Research: Why you own the car you own

[permit]

This is turning out to be a very constructive thread.

Yeah, good input so far, I was looking for more participation though.

[nando]

I didn't buy my E30 because it was cheap, and I don't fit into your demographic, but I'll answer why I bought my car:

2.
I wanted something that wasn't gutless (coming from a V8 swapped muscle car), l wanted options (power windows, keyless entry, leather), the ability to stop (my old car had horrible brakes), AWD, and it had to be in good shape to last me a while. I happened to find the car that had everything I wanted, I just didn't expect it to be a BMW (I had no interest in BMW prior to owning this car). Originally I wanted a Subaru but I'm very glad I didn't go down that road.

Nothing about new cars interests me, many of them are blah to look at, numb to drive, and you can't fix them yourself - not to mention you loose your shorts as soon as you drive off the lot.

[Tvan]

I bought my e30 because I am a sucker for a good deal (ask if you really care to know.)

1. I would enjoy a car with no modern electronic refinements. Like a new version of the 2002 tii with an LSD.

[permit]

I'm not specifically looking for input just from 18-28 year olds, any age group is welcome here. I had just stated that he was interested in learning about that particular demographic, but I think anyone's input can contribute.

[hamann318is]

I don't think the American economy relies on the American auto makers.

Energy should be America's primary economic base.

[motorprestige]

I didn't buy my E30 because it was cheap, and I don't fit into your demographic, but I'll answer why I bought my car:

2.
I wanted something that wasn't gutless (coming from a V8 swapped muscle car), l wanted options (power windows, keyless entry, leather), the ability to stop (my old car had horrible brakes), AWD, and it had to be in good shape to last me a while. I happened to find the car that had everything I wanted, I just didn't expect it to be a BMW (I had no interest in BMW prior to owning this car). Originally I wanted a Subaru but I'm very glad I didn't go down that road.

Nothing about new cars interests me, many of them are blah to look at, numb to drive, and you can't fix them yourself - not to mention you loose your shorts as soon as you drive off the lot.

Well said, i didn't buy mine for the price, it just happened to have everything in a car i wanted. Not to mention the fact that you don't see one every time you turn around, like a damned civic or integra. They have a unique appeal, as there are almost no compact, rear drive coupe/sedans on the market today, let alone one with a silky smooth straight six.

[Jon325i]

Great thread.....some good thoughts being tossed around here. I will chime in as well. I don't quite fit in the prerequisites (in my 30s), but its my $.02 nonetheless.

Vehicle I wouldn't buy: 7 & 8, the SUV/truck

In my opinion, this is just a waste of a vehicle (particularly the gargantuan US offerings). The Expedition, Excursion, Suburban, and Tahoe especially.....these things are just pointless (don't even get me started on the H2s). Hard to park, goes through fuel like its going out of style, and handling traits akin to a high speed bulldozer. I never see these things going offroad (except in the TV ads)....and more often than not they aren't towing some kind of trailer. People I've talked to who own these things say they like them cause they sit up high so you can see everything and they feel safe. Whatever. I prefer to hone my driving skills at a track and become a better driver instead of relying on 2 1/2 tons of metal to save my bacon. The only defense I can offer for buying one of these vehicles is because I have a car trailer, camping trailer, or boat to tow.

Vehicle I would buy: 3 & 6, the sedan/wagon

For comfort, practicality (i.e. kids or clients), and light hauling (wagon), either of these cars would fit the bill fine with me. I know some aren't crazy about them but I like sport wagons like the Audi Avants and BMW Tourings. All the comforts of a luxo/performance sedan with the ability to load up a decent amount of gear and hit the road. Definately better fuel economy than any truck plus you can fit them into just about any parking space. Many of these cars are safer than an SUV since they don't have a tendency to roll over easily when trying to avoid a collision or swerve around an object in the roadway.

An example of a current car (my dads): 5, convertible

A couple years ago my dad officially retired and wanted to reward himself with a new car of his choosing. He settled with a 2005 Mercedes CLK 500 cabrio. Elegant car, some nifty whiz-bang features (7 speed automatic among them). When he told me he was going to look at one I tried to explain the virtues of BMWs new 645 cabrio. My dad had his mind made up already though.....he told me (his words here) that "a Mercedes is a car that says class, that's why I want it." Fine....its his money buying it. He just seemed determined to get a car with a three pointed star on the hood regardless of what other comparable options he had.

Lastly, I have to echo Charlie's points. The jap imports have had the young car buyer market pretty much to themselves for a while since they make a product that appeals to them. Stylish, decent performing cars that don't cost a grip to buy or own. If US manufacturers continue to ignore/abandon this section of the market they are shooting themselves in the foot (again). I suppose they (the big three in Detroit) are banking on the retro rides which they hope to lure in older buyers....the middle aged who had or dreamed of having those muscle cars of their youth or those buyers with grown kids off at college and they no longer 'need' a family car.....the baby boomers.

Jon

[Marvin_Hecht]

11. We recently bought a 2005 Honda Odyssey Minivan.

Reason- my wife needed a reliable, safe, modern vehicle
to haul the kids. The 05 Odyssey has airbags even in the
3rd row as a base model, it cost only about 25k new for
the base model, and being new for 05 had some pizazz
(although now you are seeing them as common as pie).

I tried many times to rationalize a used 540i wagon with
around 100k for about the same price, but just could not
beat the value comparison.

(We stilll have my e30 for me to get to work. Its 19 years
old. When we bought that, we did NOT buy it because it
was cheap we paid around 20k for it -- in 1986 dollars. At
the time that was a lot of money for that small of a car.)

[mikeedler]

I dont fit in this thread at all, but I will answer anyway. I am 31 and live in germany.

besides the E30s, I have a E46 320d touring,
so nr.6
I bought it because it gets 600 miles to a tank of fuel,- and in germany, diesel is cheaper than gas. It can hold alot of crap, I hate 4 doors, but have a kid, so the wagon is a "cool" 4 door to me. I put a sport suspension on it, so It now handles really well. My must haves when I bought this new car were- It had to have leather sport seats, navigation, and Zenon lights.
so in my search, BMW 5er was to expensive, Audi A4 was "nicer" but to expensive, VW passat wagon, the seats felt like SHIT! My wifes major concern was how many airbags it had- 6 for my car, and the Audi had 8.
and the insurance here in germany for my E46 full coverage is HONESTLY half what i pay for my E30 325 liability.

my other vehicle is
nr. 8

I have that so I can haul all kinds a crap around, plus its pimp in germany. gets shitty gas milage, not very comfortable, and definately doesnt handle well on the german streets, but i still love it!


and I wouldnt buy anything unless it was German made or a Chevy!! Im a racist! what can i say.