
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/cyrctkb
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/oyrdnbg
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/gycvkau
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/nrwmftf
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/jspfroj
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/bgdpbco

It has a 2.0L 143 HP engine. Average fuel consumption is around ~~ 8 L/100 km or maybe even less. Now it shows 9.2, but dad drives only in city. The car cost about $25k.


You also didn't say anything regarding how many kms per year you are doing. If 20k km and more, consider buying a diesel (320d comes to mind). If less, stick with the petrol engines (I'd pick something faster like 325i/330i, but that's only my opinion).


And check out this awesome commercial, some real action starts at 4:20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrbvNNUKrA

how about a crap car + nice bike?

i'll take your word on the Mazda since i assume you've driven a lot of cars. but if it was a Ford Focus v Toyota Camry, which would it be? [edit: oh i see that's a price range below the Camry...]. how about Ford Fusion? that seems comparable. i want to stay in the 20-25K range. don't want to act too humble.

have you been in a 2012 Camry SE also?

Sorry they don't sell Ford Fusion or the Toyota Camry over here so I really can't say too much about them.

I don't understand the plan to buy a baller car then sell it and buy a cheaper car, I mean if you are going to do that why not lease a Porsche GT3 for a year or 6 mos., get bored of it then buy a car. Trading in frivolous cars or even selling them to a 3rd party is going to cost you a ton in depreciation.

If you want to run a car into the ground buy a 3 or 4 year old Mercedes/Audi/BMW that was baller 4 years ago and it will last forever, and still be pretty baller.

If you want to run a car into the ground buy a 3 or 4 year old Mercedes/Audi/BMW that was baller 4 years ago and it will last forever, and still be pretty baller.

I agree, 2-4 year old should be the best.

sorry haven't read up on replies yet, but about luxury German cars, i read in a thread that the reason there are so many problems is because people don't drive them everyday, i.e., most are just weekend cruisers and driven hard after sitting for long periods of time. however, driving a car everyday lubricates the mechanics or something so it won't break down as often.

is there any validity to this theory?

this is going to be a commuter car for me btw.

wow didnt know that it was common to have problems with those brands

Usually it's better when a car is being used quite often, at least better than keeping it in a garage. Please tell us how many km (or miles) you plan to travel everyday, but I think E90 318i/320i are quite good options for you. You can also consider 1-series, this car rarely breaks down. Like above, search for E87 118i/120i (it's a 5-door hatchback).

http://www.smartusa.com/comparevehicles/
Save the world. :-)

sorry haven't read up on replies yet, but about luxury German cars, i read in a thread that the reason there are so many problems is because people don't drive them everyday, i.e., most are just weekend cruisers and driven hard after sitting for long periods of time. however, driving a car everyday lubricates the mechanics or something so it won't break down as often.

is there any validity to this theory?

this is going to be a commuter car for me btw.

This theory holds true, a lot of the cars that reach 1mil kilometers or more are used all the time (taxis in many cases), and when not in use they are stored in a nice warm garage. This way unnecessary cold engine starts are avoided, the fuel and oil lines are kept nice and clean. And there are plenty more benefits keeping the car in active use.

See my avatar and you can already expect what I'm gonna suggest you

1. Reliability
There shouldn't be any major problems here.

2. Fuel efficiency
You didn't mention anything about car's performance. BMW produces the best engines in the world, check out how many Engine of the Year prizes they won. These engines are fast and at the same time don't consume that much fuel.

3. Style
Everyone has his own taste, but IMO the style of BMWs is outstanding, take a look at the brand new 5er F10:
http://www.firstsupercars.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/AC-Schnitzer-ACS5-BMW-F10-1-e1300069891531.jpg
http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/6/7531/z7531856X,BMW-5.jpg

4. Other costs
When buying a BMW, you have to be prepared for some costs. I am not saying it brakes down non stop, but when something happens you should just have to spend some money.

thanks for these points. as for #4, i know i'll get certified pre-owned, so hopefully the extended warranty should cover any major costs if they happen.

I won't talk much about my car, since it's an old E36 316i from the end of 1999, but I still love it. However, I encouraged my dad to buy a 2009 E90 318i few months ago.

Here are some pics of the car:
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/cyrctkb
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/oyrdnbg
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/gycvkau
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/nrwmftf
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/jspfroj
http://screenshooter.net/2435934/bgdpbco

It has a 2.0L 143 HP engine. Average fuel consumption is around ~~ 8 L/100 km or maybe even less. Now it shows 9.2, but dad drives only in city. The car cost about $25k.


You also didn't say anything regarding how many kms per year you are doing. If 20k km and more, consider buying a diesel (320d comes to mind). If less, stick with the petrol engines (I'd pick something faster like 325i/330i, but that's only my opinion).

afaik right now, i'll be going very similar route as your dad: E90, 2009 model year, fits right into my price range.

i have a short commute, so 20K km seems about right, petrol it is (we just call it regular gas here ). but the models i see listed most often locally for 26-27k USD is the 328i. i think 335i is out of my range unless i go older than 2009. i think the engines are bigger for the American market.

And check out this awesome commercial, some real action starts at 4:20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrbvNNUKrA

love these BMW mini-movies. watched them a bunch of times when they debuted, even tried to show them to everyone i could drag near a computer screen, so yah, the desire is def there.

328i is a very powerful engine and 335i is a true BEAST -->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nq5veeAgko

I wouldn't recommend these, unless you are an experienced driver. Also keep in mind, that BMWs have the rear wheel drive. Nothing special till 150-170 HP, but as soon as the power goes past 200 HP and the torque past 300 Nm, you may find yourself in trouble if you love the gas pedal. However, in practice that's not a problem in 99% of situations, since you have all kinds of ASC (Automatic Stability Control aka traction control, this is in my E36: it blocks accelerating + automatically breaks = almost impossible to turn the car even on snow). In E90 there are DSC and other modern systems, so don't be afraid.

And if you are experienced enough - you will be more than happy, trust me Driving a BMW is highly addicting !

Have you changed your thoughts on keeping said car long term? If so I think it changes things quite a lot especially if you are just going to keep it for x ammount of months and then flip it , maybe you should go for something more frivorless (i.e. something you wouldn't buy yourself) giving you an opportunity to live as you described it "the baller lifestyle" and then latter go for practicality.

i still have to rely on it to get to work everyday, so i'm prob not going to go for some super exotic option. just something nice with good resale value.

altough i wouldnt go for a second hands alfa, they have a pretty bad history in used cars...
if you really want a good used car, buy a bmw, you wont regret it

BMW seems like the best choice right now.

Shame the Alfa was a lot of fun. I've got a brand new 320 and love it. Although, as you can tell. It's all about Benz. If you can afford one, go for it!

Life is too short to drive shit cars.

Benz don't seem to hold their resale value as well as BMW. i only looked quickly, but that's the initial impression i got.

seems like savinforabenz isnt that great of an idea then

how about a crap car + nice bike?

that's phase 2 of my plans.

I don't understand the plan to buy a baller car then sell it and buy a cheaper car, I mean if you are going to do that why not lease a Porsche GT3 for a year or 6 mos., get bored of it then buy a car. Trading in frivolous cars or even selling them to a 3rd party is going to cost you a ton in depreciation.

If you want to run a car into the ground buy a 3 or 4 year old Mercedes/Audi/BMW that was baller 4 years ago and it will last forever, and still be pretty baller.

the luxury car is just a means to receive the gift in full. i'm not actually a baller (microstakes balla', shout out to my peeps!), so i wouldn't want to pay insurance and routine maintenance on a luxury car forever. but obv i could change my mind if i get attached to the car.

i hadn't thought of the lease option. but i don't know how to explain that to my aunt, either... if i just say later "i'm trading in this car for something i can afford," i think that wouldn't make her think i'm scamming her. but i am, sorta, but not really since she wants to buy me an expensive car. do you think?

Get a BMW and every winter is going to give you more fun than ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRywA-ZRqsE

Usually it's better when a car is being used quite often, at least better than keeping it in a garage. Please tell us how many km (or miles) you plan to travel everyday, but I think E90 318i/320i are quite good options for you. You can also consider 1-series, this car rarely breaks down. Like above, search for E87 118i/120i (it's a 5-door hatchback).

so it is true. interesting... well, i should be ok then.

i'll be driving about 20,000 km a year. just 15 drive min to work. and i'll look for the 318i/320i displacement models since i actually like the better fuel efficiency.

BMW hatchback... mmm. so much utility, so much power. something else to look at. thanks!