Better Value, a pre-owned 525i or newer 325i?

joeygambino · 08-19-2007, 06:12 PM

From a financial perspective, which of these cars is a better investment, in terms of resale value down the line...

the 3 looks like it could depreciate quickly in the next few yaers

whereas the 5 already has depreciated a bit already as it was released in 04

jkalex05 · 08-19-2007, 06:14 PM

Well just recently the 5 series scored the worst in crash tests.

So I would get the 3er =)

ward · 08-19-2007, 06:20 PM

an older car has already lost more, so it has less to lose in the future

resale is about how old a car is much more than if a new body style is available

BK · 08-19-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeygambino

From a financial perspective, which of these cars is a better investment, in terms of resale value down the line...

the 3 looks like it could depreciate quickly in the next few yaers

whereas the 5 already has depreciated a bit already as it was released in 04

You've analyzed it correctly. It makes more financial sense to buy a used car, assuming it is in good condition. If resale is the only consideration, then there's no question which is a better "investment."

STE92VE · 08-20-2007, 07:27 AM

Better Value, a pre-owned 525i or newer 325i?

Are you referring to a CPO 325i or a CPO 328i, or a brand new 328i?

voltron1011 · 08-20-2007, 10:43 AM

It depends on how long you plan on keeping the car... If the payments are the same, and you are only gonna have it for 3 years, the pre-owned one makes sense. If you are going to keep it for around 7 years, I'd go with the newer one....

It all comes down to how many years of use you'll get out of it.

Also, if you are financing a 3-year old used car for 3 years, it works out to be the same as if you finance a new car for 6 years. This only applies if you plan on keeping the car for the entire 6 years of you financing it.

sblument · 08-20-2007, 08:20 PM

Few cars are any investment.

If money is a concern always buy the newer, more low end model vs. the older, higher end model.

08-19-2007, 06:12 PM	#1
joeygambino New Member 13 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E300 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Better Value, a pre-owned 525i or newer 325i? From a financial perspective, which of these cars is a better investment, in terms of resale value down the line... the 3 looks like it could depreciate quickly in the next few yaers whereas the 5 already has depreciated a bit already as it was released in 04
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08-19-2007, 06:14 PM	#2
jkalex05 Private First Class 11 Rep 101 Posts Drives: e46 M3, e92 335i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Well just recently the 5 series scored the worst in crash tests. So I would get the 3er =) __________________ COMING SOON! 07' 335i Coupe / 6MT / Monaco Blue on Black Leather / Brushed Aluminum Trim / ZSP / ZPP / SIRIUS Satellite Radio / HD Radio ///
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08-19-2007, 06:20 PM	#3
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	an older car has already lost more, so it has less to lose in the future resale is about how old a car is much more than if a new body style is available
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08-20-2007, 07:27 AM	#5
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 221 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Better Value, a pre-owned 525i or newer 325i? Are you referring to a CPO 325i or a CPO 328i, or a brand new 328i? __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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08-20-2007, 10:43 AM	#6
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	It depends on how long you plan on keeping the car... If the payments are the same, and you are only gonna have it for 3 years, the pre-owned one makes sense. If you are going to keep it for around 7 years, I'd go with the newer one.... It all comes down to how many years of use you'll get out of it. Also, if you are financing a 3-year old used car for 3 years, it works out to be the same as if you finance a new car for 6 years. This only applies if you plan on keeping the car for the entire 6 years of you financing it.
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08-20-2007, 08:20 PM	#7
sblument Lieutenant 13 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Champaign, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Few cars are any investment. If money is a concern always buy the newer, more low end model vs. the older, higher end model. __________________ 2006 330i, SP, PP, fold down rear seats, sparkling graphite, black leather, metallic trim.
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