[jaybird124]

Ok I'll try to make this simple:

My 328i lease is due in the next several months. I get a corporate car allowance, and I'm trying to decide what to get.

A. Buy a cheap $20K (max) car pay it off in two years, then pocket the corporate allowance so I can get something really awesome like an M3 or upcoming M1.

Cheap car choices:
Infiniti G35/G37
Acura TL
Nissan Xterra
VW Jetta TDI (might be brutal on all the long drives)

B. Blow the load now and buy a 335d, but be tied to it for at least 4 years. Plus the risk of higher gas prices and taxes in the future which would bar me from buying an M3 in a few years.

Important things to note: I drive between 15-20K/year. I WILL be buried in an expensive car.
M3 as my company car wont work (fuel economy, too ostentatious, tires, etc).

Greatly appreciate everyone's input!

[mycoupe]

A sounds best to me

[jaybird124]

of course then I have to be without a BMW. First time in 5 years,

[galahad05]

Why not an e46 330ci? That's definitely under $20k.

[JayKay335i]

07 328?

They're approaching the low 20's right now if you want to stick with a BMW.

[JoeyBananaz18]

theres a big price gap between the M3 and M1. did you mean "M1" as in the upcoming supercar or "M1" as in the M version of the 1-series.

[jaybird124]

All great considerations. If I got a BMW, it can't be a stripped car and it needs to be CPO with less than 45K on the clock. Not impossible, but hard to do in low $20's. Plus I'm concerned that I'll either need to get the MP, which ups the price a couple grand or pony up extra dollars for service. In addition, while all cars drop off in value after 100K miles, BMW's seem to be more dramatic.

Obviously, I'm not knocking BMW. I've had 4 so far. Bottom line, I want highest resale with minimal cash outlay so I can achieve the end goal; getting into a new M. Make sense?

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

theres a big price gap between the M3 and M1. did you mean "M1" as in the upcoming supercar or "M1" as in the M version of the 1-series.

M version of 1-series. It's semantics but hopefully by context people will get I'm not referring to a 70's classic or a future supercar.

[deletedelete]

Your sig says you drive a 335? What do you need another car for? And if you only need it for a while, why not get used?

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Your sig says you drive a 335? What do you need another car for?

335 was a personal car. Turned it in this past November. Miss it

All the cars discussed will be used.

[deletedelete]

For 20k why not get a gti, you can probably get a new one at nearly that price. Easy to mod and gets good mpg. I guess used 335s are too expensive.

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

For 20k why not get a gti, you can probably get a new one at nearly that price. Easy to mod and gets good mpg. I guess used 335s are too expensive.

As mentioned in the original post I need a car for 20K if I go with option A. I shutter to think what a 20K 335 looks like.
The short wheelbase, sparsely sound insulated GTI would suck on long drives, which I do a lot of.

[Blackadder]

Get the d man. You will love the problem free power and excitement for the next 4 years, With the possible cost of gas in 4 years your diesel will look very attractive to a buyer.

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

As mentioned in the original post I need a car for 20K if I go with option A. I shutter to think what a 20K 335 looks like.
The short wheelbase, sparsely sound insulated GTI would suck on long drives, which I do a lot of.

Your a tough dude to shop for, lol

I thought the gti did great on long drives. I did a 3,000 mile trip with my gti from lousiana to maryland, evening sleeping in it and it was fantastic. If your worried about mpg, isnt the xterra out of the question? If I was forced to pick from that list, then the vw then the acura, but i dont really like either of those.

[galahad05]

Look, if you:
a) want to stay BMW
b) want to get real frugal, save up the dough to get into that M3.....


Then buy a mechanically-sound e46 325 or 330. Something from around 2001-2003. These can be had for under $12k, easy. Then drive the wheels off of it. Put as little money into it as possible.

[NiVeDh]

335d or G37.

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Your a tough dude to shop for, lol

I thought the gti did great on long drives. I did a 3,000 mile trip with my gti from lousiana to maryland, evening sleeping in it and it was fantastic. If your worried about mpg, isnt the xterra out of the question? If I was forced to pick from that list, then the vw then the acura, but i dont really like either of those.

Yeah I know, I'm difficult. This decision has plagued me for a while. I'm comp'ed for gas so the Xterra would work, M3 wouldn't because even though fuel economy is roughly the same, its the impression that would sink that boat.

[deletedelete]

Seems like your in a fun now or fun later situation. Id save for the m3 and try to find a semi fun car for now. You have tons of options for 20k or less. Id find the sportiest and funnest car for under 20k thats good on long trips and save for the m3.

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Seems like your in a fun now or fun later situation. Id save for the m3 and try to find a semi fun car for now. You have tons of options for 20k or less. Id find the sportiest and funnest car for under 20k thats good on long trips and save for the m3.

Do you think a used G35/37 is the best choice? Any other recommendations?

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Do you think a used G35/37 is the best choice? Any other recommendations?

I had a g35 for a year or so. I loved that car. If you can find a good used one then Id take that, mod it a little for fun, and save for the m3. Not too many other cars in that price range that arent old. The genesis coupe is a bit too much, mustang/camaro is probably in that price range.

If not the g35/g37, then a vw gli.

[asus389]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Obviously, I'm not knocking BMW. I've had 4 so far. Bottom line, I want highest resale with minimal cash outlay so I can achieve the end goal; getting into a new M. Make sense?

Well probably a Lexus or Acura then... maybe a G35.. The first two (in that order) tend to have high-ish resale values, even with high milage because they are pretty much damn near indestructible.

[galahad05]

http://www.automotive.com/2004/12/po...ing/index.html

Fun and in your price range.