Thread: Thinking about buying a 325i Sedan. Need some help.

Originally Posted by Dr. Handsome

Wow.

What? Are people not allowed to take a loan out on a car?


I have a job, so i can make payments. Im not looking to get a car financed and then not make any payments, if thats what you were thinking.

OP - I want to give you some perspective as I owned this exact car.

I paid $17,250 (cash) for a fully loaded one with 41,000 miles from private party. It was clean as hell when I got it - routine maintenance, just out of warranty, some minor rear fender damage, a few rock chips. Anyway, mechanically sound.

I owned it to 52k miles when I traded it in for my '12 335i.

It was always a temporary car until I got the new body style. You're getting a shitty deal if you pay more than maybe $11k for the car with 100k miles.

I would NOT suggest you buy a used out-of-warranty BMW if you have to finance it for 5-6 years. I drove the car (not that hard) for a year and 10k miles and racked up roughly $7k in repairs (I didn't end up having to pay any due to trade in at KBB value ).


Do yourself (sanity and finances) a favor and buy something that you can afford to repair. It certainly is amazing driving a BMW but not if it zaps up all your funds and gives you no money to do anything fun on the side.

I think everyone here pretty much hit the nail on the head so I want to hit it again. BUT! Think more wisely, your current thinking is going to cause you to make bad decisions.

Hopefully some day, soon i will own a bmw or the likes. But for today, I just need a car that will get me from point a to b. Im going to go look at the jetta today and see how it looks. They are asking 11. After i test drive and make sure everything is good. I think i will ask for 6-7 see what they say. It still has 113k miles but my parents have a 01 jetta with 120 and that baby is rock solid. plus i will know how to work on it.


So thank you guys.
PS. I wasnt look to buy the bmw to become a BALLER.

Yeah most of the members are making really valid points (most importantly the one about buying it with credit).

Typically the 325i sedan is for daddy's high school daughter and is bought new under warranty, when they start experiencing problems, they are sold and the daughter gets another car.

I would advise against buying a 325 with a) a lot of miles b) credit c)out or warranty and hopes of low maintenance bills

Originally Posted by SBasham

PS. I wasnt look to buy the bmw to become a BALLER.

You know whats more BALLER than financing a BMW?
Having one not paid for with credit, but cash (IMO the guy who owns a Honda outright is better than the the guy financing the BMW)
Being a BALLER not because of the things you own, but the person you are
If people are judging you solely because you drive a BMW, they obviously aren't worth hanging around.

Originally Posted by SMW

What is the appeal of 2006 325 anyhow (and don't say its because its a BMW), there are better options out especially given your circumstances.

Exactly why I went to 335i after a year.

Originally Posted by SBasham

What? Are people not allowed to take a loan out on a car?


I have a job, so i can make payments. Im not looking to get a car financed and then not make any payments, if thats what you were thinking.

Of course you can take out a loan. But you could also buy a brand new Japanese car (Nissan, Honda, Toyota) with 0 miles and a warranty for $14,000. You could also buy a 3 year old car with less than 40,000 miles for even less money. Those cars will also be more reliable, more economical, and cheaper/easier to fix. Weigh your options. Everyone wants a flashy car, but it's not always the best idea.

The fact that you said you can't afford it and that you think it's the only thing you can do just shows it's probably not your best choice.

I think there are a lot of valid points here. One thing's for sure, the car isn't worth the asking price. Like the others have said, you can buy a Japanese car with 0% financing and drive a new car. The Bimmer, as nice as it is, is an old car now. 6 years old with 104K is going to take you to the cleaners. SMW is right, the guy who owns his car outright is better than the one making payments.

I'm all for taking a loan out on a car, I make monthly payments on my car.

What I don't think is a good idea is taking a loan out for that long on a car with 100+ miles.

Owning a BMW is great, if you can afford it. Why not take a loan out and get a Camry or Accord with less miles and less maintenance?

Went to a couple used car dealerships. One of them which was Hertz, and I found a 2010 Jetta with 49k miles on it for 13k. Still under warranty. Need to go friday and test drive it. But this seems like an very good deal, veruses what I have been looking at in this price range with 100,000+ miles.