Since we got the 2008 BMW 135i last April, its time in our fleet is nigh. Tear. So last night as I was enjoying this fun, little ride all around town, I started daydreaming: Heyyy, what if I bought it? It would suit my lifestyle perfectly as a single lady living in L.A. I like its small size, love its ride and handling, and it's easy to even drive during stop-and-go traffic. Plus, I know its previous owner is diligent about its maintenance schedule.
So I went on our site to do the numbers, you know, just to see. If I configured the car correctly on our used car appraiser, it would cost a bit under $30K to buy (originally it was $37K). Um. And according to our True Cost to Own calculator which factored in everything from maintenance to depreciation to repairs, etc. over five years, it would end up costing me $57,139. Hm. Ah well.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 26,269 miles
fuhteng says:
11:14 AM, 08/13/09
Still at ~$30k with 26k miles on it after a year! Good grief!
carguy622 says:
11:15 AM, 08/13/09
That's the problem with cars. You know rationally that a nice used Civic would be the ideal vehicle financially. However, for people who love to drive the pull to have something fun often trumps the financial decisions we make.
I KNEW that leasing the Miata was a dumb move financially, but damn if I care about the money when I'm behind the wheel.
I only live once and I want to drive as many entertaining vehicles as I can. The thought of buying a CUV, or something like that, and driving it for years is scary... but hey, I'm single.
fuhteng says:
11:20 AM, 08/13/09
I just used that tool myself. My G8 GT (yeah, I know it isn't all that comparable) is $20k less for 5 years. Where the heck did the extra cost come from for the BMW?
lowmilelude says:
11:27 AM, 08/13/09
I sold my Prelude SH (73k miles, immaculate, Type-S motor, blah blah) and bought an '09 Accord in May. I was torn, but in the end I allowed my financial sense to reign.
I don't regret making the right financial choice, but I'm already looking for a weekend play car and it hasn't even been six months. Buy the 135, and enjoy your hard-earned money. If you love driving, automotive pragmatism is the PITS!
blueguydotcom says:
12:06 PM, 08/13/09
TCO calculator is totally insane. It lists insurance at $2800 for my car in my zip. I pay $800 for full coverage. $2800 insurance? Seriously, what is that someone with a DUI and a few tickets and accidents?
No offense, but Edmunds' numbers seem off consistently on used cars. I paid less than what you guys claimed was trade-in value for my CPO 335i. Frankly, I don't trust the numbers.
cw910 says:
12:17 PM, 08/13/09
I also found Edmunds' price to be way off on a CPO TL.
lj182 says:
12:27 PM, 08/13/09
Try negotiating an employee discount. :) The last few long term cars have either been sold to Carmax or the wholesaler, which i assume were at substantial discounts to TMV.
I just bought a 2007 Mazdaspeed6 last weekend and let me say that having a fun to drive car makes every part of daily life better. Errands have become less of a chore and more of an excuse to go for a drive. The commute to/from work is more about the few moments of excitement when i get to wind up the 270hp turbocharged engine and less about all the time I spend in stop n go of the freeway. Bottom line, make the (day)dream a reality.
desmolicious says:
01:09 PM, 08/13/09
Psh, just get a beater car for when it rains and a Vespa GTS300 Super for all the other days.
Lovin' my GTS250ie...
bkochuk says:
01:23 PM, 08/13/09
I'd tell you to buy it, but for selfish reasons. I'm very curious to find out what the dealer does when they find out about the reflash.
Meanwhile, I'm with lj182. If they'll give it away to Carmax, you should be able to score a sweetheart deal.
kingkhalas says:
02:16 PM, 08/13/09
wow. that's a lot of money.
roadburner says:
02:22 PM, 08/13/09
"I just bought a 2007 Mazdaspeed6 last weekend and let me say that having a fun to drive car makes every part of daily life better. Errands have become less of a chore and more of an excuse to go for a drive."
Precisely. As I always say, life is too short to drive boring cars.
jeffal says:
03:06 PM, 08/13/09
BMW's are not for women.
Buy a Lexus.
awd_ownz_u says:
03:54 PM, 08/13/09
Single lady in LA huh? You can take me for a ride in the 135i and I'll help you decide. ;)
dragonflight says:
05:59 PM, 08/13/09
Wow, jeffal, misogynistic much?
completely agree with you, roadburner and lj182. The moment I can trade in my beater for a weekend car with decent mileage or utility (funny how the miata comes to mind, as do the WRX and MS3) I'm totally doing it.
bkochuk says:
06:20 PM, 08/13/09
if you don't think BMWs are also for women, jeffal, you have never driven around Chapel Hill, NC.
truth be told, women here drive a LOT of Lexus cars, too, but it's almost always a SUV.
I guess there's just too much damn money around here...
mopho says:
08:08 PM, 08/13/09
You only live once. :)
stovt001 says:
10:11 PM, 08/13/09
My plan is to have an entirely practical, economical used sedan/hatch/wagon for a daily driver, and as fun a car as I can afford for the weekend. Assuming both were purchased for a good price used, the daily driver is cheap to maintain, and the fun car can be used as circumstances and finances allow. I don't see the point of driving a high performance car in rush hour commuting, but if driving is your thing I also can't imagine only driving practical cars.
indy_mistert says:
06:15 AM, 08/14/09
LOL @ 30k... no disrespect, but I'll be surprised if you get 25k.
and +1 on being curious of the dealership detecting a flash... also curious about any further HPFP issues popping up.
blueguydotcom says:
07:13 AM, 08/14/09
@stovt - a fun car makes the commute bearable. Then again I leave for work at 6 and try to leave the office by 4 so as to avoid most of rush hour and enjoy my car.
jkp1187 says:
08:03 AM, 08/14/09
Caroline,
The cost of living is high, but I think it's worth it.
Cheers!
JKP