[jumpmanballerz]

Hey guys I have owned 2 BMWs a 07 335xi and a 01 m3. Loved both cars to death but had to sell for home purchase. Now that I am comfortable with payments I'm ready to jump back into the BMW life. Currently driving 07 accord which is good dd.

So here are the options I'm considering and what is important to me.

#1 can keep accord for brutal Canadian winters and buy e46 m3 as summer fun car
#2 keep accord and save for another year or 2 and buy e90 m3
#3 I have the opportunity to trade my accord and 12k cash for an 08 535xi with 60000kms. Seems like a good deal but I'm nervous about future costs with n54 problems.
#4 save for a few years and get 2011 535 with supposedly more reliable n55 engine. These are pretty much 20k more than the 08 I'm looking at right now.

# 5 the 335d is very appealing with the fuel economy and power and decent reliability.

#6 stick with 3 series 335 xi and save for a 2011 with n55.(are 3 series possibly cheaper on maintenance than 5? Due to lighter weight and less gadgets that can malfunction ?

What's important to me? Ability to drive something that makes me smile and doesn't break the bank in fuel or maintenance looking to spend 20-30k this year or maybe 30+ if I waited until next year. I think this would be a car I would keep for 5 years.

Any advice on your experience with any of these cars would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks

[jumpmanballerz]

I was going to add a poll but it didn't work for me.

[Twix]

Honestly. Why not just save and keep the Accord? I wouldn't even bother buying an E46 M3 as a summer car, it would be tres expensive.

With Alberta "summers" lasting 3-4 months, would spending 15-20k really be justifiable?

If this were me, I'd keep the Accord and drop that money on my mortgage and pay off the house sooner. Then I could go stupid and buy a bunch of toys. Just my $0.02

[amyracecar]

keep the accord and get an e46 m3 as your fun car!!

- find one [e46] that has been well cared for and minus the tires, standard care is not that expensive - esp when it is not your DD!

[E90Alex]

In my opinion, if you have to save to buy a car, you probably should not buy it.

Many of us are guilty and do not follow that guideline; however, a car is a toy and it should simply be purchased with income that is allocated for fun. This means that I think there should be a large enough liquid financial cushion to where an individual would not have to save.

[jumpmanballerz]

Some good input so far thanks guys. As far as the mortgage or car loans go I work at bank so very low interest rate not a concern. I like the accord for its fuel economy that's about it. I miss the fun of driving a BMW and being happy everytime you get into your car. Living in Canada makes the x drive a great all year solution also.

[wojcikgu]

This means that I think there should be a large enough liquid financial cushion to where an individual would not have to save.

[jumpmanballerz]

That statement makes 0 sense. You have to save to have a liquid financial cushion...

[bimmerbuff]

I vote for Option #1.