I bought a new car (the "I wanna be like Gugs" thread)...

[Claws of Perdition]

would prefer hydrogen over electric, that v10 hydrogen powered car BMW is a monster.

I dont want an electric car, especially if its like this one...

 

[lurch70]

Figure on buying an electric in a "few years", imo.

i would consider it if they can replicate some umph to the sound of the engine and give them some nice pickup

on a side note ... does China have no shame? and when will they be held accountable for all the blatant copying that they do?

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/23/lifan-3-series-the-fake-mini/

 

[General Zod]

i am dying to make some more bucks and get a beemer in a few years.

Really? I really enjoy nice cars, but I just can't see that kind of car payment. My buddy is leasing a new 335. $4K down and $749 a month. No thanks.

Zod

 

[Dark One]

Really? I really enjoy nice cars, but I just can't see that kind of car payment. My buddy is leasing a new 335. $4K down and $749 a month. No thanks.

Agreed - plus, while very safe cars, they're unreliable as hell.

 

[lurch70]

My buddy is leasing a new 335. $4K down and $749 a month.

that sounds very high for a lease ... sure its not financed?

if i ever do it, i would only do it if I could really afford it.

 

[General Zod]

that sounds very high for a lease ... sure its not financed?

Yep. E-mailed him before I posted, to make sure I had the numbers right.

Zod

 

[Dark One]

that sounds very high for a lease ... sure its not financed?

Actually that does seem ridiculously high for a lease. Zod, is that an upper echelon Beamer model? I know they can run upwards of 100K for the higher tier models.

if i ever do it, i would only do it if I could really afford it.

If I could really afford it, I'm still not sure I'd do it since you can get such high quality, long lasting & stylish vehicles for a mere fraction of the cost.

 

[General Zod]

Actually that does seem ridiculously high for a lease. Zod, is that an upper echelon Beamer model? I know they can run upwards of 100K for the higher tier models.

Not sure when you and Aurel last priced BMWs, but the 335 is a $47K car, once you load it up.

If I could really afford it, I'm still not sure I'd do it since you can get such high quality, long lasting & stylish vehicles for a mere fraction of the cost.

This is my mindset exactly. Unless I had crazy money, it's just not worth it. For starters, a car is not an investment, it's an expense. And it's much like the conversation we had in the HDTV thread. When it comes to refinements in a luxury car, after two months, you don't even notice them. You're watching the traffic, listening to the stereo, talking on your cell phone... you're not noticing how little body roll there is around a sharp turn. When all is said and done, you've bought yourself a $20K logo.

Zod

 

[lurch70]

the damn BMW driving feel is what got me hooked ... f the logo ... if I coud get that in a car half the price, I would.

also Greg ... did you see the new BMW 1 series coming to the US next month. You can get one loaded nicely for about $32K ... 50/50 weight distribution ... a real drivers car ... reviews are talking about a throwback to the golden days of motoring.
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2008/1/128iCoupe/128iCoupeMediaGallery.aspx

and its not that much more than an Altima coupe ... plus the resale value for BMW's is #1 in the industry ...

edit: I just specced a similarily loaded Altima Coupe and am at $29K and change ... now that's overpriced

 

[Dark One]

Not sure when you and Aurel last priced BMWs, but the 335 is a $47K car, once you load it up.

Geez, and your friend's lease was that much? Wow, I would think that would be around the monthly payment if you purchased it, but that's just insane.

About researching the BMW prices, I know some models cost in the area you mentioned while others can indeed run upwards of 100K. I just wasn't sure whether or not the 335 was an upper or lower tier BMW model.

This is my mindset exactly. Unless I had crazy money, it's just not worth it. For starters, a car is not an investment, it's an expense. And it's much like the conversation we had in the HDTV thread. When it comes to refinements in a luxury car, after two months, you don't even notice them. You're watching the traffic, listening to the stereo, talking on your cell phone... you're not noticing how little body roll there is around a sharp turn. When all is said and done, you've bought yourself a $20K logo.

Yeah, it would take an awful lot to consider such a purchase. Even if I had more money than I knew what to do with, I'd still give it to retirement, family, friends, charity, etc. before even considering it. With mad money it would obviously make more sense.

 

[General Zod]

also Greg ... did you see the new BMW 1 series coming to the US next month. You can get one loaded nicely for about $32K ... 50/50 weight distribution ... a real drivers car ... reviews are talking about a throwback to the golden days of motoring.

Not bad. However, there's a reverse snob appeal to such a car. When you're talking something in the "status symbol" arena, I don't really want the entry-level option. To me, such products scream, "I'm vain and vapid enough to want a status symbol... but I can't afford it."

Zod

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Agreed - plus, while very safe cars, they're unreliable as hell.

uh..... that's not true....... where did you get that?

 

[Dead_Lioness]

BMWs are awfuly nice cars... you think you wouldn't notice the car after 2-3 months? You think you'll notice the traffic/ talk on your cell phone?
maybe...... but how about EVERY single time you'll drive you'll feel how awesome the car is, how smooth it drives, all the great things inside of it, the features,
the awesome power, the way it drives is NOTHING like you've driven before.... nice cars are nice cars... PERIOD
With that being said though..... it really depends on what kind of driver you are, as well... some just need a car to get them to work and back, some enjoy the actual "drive"
so which one are you?

 

[lurch70]

Not bad. However, there's a reverse snob appeal to such a car. When you're talking something in the "status symbol" arena, I don't really want the entry-level option. To me, such products scream, "I'm vain and vapid enough to want a status symbol... but I can't afford it."

Zod

maybe to some people, but the 1 was really built as a drivers car more so than any other Beemer. all Beemers have such different characteristics, driving and feel wise. But really at all the price points you get a lot for what you pay for.

and oddly enough, if I was loaded and could afford anyhting in their line, I would still get a 335 ... the 5 and 7 series do nothing for me and I've driven them all. I know a lot of people pass judgements on car buying decisions, myself included, but really you should lookk for bang for the buck, driveability and resale value ... especially when buying.

 

[lurch70]

With that being said though..... it really depends on what kind of driver you are, as well... some just need a car to get them to work and back, some enjoy the actual "drive"
so which one are you?

yes, this is a big factor for sure. people that view cars just as mere transportation WILL buy a Beemer just as a status symbol ... or any other high priced car for that matter.

A buddy of mine bought some high end Infinity ... M45 or something awhile back ... I asked him to let me drive it and showed him a few things that "it can do" ... even he had a grin on face after that.

 

[Dead_Lioness]

yes, this is a big factor for sure. people that view cars just as mere transportation WILL buy a Beemer just as a status symbol ... or any other high priced car for that matter.

A buddy of mine bought some high end Infinity ... M45 or something awhile back ... I asked him to let me drive it and showed him a few things that "it can do" ... even he had a grin on face after that.

Well, BMWs are great cars... everything in them is engineered right … every features works as you would expect it to work, it drives better than any car you’ll drive… “a status symbol” is bullshit…
Someone once told me: real drivers drive real cars…
Which is why I said: it really depends what kind of driver are you, and what you need the car for.
BMWs worth every penny if you ask me.

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Dorian, you obviously need a car to just transport you from point A to B. Do you drive a lot? Or is it mainly work-home home-work?
I do a lot of driving in the weekend, and so it's important to me to have a good car that will make the long drives bearable and be fast and stable on the highways (and I love to drive fast)
so obviously maybe our needs are different........... and that's ok, right? They make so many different car models nowadays so they would fit into anyone's needs.....

 

[lurch70]

@Lurch: Isn't the Chevy Volt supposed to pretty darn fast? Also, in '98, I had a gf who drove an '82 528i. She paid something like $3000 and it was the most brilliant driving experience of my life - light, torquey, lacked all manner of stupid electronic gadgets, and looked awesome. Maybe you could get something like that to drive for fun? What about an early 90s M3? That would kick ass and you could pay cash for it.

I am not in the market for a car right now, I really do dig the Mazda3 I have, but torque and HP are not what I am looking for next time. It's that "driver feel" ... I think Karen knows what I am talking about

I drove so many types of cars in my life for extended periods of time and very few cars have "it" ...

test drives are usually bad to really pass judgment on a car also, the 10 minutes you have with it, barely allows you to adjust the mirrors properly and a get a good driving position.

another friend of mine even bought his last 2 cars without even taking a test drive ... :zombie: ... purchased purely on looks and color

 

[Dead_Lioness]

btw... you guys keep saying "Novelty" - the "status symbol" is BULLSHIT and mainly for people who don't care about driving, yet want a nice car.
When you drive an excellent car, (engine, electronics, body, speed etc) nothing wears off, let me tell you..........you'll enjoy it every time you'll drive

 

[Dead_Lioness]

next time. It's that "driver feel" ... I think Karen knows what I am talking about


another friend of mine even bought his last 2 cars without even taking a test drive ... :zombie: ... purchased purely on looks and color

Looks and color ain't anything (and I'm a woman! 'color' is everything to us! )
I like a car that feels great on the road, that can be fast, yet secure, and that will be fun to drive with... I'm not much of a "driver" but I do appreciate great "driving" feels........