Author Topic: Decision On Car - Need Help (Read 17604 times)

masterblingppimp · « **on:** August 21, 2009, 11:50:13 pm »

Hello all!

First time posting, love the forum btw!

I have a dilemma and would like you guys to help!

My parents are leaving Canada for good so they are going to leave behind a 2003 BMW X5 SUV for me to drive for university.
However, because of the fuel consumption, and my dislike of the size of the vehicle, I want a different vehicle to drive, something along the lines of an Audi A4, Mazda 3 or something fast and small.

A probably deal price (selling price) of the 2003 BMW X5 SUV (3.0i, Premium + Sports pkg) is around $22,000 or $23,000.

Are there any recommendations on what I should do in this situation or what kind of used car I could get instead?

Thanks

Cheers!

mmret · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2009, 11:59:40 pm »

I'm assuming your parents have a decent chunk of change given the X5. That plus the assumption that they're funding you (they are giving you the X5 after all!), I'll ignore insurance concerns.

Fast and small...lots to pick from. I'd suggest a VW GTI as the hatch will be handy to move cases of beer, boxes of books, etc etc.
Other choices...Impreza, Mazda 3 like you said....Lancer Ralliart...the world is your oyster.

I would avoid a used A4. New is another matter but of course quite pricey and for that money I think the chicks would dig a G37 coupe.

masterblingppimp · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:08:40 am »

Hey!

I wished my parents had a decent chunk!!!, the company boss gave them the car as a bonus:P
They are funding my insurance, but I'm paying for gas.

How much do you expect my insurance to be? 18 yr old, 1 year driving experience, just got my official licence though!

I will get around the price of the sold car (~$23,000) and a POSSIBLE $7k, so altogether around $30k. Let's say I don't get the extra money, would $23,000 be enough to get a used VW GTI?

Well, I'm actually more so asking for recommendations of reliable / somewhat flashy cars because I don't want to dish too much on repairs aside from the wear/tear stuff.

Thanks for the reply BTW!:P

dorin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:19:25 am »

Jesus! You're 18?!? In that case sell the X5 and buy something for less than $10k. Save the rest of the money and then buy something sportier/blingier/flashier/etc. once you're done university. There's no point in paying sky-high insurance rates while you're in university.

masterblingppimp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:23:05 am »

Haha, that was what I was kind of thinking!

The only decent car that I could think of under $10k would be a Mazda 3, I don't want a Toyota or a Honda, TOO COMMON!

Got any recommendations!?

mmret · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:28:46 am »

Protege 5

How much do you expect my insurance to be? 18 yr old, 1 year driving experience, just got my official licence though!

I'm not sure about Albert but in Ontario...if you're not a secondary driver you should budget around $5k/yr. Or more.

masterblingppimp · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:38:18 am »

Any other?

And guestimated insurance / month?

mmret · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:42:37 am »

I'll come up with others when I am less tired.

As for guesstimates..go to some insurer's website and plug in your data.

masterblingppimp · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:49:32 am »

Thanks!

I just went to some insurer's website and checked it out. The Bimmer and a 2004 Mazda 3 is about the same price. All around $4.7k to $5.2k.

That's pretty darn pricy.

airbalancer · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2009, 06:14:27 am »

At that price it could be cheaper just to take a cab everywhere in the winter and get a bike for the nice months

inco · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2009, 07:38:33 am »

Quote from: masterblingppimp on August 22, 2009, 12:49:32 am

Thanks!

I just went to some insurer's website and checked it out. The Bimmer and a 2004 Mazda 3 is about the same price. All around $4.7k to $5.2k.

That's pretty darn pricy.

Welcome to adulthood and the cost of growing up. And I'll bet you thought this was going to be easy eh?

Sell the X5 privately and get as much for it as you can - that's your first step.

Go back to that insurance site and plug in all different types of cars that appeal to you and some that don't and let the rates help you decide. And don't forget to possibly consider a car that is two or three years old - lower value = lower premiums sometimes.

And when you have done all that and played around with the possibilities let us know what your top three might be and we can give you more feedback. Have fun young'un.

Careener · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2009, 08:31:19 am »

Another option is to buy an older car and not buy the collision option on your insurance. This means if someone hits you in a collision you're fine. If you hit someone you are insured for damage to the other vehicle but not your own.
That's the approach I took with my first few cars when I was younger.

mmret · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2009, 10:04:44 am »

The problem I think is that most of the extra money comes from liability, not the collision.

madjak30 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2009, 02:12:08 pm »

Another thing to remember, is that insurance companies categorize all two doors as a sport coupe, so I would look for a good looking four door. A late '90's 3-series is a decent choice...better reliability than the other German vehicles. Another option is a Lexus IS300, nice sporty four door. Acura TSX might be another, but those two are getting pretty close to your "dont' want a Toyota or Honda, TOO COMMON" rule...Infiniti G35 sedan might be another...you could also check out the Saab 9-3...

Good luck! Shopping is fun, but buying can be stressful. If you are buying a vehicle over $10G I would get the collision insurance...you are in Alberta and black ice can take you off-roading when you least expect it, especially in Calgary with the chinook winds...and there are a lot of idiot drivers on the Deerfoot...it doesn't take much to write off an older vehicle these days...

Careener · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2009, 06:46:36 pm »

I vaguely remember saving about $700 bucks a year by dropping the collision coverage..this would have been about 10 yrs ago.

mmorriso · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:50:20 pm »

subaru impreza wrx or saab 9-2x aero...good for the mountains

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av0VsTxJd78

initial_D · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2009, 12:47:30 pm »

I would take a Mazda Protege5 ... reliable and fun to drive, plus tons of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Spend the money on proper tires and maintenance.

1TSX · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2009, 01:14:27 pm »

Quote from: initial_D on August 24, 2009, 12:47:30 pm

I would take a Mazda Protege5 ... reliable and fun to drive, plus tons of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Spend the money on proper tires and maintenance.

I'd make sure there is no rust, or if rust was properly fixed (ie. new metal).

BJB · « **Reply #18 on:** August 24, 2009, 02:38:02 pm »

If his parents are paying for his insurance, who cares how much it costs, focus on a car.

Personally, I'd keep the X5, but if you don't like that look for a G35/37 4-door, great cars.

toolatecrew · « **Reply #19 on:** August 24, 2009, 03:38:25 pm »

I missed the my parents pay for Insurance I only pasy for Gas thing. You should be able to find an 08 GTI for very close to 23. If you drive a stick so much the better. (It will be cheaper) Fast fun, loads of room pretty easy on GAs. I would kill for one as a first car (assuming all I need to pay is GAs)