Anyone else cave in to another car?

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

Its only a good deal if it came with the tent.

Yes because the dipper on the back means you won't have to run around cleaning up after it all the time.

[DieDriving]

I was saving $$$$ for the FRS but cave in to my house refinance....I dropped 20K into the new loan and is negotiating for a '05 RSX base 47k miles asking for $13.5k.....I offered $12.5k but he takes a strong stand at $13k even....i'm not sure what to do yet....

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by DieDriving

I was saving $$$$ for the FRS but cave in to my house refinance....I dropped 20K into the new loan and is negotiating for a '05 RSX base 47k miles asking for $13.5k.....I offered $12.5k but he takes a strong stand at $13k even....i'm not sure what to do yet....

That's an awful lot of money for a base RSX (160 hp, right?) that is seven years old. Heck, you might be able to pick up a bare bones new car for about that much.

What is it about the base RSX that you like?

[reni]

Originally Posted by Dillano609

So my original intention was to buy the FR-S, but I figured I'd look at some cars at a local dealership because I thought 25k was a little steep for what you get. I ended up finding a 2004 BMW 330Ci and got it for 10.5K in prestine condition and fully loaded with a 6-speed manual tranny. I couldn't say no, anyone else have similar stories?

So what's the over/under on how long it will take the OP to spend more than the cost a new FRS just to keep his Bimmer on the road?

[kensic]

Originally Posted by DieDriving

I was saving $$$$ for the FRS but cave in to my house refinance....I dropped 20K into the new loan and is negotiating for a '05 RSX base 47k miles asking for $13.5k.....I offered $12.5k but he takes a strong stand at $13k even....i'm not sure what to do yet....

i would check KBB for your pricing. i would NOT pay 13k for a 05 base RSX.

another thought, research on rsx transmission 3rd gear problem before you guy this car *only if he sells it for 9k* lol

[tree fingers]

Ended up selling the STI and buying a FD. Yes, I would rather have a nearly 20 year old car over a new one. :]

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by reni

So what's the over/under on how long it will take the OP to spend more than the cost a new FRS just to keep his Bimmer on the road?

Ehh, you never know. I've known plenty of people who've never complained about maintaining their German cars, and plenty who do. It's always the complainers that speak up louder than everybody else, though. I know several people who've taken BMW's, Audis, Mercedes Benzes and even *gasp* Land Rovers (yes, British cars!) past 200k without too much issue. It makes a big difference if you're proactive about maintenance and not reactive (hence why my mother's E320 is sitting broken down in our driveway - she didn't maintain it for $#!T).

It is definitely more costly to maintain them vs. your average Japanese or American car, though. The parts used are simply higher quality and thus, more expensive to replace. A 330ci is pretty run-of-the-mill, but you still have to be aware of what you're getting into. I had to walk away from a great deal on a 2003 Audi RS 6 sedan: 450bhp 40-valve biturbo V8, 8 piston brakes, 19" wheels with Michelin high-performance tires, leather and alcantara everywhere inside the car, all for $23k - originally $93k!!! ... but I'd cry as soon as it came time to replace brakes, tires, or the timing belt (which has a 40,000 miles replacement interval!), never mind anything else that could potentially fail. Oh, and then there was the 16mpg average fuel economy... Ouch. You definitely gotta pay to play!

It's the same reason I'm not considering a used Corvette, 911, or M3 (and especially not a Viper like one of my friends suggested). The consumables cost would be twice that of the BRZ! And would it really be twice as much fun? I doubt it.

[Dadhawk]

I agree with pretty much everything you said but this....

Originally Posted by Turbowned

....The parts used are simply higher quality and thus, more expensive to replace....

I think you only got that half-right. They are more expensive, but I don't believe the parts are of any higher quality than a US or a Japanese manufacturer in general. I think there is a perception they are higher quality, hence the higher cost.

It's possible it was true 30 years ago, but I don't think it is any longer.

[Turbowned]

I walk through the shop at my Porsche/Audi dealer every day and examine the undersides of various cars, just as I used to do when I worked at a Toyota dealer. Zee Germans definitely build their cars to a higher standard with better quality parts. Thicker, stronger (sometimes heavier), less mass-produced-feeling parts.

[Lonewolf]

[QUOTE=Turbowned;204091]Ehh, you never know. I've known plenty of people who've never complained about maintaining their German cars, and plenty who do. It's always the complainers that speak up louder than everybody else, though. I know several people who've taken BMW's, Audis, Mercedes Benzes and even *gasp* Land Rovers (yes, British cars!) past 200k without too much issue. It makes a big difference if you're proactive about maintenance and not reactive (hence why my mother's E320 is sitting broken down in our driveway - she didn't maintain it for $#!T). QUOTE]

Lies! No way a Land Rover goes 200K without spending months in a repair shop or costing thousands of dollars to repair

But on a serious note, my old MB CLK 430 was rock solid, but the maintenance was expensive. My stepmom's BMW X5/uncle's M3 have been service/repair nightmares!

[Turbowned]

The 2001 Land Rover Discovery had to have the head gaskets replaced at 140k for the cost of about $5,000. I think they got taken for a ride on that repair, but if that's all it needed in 12 years and 200k miles, that's really not bad in the grand scheme of things. Way cheaper than buying a new car! He got his money's worth out of it. The guy makes $300k+/yr. He traded it in for a new Audi A4 6MT; cheapest AWD A4 we could find. Some people are just smart with their money.

Best quote I ever heard: "You'll never be rich enough to buy something cheap".

[DieDriving]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

That's an awful lot of money for a base RSX (160 hp, right?) that is seven years old. Heck, you might be able to pick up a bare bones new car for about that much.

What is it about the base RSX that you like?

Something about the RSX that their resale value holding up really well....I checked KBB before....Since we running low on cash, I was seeking out for a type S but those are rare nowadays and people are asking for 12-15k for say "03-"05 WITH 120-130k miles....the wife found this car, she fell in love with it considering she is driving a "06 330i.....I know, you can't argue with a woman
I think I'll pass and drop in 13k downpayment for the FRS but I need to get some flowers for the wife this weekend.

[DieDriving]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Ehh, you never know. I've known plenty of people who've never complained about maintaining their German cars, and plenty who do. It's always the complainers that speak up louder than everybody else, though. I know several people who've taken BMW's, Audis, Mercedes Benzes and even *gasp* Land Rovers (yes, British cars!) past 200k without too much issue. It makes a big difference if you're proactive about maintenance and not reactive (hence why my mother's E320 is sitting broken down in our driveway - she didn't maintain it for $#!T).

It is definitely more costly to maintain them vs. your average Japanese or American car, though. The parts used are simply higher quality and thus, more expensive to replace. A 330ci is pretty run-of-the-mill, but you still have to be aware of what you're getting into. I had to walk away from a great deal on a 2003 Audi RS 6 sedan: 450bhp 40-valve biturbo V8, 8 piston brakes, 19" wheels with Michelin high-performance tires, leather and alcantara everywhere inside the car, all for $23k - originally $93k!!! ... but I'd cry as soon as it came time to replace brakes, tires, or the timing belt (which has a 40,000 miles replacement interval!), never mind anything else that could potentially fail. Oh, and then there was the 16mpg average fuel economy... Ouch. You definitely gotta pay to play!

It's the same reason I'm not considering a used Corvette, 911, or M3 (and especially not a Viper like one of my friends suggested). The consumables cost would be twice that of the BRZ! And would it really be twice as much fun? I doubt it.

I own a "06 330i and "09 C300 and I can tell you it doesn't break the bank as long as you do it yourself....Yes, parts are more expensive than regular cars but that is part of the "pay to play" game....mechanics charged an arm and a leg for labor just because it is a German car....I have seen labors costed more than parts itself on some instances which is beyond rediculous....oil, rotors, brakes, filters, ect, are DYI stuff....my 330i has 140k+ miles and still runs like a champ.....

[gabeh]

after sitting in a demo unit. I'll be getting my deposit back.

Main reason? I'm only 5'-6" and found that I was sitting too low for comfortable viewing out the windshield with the seat at its highest point. Shouldn't be a problem for most.

For some worried about the seatbelt, I saw no problem. It looked quite standard.