Trade 3-Series for Accord: Save Money?

thechoson · 07-11-2010, 03:27 PM

I have an 08 328i with about 15k miles on it. Car is fully paid off.

Since I got the car I got married, so now we are planning on buying a house, having kids, etc, so I'm looking for ways to save some dough.

Wondering if trading the 3 for a new Accord would save money in the long run? Or would the depreciation hit I'd take on the Accord offset any savings in maintenance costs on the BMW?

stickypaws · 07-11-2010, 03:35 PM

You still have plenty of warranty and maintenance. The car's paid for. Why take the hit now? Drive it and get your money's worth. The 328 won't cost much in the long haul.

fwiw, I have a beater 330i with a gazillion miles and out of warranty. Hasn't cost me anything really, so I just keep it as a spare.

Dumb Bass · 07-12-2010, 01:27 AM

One rule that totally makes sense is that keeping a car that is paid off is much cheaper than paying off a brand new car; however, I do know BMW tends to be more expensive in their maintenance so that might be a factor if the math shows otherwise. Then again, you still have 2 more years of warranty if you bought an 08 model.

Keep the car while the warranty is in effect. Do the math of how much it will cost to maintain when the warranty is about to expire if you are very serious about counting your $$$ vs. a cheaper car.

s2k_335i · 07-29-2010, 06:13 PM

Save money? Why not trade it I for a hybrid? Should be an equal trade.

thechoson · 07-22-2013, 06:14 PM

Well it's been 3 years, thought I'd revisit this thread. Have kept the BMW, now has 32k miles on it, about a year out of warranty.

I'm again debating whether to keep it for another 3 years or so, or trade it in now. Thoughts?

Meeni · 07-22-2013, 06:20 PM

32k. That's nothing. Keep it, you'll see nothing costly before 60k at least. And even then, nothing that rivals payments on a newer car (even a lesser car).

nicknaz · 07-22-2013, 06:32 PM

I'd keep it and drive it into the ground. E90 328 is a good "keeper". Proven drivetain and tech.

That said, the best money saver would be to sell it and not replace it with another car

NemesisX · 07-22-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechoson

Well it's been 3 years, thought I'd revisit this thread. Have kept the BMW, now has 32k miles on it, about a year out of warranty.

I'm again debating whether to keep it for another 3 years or so, or trade it in now. Thoughts?

You should keep it until it breaks down and the repairs become so expensive so as to warrant purchasing a new vehicle.

W/// · 07-22-2013, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechoson

Well it's been 3 years, thought I'd revisit this thread. Have kept the BMW, now has 32k miles on it, about a year out of warranty.

I'm again debating whether to keep it for another 3 years or so, or trade it in now. Thoughts?

If you know how to DIY, I'd keep it.

Raja Ventureshield · 07-23-2013, 08:26 AM

all depends on how much driving you do etc. You can get a lease on an accord for mid 200s. If you sell your car and pony up the cash for other things, it might make sense. Really hard to tell based on limited info you have given us. I would sell it, pocket the money and get a new accord lease. Buy the house, get a M3. :-)

07-11-2010, 03:27 PM	#1
thechoson Enlisted Member 23 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Trade 3-Series for Accord: Save Money? I have an 08 328i with about 15k miles on it. Car is fully paid off. Since I got the car I got married, so now we are planning on buying a house, having kids, etc, so I'm looking for ways to save some dough. Wondering if trading the 3 for a new Accord would save money in the long run? Or would the depreciation hit I'd take on the Accord offset any savings in maintenance costs on the BMW?
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07-11-2010, 03:35 PM	#2
stickypaws Dictator 55 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: people crazy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: where you want to be iTrader: (0)	You still have plenty of warranty and maintenance. The car's paid for. Why take the hit now? Drive it and get your money's worth. The 328 won't cost much in the long haul. fwiw, I have a beater 330i with a gazillion miles and out of warranty. Hasn't cost me anything really, so I just keep it as a spare.
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07-12-2010, 01:27 AM	#3
Dumb Bass Private First Class 7 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2009 jet black e90 6spd MT Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	One rule that totally makes sense is that keeping a car that is paid off is much cheaper than paying off a brand new car; however, I do know BMW tends to be more expensive in their maintenance so that might be a factor if the math shows otherwise. Then again, you still have 2 more years of warranty if you bought an 08 model. Keep the car while the warranty is in effect. Do the math of how much it will cost to maintain when the warranty is about to expire if you are very serious about counting your $$$ vs. a cheaper car.
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07-29-2010, 06:13 PM	#4
s2k_335i This is it!! 18 Rep 672 Posts Drives: FBO 335i without meth Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Land of Freedom iTrader: (1)	Save money? Why not trade it I for a hybrid? Should be an equal trade.
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07-22-2013, 06:14 PM	#5
thechoson Enlisted Member 23 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Well it's been 3 years, thought I'd revisit this thread. Have kept the BMW, now has 32k miles on it, about a year out of warranty. I'm again debating whether to keep it for another 3 years or so, or trade it in now. Thoughts?
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07-22-2013, 06:20 PM	#6
Meeni Gateropode 332 Rep 2,846 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	32k. That's nothing. Keep it, you'll see nothing costly before 60k at least. And even then, nothing that rivals payments on a newer car (even a lesser car).
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07-22-2013, 06:32 PM	#7
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3196 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I'd keep it and drive it into the ground. E90 328 is a good "keeper". Proven drivetain and tech. That said, the best money saver would be to sell it and not replace it with another car
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07-23-2013, 08:26 AM	#10
Raja Ventureshield Major General 298 Rep 5,686 Posts Drives: BMW M3 coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (6)	all depends on how much driving you do etc. You can get a lease on an accord for mid 200s. If you sell your car and pony up the cash for other things, it might make sense. Really hard to tell based on limited info you have given us. I would sell it, pocket the money and get a new accord lease. Buy the house, get a M3. :-)
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