Would YOU trade your 10 year old european car for a brand new 2011 $15,000 domestic
 

I read an article that dissed on older European cars and point writer was making nobody cares that u drive a 10 year old europen car that used to cost $50,000. And and when u go to the shop even thought the car now is worth 15,000+ shops still charge you if it was 50,000 car and repairs not worth having a car. Also he brought up a point of driving a new cheap domestic car was allot better idea and financial smarter...what is your response to that..mine i was mad one i do all my work myself my 2001 x5 3.0i still handles better then some newer cars that coming of the line, interior is still in nice condition and so on so i didn't agree with him what about you would u trade in your SAV

I think we dont own these cars to be "financially savvy" we own them because we are drivers, and we are passionate car owners. Other cars that are "financially smart" such as a Chevy malibu hybrid, is not a drivers car, its a "get me from point A to point B" type car. To me, its more than just getting there, its how you get there, and how it makes you feel. I swear my 04 X5 gets more looks than brand new other cars. I'm happy with it

I think the next most comparable domestic SUV's are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Dakota. Once you load one down with leather, Xenon's, upgraded stereo, v8, etc. you are pushing $40K. The gas mileage isn't that much better either.

I decided to buy a low mileage X5 with the extended warranty in place. I think the taxes, license, and insurance is more on the new car as well.

As a side note, the 4runners and Honda Pilots are also $35K off of the showroom floor. Sure they are reliable, but you pay the piper one way or the other. I am not sure you can get an AWD midsized SUV for under $30k. That depreciation will pay for a lot of repairs and maintenance.

I'm not saying that the X5 is the most economical car you can get. I'm just saying if you want to drive a SUV the X5 is not that bad of a choice from an economical standpoint if you can get a good deal on a nice used one.

Yup.
 

Drive a 7 year old X5 and it will feel like it has 5,000 miles on it.

Drive a 7 year old Honda and it will feel like it has 85,000 miles on it (actual mileage).

Drive a 7 year old Ford and it you'll feel like the car has 200,000 miles on it.

Couldn't agree more, it is about perspective. The author of the article is not a driver, but a user of modes or transportation in an efficient manner. Whereas an enthusiast appreciates the engineering that went into a fine automobile to make its 3,650th day feel like its first.

Mr. Nazario.....you are absolutely correct .....thanks.

A Ford Fiesta, a Honda Fit Sport or a Mazda 2 could be had around $15,000 and I would make that switch in a heartbeat. Economical 4 cylinder engines plus a manual transmission would make those cars fun to toss around in; they aren't designed with performance in mind, but the X5 doesn't feel like it was designed with performance in mind either. Heck, there's B-Spec racing with those cars and seem like a 4 door and 2 more seats version of the Miata.

youre nuts!

you tell me a car that feels as solid as mine does at almost 100k miles? Have you ever been in one of those cars with more than 50k miles? they rattle, they shake, and they feel like crap

In general, i suppose this thread is meant to point out whether you'd rather have an older BMW or a new domestic "blah" car. So, the real question for you would be, would you rather have a brand new Mazda 2 in manual, or a 5 year old 330i in manual?

:iagree:

The comparison isn't to a 100,000 mile car though, it is to a new one. A new Fiesta or Focus drives pretty well. It is certainly a reasonable alternative to a 100,000 mile X5.

You need to differentiate between non-driver's cars and driver's cars. There are lots of driver's cars that don't have a roundel.

Nyet. It is irrational but that is the point, cars are about emotion otherwise we'd all drive a Camry....