Alternate beater to spend $20k on

Loft23 · 01-05-2014, 11:18 AM

I'm extremely happy with my M5 and is my only car because I only have one assigned spot in my condo in the city. I drive my car everywhere, but avoid areas where it is mostly street parking, crowded (like beaches, concerts, and sporting events), and other tight parking situations just because I'm OCD. Want to buy a single family home, with a multi-car garage, but I don't want to leave the city just yet. I'll do that once I settle down. Many of my neighbors who have two cars, simply park their second on the street. I want to have peace of mind when parking on the street, anywhere in the city, and not have to worry / care about door or bumper dings.

My dilemma now is finding a used car, that is still cool to drive, highly reliable, and low on maintenance. My budget is $20k - option is to buy a new cheap barebones car or buy something used.

Right now looking at a FWD 2011 Mini Countryman S with 45k miles for $20,998. I don't think I would buy a regular mini just because it is too small for my taste.

What do you recommend?

stealth.pilot · 01-05-2014, 11:26 AM

Infiniti G37 AWD used. Enjoyable car to drive. Cheap to maintain. Reliable.

NickRac · 01-05-2014, 11:26 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-...79ecde&vxp=mtr

Dionysus · 01-05-2014, 11:26 AM

How much is a used VW Golf GTI over there (IMO, better than Countryman, assuming you don't need AWD).

Loft23 · 01-05-2014, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Infiniti G37 AWD used. Enjoyable car to drive. Cheap to maintain. Reliable.

I used to own a G35x and it was a good car. Thinking back, I should have simply kept my older cars instead of trading them in.

Loft23 · 01-05-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

How much is a used VW Golf GTI over there (IMO, better than Countryman, assuming you don't need AWD).

Hard to find them used. I don't need the FWD and the countryman I was looking at is FWD. A used AWD mini is going to be over my budget and might as well buy new at that point.

stealth.pilot · 01-05-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loft23

Hard to find them used. I don't need the FWD and the countryman I was looking at is FWD. A used AWD mini is going to be over my budget and might as well buy new at that point.

For a beater I would steer clear of European cars. They deliver less for your money and they are less reliable. VW GTI and Mini are nice cars, but they are junk compared with a G35x or a Lexus IS350. Also if you want ground clearance look at an EX35. My parents have a 2008 and its been bulletproof - still is.

richard in NC · 01-05-2014, 12:40 PM

To stay within BMW, how about a 1st gen X3 or e93 328i Touring?

The e83 X3 got bad reviews for a stiff ride but I really liked mine as a DD.

RPiM5 · 01-05-2014, 10:28 PM

I highly recommend a used Fiat Abarth. Highly reliable, super duper fun, awesome gas milage, better stock exhaust note than an F10 M5, and you can literally park it anywhere because it's so small and not worry about it getting hit.

I've had mine for 7 months now and I get more attention in it than my M5 and I've spent ZERO dollars in maintenance and it came with a 4 year warranty.

Good luck.

Oh I forgot it can be driven in snow too!

Road racin · 01-05-2014, 11:57 PM

My buddy has a 13 countryman. Really fun and somewhat reminds me of my m5. GPS interface etc. At least it's not a total diff. Feeling. It's a good choice and really fun to drive (the S or it's not worth it...)

dreamspeed · 01-06-2014, 12:54 AM

Have you thought about leasing?

N.S.A · 01-06-2014, 01:09 AM

would you want a used car?

shahano · 01-06-2014, 08:21 AM

How about an Fx 35 if you want a car for the snow or AWD, if not the Fiat abarth is a good car.

chong0 · 01-06-2014, 10:32 AM

this is why i kept my e91. you can get a used e90/91/92 for about that much and probably CPO'd.

the N52 is a very smooth engine and again the steering feels so much better than the F10 that its going to be hard to let go for an upgraded beater. donuts in the snow in the e91 with 2 kids in tow was the highlight of the weekend.

the G35/37x is nice, but it still feels like a nissan (IMHO)

Loft23 · 01-06-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N.S.A

would you want a used car?

Just so that I care less about it because it won't be garaged and on the street. Looking at new gti, Mazda 3, or corolla at the same time. Like someone was saying, leasing is another option. Get something nicer for less than $200/month.

dhirm5 · 01-06-2014, 11:30 AM

Vote: Golf GTI

PatrickC23 · 01-06-2014, 11:36 AM

IM getting a Wrangler this summer as a beater. More like $25ishk though.

RPiM5 · 01-06-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loft23

Just so that I care less about it because it won't be garaged and on the street. Looking at new gti, Mazda 3, or corolla at the same time. Like someone was saying, leasing is another option. Get something nicer for less than $200/month.

You can easily pickup a used Abarth for under 20K. Random girls will give you a thumbs up (this has literally happened to me) and random dudes might make fun of you, but who cares. The thing is like a street legal go-kart. Test drive one, trust me. Lol!

greentrbo95gst · 01-06-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPiM5

You can easily pickup a used Abarth for under 20K. Random girls will give you a thumbs up (this has literally happened to me) and random dudes might make fun of you, but who cares. The thing is like a street legal go-kart. Test drive one, trust me. Lol!

He is in SF. He will get thumbs up from dudes as well.

GOLFFRR · 01-06-2014, 12:27 PM

Mini cooper is the way to go. Cars are awesome and actually VERY fun to drive.

RPiM5 · 01-06-2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentrbo95gst

He is in SF. He will get thumbs up from dudes as well.

LOL!

Alpine300zhp · 01-06-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhirm5

Vote: Golf GTI

This is what I told him to get over on Bimmerfest.

01-05-2014, 11:18 AM	#1
Loft23 First Lieutenant 63 Rep 301 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 CP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Alternate beater to spend $20k on I'm extremely happy with my M5 and is my only car because I only have one assigned spot in my condo in the city. I drive my car everywhere, but avoid areas where it is mostly street parking, crowded (like beaches, concerts, and sporting events), and other tight parking situations just because I'm OCD. Want to buy a single family home, with a multi-car garage, but I don't want to leave the city just yet. I'll do that once I settle down. Many of my neighbors who have two cars, simply park their second on the street. I want to have peace of mind when parking on the street, anywhere in the city, and not have to worry / care about door or bumper dings. My dilemma now is finding a used car, that is still cool to drive, highly reliable, and low on maintenance. My budget is $20k - option is to buy a new cheap barebones car or buy something used. Right now looking at a FWD 2011 Mini Countryman S with 45k miles for $20,998. I don't think I would buy a regular mini just because it is too small for my taste. What do you recommend? __________________ 2021 Model S Plaid - Deep Blue Metallic / White / Carbon 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera S (991.2) - Carrara white / Bordeaux black 2014 Comp Pack F10 M5 - Singapore Grey / Sakhir Orange. [SOLD]
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01-05-2014, 11:26 AM	#2
stealth.pilot Knight Commander 559 Rep 5,948 Posts Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Buckhead iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	Infiniti G37 AWD used. Enjoyable car to drive. Cheap to maintain. Reliable. __________________ 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
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01-05-2014, 11:26 AM	#3
NickRac Lieutenant 244 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2018 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Fairfield, CT iTrader: (0)	http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-...79ecde&vxp=mtr
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01-05-2014, 11:26 AM	#4
Dionysus Captain 50 Rep 785 Posts Drives: TBC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	How much is a used VW Golf GTI over there (IMO, better than Countryman, assuming you don't need AWD).
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01-05-2014, 12:40 PM	#8
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	To stay within BMW, how about a 1st gen X3 or e93 328i Touring? The e83 X3 got bad reviews for a stiff ride but I really liked mine as a DD. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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01-05-2014, 10:28 PM	#9
RPiM5 Major General 2872 Rep 7,885 Posts Drives: Black M5 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Earth 616 iTrader: (0)	I highly recommend a used Fiat Abarth. Highly reliable, super duper fun, awesome gas milage, better stock exhaust note than an F10 M5, and you can literally park it anywhere because it's so small and not worry about it getting hit. I've had mine for 7 months now and I get more attention in it than my M5 and I've spent ZERO dollars in maintenance and it came with a 4 year warranty. Good luck. Oh I forgot it can be driven in snow too! __________________
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01-05-2014, 11:57 PM	#10
Road racin Private 6 Rep 68 Posts Drives: '13 M5 alpine white Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2012 Jeep JKU [0.00]	My buddy has a 13 countryman. Really fun and somewhat reminds me of my m5. GPS interface etc. At least it's not a total diff. Feeling. It's a good choice and really fun to drive (the S or it's not worth it...)
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01-06-2014, 12:54 AM	#11
dreamspeed Lieutenant Colonel 260 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Have you thought about leasing? __________________
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01-06-2014, 01:09 AM	#12
N.S.A Major 112 Rep 1,136 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 Blue Sapphire Metallic Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	would you want a used car?
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01-06-2014, 08:21 AM	#13
shahano Lieutenant Colonel 231 Rep 1,576 Posts Drives: 21' M2C 6spd ,11' 1M, 88' M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	How about an Fx 35 if you want a car for the snow or AWD, if not the Fiat abarth is a good car.
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01-06-2014, 10:32 AM	#14
chong0 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 317 Posts Drives: '16 X5 5.0 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	this is why i kept my e91. you can get a used e90/91/92 for about that much and probably CPO'd. the N52 is a very smooth engine and again the steering feels so much better than the F10 that its going to be hard to let go for an upgraded beater. donuts in the snow in the e91 with 2 kids in tow was the highlight of the weekend. the G35/37x is nice, but it still feels like a nissan (IMHO) __________________ '22 Macan GTS '21 911 C2S '20 Cayenne '16 X5 50i M-sport (3rd row!)
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01-06-2014, 11:30 AM	#16
dhirm5 Major 177 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 ZCP, 2014 X5 35d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bethesda, MD iTrader: (1)	Vote: Golf GTI __________________ 2017 Porsche 911GTS - Agate Gray on Black 2009 Aston Martin DBS - Casino Royale Gray on Black (sold) 2014 M5 ZCP - Azurite Black over SSII Full (gone) 2009 M5 - Carbon Black over Sepang Full (gone - not forgotten) 2001 740i M-Sport - Carbon Black over Black (gone - not forgotten)
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01-06-2014, 11:36 AM	#17
PatrickC23 Colonel 184 Rep 2,245 Posts Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW ///M5 [0.00]	IM getting a Wrangler this summer as a beater. More like $25ishk though. __________________ 2016 991.1 911 Carrera GTS 2016 F85 X5M - Carbon Black/Mugello Red
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01-06-2014, 12:27 PM	#20
GOLFFRR 10802 Rep 27,595 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	Mini cooper is the way to go. Cars are awesome and actually VERY fun to drive. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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