A question on car pragmatism

[Sonn]

I'm not sure whether this is a daft question or not, but I'd rather find out than wonder.:flyfun:

I'm looking at getting a car in the R100-150k range.

One does not get stunners new for this price - no illusions with that.

Somewhere in that range you'll find a new Polo Vivo, Renault Sandero and maybe a Fiat 500 and one or two other small, economical runarounds. Obviously one cannot get a new BMW for anything near that.

In the other corner, there's the option of buying an E46 or E90 from the early-to-mid 2000s with about 120 000kms on. They go for around the same price.

I assume: the BMW options will be less economical, will cost significantly more to service and will be an all round more expensive car to have due to being secondhand. Probably less reliable.

But so much nicer. Soooo much.

Is this more or less accurate?

I'm torn between getting a new "sensible" little hatch that won't burn a hole in my pocket after the initial hole, and getting an Ultimate Driving Machine (it will be my first) that's been around the block a few times but easily out-awesomes the former.

I don't have cash to burn but I feel if I go for the practical option my soul might just die.

Thoughts?

TLDR: new cheap hatch or 2000s 3 series in same price range?

 

[herr bmw]

Rooi Willie here on the forum is selling his e90 325i in that price range:rollsmile:and its one amazing car,check out the for sale section

was also in the same boat as you,but if i had to relive my life again would go straight for a bmw instead of messing around with a small car,have found its either cheape ror the same costs to maintain a bmw as it is a smaller car and as i have just found out it cost more to service the navara than my bm

hope this helps and you make the right choice:thumbs:

 

[Sonn]

Thanks for the input! I spotted RW's car for sale on the forum. Very tempting. Especially with those low kms.

I forgot to mention one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the new car is that financing is much easier, as opposed to buying private.

And then there's the question of insurance.

 

[danieljames]

The insurance on my 1995 E36 325i is less than it was on my 2001 opel corsa bakkie. A BMW is an amazing car. I've driven e46's and e90's and I love my E36. And there's always accredited workshops to do servicing on ur car. Thru the little hatchbacks myt be cheaper but they'll never put a smile on your face while driving. And you'll never turn around to admire her as u walk away after parking her. Its a tough choice.....follow your gut.....and I'm dead sure even that is screaming BMW!!!!

Sheer driving pleasure

M50B25-L6

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Always such a tough choice.. To be very honest a well looked after BMW will not just go up in smoke.. But the problem is twofold: 1) Getting one that has been well maintained and 2) keeping that preventative maintenance going after you got the car. If you can commit to keep the maintenance going then I say go for it, driving a BMW is awesome :thumbs: