Buying a Used 3-Series

Replies to this message:
• kyfdx (May 07, 2008 8:38 am)

Replying to: 03cobra (May 07, 2008 6:19 am)

There is no dealer contribution..
 
That's an interesting question... I'm guessing there is some sort of payment limit on the financing... but, I don't know..
 
2 free payments on a 12-month loan...

I need another car in the family and have been looking for a new one with all the latest safety features. It will be driven only about 7-8k a year, but I might want to keep it in the family for 10 years or so. A new car with ESC will run me at least $15k + TT&L; options include Elantra SE, Sonata GLS, and Optima LX. I've also been considering used cars. For $14k or less I could get something like a 2005 Jetta A5 with relatively low miles and ESC.
 
Or... what about a 2003 325i with 73k for under $14k?? I've always wanted a 3-Series, so I started thinking about this after I looked online at what's available around town. I've heard that maintenance costs on a Bimmer will be very high. This one might be in great shape (haven't seen it yet, it's at my local BMW dealer) but it's at least 5 years old with 73k miles on it. FE won't be great, but given how little I drive that won't be a killer. And it does have all the safety features I want. And it's a 3-Series. I know my daughter won't mind getting it in a few years... if I give it up. And I'm not sure I'd want to put a car like that in the hands of a 17-year-old--safety features or not.
 
So what do you think... is this a really stupid idea? Should I go with the new low-end car with a long warranty, and likely low maintenance costs, or a "mature" 3-Series?

Replies to this message:
• Mr_Shiftright (Sep 14, 2008 11:57 am)
• srs_49 (Sep 14, 2008 3:25 pm)
  • backy (Sep 14, 2008 3:44 pm)
    • kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 6:53 am) and 2 more...
• roadburner (Sep 15, 2008 10:13 am)
  • backy (Sep 15, 2008 5:41 pm)
    • ashleymarie (Sep 18, 2008 10:42 am) and 3 more...

Replying to: backy (Sep 14, 2008 11:34 am)

Replying to: backy (Sep 14, 2008 11:34 am)

Replies to this message:
• backy (Sep 14, 2008 3:44 pm)
  • kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 6:53 am)
    • backy (Sep 15, 2008 8:10 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: srs_49 (Sep 14, 2008 3:25 pm)

That's a thought. There's a few 2003 TLs in my area for around $14k with around 70k miles (those seem to be the magic numbers, don't they?). It would likely be more reliable than a 3-Series, but it doesn't have all the safety equipment the 3-Series does, e.g. side curtain airbags and ESC. That is one reason I like the 3-Series. And of course, a TL is not a 3-Series. Another one I thought about is the S80; 2002s with about 60k miles start under $13k. Those have curtain airbags, not sure about ESC. But the S80 isn't a 3-Series either. Lots of choices...

Replies to this message:
• kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 6:53 am)
  • backy (Sep 15, 2008 8:10 am)
    • kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 8:16 am)

Replying to: backy (Sep 14, 2008 3:44 pm)

Replies to this message:
• backy (Sep 15, 2008 8:10 am)
  • kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 8:16 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 6:53 am)

That is good to hear about the FE--I've heard the 3-Series does pretty well in that area, for a 6-cylinder. And the 60k service wasn't too bad either--that's not much more than what a dealer would charge for the service on an Elantra.

Replies to this message:
• kyfdx (Sep 15, 2008 8:16 am)