First time buyer advice

[scienide]

Hi there

King_RSA pointed me here :wave: so thought would ask same type of questions and more from the peeps that know their cars!

So lets start.

I have a 2006 Polo 1.6.
I bought it brand new and wow what a feeling it was.

I was in a very low paying job and needed a vehicle and put a balloon payment on it so i could survive. :cursin:

So this is where i am now...
I have 50k that i need to settle.
I either refinance it for 3 years at R400 more than what i am currently paying or...

trade it in and join the BMW brotherhood

Firstly i went and looked at getting a new polo, but they only offered me R70k on a trade in and then klapped me 14% interest on the new car :dropjaw:
I thought - "i am coming back to get my 3rd car from you - give me a good deal"

Then did some looking around and chatted to King and he told me to go look at BMW.

(hope not boring you with my story?) opcorn:
Off to Autohaus Monti and there is where i fell in love!

3 cars:
1) 2006 320d, 81k on clock, exec pack - R185k
2) 2006 120i, 54k on clock - R165k
3) 2009 320i, 58k on clock, sport pack - R230k

• now the 2009 i feel is a bit out of my range (friends are looking at buying that one - think was in accident as doors resprayed and back bumper replaced)
  
• The 120i had back suspension work, black lady driver (drove into storm water drain) - so King told me to leave it :thumbsup:
  
• The 320d is the first one i saw and loved when i drove it.
  
  People are now telling me the M/P expires soon etc.
  [Sep 2012 or 100k km] and then to fix the car if something goes wrong is very expensive.
  I do personally know the owner so know was looked after.
  
  

yes they put new tyres on etc, changed pollen filter and what not.


Now my Q's are:
How will my resale be in 4-5 years?
Is buying another 2006 model a good thing? even though stepping up a class?
Rather refinance balloon, only paying it for 3 years...??
Read here today must ask for 20 point check report (so will do that)
What else must i get them to check etc?

Sure i will think of more questions, but i am sure this will keep you busy

even added a poll imp:

---

damn spelling mistake :banghead:

 

[Bayn46]

Out of the 3 I would also pick the 320d, nice power and a great car overall. Plus if you know the owner that is a major advantage, most people don't know what they are buying until they have it.

Refinancing the balloon will probably just end up costing you money so might be better off selling the car, paying the balloon outright and jumping to another car (start from scratch). There are quite a few threads hanging around about things to look out for, and most people have their doubts about turbo cars (turbo failure) but my perspective is that a part can fail at 1km on the clock or 300,000km on the clock but getting these things inspected is always worth having done right.

You said you drove the 320d already? So what you waiting for??

Good luck with the decision :thumb:

 

[Sith]

My 2c worth. There is always a risk when buying second hand cars, so no guarentees. Firstly, ditch the Polo, that deal is no good. Out of the three, I would opt for the 320d. It's a good car, and has better performance then the petrol version. Just bear in mind, the diesel will save you more at the pumps, but cost you more should something go wrong. Plan can be extended, so check with a dealer for the different cost options for renewal. Knowing the current owner is a major plus. With any purchase, make sure to get the car checked out. Not that familiar with resale on these models but, considering the car will be ten years old in five years time, expect to be disappointed come sale time. IMHO, this applies to most cars, irrespective of brand. There is obviously another option. Depending on your needs, and wants, you could opt for something a bit older, but more powerful. In that price range there are plenty financiable BMW's that would show the 320d a clean pair of heals. That is subjective tho, and the 320d is the safe bet! Good luck whichever way you go. :thumbsup:

 

[mervynr]

320d definately. Had a corolla 140i, 2006. there's nothing better than driving a car that puts a smile on your face, when you're paying those installments each month. Fuel economy is better than the 140i, and from past experience VW's weren't all that cheap for repairs anyway, so you wouldn't go breaking the bank

 

[Spy007]

Dump Polo Go BMW. Was in the same boat. Only Difference was I had a getz and mine had 374 000km. So bite the bullet start afresh. 1 year down the line and can not believe how the time has flown and enjoyed my car.

 

[scienide]

Shot guys.

Now just to wait and hear from BMW today to see what deal (all the sums etc) they give me.
Scary part - i know nothing wrong with polo, and never know if guy kept quiet about stuff on BM, but will let you guys know what happens.

 

[KING_RSA]

Howzit Sci :wave::wave:


Like we discussed, get the 320D and join the club imp:

 

[XMAX]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.


Some important things to consider...

I assume that youre now no longer in that very low paying job. Please correct me if im wrong.

Everyone here, including me, has gone the BMW route and not had a regret. But whats important is your budget. Can you afford it.

The 320D seems like the best bet.

The 320d will be lighter on fuel that your polo, and will kill it power wise.

Dont only look at these guys, shop around. Youll be surprised at what you could find for that price range. Search Autotrader and youll see for yourself.

The thing about cars under Motorplan is that you can go in to a bmw workshop and say that theres something wrong and it Will be repaired. with the mileage on that 320D you can extend the motor plan with BMW or go aftermarket.

Speaking of Autotrader. Ive seen a few 320d's. Some 2007 and 2008 for roughly the kind of money youre looking to spend. food for thought.

 

[zaleonardz]

Bud,

My advice would be to go with the 320d as well, if those were your options.

However, if I was you personally, I would look at a slightly older, well looked after 330d with a manual transmission.

Simple reason is reliability, those motors are indestructable....

http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201107187445845 is a brilliant example

 

[Spanner]

Personally would go for 320d, shop around though as XMAX stated. you might be lucky to find a later model with lower kilo's

 

[scienide]

thanks guys.

still checking around. but keen on that 320d :excited:

one thing - i can't understand how the 320i - 2009 model is only R220k?

checked and saw that petrol models cheaper than diesel :hammerhead:

 

[XMAX]

no offence to the 320i owners here, but the 320d will run circles around the 320i.

Torque is addictive.

for that kind of money, please take my advice and shop around. Im not saying take so long that if this car is the one you want, its gone when u decide. Be quick. Shop around. Youd be surprised at what you might find.

but Zaleonard also makes a good point bout the 330d. you could find a good e90 pre facelift 330 for the price range youre looking in. Still undermotorplan.

If its under motorplan, you can get yourself a brand new car for nothing. Go in and tell them this is vibrating, that is squeaking and those are rattling and you will get all new parts. then get an extension on the plan (BMW's extensions are bloody expensive) but there are other warranty companies that have great offers on mechanical warranties.

 

[Sankekur]

Just remember that if you go for a diesel you will probably have a harder time selling it later on, as people are not always too keen on older diesels. This is just something to keep in mind for resell value.

 

[scienide]

If i look at trading it in at BMW?
Don't they do a trade assist etc?

 

[Sankekur]

Of course they would but they will know the market, and will know that it will be harder for them to shift a older diesel, so they will be giving you less for the trade.

But listen, I not saying this to dishearten or to scare you, I am just giving you some extra perspective and something to think about. Also I am not say that the 320d is not an awesome car (as it is), but in the end if resale will be really important to you it might not harm you to broaden your search and to maybe look at 323i's and 325i's as well, they might not give you that same shove of torque as the diesel, but they do come with the awesome 6-cyl soundtrack.

 

[Venda Boy]

buy 320i

:excited::excited::excited:
if u are a racer - get 335i
:thinking::thinking:

 

[scienide]

:thumbsup:

thanks Sankekur

 

[Bayn46]

Of course they would but they will know the market, and will know that it will be harder for them to shift a older diesel, so they will be giving you less for the trade.

But listen, I not saying this to dishearten or to scare you, I am just giving you some extra perspective and something to think about. Also I am not say that the 320d is not an awesome car (as it is), but in the end if resale will be really important to you it might not harm you to broaden your search and to maybe look at 323i's and 325i's as well, they might not give you that same shove of torque as the diesel, but they do come with the awesome 6-cyl soundtrack.

+1, you can't beat the sound of those petrol engines.

 

[Jakkals_F30]

The sound of the 6's are amazing....

If you get your finance through BMW and you need to extend your MP. Yes it's expensive to extend the mileage on the car, now depending on how much you drive you can extend the MP and they add that to your finance amount. So let's say you drive the car for a year you can then add the MP extension and still pay the same amount without having to fork out 20K odd.

323i - driving one because i love the sound and it's even better when you get to 5K RPM..
Diesel will make more sense if you love the torgue and not too worried about the sound.

IMHO - both are really amazing cars and good luck with your search and i'm sure you will find a new baby soon. ;-)

 

[scienide]

ok guys.

bad news, well from my side. :facepalm: :uhoh: :bawling:

BMW not want finance it - say it too old.
westbank will, but they tune 13% interest

that takes it to R3700 p/m
[about 1k out of my budget]

I told the sales guy for R3700 i can just as well take your R3999 deal you have runnign at moment for a new car!!


So where i am now...??

they jsut got a 2005 E46 white 318i 2l in with 56k on clock. (exclusive pack)
they want it R110k for it.

here is pics.

what you guys think?
only thing......... no MP :thinking:

if i take that - it is exactly what i am currently paying and about 200-300 less than refinancing the balloon.


or try get R54k from a family member, as in 3 months time i have policy paying out.
So pay polo off, get full 80k onto that car then get from there?

now to see what can sort out.... :dunno:

thanks guys