Why are people more impressed by a used $6k BMW than a $25k Accord/Camry ??

[jhenty]

I think a lot of us on the forums are DIYers and that certainly helps with the cost. Being a technician I can say most people really can't afford to drive even an older BMW if they can't fix things themselves. Obviously we all know our own personal costs of ownership but other people are still seeing a BMW and thinking all they have heard. I once got the "What did you pay for that thing? " I said $400.... The reply was "$400 a month?" I could never see myself paying 20 grand for a newer honda or toyota knowing I can get a great driving car for a fraction of the cost, most people don't realize this.

[Jims5543]

I had to go to a meeting one time and I had my 1980 Porsche 911, it was restored by the PO and pristine, plus it had a 3.6 swap so it was more $$ then any other 1980 911, I paid 23K for it, drove it for 3 years and sold it for 23K.

I did not have time to run by the house and grab my Toyota pickup so I had to show up to this construction meeting in the Porsche, I knew what was going to happen before I got there.

I pull up and everyone is looking at the car. As soon as I get out of the car I get a remark, "Well, it seems we are paying this guy too much money." Laughs all around. Except I was in a bad mood and was annoyed at the anticipated remark. I quipped back, "How much did you pay for that King Ranch Ford F-250? I think they go for around 40K, yes?" I just get a look, I turn to the next truck, a dually truck with a lift kit, brand new, ask the same question. No answer. So I inform the guy my car is a 1980 and worth less than 1/2 of what his pick em up truck is worth.


I only buy Toyota fleet trucks? Why? Because they take abuse from my employees, and with regularly scheduled oil changes and minimum maintenance, they run for 300K miles with barely any issues.

I sit and think about my 2001 E46 and know it need to have it coolant system overhauled before a catastrophic failure (something I never had to do with my Toyota or Hondas I have put 300K miles on) I need to replace the fuel pump before 150K miles or it will fail and then there are the window regulators, HVAC problems, vanos rebuild, etc...

Not complaining my E46 is 1000X more fun to drive than any Honda or Toyota currently available. But, it is by no stretch as reliable or maint free as a Honda or Toyota.


Also, when I was much younger I rescued a E21, it had a nice paintjob, rims and interior but it was mechanically neglected and needed a lot of work. Once I got it sorted out, I drove it to work one day. I paid $800 for it and put maybe $2500 into it over a year fixing it up myself. My boss saw it and had a green face of envy and made a very snotty comment that he must be paying me too much. Even he was an idiot.

[marhot]

I pull up and everyone is looking at the car. As soon as I get out of the car I get a remark, "Well, it seems we are paying this guy too much money." Laughs all around. Except I was in a bad mood and was annoyed at the anticipated remark. I quipped back, "How much did you pay for that King Ranch Ford F-250? I think they go for around 40K, yes?" I just get a look, I turn to the next truck, a dually truck with a lift kit, brand new, ask the same question. No answer. So I inform the guy my car is a 1980 and worth less than 1/2 of what his pick em up truck is worth.

....

Also, when I was much younger I rescued a E21, it had a nice paintjob, rims and interior but it was mechanically neglected and needed a lot of work. Once I got it sorted out, I drove it to work one day. I paid $800 for it and put maybe $2500 into it over a year fixing it up myself. My boss saw it and had a green face of envy and made a very snotty comment that he must be paying me too much. Even he was an idiot.

Nice story.

[cmhbmw90]

I got my 2000 V6 Honda Accord coupe back in july of 2007 with 56,000 miles for aprox. $13,000. I have beat this car to an absolute pulp and have done nothing but change spark plugs once, tires, brakes and oil changes. My car currently has 180,000 miles.

I have a been hit by a car, hit a deer, done many races, abused the transmission, and done many many e-brake turns and to this day I can jump in my car and I dont have to worry about a thing.

Just my 2 cents.

[spoonerDee]

Chicks dig the roundel.

[Hoolie]

Could be worse predjucide wise..

You could own and drive a 1980s Camaro :|

[marhot]

Not really IMO .... most bmw owners are people who only see the badge.

Well, that's sad. The only BMW owners I know personally bought it for the performance. I have seen 'soccer Moms' in Bimmers and wondered why they are driving it ... sad...

[trive2]

I agree, the prestige reputation actually shits me. I wan't to sell my E21 because I don't like the way it drives, even though I've gotten the most compliments out of it.

But 90%+ BMW owners don't know a thing about their cars... Those are the people that should have bought Mercedes-Benz...

[OnTheFence]

But 90%+ BMW owners don't know a thing about their cars...
Those are the people that should have bought Mercedes-Benz...

Why? What's the difference?

[02 330xi 10 128]

Why? What's the difference?

Luxury status vs sport luxury how I see it. No MB I've driven other than the 120k SL65 AMG ever felt really sporty and enthusiastic. They're boats and comfortable and the best highway cruisers. I think a 7 feels more sporty than a C. Unless its a C63 AMG , that car drives amazingly but no 3 pedals so lose respect.

[trive2]

BAM! Spot on! Merc's as a general rule are not drivers cars. Even the SL65 is a grand tourer, totally over-powered and over-weight for a track.

[OnTheFence]

Any new thoughts on this?

[angun]

Simply because deep down they know it is a beautiful capable beast loosin it on the road. Pure joy to whoever drivin it.

Sent from my iPad using BF.com

[87iSee]

Because they know how much money (or time) you are spending to keep it going :-D

[RobertFontaine]

The vast majority of BMW owners are not the people who frequent these forums. The buy new or lease for 3-5 years and then release. BMW's are damned expensive new and post warranty they are potentially expensive to maintain.

A Camry or a Civic are 2 cars that will hold their resale and run for 200k without requiring much more than an oil change and belts.

I do love my old bimmers but Camry/Civic buyers are as a whole a lot smarter than BMW buyers.

[montaillou]

BMW's are advertised as luxury cars and advertising works, regardless of any truth behind it.

[bmw42ofus]

Interesting observation here.....I too find it funny how my 12 yr old E46 gets attention from all generations. I like it because I bought it from an enthusiast who took great care of it and upgraded....while at the same time the price was right for a 2nd car.

[LincolnW]

When I bought my e36 my mother in law would give me all sorts of shit about it. Then I pointed out that her mini van was 4X what I paid for my car.

Still, for whatever reason, people think my car is expensive because it's a BMW. Sometimes I like that fact, sometimes I don't.

[EurOnly]

Could be worse predjucide wise..

You could own and drive a 1980s Camaro :|

What's so special about a trailer park sportscar?

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Because at one point in time it was a 50,000 car and even a 5 year newer economy car will be trailing behind in comfort and design. Take a 2007 5 series and compare it to a 2012 camry or accord... It's a nicer car in almost every way. The initial engineering and design was for a much more expensive vehicle.

Depreciation is dependant on several things, how common, how reliable, cost of upkeep, target audience and how sought after it may be. If you can afford 100,000 car, used one for 90,000 isn't going to necessarily be as appealing. They typically drop in price to appeal to a slightly different customer base. At least that is my perception.

My car is 12 years old but it ages gracefully, a 12 year old Toyota camry... Not so much. But also assume people aren't always car fans. Some people just care about an a to b car that is fuel efficient and reliable and that's about it.

You sacrifice something in every car. You get a cheap reliable new car you often sacrifice performance, comfort and sometimes safety. You buy a luxury car you forego reliability and fuel economy for comfort and safety. You get a supercar... You sacrifice almost everything for thrills.

My car is not safe, its not that comfortable (it has been reliable for 5 years though). But it is a ton of fun. It's not that fast in a straight line, I am pretty sure a new camry is faster heh, but overall experience of driving and image is entirely different. Even though the car is old you still will get looked at and judged differently than if you drove a new Hyundai or kia.

[slocar]

^ my e46 is good on gas (24.5 avg mostly city), safe, a decent performer for the size of it's motor, it has never missed a beat, it's very comfortable, it still looks fairly modern ... I really dont see where one would even begin to make a sacrifice by owning one. And it only cost 5 grand.


Sent through a teleportation device

[Luftwaffe1O1]

^ my e46 is good on gas (24.5 avg mostly city), safe, a decent performer for the size of it's motor, it has never missed a beat, it's very comfortable, it still looks fairly modern ... I really dont see where one would even begin to make a sacrifice by owning one. And it only cost 5 grand.

Sent through a teleportation device

It is reliable but it isn't as cheap to own or as fuel efficient as say a corolla... It's not a huge sacrifice, but its there. To me I prefer a fun car over a workhorse.

[this1guyshorty]

Because wannabe racecar!

[MrCi]

Not here, usually, but then again BMWs are dime a dozen.

[EpDarks]

My gfs family saw my X5 and thought I bought it brand new. 2002 w/ 140k miles. It goes to show the general public is clueless re: BMW