What car to buy

[erty13]

hello new to the forum. Currently looking at two cars

1 2005 3.0 with 60k on the clock full BMW service history

2 2003 3.0 with 38k on the clock full BMW service history

Both cars are in the same condition with the same spec and are at the same price.

Do you go for the younger car with more miles on the clock.

John

 

[rabman5]

2005!

 

[takedown8]

2005 for sure, but bargain down the price.

 

[Screamer]

I'd go in with the atittude of "i'm interested in either one, just depends which is the best deal" and then if you get the best offer on the one you actually want, great, otherwise, you should be able to get the dealer to match that offer on the other car with a "if you can do that price on the other car, i'll take it" sort of approach. Seeing as the cars are advertised at the same figure, I don't imagine there's any difference in the margin on each, just the dealer's perception as to which car you're more interested in. Obviously, don't expect them to agree without a lot of pushing/even at all, but it's something to barter on. The other thing i'd do when you get the first "I just can't do that car at the same price" reply is to truly walk out the door, even if you plan on buying at whatever they offer with an attitude of "I just can't afford that, i'm going to look elsewhere" - you can always walk back in a few mins later. Besides, it doesn't hurt to take a few minutes before committing to a figure that you couldn't have known before entering the dealership (obviously, if they offer the price you're after, then you've presumably already decided that you'd take it beforehand).

 

[Wondermike]

Depends on the price I'd probably give the 2005 car a miss, there are plenty lower mileage cars around not to have to get something with 60k on it.

 

[flyboyaj]

Having owned a 2003, I recommend the 2005. They fixed/upgraded quite a few things - little stuff - but stuff you notice like the passenger side window auto-up function, added foam in the doors so it sounds more solid when you close it, and I think the 2005 has the remote auto top down function, also check to see if the 2005 stereo plays MP3s or has an aux-in installed - the 2003 does not.

Also check out the current depreciation rate on the two of them. I believe you'll find that the 2003 is depreciating very rapidly these days, where as the 2005 with that many miles on it already will depreciate at a much lower rate. The only setback is if you buy CPO, you only have 40K miles of the extended warranty.