[Laren]

Type of car: Sporty, compact (fuel economy is always a plus)
Price range: Max price for used $10,000, considering financing a new car
New or used: Would prefer to buy used (1998 or newer) but considering new
Manual or automatic: Manual
Years of driving: 3, but I have limited experience, especially with MT.
Cars currently suggesting: I've always liked Hondas (Civic, CRX, Del Sol) but due to the influence of a friend here have become very interested in BMWs (he drives an M3 and is looking to upgrade to an M5, wish I could just buy his!) and have been looking at a lot of used Z3s (97-00).
Needs and other info: (see below)

I live in the LA area and prefer smaller cars (I consider most mid-sized sedans "big", so the smaller the better). I'm looking for a car that I can enjoy driving and that will last while I'm in college (~ 5 years). I'm willing to pay more for the upkeep of a BMW because I know I'll enjoy driving it and it'll look good, but definitely want to hear any practical advice regarding the cost and frequency of maintenance, and would like to know what models others drive and/or would suggest (the only models I know anything about are the Z3 and M3). I make between $500-1000/mo depending on how good business is, and will have $3000+ saved towards a downpayment when I make my purchase. I am responsible with money, a safe driver, and very concerned with the maintenance and upkeep of any vehicle I drive.

Obviously I can't buy a new BMW. I am considering financing a new car for, well, ease-of-financing, and if I had to do that would obviously be limited to less expensive makes. I already know that, so don't bother pointing it out. Keeping it simple: should I buy a used BMW that's like, 8-10 years old, or a newer Honda/Toyota/whatever?

I'm looking for advice from drivers/owners of Hondas and BMWs obviously, as well as anyone who drives a car that isn't of either make but otherwise fits what I'm looking for (I only like imports though, European or Japanese).

Thanks so much in advance!

[mikez]

Rule number 1, if you are thinking about Honda along the same line of BMW, then you cannot afford a BMW

Rule number 2, E46 M3 are mostly all out of warranty now, and probably all of them are above 50k miles. Expect to shell 1-2k for maintenance yearly (not including oil changes and the regular stuff), loads of oil changes, constant checkups, expensive tires, and expensive dealer fees if you take it to the dealer.

Rule number 3, E46 M3 the last time I checked last year since I was in the market for one, the cheapest ones even with 40k miles goes for mid to low 40k. You can get 2 new Honda or even one new BMW for that money. I doubt your friend will sell it to you for cheaper than that if he can sell it to the dealer for more.

Rule number 4, if you're in college and need a car, get a Honda. Save the shiny cars and dreams for when you have your degree and a good paying job lol

[Laren]

Rule number 1, if you are thinking about Honda along the same line of BMW, then you cannot afford a BMW.

I'm not sure if it was your wording, but this makes no sense to me.

A Honda is a good first car. It's economical and practical, and maintenance isn't a serious burden. However, it also lacks the style and prestige of a BMW. If I want to buy an older BMW for the "shiny" factor, but am still considering a (newer) Honda for practicality purposes, and both are within my budget, how can I not afford the BMW? If both vehicles are in my price range, the only reason I couldn't afford the BMW would be if I can't afford the maintenance- which isn't true, it's just more of a burden than the Honda and leaves me with less money for other luxuries. I definitely don't think Honda compares to BMW, so I'm not sure what you mean by "along the same lines". If you mean BMWs are flat out only for rich people who would never consider buying a Honda, I have to beg to differ.

Rule number 3, E46 M3 the last time I checked last year since I was in the market for one, the cheapest ones even with 40k miles goes for mid to low 40k. You can get 2 new Honda or even one new BMW for that money. I doubt your friend will sell it to you for cheaper than that if he can sell it to the dealer for more.

Also, uh, me saying I wish I could buy my friend's M3 is a joke. I believe I wrote it in a joking tone. I believe I already said that I absolutely cannot afford that vehicle- nothing but dreaming there, so there's no reason to take it as seriously as you just did. I can see why you might think based on that that I was looking at M3s, but I'm not- just 10+ y/o Z3s, and am interested in learning about other models as I've come to like the brand based on my experience with his car. Make sense?

[incyphe]

Rule number 3, E46 M3 the last time I checked last year since I was in the market for one, the cheapest ones even with 40k miles goes for mid to low 40k. You can get 2 new Honda or even one new BMW for that money. I doubt your friend will sell it to you for cheaper than that if he can sell it to the dealer for more.

You can easily pick up a 2001 M3 with 40,000 miles for less than 20k.

$40,000 will get you a mint 2006 M3 with less than 20,000 on the clock.

[badboy yardy]

let's not forget insurance and maintenance. used M3 and a new Honda may be in the same price range, but to take care of a BMW and to pay for its insurance is significantly higher.

oh if you buy car insurance buy GEICO

[mikez]

You can easily pick up a 2001 M3 with 40,000 miles for less than 20k.

$40,000 will get you a mint 2006 M3 with less than 20,000 on the clock.

I've searched every dealer in the east cost for E46 M3 last november, 20k you must kidding. A 2001 M3 with less than 40k on the clock goes for at least 38k here, a 2006 M3 goes for almost 50k. (I am in NJ). Maybe the prices dropped now? No idea.

What I meant was if the cost of Honda and the cost of operating one is much lower than BMW. If you are thinking about Honda then you are probably considering 1. price and 2. practicality. None of which is applicable to a sporty luxury car.

If you say you can afford the repairs on one then by all means go for it. All I know is when my friend's M3 broke, he paid 4k out of pocket to get it back on the road since he was out of warranty, I had to shell like 2k to fix my Lexus for something stupid and minor when the same repair on a civic cost like 500 bucks.

I just read your post again. Looking at a Z3 that's close to 10 years old? A few things with convertible is with the tops and if they need replacing, if the seals are leaking and such. No idea how much they go for but someone I know had to replace their Boxter's top and the dealer charged him 5k lol.

I am just giving you some advice, a lot of people in buy BMW for the bling factor, and its funny the things they do cuz they cant afford to maintain it. Buying things for the prestige or wealth look when you don't have the backing for it is usually not a smart idea, I am not saying you're poor... but be smart with the money, old BMW (typically) are a money pit. If you factor in interest for investment or inflation, the amount of money you're going to spend on it will be enough for you to pay off like a good 25% of a new BMW in like 5 years.

[incyphe]

let's not forget insurance and maintenance. used M3 and a new Honda may be in the same price range, but to take care of a BMW and to pay for its insurance is significantly higher.

oh if you buy car insurance buy GEICO

for some reason, with Allstate, bmw 328i is about 10%-15% cheaper to insure than Honda Accord V6 sedan...

But you're right, M3 is probably a different ball game.

[Laxntiga]

Don't put yourself into debt. Get the Civic, heck check out a Miata =)

[V12Juice]

NA Miata. Dont even look at the beamers that old unless you plan on working on it a lot.

[kelvin6]

I don't know, i've had good experience with working on my sister's BMW E36 (95 325i) and its easy to maintain compared to my car (98 Volvo S70). Parts are more abundant and cheaper for the BMW surprisingly...

Well I could toss this in as a under $10K car: Take a look at the 2000-2004 Volvo S40. They do make a nice first car (reliable too...). I actually wouldn't recommend my car as a first car... mainly because of the amount of maintanance and its cost (although its fun to drive and yet safe).

[Tonyc402]

for some reason, with Allstate, bmw 328i is about 10%-15% cheaper to insure than Honda Accord V6 sedan...

But you're right, M3 is probably a different ball game.

IT IS a different ball game . M3 is a performance car so insurance is gunna be hefty. The bigger engine on the Honda accord v6 is the reason why its a little more expensive to insure then a 328.

Anyways I recommend you you dont get a used BMW with the budget you have . Its going to be really expensive to service and they'll have no warrenties on it. I suggest with the budget you have you look at Honda , Toyota , or Nissan.

[syduky]

Acura's and Lexus are pretty shiny too

[Laren]

I don't know, i've had good experience with working on my sister's BMW E36 (95 325i) and its easy to maintain compared to my car (98 Volvo S70). Parts are more abundant and cheaper for the BMW surprisingly...

I'm not too surprised by that, actually- comparing Euro cars to other Euro cars is kinda pointless in this case though.

I recommend you you dont get a used BMW with the budget you have . Its going to be really expensive to service and they'll have no warrenties on it. I suggest with the budget you have you look at Honda , Toyota , or Nissan.

I despise Nissan (with the exception of the Skyline), so I will probably end up going Honda or Toyota. I just need to find a model that fulfills my need for sporty and shiny. Any suggestions?

[mikez]

Matrix XR, Solera (sp), Yaris S (lol), Fit, used S2k, Civic Si, Scion (any of them).

IMO most Honda and Toyota eco cars dont look very good lol, but Fit and Matrix with a drop + some inexpensive but tasteful wheel (with correct offset) will be a head turner. I wouldn't mind rolling in a Fit after a drop + new shoes.

I think the closest bet to a Z3 competitor will be S2k, those cost less used, highly reliable if you find one stock. It's both fun and sporty.

Don't go with Miata, Miata sucks.

JK

[Laren]

Matrix XR, Solera (sp), Yaris S (lol), Fit, used S2k, Civic Si, Scion (any of them).

IMO most Honda and Toyota eco cars dont look very good lol, but Fit and Matrix with a drop + some inexpensive but tasteful wheel (with correct offset) will be a head turner. I wouldn't mind rolling in a Fit after a drop + new shoes.

I think the closest bet to a Z3 competitor will be S2k, those cost less used, highly reliable if you find one stock. It's both fun and sporty.

Don't go with Miata, Miata sucks.

JK

LOL Yaris. XD I love them because they're cute and get great mileage, I look forward to test-driving one.

I looked for used S2000s before and couldn't find any in my price range, but will scour the web again.

[kelvin6]

Here is my review with the Scion xD:
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=204606

I should update that I driven this car enough times (because it resides at my workplace) that i've managed to drive it smoothly and naturally by now. It doesn't change the fact that it feels cheap IMO.

[mikez]

never mind, car was sold.

free cookies anyone?

http://www.kashi.com/stealacookie/getmycookie

[v8subie]

E36 M3. that is all.
Z3 = garbage IMO

[FusionGT2]

If your budget is only 10k, chances are you wont even be able to afford maintaining a car like an M5. 'nuff said. That is, unless you saved up a crapload of money JUST for maintenance.


ps: forgot to mention insurance too. what rapage

[Laren]

If your budget is only 10k, chances are you wont even be able to afford maintaining a car like an M5. 'nuff said. That is, unless you saved up a crapload of money JUST for maintenance.


ps: forgot to mention insurance too. what rapage

Good job actually reading this thread!