Buying son a car?
05-17-2006, 08:28 PM
#21
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Buy a Jap car unless he is in the Luxury market say like a 5 series on up, I would skip the 3 series and go with a Jap car.
Infiniti, Acura and lexus all have really good products out right now, for less money and will be reliable enough to get him through till he gets married and has kids.
I love BMWs and have owned 330i, M3, X5 4.8 and now 550 but I also love Lexus products and have owned ES, LS and GX. I would go with Lexus for customer service and reliability for the long haul. I know if it was my kid I would buy him a Acura TL, Infiniti series, or Lexus ES, IS, or RX.
German cars have sporty passion like my 997CS but they are not practical cars for long term.
Infiniti, Acura and lexus all have really good products out right now, for less money and will be reliable enough to get him through till he gets married and has kids.
I love BMWs and have owned 330i, M3, X5 4.8 and now 550 but I also love Lexus products and have owned ES, LS and GX. I would go with Lexus for customer service and reliability for the long haul. I know if it was my kid I would buy him a Acura TL, Infiniti series, or Lexus ES, IS, or RX.
German cars have sporty passion like my 997CS but they are not practical cars for long term.
05-17-2006, 08:46 PM
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Thanks for all the input guys, the other notion I was toying with was leasing a new 325i for him for 3 years then when the lease it up he is on his own, whether he turns it in, buys it out it will be up to him seeing that by then he would have been out of school for 2 years and should have gotten settled a little bit. Tell me what you think, this way I he wouldn't have to deal with any reliability issues, everything would be fixed, he could get the car he and I like?
05-17-2006, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TV550' post='283991' date='May 17 2006, 09:28 PM
German cars have sporty passion like my 997CS but they are not practical cars for long term.
05-18-2006, 12:28 AM
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If that is the case... have you considered financing a brand new Infiniti G35 Coupe or Sedan? Since there is a new model coming out in September, you can get one from most dealers at almost invoice pricing and 1.95 to 2.95% APR. Those are pretty relaible and fun cars (more powerful than the 325i and almost the same handling) and it will probably cost less than leasing a 325i after all the discounts. Personally, I would not spend that much money to buy the slowest BMW available, but that's just me though.
Originally Posted by 05E60Black545i' post='283994' date='May 17 2006, 11:46 PM
Thanks for all the input guys, the other notion I was toying with was leasing a new 325i for him for 3 years then when the lease it up he is on his own, whether he turns it in, buys it out it will be up to him seeing that by then he would have been out of school for 2 years and should have gotten settled a little bit. Tell me what you think, this way I he wouldn't have to deal with any reliability issues, everything would be fixed, he could get the car he and I like?
05-18-2006, 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 05E60Black545i' post='283809' date='May 17 2006, 09:10 PM
I offered my son who is in love with cars and especially mine 20,000 to get whatever he wanted, he's about to graduate from college and I wanted to help him out. So now he's in the hunt for a 3 series BMW. My question to all of you guys with knowledge out there is if that is a good choice. Now I love my car but compared to some of the nice japanese cars out there ex. Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, it isn't as reliable, now should I get him a BMW and hope nothing breaks or get a japanese car for less and have the warranty etc. He's looking at a guys 2002 325Ci with sport package right now for 24k or best offer, the car only has 25k miles but I'm weary about getting it because it has no warranty because back when he bought it was the 3 year 36k mile plan. Let me know what you think, I just want him to have a nice car but something that is going to be reliable.
You've offered him the money - cause your a great dad.
If I were in your shoes I would tell him it's going to be his car - so he will have to maintain and run it - and that you are not going to bail him out if there are problems with costly repairs.
He's clearly not a kid anymore - so let him be a man, make his own decisions and live with the consequences - in a few years time this gift will be more important to him than the car.
Practically the e46 is an very reliable, safe and enjoyable car - (I had an e46 for my last 6 cars) - so I don't think the far eastern brands are that much more sensible.
This is the BEST way to learn about life.
05-18-2006, 04:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 05E60Black545i' post='283994' date='May 17 2006, 11:46 PM
Thanks for all the input guys, the other notion I was toying with was leasing a new 325i for him for 3 years then when the lease it up he is on his own, whether he turns it in, buys it out it will be up to him seeing that by then he would have been out of school for 2 years and should have gotten settled a little bit. Tell me what you think, this way I he wouldn't have to deal with any reliability issues, everything would be fixed, he could get the car he and I like?
BTW, it's nice that you are offering him this. My dad was generous about letting us use his company car when he wasn't driving it, and about having a small, old, rusty car around (some of them gifts from old relatives) for the many kids to share. He never bought me a car, but he couldn't afford it. So, living downtown in a big city, I bought my first car at 40 -- but a nice one (my 545). I think it will teach him more about careful stewardship of an asset to buy the car. He will have to treat it well so it will last 15 years if he wants. If he leases, he will figure he can beat it up a little and just get it past 3 years.
Good luck.
05-18-2006, 07:11 AM
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It sounds like you have a very good relationship with your son and that first and foremost should drive your decision. Back when I was 18 my dad (god rest his soul) bought me a brand new 325 convertible. He andf I had a great realtionship built on trust and respect. He raised me to believe that money did not grow on trees and humility and kindness were virtues to be desired. I was never the snot nose wanker that some kids are today. So, if you have a great relationship with your son and he understands how hard you have to work for every penny, and you can afford it, and the bloke is not one of those kids that think he is better than everyone else, then by all means I would get him the car. I dont subscribe to the general belief that if a parent gives an expensive gift to a child the child will not appreciate that gift, each child is different. 
05-19-2006, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bankerboyz' post='284222' date='May 18 2006, 10:11 AM
It sounds like you have a very good relationship with your son and that first and foremost should drive your decision. Back when I was 18 my dad (god rest his soul) bought me a brand new 325 convertible. He andf I had a great realtionship built on trust and respect. He raised me to believe that money did not grow on trees and humility and kindness were virtues to be desired. I was never the snot nose wanker that some kids are today. So, if you have a great relationship with your son and he understands how hard you have to work for every penny, and you can afford it, and the bloke is not one of those kids that think he is better than everyone else, then by all means I would get him the car. I dont subscribe to the general belief that if a parent gives an expensive gift to a child the child will not appreciate that gift, each child is different.
In short, the trade off of leasing over buying is responsibility after x years of lease and after warranty. Unless you have an out of this world lease offer, I recommend buy.Someone also mentioned something about credit history and paying it off to gives your son a good credit history. Wrong . . . untrue. When you buy something on borrowed money, your credit gets better with a consistant record of repayments, not a pay-offs. You get some credit for advance payments. If you pay something off fast, there's no history that proves you consistantly can pay for a debt. A good way to build credit is using your credit card and being about to pay IN FULL every month. Each credit check is about 5 points of your credit, but it can be regained with several credit cards with high credit limits and good repayment over time.
The best thing my dad did for me financially was build my credit up early in life by including me in his credit cards, and stressed that fact that I should only spend what I can comfortable afford. That means saving some money for "rainy days" too.
05-19-2006, 10:29 PM
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Let him pick the car he wants - test drive a few that fit the budget and pick the one that puts the biggest grin on his face. 
When I was 16 (in 1981) I bought a 1973 Mustang Fastback with my hard earned pennies. My dad, who lent me half of the $1,700 purchase price, thought I was mad and that I should buy a "safe/reliable/practical" car. But when I think about the great times I had with that car I'm sure glad I didn't listen.....and instead choose the car that "stirred my soul".
Probably why I bought a 550 despite $6 per gallon gas.
When I was 16 (in 1981) I bought a 1973 Mustang Fastback with my hard earned pennies. My dad, who lent me half of the $1,700 purchase price, thought I was mad and that I should buy a "safe/reliable/practical" car. But when I think about the great times I had with that car I'm sure glad I didn't listen.....and instead choose the car that "stirred my soul". Probably why I bought a 550 despite $6 per gallon gas.
05-20-2006, 01:57 PM
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My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
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Originally Posted by nickolas_g' post='283953' date='May 18 2006, 05:17 AM
This is a tough question. I was not as fortunate to have my dad a few years ago help fund my first car. I was in the same quandry. I was looking at the Audi A4 and the more reliable Japanese versions. Although I had a great experience with the Acura Integra with many many miles on it, I chose the A4. It was a great ride but very very unreliable.
This is going to sound very shallow, but it is reality. Girls will judge him on what he drives. It is a sad statement, and I sure to get hate mail on this, but it is the truth in the US that is. When I got my A4 it changed my dating life.
In the end the A4 was a real problem reliability wise. But, it was really fun to drive when it was running.
When you are right out of school you are broke and there are not many creature comforts to enjoy. Buy your son the BMW. Or something just as fun. Let him over rule your judgement if he thinks that would be best.
Hope this helps.
This is going to sound very shallow, but it is reality. Girls will judge him on what he drives. It is a sad statement, and I sure to get hate mail on this, but it is the truth in the US that is. When I got my A4 it changed my dating life.
In the end the A4 was a real problem reliability wise. But, it was really fun to drive when it was running.
When you are right out of school you are broke and there are not many creature comforts to enjoy. Buy your son the BMW. Or something just as fun. Let him over rule your judgement if he thinks that would be best.
Hope this helps.
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