Bang for the buck wagon

[USNjocson]

Currently looking for a used wagon (preferred) or sedan that will serve as a daily driver and occasional family trip car if my girlfriend doesn't want to use her Ford Escape.

Right now, I've got my eyes set on three cars but I am open to anything else that fits the category/budget. My only requirements really are only for it to be rear wheel or all wheel drive, decent performance, creature comfort options and all while being under 18k. Which is why BMW seems to be the route to go. These are the three I've had my eyes on locally.

1. 2008 535i sedan manual trans, 100k miles, 14k, fully loaded
2. 2010 535ix wagon automatic, 96k miles, 16k, full loaded
3. 2007 328i wagon automatic, 56k miles, 12k


In short,

- is it worth buying a 6-8 year old BMW with 80-90k miles (with aftermarket warranty of course)

- what are good family cars with decent performance under 18k


I'm new to BMW's and any newer cars really so any input is appreciated.

 

[Torch10th]

Dodge Magnum with the a Hemi? You say wagon, cheap and performance oriented.

Personally, I'm not a fan of BMW's out of warranty. The one I had that was new had it's share of problems that I wouldn't want to deal with without a damn good warranty on it.

 

[Coming Up]

CTS Wagon with the 3.6? you can find them with lower miles compared to those bimmers.

 

[USNjocson]

Dodge Magnum with the a Hemi? You say wagon, cheap and performance oriented.

Personally, I'm not a fan of BMW's out of warranty. The one I had that was new had it's share of problems that I wouldn't want to deal with without a damn good warranty on it.

Hmm, I completely forgot about the Magnum RT and SRT8's. I'll look into those. Being discontinued, would getting parts or being serviced be an issue?

As for the BMW comment, I agree, I'd have to get a good aftermarket warranty for sure.

 

[Russo]

I think you'll be better off looking for a 4 door pickup with a camper shell..

 

[MG0h3]

I'd buy an escort wagon before a bmw. Gf is on her second and has all kinds of weird problems.

 

[USNjocson]

CTS Wagon with the 3.6? you can find them with lower miles compared to those bimmers.

Haven't found any 3.6 wagons but j did run across a 2010 3.0 with 60k miles at only 15k. Seems like a good deal but I'd have to research more on CTS cars

I'd buy an escort wagon before a bmw. Gf is on her second and has all kinds of weird problems.

Do you know what year and model she has? Many people have told me to steer away from BMW and that they have nothing but problems, but the same people can never get into detail about what the problems were and what caused them.

 

[NC85]

I'm trying to get my wife's paws off her 08 3 series that's a couple hundred miles away from 100k. We've had it since 09 and 9k miles.

I don't trust the thing as far as I can throw it. Too many plastic lines and hoses at that mileage to crack, leak, or break and cause you a coronary to figure out.

This year alone, crank sensor, both vanos, valve cover and oil filter gaskets. The starter was a fun one too. The gaskets have been a sore spot on me since 50k miles. How in the hell are those gone that early in this modern age. My old ass S10 with 160k didn't have that problem.

That probably did it for me

Good breaks though. Stay away from the ix as I believe they are all wheel drive. Unless you need it, just more shhh to break on you.

 

[Screw-Rice]

SHO
V10 S6 (if fuel economy isn't priority)
V8 S4
The NA Audi's tend to have less moving parts so easier to maintain, that said I prefer the FI models.

 

[USNjocson]

I'm trying to get my wife's paws off her 08 3 series that's a couple hundred miles away from 100k. We've had it since 09 and 9k miles.

I don't trust the thing as far as I can throw it. Too many plastic lines and hoses at that mileage to crack, leak, or break and cause you a coronary to figure out.

This year alone, crank sensor, both vanos, valve cover and oil filter gaskets. The starter was a fun one too. The gaskets have been a sore spot on me since 50k miles. How in the hell are those gone that early in this modern age. My old ass S10 with 160k didn't have that problem.

That probably did it for me

Good breaks though. Stay away from the ix as I believe they are all wheel drive. Unless you need it, just more shhh to break on you.

Yes, the ix is all wheel drive. I've just been informed by a friend that the N/A cars are far more reliable that the tt cars and awd cars like you said. I may go with the 328i wagon, after all it is the cheapest and has lowest miles at mid 50k.

SHO
V10 S6 (if fuel economy isn't priority)
V8 S4
The NA Audi's tend to have less moving parts so easier to maintain, that said I prefer the FI models.

I've first had witnessed 2 of my best friends buy an 04 A4 and a newer S4 and both were total busts. No joke, cars spent more time at the shop than on the road. Might've been a strange coincidence but I've never been a fan of Audi anyways

 

[USNjocson]

What is everyone's thoughts on salvaged/repaired titles?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/5632740705.html

 

[kaz109]

Haven't found any 3.6 wagons but j did run across a 2010 3.0 with 60k miles at only 15k. Seems like a good deal but I'd have to research more on CTS cars



Do you know what year and model she has? Many people have told me to steer away from BMW and that they have nothing but problems, but the same people can never get into detail about what the problems were and what caused them.

That's exactly it....it's always I heard from a friend of a cousin's sisters boyfriend that he had problems with his bmw....I have owned my M3 for about 8yrs now ,bought it with 30k on the clock and it now has 70k or so on it and that is all hard driving with 80% of it being on a track. NO PROBLEMS what so ever. Now my wife's 2015 Denali that was just bought in December has been in the shop 3 times already for warranty work. Bought a 07 Tahoe brand new and it was in the shop all the time.

For me personally my German cars are WAY more reliable than my American cars....and this is from personal experience, not the BS pass it along advice most ppl who have never owned bmw give.

 

[2KBlackGT]

Hmm, I completely forgot about the Magnum RT and SRT8's. I'll look into those. Being discontinued, would getting parts or being serviced be an issue?

No because it shares pretty much every part with the Charger/300 of the same years. The Magnum SRT8's have grown on me lately and I hate wagons.

 

[mdever12]

FWIW my dad has owned 3 bmws, a 3, 4, and 5 series. Hasn't had a problem with any of them. However, he did get them new so I can't speak about used bmws.

 

[oldmodman]

I have been looking for a low mileage magnum for over a year.

People must think they are made of solid gold.

I wanted to get one, pull the engine and install all forged components, and a centrifugal blower.

I may have spoken too soon. i found a pretty nice one only 45 miles away. 34804 miles. Red. Very clean. Unfortunately the dealer is asking $22.999 And it's an automatic. I don't even know if they were available with a manual.

i think i will offer 20K, out the door.

 

[2000gt4.6]

Last gen Caprice wagon with a crate motor 502. I know it wouldn't be the perfect daily but I remember seeing a hot rod or motor trend article back in the day where they did this. Imagine rolling over mustangs and vettes in a Caprice wagon that looks stock on thr outside.

 

[AustinSN]

EB Flex?

They don't look that great, but they ride really nice. With the 3.5 it would move out pretty well too. A quick look shows some guys going low 14s stock.

I think you might have some trouble finding one in your price range though. At least Ford parts are plentiful and inexpensive.

 

[Gary Macomber]

If you want a newer wagon that you are able to get dirt cheap look at the Jetta wagon TDI. They are available in manual or automatic, decently sporty with a 16 second quarter stock, 35-40mpg+, did I mention dirt cheap? newer models for 12k because of the dieselgate scam and a tune can really wake them up.

 

[Blackoyote]

What is everyone's thoughts on salvaged/repaired titles?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/5632740705.html

Nothing wrong with them in my opinion, as long as it was properly fixed and there is documentation of the damage before being fixed (so you can truly see how bad it was).

With it being a newer car and still booking mid 20s when the damage happened, it likely had $15-20k worth of damage (depending on states threshold where the total loss occurred).

If it was a simple theft recovery, I'd jump on it all day!

 

[gnats]

If it's a daily driver, go with the practical and reliable choice. Buy a Subaru.