Help for my first car!

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by fisico

I've got about 600-800$ CND a month for my car.. This would include paying it off, insurance and gas.

OK, now get some insurance quotes on a few of these cars you are considering, so you know what is left for gas and maintenance. And since you probably know how far you will drive if you are driving to work, you can roughly calculate your monthly fuel costs. For example, my wife spends around $95 a week on fuel for her car.

[damameke]

6-8 hundred$$.. for car payment, insurance and gas,
thats not enough...depending on the distance you drive and with premium gas
and average $65(conservative) per tank..thats more than $300, leaving $500
for payment and insurance...you need your mom's credit card for gas for sure..

[pawcio]

Originally Posted by damameke

6-8 hundred$$.. for car payment, insurance and gas,
thats not enough...depending on the distance you drive and with premium gas
and average $65(conservative) per tank..thats more than $300, leaving $500
for payment and insurance...you need your mom's credit card for gas for sure..

$65/tank was last year....the last few fill ups have been in the $85 range.

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by pawcio

$65/tank was last year....the last few fill ups have been in the $85 range.

That is correct. Whan I fill up the e90, It's $85 now.

[vVicked]

To the OP, generally an M car will be more cash to maintain than a newer 3er. The cost of fixing anything that does break or need replacing will be quite expensive on that year of m3 on your budget. If you are really set on an m3, an e36 is much more towards your price range. Gas costs are generally going to be expensive with any bimmer (minus the diesel's) thanks to high fuel prices and having to use premium fuel.

I definitely second the opinion of getting some insurance quotes and budgeting for gas and such as this will give you a much better perspective on how much you are actually going to be able to spend.

[SiR]

yp $85-$90 is way more accurate to fill the tank.


I think the tsx makes much more sense for a first car compared to an e46 m3.

way cheaper to operate, more reliable, cheaper insurance etc. still has plenty of power to get you in trouble but not necessarily enough to put you into a tree down the first street you go WOT.


+1781987197819 on insurance quotes. that should be your number 1 priority. trust us. we all wanted a baller car as a first car but its just doesnt make financial (and safety) sense.

[MrRWD]

Originally Posted by fisico

I'm not going to be 100% happy/proud of.

call me crazy, but that's probably not the best reason to be buying a BMW.
Buying it for looks/status (and not caring about performance) is well.... weak.

I give respect to guys who go out an buy a brand new BMW.
That says something. If they buy a New BMW and have a house, you know they've worked hard.

buying a used BMW.... anyone can do it. Driving an E46 these days.... the guy in the New Sonota sitting beside you probably spent more money. No real status...

buy it because you love to drive...

as a first car... a BMW is not the car.

by a BMW because you love to drive, love the handling, love the road response...... and you'll learn to hate the unreliability of these cars.

.... reliability and German cars don't really mix.


Please take the advice and get an insurance quote first.
Putting it in your parents name... well... that's probably insurance fraud.
Most will get away with it.. but if something major happens.... they'll question why the car is at a University Campus with a parking permit.... Just be careful.... The adjusters are paid to avoid paying out…

Better buy a car that you can be primary on now...

[SiR]

^^^ good call.

its your first car. it could be a 80 hp rusty turd, youll still be proud of it. seriously.


no one really gives a shat what you drive and no car will "get you more chicks" if thats any kind of thought in your head.

[pawcio]

As long as it has a back seat with a little bit of leg room you'll be fine.

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[njansenv]

It's more fun to have a car you can afford (and afford to buy good consumables - tires, susp etc) than it is to have a car you can barely afford and keep up. It's also more fun to live well within your means.
My .02

It's not hard to put $90 in an E46 at todays prices. I'd go through 400+ in fuel alone if I used my 325it as a commuter.
Generally speaking, an economy car easily costs around $500-600 a month to run, when all is said and done.
monthly -
Fuel: $300
Insurance: $200
Payment: ?
Repairs/maintenance: $100 ($1200/year doesn't go very far on a VW let alone a late model BMW)
NOT including payments, you're already at $600.