New Daily Driver?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:27 am

clinehall wrote:

If you are comfortable with used; BMW, will out last the mustang even if it is new.

Specifics . . . assuming the new Mustang is purchased and driven by a "maturing and caring adult"?

From what I've read here, high mileage BMW's do require "work" and unless you do this work yourself there is significant cost involved plus the impact of whatever downtime if the need is "sudden".

I'm assuming that to get a strong performing BMW convertible at a price below the $40K target limit it will have to be high mileage.

Dick (who is trying to figure out what to replace our 11 year old, 110,000 mile 97 Mustang GT with "someday" as a daily driver and trip car for a couple of "mature adults")

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:13 am

clinehall wrote:

If you are comfortable with used; BMW, will out last the mustang even if it is new.

Thanks a lot, I just spit my breakfast on my keyboard!

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:39 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

I disagree. I loved and miss my Miata(s) and long to add a convertible daily driver back in the mix. I often said that the Miata cost less than therapy sessions with better results. Tooling around with the top down on nice days works wonders on a stressed brain.

IMO

Rebecca and I agree wholeheartedly!!! Any time either of us is having a crappy day, stressful day at work, or anything really, we tell the other to take the Miata for a spin. Rebecca has been know to get in the car at midnight after a long day at work.

If more people had Miatas, therapists would be out of work.

Just my stress free opinion!!

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:08 am

Also agree, the days I drive the Miata are the best drives in...even with heavy traffic.

I want that to transfer to a vehicle that can carry more than 2 people.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:48 am

don't get me wrong here. i enjoyed driving sans top. i am of the opinion however it is not ideal for family daily driver. but to each his own.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

DickRasmussen wrote:

I'm assuming that to get a strong performing BMW convertible at a price below the $40K target limit it will have to be high mileage.

Depends on one's definition of "high" mileage. 80k is about perfect for me to buy a used car.

There is nice silver 2001 M3 (333 HP) convertible that has been listed on craigslist for SIX MONTHS at $27k (58k miles). If it was any other color I would already own it. Show up with cash and say "how badly do you want to get rid of this car". Offer $20k, settle for about $23k.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/380445145.html

Market is much softer for M3 convertibles than coupes. They sold a lot of convertibles, and the resale market is stronger for coupes (I suspect) because of the enthusiast community.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:34 am

Mike, your suggesting a BMW...I would have never guessed..

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Marty Howard wrote:

Mike, your suggesting a BMW...I would have never guessed..

If you read carefully, I'm not really suggesting it. I'm just fantasizing for myself and talking about what I'd do if I was in your shoes.

If I were in your shoes and valued a newer car and a warranty I'd be all over the Mustang GT convertible, look for a low-mile demo. But I'm willing to put up with the peculiarities of a high mileage BMW. It's not for everyone. I wouldn't recommend a 100k mile 540i to anyone who doesn't enjoy working on cars for example.

BTW the reason you'll never find a 5-seat convertible is because of the space needed for the top frame. Rear seats are always narrower in convertibles. IMO that is a good safety feature for rear seat passengers -- more crush space.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

MikeWhitney wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

a convertible owner's two happiest days are the day they bring it home and the day they sell it. sure wish i could take credit for that statement, but i believe it is older than i am.

I disagree. I loved and miss my Miata(s) and long to add a convertible daily driver back in the mix. I often said that the Miata cost less than therapy sessions with better results. Tooling around with the top down on nice days works wonders on a stressed brain.

IMO

I wholeheartedly concur, whomever made the statement Steve quoted was soulless. Within a few days, I will have owned my Miata longer than any car I've ever owned and don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I've been daily driving it now for 9 months and love it 90% of the time. I may add a third car with a fixed roof and a back seat and good working A/C for the DD duties on days when the weather isn't so great, but will probably keep the Miata and DD it a good bit of the time.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:25 am

well, I did find this one:

Pricey though

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:53 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/380445145.html

I need to read these forums more often. That looked like a nice car, but it's gone (at least the ad is)... Another missed opportunity!

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