Thinking a 2014 (or 2012+ really) 335i, but am open to other ideas. Briefly considered a 135i too.

1 - I don't want an appliance car (read: Accord). I want something with some character to it. Bonus points for something somewhat unique (obviously BMW is not that)
2 - I don't really want something too much slower than what I have now. Not as concerned with 0-60 times but more so what it feels like when I floor it. I enjoy going around corners kinda quick too so no LS powered land yachts plz
3 - I'm moving away from my current 07 335i because of repair costs vs what the thing is actually worth, so I place value on some warranty (via factory or certified pre-owned) This would be less of a concern with a more reliable/less expensive to fix car, and more so with most European cars.
4 - Budget is < $30k, but would prefer to be closer to $25k.
5 - I don't drive very much as I almost exclusively work at home, so this would mostly be for grocery getting plus the occasional trip...not concerned with MPGs.
6 - Don't necessarily need a sedan.
7 - Am leaning manual, but could stomach an auto if needed.

Going in a different direction, I thought about a used Volt but never did any serious research. Have any of you done much research on used electric vehicles? What kind of money do you have to set aside to replace the batteries?

7/3/2017 8:24:29 PM

buy my 08 m3 sedan for $24k 77k on the clock. white w/ fox red leather.

7/4/2017 9:55:45 AM

^^ The Volt is garbage. I test drove one last year. Interior quality is still like a Rubbermaid container. Drive feel was okay. If you can wait a year or so used Model 3s will be on the market.. have you considered a used i3?

7/4/2017 10:50:04 AM

Fiesta ST

7/4/2017 1:06:07 PM

BMWs suck these day, build quality is shit now

7/5/2017 8:06:49 AM

if i was going to spend $30k on a car would prob look something like this

7/5/2017 6:48:11 PM

Sounds like BMW has responded to market wishes and made the 2011+ 3 series more luxury focused and less targeted at the enthusiast...their 8sp auto has been getting rave reviews though. The M235i appears to be the more enthusiast focused offering, as the 1 series was before it. I can't get past the 135i styling, but the M235i looks nice.

7/6/2017 11:49:59 AM

Maybe? Most reviews I've read say the M235i understeers too much. Writers seem to prefer the 228i or M2.

7/7/2017 8:47:23 AM

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=459856202&zip=27612&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D27612%26showcaseOwnerId%3D64817731%26startYear%3D1981%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26incremental%3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2018%26modelCodeList%3DFOCUS%26makeCodeList%3DFORD%26searchRadius%3D0%26trimCodeList%3DFOCUS%257CRS&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2018&modelCodeList=FOCUS&makeCodeList=FORD&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=FORD&modelCode1=FOCUS

7/7/2017 11:11:06 AM

A focus. For $33k. Used.

wat

[Edited on July 8, 2017 at 10:01 PM. Reason : wat]

7/8/2017 10:00:52 PM

It was probably $42k+ new

7/26/2017 5:25:06 PM

Okay so I'm going to piggyback off of this topic.

We just bought a new house and I would like to be able to fit both of our vehicles in the smallish (20x20) garage. Currently I have a crew cab Sierra, which is 19.5 feet long and won't fit. I like my truck, but realistically don't use the bed very often.

Long story short, I'm considering trading in for an SUV. I am looking for something with decently low mileage, and preferably AWD/4x4 and leather seats. It's hard to find SUVs that are not super feminine looking.

I need to keep it under $25k.

So far I'm considering the following:
Grand Cherokee
Explorer
Sante Fe Sport
CX-5
Wrangler Unlimited(probably too expensive)

What are TWWs recommendations?

7/27/2017 10:15:30 AM

if the cabin space of the truck is sufficient and you don't use the bed, any reason for an SUV over a car? do you tow?

7/27/2017 11:34:22 AM

For our family it would be nice to have the extra space for trips etc. We also like to be able to do things like drive on the beach. I do tow, but only smaller trailers and infrequently.

7/27/2017 1:13:02 PM

I'd go for a new Subaru wagon with eyesight over anything you listed or a used Cayenne or X5

7/27/2017 1:45:28 PM

I'm not sure how I feel about a wagon. Wouldn't Porsche and BMW cost Texa$ to maintain(and to buy?)

[Edited on July 27, 2017 at 1:57 PM. Reason : . ]

7/27/2017 1:47:04 PM

Shoulda bought this... missed your chance!

Brand New Mitsubishi Evo IX Sells For Nearly $138K

https://www.motor1.com/news/175072/mitsubishi-evo-ix-sold-138k

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112482975831

7/27/2017 5:19:50 PM

maintaining an older bmw/porsche vs a 1-2 year old kia or hyundai? yeah, it's gonna cost more. will you enjoy every mile more? yeah, probly.

i still think the best value for what you want is an eyesight equipped subaru wagon
http://www.subaru.com/guides/crosstrek/my16/Tour/EyeSight

none of the cars are going to be super fun to drive from a performance stand point, but having a car that takes a lot of the frustration out of driving brings it to the top of the list imo

7/28/2017 9:27:03 AM

I'd look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee, CX-5 and Explorer. I would also add a 4Runner to the mix, as I had one and loved it before I gave it away. Never had a problem with it.

That said, once you find out what you want, I would suggest using cargurus.com, kbb.com, autotrader and eBay to search. While I buy higher end cars, I have found if you are willing to fly somewhere and drive 200-1000 miles back, you can often save thousands. In your case, you could easily save $1-2K if you are willing to look between Atlanta and DC for example.

Helps to know what you want, find it, get it inspected - negotiate further off the prenegotiated price before inspection, then go and buy it.

Ability to pay cash or easily finance it will also help in your negotiations, as it is harder to finance a used car than a new one.

7/28/2017 10:12:21 AM

the WK2 Grand Cherokee has one of the worst reliability ratings, don't buy a grand cherokee

7/28/2017 11:15:10 AM

Have you driven the CX-5 yet? I've been impressed with Mazda for a while now.

[Edited on July 28, 2017 at 12:04 PM. Reason : ^^^ eyesight looks cool]

7/28/2017 12:01:07 PM

^No I haven't. I've heard that they are pretty fun to drive.

7/28/2017 3:55:43 PM

1965 Beetle with STi engine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/282594207319

A bargain!

8/3/2017 7:34:50 PM

Subaru needs to sit everything.

A turbo brz and crosstrek would be epic

8/7/2017 10:12:38 PM

Quote :

"A turbo brz"

if they were gonna, wouldn't they have done so by now?

8/8/2017 12:13:30 AM

Yes... I'm not saying either will happen, just that they should.

8/8/2017 3:36:03 AM

Are there any AMGs under $30k I should consider?

9/2/2017 10:55:48 PM

To your question on batteries, I know some vehicles have had issues, but my Insight has 204k. Original batteries. Still easily beats its EPA fuel economy numbers.

9/3/2017 12:39:28 AM

That's a hybrid tho right? Still a good data point. What kind of mpg are you seeing?

I work from home so don't drive much, and am currently more interested in raw hp.

[Edited on September 3, 2017 at 1:03 AM. Reason : GT500 interests me but I can't drive a modern Mustang ]

9/3/2017 1:00:09 AM

as low as 37-39 mpg or so if primarily interstate driving. typical mixed driving is 42-44 or so. 45+ if I'm easy on it.

I can squeeze 50 mpg average out of a tank if I'm really careful, and >60 mpg on an individual drive here and there if I catch all the lights just right, drive it optimally, etc.

...but the short answer is low to mid 40s.



Consider this, too, on a pure EV: Even if you someday have to replace the batteries, the 20xx-tech pack will probably be an upgrade, and while it will be a cost, you won't have to pay for any oil, filter, trans fluid, etc changes. No clutch. Brake pads should like a LONG time with all that region braking. Don't know about coolant and transmissions (I assume they're all direct drive, though...but some may have coolant). At any rate, battery replacement someday notwithstanding, maintenance on an EV ought to really cheap, and I expect that reliability would be good.

[Edited on September 3, 2017 at 1:53 AM. Reason : ]

9/3/2017 1:48:26 AM

I wish you could pick up like a used Model 3 Tesla right now, but you can't even get a new one yet. And model S's are still pretty expensive used, and I know the build quality on the early ones was pretty bad.

The Bolt has acceptable range but it doesn't have Tesla level charging speed. You can't realistically road trip it.

9/3/2017 10:22:40 AM

Yeah I wouldn't mind picking up the first p xxd. Tesla I can afford. Having driven a p85d the acceleration is on par with full on slicks drag car. Like shouldering a gun you really need to have your head in the headrest before pushing the accelerator down. And again when finishing a pull especially one to 100+ (160 in my case) ease off the accelerator, otherwise your head will fly forward from regen braking.

(mine test drive was on a private road near some big factory supposedly capable of powering a stainless steel car back in time)

9/5/2017 6:01:07 AM