$12k to spend

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: ballmode
It's gonna be hard but they do make manual g35 sedans out there. I look for one if it ever pops up

I had the manual sedan. The dealership mechanic was surprised to see it one time and said that they may see one a month at best. I tried getting the 08 G35 sedan in manual and looked for 3 months before giving up.

 

[ballmode]

I will keep looking guys thanks or the input. From used car ads it seems the Infiniti seats seem to hold up better than BMW leather.

Then again I'm a small Asian guy so I don't damage seats.

 

[alphatarget1]

Infiniti

 

[empyrials]

g35 all the way. with just a few things done those cars look sick. smoked lights, tint, front lip Oh ya. cheap stuff that just makes it look nice

 

[FDF12389]

G35 hands down

 

[StageLeft]

I haven't run the numbers but it seems basically everybody is saying G35.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I haven't run the numbers but it seems basically everybody is saying G35.

Pretty much.
Honestly, If you are looking for the one car your going to daily drive, I would seriously consider getting something new that has a warranty on it.
What are you going to do when you sell the miata, and all you have is a car with 100K
What are you going to do when it breaks down? Some of the older cars and especially the not so common ones like the BWM can take a few days to get parts.

I'd keep the miata, and buy a $12K daily driver.
Hell why not lease a new one?
You can lease a 328i Coupe for $369 a month. You'll need to put down $5k, but if you keep the rest of your $12K and use that towards the lease payments you'll only be paying $230 a month to lease the car. And I believe BMW leases cover all maintenance on the car including brakes and oil changes.

 

[ballmode]

I am finding more g35s sold used than 330s for the price range. Does the Infiniti suck at resale value? It was a cheaper car to begin with though...

No leases and i only want one car so I don't hve two insurance payments. I might just drive the miata till it gets cold and get a car for more money since I'm saving up.

 

[DarkThinker]

I love BMWs, E46 is a great generation, I would love a 330i manual but I wouldn't pick an out of warranty BMW unless I have the skill tools and time to do the labor intensive fixes myself.

I have non of those

 

[caspur]

I'm going to go with the G35 here as well. Dynamically its not nearly as good as a BMW, but the general population can't tell. Unless you test drive cars for a living, you won't perceive the differences. And honestly, most people that do buy a BMW can't tell either...its mostly a badge thing.

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: thegimp03
I don't think so. BMW's are expensive as hell to maintain when they start breaking down. Something with that much mileage and not on a warranty anymore might be on the verge of having some problems.

That's EXACTLY the mentality that allows people like me to get fantastic deals.

And chances are, most that are harping the party line has never owned one, or got dealt with a beater.

BMW's for the most part make some of the best engines and transmissions on the planet, typically the things that go wrong with them are the little things, and those aren't any more expensive in parts than any other cars of the same quality. It's the perception that's skewed.

The reasons why there is a bad stigma with BMW's is because the people that have them new, didn't care much for them, and the people that buy them used, typically don't want to pay for the proper maintenance of the vehicle. A properly maintained BMW will run forever, ask me how I know. To be honest, if you look at the parts and service charge per hour, there isn't THAT much of a difference between a BMW to Honda, or Toyota, or Nissan.

If the vehicle aren't maintained properly, then things will go awry really fast. For instance, the engine doesn't take that much coolant, and if you somehow run out of it and in a very short time, you most likely will be looking at a new engine. Again, it's not the engine's fault that it runs out of water.

Yes, you pay a bit more to maintain a BMW than say, a Corolla but you won't be driving a Corolla.

Get your parts here www.getbmwparts.com (sponsored by Tischer BMW), probably the best service and least expensive parts you can find anywhere.

 

[KIAman]

Originally posted by: SSSnail

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: thegimp03
I don't think so. BMW's are expensive as hell to maintain when they start breaking down. Something with that much mileage and not on a warranty anymore might be on the verge of having some problems.

That's EXACTLY the mentality that allows people like me to get fantastic deals.

And chances are, most that are harping the party line has never owned one, or got dealt with a beater.

BMW's for the most part make some of the best engines and transmissions on the planet, typically the things that go wrong with them are the little things, and those aren't any more expensive in parts than any other cars of the same quality. It's the perception that's skewed.

The reasons why there is a bad stigma with BMW's is because the people that have them new, didn't care much for them, and the people that buy them used, typically don't want to pay for the proper maintenance of the vehicle. A properly maintained BMW will run forever, ask me how I know. To be honest, if you look at the parts and service charge per hour, there isn't THAT much of a difference between a BMW to Honda, or Toyota, or Nissan.

If the vehicle aren't maintained properly, then things will go awry really fast. For instance, the engine doesn't take that much coolant, and if you somehow run out of it and in a very short time, you most likely will be looking at a new engine. Again, it's not the engine's fault that it runs out of water.

Yes, you pay a bit more to maintain a BMW than say, a Corolla but you won't be driving a Corolla.

Get your parts here www.getbmwparts.com (sponsored by Tischer BMW), probably the best service and least expensive parts you can find anywhere.

I guess your perception on "not that much money" is very different than mine. Let me break down some normal maintenance stuff from my cars.

2005 Civic : 2006 BMW E90 330i
Oil change: $20 : $128
Transmission Oil Change: $75 : $500
Front brakes and rotors: $175 : $660
Rear brakes: $210 : $700
Set of tires: $420 : $1200
Coolant Flush: $85 : $220
Power steering fluid: $4 : $20
All air filters: $20 : $60

That's just maintenance.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: KIAman

Originally posted by: SSSnail

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: thegimp03
I don't think so. BMW's are expensive as hell to maintain when they start breaking down. Something with that much mileage and not on a warranty anymore might be on the verge of having some problems.

That's EXACTLY the mentality that allows people like me to get fantastic deals.

And chances are, most that are harping the party line has never owned one, or got dealt with a beater.

BMW's for the most part make some of the best engines and transmissions on the planet, typically the things that go wrong with them are the little things, and those aren't any more expensive in parts than any other cars of the same quality. It's the perception that's skewed.

The reasons why there is a bad stigma with BMW's is because the people that have them new, didn't care much for them, and the people that buy them used, typically don't want to pay for the proper maintenance of the vehicle. A properly maintained BMW will run forever, ask me how I know. To be honest, if you look at the parts and service charge per hour, there isn't THAT much of a difference between a BMW to Honda, or Toyota, or Nissan.

If the vehicle aren't maintained properly, then things will go awry really fast. For instance, the engine doesn't take that much coolant, and if you somehow run out of it and in a very short time, you most likely will be looking at a new engine. Again, it's not the engine's fault that it runs out of water.

Yes, you pay a bit more to maintain a BMW than say, a Corolla but you won't be driving a Corolla.

Get your parts here www.getbmwparts.com (sponsored by Tischer BMW), probably the best service and least expensive parts you can find anywhere.

I guess your perception on "not that much money" is very different than mine. Let me break down some normal maintenance stuff from my cars.

2005 Civic : 2006 BMW E90 330i
Oil change: $20 : $128
Transmission Oil Change: $75 : $500
Front brakes and rotors: $175 : $660
Rear brakes: $210 : $700
Set of tires: $420 : $1200
Coolant Flush: $85 : $220
Power steering fluid: $4 : $20
All air filters: $20 : $60

That's just maintenance.

Uh, you got hosed on those BMW items. No offense. Did you get all that done at the dealer? From those prices, it sure looks like it.

My 1994 840:

Oil change: $60 @ independent mech
Front brakes and rotors: $300 DIY - and my car has the 4-pot Brembo calipers
Not having to drive around in a shitty Civic: Priceless

Haven't had to do the other things yet, although I'm getting about due for rear brakes and tires. Probably next spring.

 

[KIAman]

Yes, both cars were done at the same dealer.

The point wasn't the driving aesthetics of a BMW vs "shitty" Civic. It was the cost of maintenance and "gasp" repairs.

 

[StageLeft]

I cannot find a good cost of ownership comparison. I found a site that has some data but I'm not content in its accuracy.

 

[StageLeft]

BMW vs Infiniti

have just given up my 2003 325xi for a G35x.
Granted, it was the old model BMW, but I had a very bad experience with it

I had a 330 for 4 months in 2006, worst mistake I ever made

After test driving the G35 coupe and driving the 330xi which I lease, I respectfully have 180 degree opinion.

<- likes bmw

Just bought the G35x and it blows away my BMW 325xi

Do not buy this car. I have had this car for 5 months and it already has 2 recalls.

<-says will never buy a bmw again

The above are direct comparions between them in the cases people made one.

 

[drnickriviera]

Originally posted by: SSSnail


Get your parts here www.getbmwparts.com (sponsored by Tischer BMW), probably the best service and least expensive parts you can find anywhere.

You done much comparison shopping with them?
I just tried to price out an O2 sensor for my 540. They want $173, autohausaz, $62. Is there some extra discount somewhere?

 

[StageLeft]

I just looked into the 2007 Gs, which was a model refresh. The sedan is very impressive, I may have to swing one in a year or two I found one with 10.5k, manual, for $22k in long island. That is pretty cheap. I think C&d or motortrend pulled 5.1 seconds 0-60 in their long-term, 40,000 miles one.

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: KIAman

Originally posted by: SSSnail

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: thegimp03
I don't think so. BMW's are expensive as hell to maintain when they start breaking down. Something with that much mileage and not on a warranty anymore might be on the verge of having some problems.

That's EXACTLY the mentality that allows people like me to get fantastic deals.

And chances are, most that are harping the party line has never owned one, or got dealt with a beater.

BMW's for the most part make some of the best engines and transmissions on the planet, typically the things that go wrong with them are the little things, and those aren't any more expensive in parts than any other cars of the same quality. It's the perception that's skewed.

The reasons why there is a bad stigma with BMW's is because the people that have them new, didn't care much for them, and the people that buy them used, typically don't want to pay for the proper maintenance of the vehicle. A properly maintained BMW will run forever, ask me how I know. To be honest, if you look at the parts and service charge per hour, there isn't THAT much of a difference between a BMW to Honda, or Toyota, or Nissan.

If the vehicle aren't maintained properly, then things will go awry really fast. For instance, the engine doesn't take that much coolant, and if you somehow run out of it and in a very short time, you most likely will be looking at a new engine. Again, it's not the engine's fault that it runs out of water.

Yes, you pay a bit more to maintain a BMW than say, a Corolla but you won't be driving a Corolla.

Get your parts here www.getbmwparts.com (sponsored by Tischer BMW), probably the best service and least expensive parts you can find anywhere.

I guess your perception on "not that much money" is very different than mine. Let me break down some normal maintenance stuff from my cars.

2005 Civic : 2006 BMW E90 330i
Oil change: $20 : $128
Transmission Oil Change: $75 : $500
Front brakes and rotors: $175 : $660
Rear brakes: $210 : $700
Set of tires: $420 : $1200
Coolant Flush: $85 : $220
Power steering fluid: $4 : $20
All air filters: $20 : $60

That's just maintenance.

Alright, I haven't seen any dealers do oil change for $20, but I've seen $30 for Hondas. How long do those last? Because then you have to factor in the recommended intervals. So say 5K miles for the Civic? And 15K miles for the BMW? That puts the oil change at $90 for the Civic, and the gap narrows (I haven't even mentioned the material cost difference between 6 cyl. vs. 4 cyl... wait, I just did). You can also find certified independent mechanics to do works for you, at much cheaper prices than stealerships quoted.

Brakes and rotors? I can get them much cheaper, $93.42 per rotor, $121.31 for the pads (those are dealership sponsored websites, I'm pretty sure I can get cheaper). The ability to stop when I want? Priceless.

Tires. How do you even compare? They are in different leagues.

Fluids and filters? Yeah, gimme a break.

Now, we're just comparing a Civic to a BMW's. Let's pull the numbers from some other cars, say a G35, then we'll talk. Nissan isn't exactly a beacon of reliability either, IMO.

One more point, within my family, we have different models from different luxury cars manufacturers, and the Mercedes tend to break down more than anything. Electrical problems with those cars are just nightmarish.