What next? The M2 is out

dan · 09-07-2021, 03:15 PM

I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more. I'm preparing for my 115,000 mile 135 to start costing me a lot (more) money, so I'm starting to think about what to do sooner rather than later. I don't really think I'm interested in a used 240 or any other BMW going forward--poor reliability with high repair costs have soured me a bit. Not to mention 1 more kid's car and 2 college educations coming due in the next 6 years.

So..what to do? The first thing that came to mind is $25,000 or so for a 3 year old GTI. Though that seems like maybe not a great idea if reliability and repair costs are a concern? Maybe a Mazda (car) something? I just don't know. I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max.

Maybe I'll just buy a truck

dan · 09-07-2021, 03:20 PM

ok, no trucks

lemming · 09-07-2021, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more. I'm preparing for my 115,000 mile 135 to start costing me a lot (more) money, so I'm starting to think about what to do sooner rather than later. I don't really think I'm interested in a used 240 or any other BMW going forward--poor reliability with high repair costs have soured me a bit. Not to mention 1 more kid's car and 2 college educations coming due in the next 6 years.

So..what to do? The first thing that came to mind is $25,000 or so for a 3 year old GTI. Though that seems like maybe not a great idea if reliability and repair costs are a concern? Maybe a Mazda (car) something? I just don't know. I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max.

Maybe I'll just buy a truck

First of all, yes. It will. It can range from routine to non-routine (e.g. walnut shell blasting of the valves). HPFPs. Shocks. Brakes. Coolant system overhaul. Window regulators. The list is long.

Second, manual or DSG or automatic?

wdc330i · 09-07-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more. I'm preparing for my 115,000 mile 135 to start costing me a lot (more) money, so I'm starting to think about what to do sooner rather than later. I don't really think I'm interested in a used 240 or any other BMW going forward--poor reliability with high repair costs have soured me a bit. Not to mention 1 more kid's car and 2 college educations coming due in the next 6 years.

So..what to do? The first thing that came to mind is $25,000 or so for a 3 year old GTI. Though that seems like maybe not a great idea if reliability and repair costs are a concern? Maybe a Mazda (car) something? I just don't know. I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max.

Maybe I'll just buy a truck

Mazda6?

Edit: And that's precisely why I ended up with a Mazda. Just over the price of entry and maintenance on these fancy cars. At least for now. Plus, car for kid; college for kid; retirement before I'm dead.

dan · 09-07-2021, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Mazda6?

Certainly a possibility. Only reason to avoid would be my 2006 was just so...blah. Plus they're gonna be going RWD very soon.

Maybe I could hold out for that one

dan · 09-07-2021, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Edit: And that's precisely why I ended up with a Mazda. Just over the price of entry and maintenance on these fancy cars. At least for now. Plus, car for kid; college for kid; retirement before I'm dead.

yep. all of that. And I'd just so much rather spend $30,000 and go on 4-5-6 kickass vacations than $60,000 on a car.

Yeah cost of ownership and all, but

wdc330i · 09-07-2021, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

yep. all of that. And I'd just so much rather spend $30,000 and go on 4-5-6 kickass vacations than $60,000 on a car.

Yeah cost of ownership and all, but

This, too.

dan · 05-31-2022, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more.

I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

yep. all of that. And I'd just so much rather spend $30,000 and go on 4-5-6 kickass vacations than $60,000 on a car.

3LOU5 · 06-29-2023, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

yep. all of that. And I'd just so much rather spend $30,000 and go on 4-5-6 kickass vacations than $60,000 on a car.

Yeah cost of ownership and all, but

I'm with you on the vacation part. Life is about experiences, not material things (says the guy who has an RV, boat, motorcycles ....).

Well, at least my "toys" are paid for, but will eventually need to "trim the herd" the older I get.

Yeah, it's funny how priorities change as you get older, LOL.

dan · 09-07-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

First of all, yes. It will. It can range from routine to non-routine (e.g. walnut shell blasting of the valves). HPFPs. Shocks. Brakes. Coolant system overhaul. Window regulators. The list is long.

Yeah, I've already done some of that.

I'd do either/or on the transmission

09-07-2021, 03:15 PM	#1
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	What next? The M2 is out I'm just not in the mood to spend $60,000 on a car any more. I'm preparing for my 115,000 mile 135 to start costing me a lot (more) money, so I'm starting to think about what to do sooner rather than later. I don't really think I'm interested in a used 240 or any other BMW going forward--poor reliability with high repair costs have soured me a bit. Not to mention 1 more kid's car and 2 college educations coming due in the next 6 years. So..what to do? The first thing that came to mind is $25,000 or so for a 3 year old GTI. Though that seems like maybe not a great idea if reliability and repair costs are a concern? Maybe a Mazda (car) something? I just don't know. I guess I'm looking to go $30,000 max. Maybe I'll just buy a truck __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

09-07-2021, 03:20 PM	#2
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	ok, no trucks __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie