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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Downgrade to 2007 Ford Focus for $10,000?
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06-09-2006, 03:26 PM | #45 |
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You sound like an intelligent guy, but please do not settle for a Ford.
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06-09-2006, 04:18 PM | #46 |
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I'm really impressed with the way you're thinking at such a young age. You'll get a lot of opinions on here from people who's priorities and situations are obviously different than yours. Please take that into consideration when making your final decision. Mature, intelligent thinking will take you far in life. You're already on the right track. I won't offer an opinion because I'm sure you'll make the right decision for yourself.
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06-09-2006, 05:07 PM | #47 |
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Thanks all for your opinions and advice. Much noted and considered. I'm probably just going to wait until I get back to the States where there will be a much better buyer's market and also a much better used car market to choose from in terms of a used car to be used for the long haul.
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06-09-2006, 06:07 PM | #48 |
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two things....
1. Ford vs BMW? Where's common sense? Why don't you compare LV with Old Navy then? It's the premium in branding, image, and material. Even if you spend $20k on a focus...u won't get the same image. Enough said. 2. If you cannot make any financial sense about blowing that much into a car, perhaps you should really go back to a focus. It's mainly because you don't even know what to appreciate in a BMW...then you won't be able to tell the difference between a Focus with a Lambo. Might as well save the $10k....invest it somewhere and when you build up ur financials and appreciation for cars...then buy a more expensive cars. It's like a guy who knows nothing about photography and bought a SLR...go get a point and shoot camera...
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06-09-2006, 06:42 PM | #49 | |
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The 325i is much more powerful, well built, and handles much better I'm sure. If the best handling car in America is the Lincoln LS, and the E90 handles better than that, i think its safe to say the 325i will annihilate the car you're thinking in handling.
This being said, asking many of the members on here, may not help you. As you pointed out, many of us are car fanatics. We certainly use the car more than you do (only 2,500 miles in 6 months!), spend more time in it, get more out of it, and all in all give a priority to what car we drive. So, we won't be able to give you the answer that is best for you. I know this doesn't help much, but i think its true. But, what does tell me that you may be better off downgrading, is the mere fact that you have driven the 325i for 6 months now. That is more than adequate time to assess the car and see how important it is to YOU. Apparently, even after driving it for 6 months, and only 2,500 miles, and presuming you will continue to use it in the limited capacity that it has been used in the past, you still don't really care about what car you're in, I say downgrade. Most of the people here would not ask this question, because most are fanatics about their cars. If they were to ask this question, or to consider downgrading, it would have been purely a money issue, something serious happened to them or in their life. For you though, its just a matter of preference and priority. Apparently, owning an E90 is neither much more of a preference or a priority. You just need some simple, stable transport. If this is the case, I would definitely downgrade, but I wouldn't necessarily downgrade to the Ford Focus. Pin down a budget that you are comfortable spending (say 15k), and find out which car has the best resale value in this price range (if the focus has it, or if 15k for the focus is a steal (i dont' know), then go for the focus, otherwise considering something else). Or, if your stay is very short, consider leasing (you'll need to do some number crunching, comparing interest rates, how long you'll keep it, etc.) and see what you're better off doing. Quote:
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06-09-2006, 06:44 PM | #50 | |
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06-09-2006, 06:46 PM | #51 | |
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06-09-2006, 06:49 PM | #52 | |
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06-09-2006, 07:24 PM | #53 | |
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your situation kinda reminds me of myself when i was waiting for my car. but it seems like you deserve it. my parents are also divorced and i lived away from each of them during different times of my life so i say that the the e90 is just a consolation prize for my endurance during the rough times. but again, i think you deserve it. keep it and enoy. dont feel bad about it cause you didnt buy your car to make other people jealous.
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06-09-2006, 09:48 PM | #54 | |
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06-09-2006, 10:44 PM | #55 | |
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More power to you for recognizing that you're a simple guy with simple needs and a simple life, and that you don't "NEED" a fancy bling car even though you have the money for one. I say if you can find a buyer for your car, go ahead and sell it and get something simpler. Personally I would have little interest in a BMW if it wasn't for my wife. She's a classy girl (snob), has high-class tastes (snob), likes to go to classy places (snob), wants to be driven around in a classy car (snob), and what can I say, it rubs off on me. Otherwise I'd probably be shopping for a Mazda 3s SP23 hatch 5MT right now, so I'm really a lot more like you. I probably would have come around to BMWs sooner or later though. I'm tired of boring FWD Japanese cars and want something RWD with much better balance. The Lexus cars are way too small. The Infinitis all drink gas. The Mercedes are junk. Audis are either FWD or AWD (no RWD). And then there's BMW - excellent handling, decent reliability, and lively yet highly efficient engines.
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06-09-2006, 11:50 PM | #56 |
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The question is: Are you going to enjoy $10K in the bank more than the E90. Its your choice. There are many ways to live a life. But life only comes once. So do what you like most.
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06-10-2006, 12:51 AM | #57 |
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You are an Officer in the Army so use your money wisely and invest smart. You have more than enough money to do so. Your monthly payment of $350 is not that bad compared to those that finance more. Be smart and invest.
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06-10-2006, 05:15 AM | #58 | |
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06-11-2006, 04:16 PM | #59 |
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this thread and others like it confuse me. why would you buy a car without thoroughly thinking it through (if you really want it)?
my feeling is if you having an extra 10K really matters to you (which it should at your age unless you've got a few 100K stashed away) you shouldn't have bought the car in the first place, but now that you have you're going to lose a significant percentage of the money that you're trying to get back by selling this early. Just enjoy the car and try to make more sound financial decisions in the future. |
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06-11-2006, 11:56 PM | #61 | |
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Reading this e-mail thread is fascinating. It's my perception that there are two broad "groups" of people who buy these cars: a younger bunch who don't have too many responsibilties and really enjoy having and driving the car and an older, more experienced group who also enjoy the car, but maybe took a less direct approach to obtaining this "luxury." I, myself, as a single person, have worked 25 years and am just now buying a 325. Sure, I could have bought one earlier, but my priorities were focused on establishing a career, travel, buying a home, setting aside retirement funds, etc., etc. Delayed gratification I guess. But I know I've worked hard for this car and will really enjoy it. I agree with other posters: as long as you think through your decisions and look at them from various angles, you will do fine! (For this decision or any other.) |
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06-12-2006, 02:32 AM | #62 |
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This is interesting because I have a 320i E90 and a Mk2 Ford Focus hatch. I used to own a Mazda 3 (actually it was my wife's) and whenever I needed to drive it, it was like being demoted. I felt cheated because of the nasty plastics the harsh ride and it was darn scary to drive at relatively high speeds compared to the BMW. We traded the Mazda in for the Focus after a test drive at our local dealership (and after watching reviews of the Focus and other hatches in Top Gear). It's such a joy to drive that I oftentimes choose it over my E90 when I go out in the morning and drive to work (my wife doesnt mind because she often stays at home). I dare say that it's the closest thing to a BMW that I've driven that is not a BMW. The handling is sharp, ride is great, plastics are good quality, the turn signal and wiper stalks feel BMW-chunky, the doors shut with a satisfying 'thud', the boot is incredible (well, it is a hatch), although steering is a lot lighter, which is a bad thing if you're looking for a weighted feel like the BMW's. Of course power will be an issue if you're used to a 325i and like driving it hard. I suggest that you take the Focus out for a test drive to verify my observations before making a desicion. I'm 32 and I live in the Philippines where life is hard and a 320i costs $49,000.00. Let me say that I was only able to buy a car that expensive here and still live a comfortable life because of prudent financial desicions I made when I was younger. Play your cards right while you're young and you could be driving a brand new Ferrari in a few years time
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06-12-2006, 08:38 AM | #63 |
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Keep the 325 - selling it now you will be hard pressed to get 26K cash for resale value. No reason for you not to have it. As was said earlier - drive it like it is meant to be here while you ahve the opportunity - try A81 from Wurzburg to Stuttgart on a sunday morning at about 7:00 or 7:30, see how fast she'll go... It IS a work of art...
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11-02-2006, 02:33 PM | #64 | |
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