Hey NewbieChris...

[NewbieChris]

Hell yeah Chris that is the car. Crazy you found that because I actually found it on the RX8 forum while the guy was looking for a trade.

Anyone willing to trade for another car is on some level an enthusiast. Every BMW enthusiast visits that ridiculous site.

I say don't buy it. If that auto tranny fails you're looking at near two grand. It cost me near that much to buy the new tranny, for a 3 series, from BMW alone. A used on goes for like a grand.

From the goals you have laid out, a BMW doesn't really sound like the car for you. People will tell you that you can maintain them for cheap, but it will cost you in the long run IMO. Since January I have spent $1100 on a 1990 M5 and $150 on a 2000 540i. The 540i hasn't been inspected yet either, so I expect that number to go up. Just keep in mind I fix every little issue.

Over the past year (Feb07-Feb08), I have spent roughly $2000 on my 540i. I had about 110K on the odometer last February. You will most likely hit the same mileage numbers I hit during your two year stint. So, that was my cost.

[The_Grinder]

Anyone willing to trade for another car is on some level an enthusiast. Every BMW enthusiast visits that ridiculous site.

I say don't buy it. If that auto tranny fails you're looking at near two grand. It cost me near that much to buy the new tranny, for a 3 series, from BMW alone. A used on goes for like a grand.

From the goals you have laid out, a BMW doesn't really sound like the car for you. People will tell you that you can maintain them for cheap, but it will cost you in the long run IMO. Since January I have spent $1100 on a 1990 M5 and $150 on a 2000 540i. The 540i hasn't been inspected yet either, so I expect that number to go up. Just keep in mind I fix every little issue.

Over the past year (Feb07-Feb08), I have spent roughly $2000 on my 540i. I had about 110K on the odometer last February. You will most likely hit the same mileage numbers I hit during your two year stint. So, that was my cost.

You are right I definately don't think the car is for me right now. Coming out of school I am looking for something that will retain its value better than my RX8. While a well maintained BMW would accomplish that goal, the extra money I spend on maintenance would definately cancel out the money I saved on depreciation. I might look for a 2003 or so Infiniti G35, or something along those lines. I might even keep the RX8 if I don't get an offer I want. We will see.

[NewbieChris]

If you really want to save money I suggest an older car. Something that you can drive and put the bare minimum amount of money into, and I mean OLD. Not 03. Early 90's Honda, Toyota, even an early BMW. They will all hold their value and you won't have to whore yourself out in maintenance. You'll probably come out of a transaction like that with 10k in hand and have to put like a few hundred a year into them and depreciation has already taken its toll on them.

[The_Grinder]

I'm actually considering keeping the 8 now. I was so ready to sell her and then I cleaned her up and she is fucking gorgeous. Kind of like when you are finally ready to break up with a girl and then she walks in wearing crotchless panties and high heels looking sexy as fuck. Damit!

[phatchopper]

If you really want to save money I suggest an older car. Something that you can drive and put the bare minimum amount of money into, and I mean OLD. Not 03. Early 90's Honda, Toyota, even an early BMW. They will all hold their value and you won't have to whore yourself out in maintenance. You'll probably come out of a transaction like that with 10k in hand and have to put like a few hundred a year into them and depreciation has already taken its toll on them.

Yeah an older car is the way to go if you want to save money and dont have a complex about driving a POS. I bought a 95 escort wagon for a grand, HA HA its funny for me to even type it but the fucker runs great. I just use it for work and have a cadi that I drive on weekends. Man do my buddies bust my balls for it though, I'm 6'4" and about 280 so I can see the humor of me getting out of it. Anyway it is something to condsider if you are trying to save some cash while your moving up the ranks after school. Ha Ha fuckin 95 escort wagon.........gotta love it.