Used Car Question

[Niner National]

So my girlfriend works for a BMW dealership and she can often get some great deals on used cars.

They have a 2003 BMW 325i with a sport package that she can get for around 7,250, which is a couple thousand below blue book.

I've heard in the past though that BMWs often have a lot of maintenance problems and are very expensive to maintain.

This is the carfax for the car: http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DLR_3&vin=WBAEV33453KL80062&zipCode=

Car listing:

http://www.sonicautomotive.com/used/BMW/2003-BMW-325-95e947290a0a006401bb8b2924d3cd34.htm

Worth buying, or should I pass?

I can't really afford a brand new car, but my Jeep has 228,000 miles on it and I'm looking to replace it.

They have a fully loaded 2004 Nissan Maxima for about the same price with basically the same mileage.

Any recommendations? Should I buy, or not?

[Hawk]

I can't really afford a new car, Should I buy, or not?

sometimes the answers are far too easy

[The Saltman]

It depends on the beemer. My m3 was a bitch because of the expensive ass oil. But that car should be fine if u take it somewhere else. Just stay away from the dealership for service. Way overpriced.

[Niner National]

sometimes the answers are far too easy

haha, I just meant a NEW car. I can afford to get a used one. My budget is around $10,000, but I'd rather spend less.

[bleys]

lol@hawk...

Nissan should be more affordable to maintain and should require less maintenance.. if you're not looking to go stuntin' then go with the Maxima.. lol

[Scrumtrilescent]

Can she wrangle a 3 year old or so 5-series?

[Niner National]

They get plenty of trades, they're one of the top BMW dealerships in the nation. Lot's of money in DC, so many people buy and trade regularly.

[2jakefansinva]

ask Livermush......I believe he's in or has been in the used car business.

[sunbunny]

Y'all keep saying to use kelly blue book - saw it mentioned in another thread. No dealers I know, or have known, or worked for, have ever used kelly blue book. Either wait for mush or for my hubby to get to work and check black book wholesale prices. Charlottean might could help, if he ever signs on.

[Wither]

BMW sucks.

[bleys]

Y'all keep saying to use kelly blue book - saw it mentioned in another thread. No dealers I know, or have known, or worked for, have ever used kelly blue book. Either wait for mush or for my hubby to get to work and check black book wholesale prices. Charlottean might could help, if he ever signs on.

a few car dealer friends used to tell me KBB was something the car dealer industry put together to lower the value of cars so they have some room to make money when reselling...

makes sense.. buy low, sell high..

[lymelizzard]

Go to Edmunds and do a True Market Valuation. KBB is useless.

[lymelizzard]

So my girlfriend works for a BMW dealership and she can often get some great deals on used cars.

They have a 2003 BMW 325i with a sport package that she can get for around 7,250, which is a couple thousand below blue book.

I've heard in the past though that BMWs often have a lot of maintenance problems and are very expensive to maintain.

This is the carfax for the car: http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DLR_3&vin=WBAEV33453KL80062&zipCode=

Car listing:

http://www.sonicautomotive.com/used/BMW/2003-BMW-325-95e947290a0a006401bb8b2924d3cd34.htm

Worth buying, or should I pass?

I can't really afford a brand new car, but my Jeep has 228,000 miles on it and I'm looking to replace it.

They have a fully loaded 2004 Nissan Maxima for about the same price with basically the same mileage.

Any recommendations? Should I buy, or not?

Trade in is around 6k dealer retail is 8.4k private party is 7.2k

Sources say "looks at magic 8 ball" if everything is good to go buy it drive it for a bit flip it for another whip in year or so.

[The Saltman]

BMW sucks.

Says the tricycle owner.