Major major Dilemma, need opinions!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Mrpaintballordie · 04-18-2012, 10:00 AM

As some of you might know my car got totaled back in November of last year. ( link in signature in case you might want to read it) any who the insurance company finally paid off the loan, and within a week or two hopefully I'll be getting some money from them so I can get a new car. Well I've been doing a lot of thinking and research and I've come up with three possibilities.

Option 1: Camaro SS used around $28k $29 for a nice one ($500+ monthly at least)

Option 2: a 2004 BMW I found online decked out custom paint, body work, exhaust, intake ect. $18k but 100,000 miles on it ($360 monthly)

Option 3: a 2007 dodge charger str8 40k miles, $23k ($400 monthly)

Its a really hard choice, I hate to say it but I'm kind of leaning toward the str8
What do you guys and gals think? I am 17, and pay my own payments.

Fiveg56 · 04-18-2012, 10:08 AM

The BMW sounds like it may be trouble waiting to happen. They are expensive to fix, and with 100,000 miles and lots of custom work, things are bound to go wrong. I’m a huge fan of all of the SRT8 cars. A used car like the SRT8, and the SS, will likely be driven hard. That’s not a bad thing as long as they are well cared for, but it’s something to keep in mind. I’m partial to the Camaro, but the SRT8 is also a cool car.

kjkjr27 · 04-18-2012, 10:10 AM

Def not the bmw with that many miles

1BADLS3 · 04-18-2012, 10:10 AM

They all sound like great cars, but as I mentioned in another post...It's no fun working your ass off just to afford a car, no matter how cool it is. Do you know what kind of parties you can throw with $500/month?

Seriously, if you've got money to spend on a car, I'd go rock the 10 year old Z28 for $10k, rag the hell out of it, and fix it as it dies or replace it when I change my mind or get a better job, graduate, whatever.

Off your list I'd take the Charger because it's the cheapest performance bang for your buck.

I'd never own a used BMW with 100k, unless I had personally put those 100k miles on it myself. The cost of parts for those things is nightmarish. Example: The alternator in some of them is actually water-cooled. The cost of the part is about $900 and requires you to tear apart the front end of the car. At 100k miles, wear parts like that are chancy.

Scalded Dog · 04-18-2012, 10:15 AM

They have cars that are not Camaros? Why?

Mrpaintballordie · 04-18-2012, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the input so far everyone! That's why I'm leaning to an str8 I'm in love with the camaro SS and want one badly, but I'd have to work my ass off for it I don't like my parents paying for it, I like doing it on my own. Nothing feels better then driving a car you pay for and having it decked out with your own money

kjkjr27 · 04-18-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrpaintballordie

Nothing feels better then driving a car you pay for and having it decked out with your own money

Aint that the truth

vroomapunk · 04-18-2012, 10:22 AM

Yeah, negative on the bmw all together for reasons listed above.

Dodge doesnt hold up too well either, plus a charger has 4 doors and doesnt touch the camaro in looks, IMO. Also being an 07, any camaro you get will be 3 years newer.

So, out of those, Id say camaro, it does cost more, but thats because its more of a sports car than the charger, and is at least 3 years newer.

Cant just think in terms of mileage, because parts wear with time AND use, so with the same amount of mileage, the charger will still have idled much longer than the camaro, tires are older, paint has sat in the sun longer and had more rock chips, interior has worn more, belts, hoses, fluids, etc.

Dmerk · 04-18-2012, 02:18 PM

As much as I love BMW's (I've always had one alongside my Camaro), I'd definitely stay away from that one. E60 5-series cars were finicky to begin with, and one with all those mods would make me real nervous. I'd rather know they were done properly by myself, or not have them at all (IMO). The mileage wouldn't scare me off (though for an '04 that is kinda high...) if it was well maintained, mod-free, and fully documented. These cars can cost a lot of money very quickly if they weren't previously loved! The 525i is fairly gutless too, definitely worth the upgrade to the 530i or 535i. If you want a BMW, there are loads of really nice E90 3-series cars out there in your price range, just a thought! Out of your choices the SRT-8 sounds like the best bet, just remember to factor in the added insurance price hike and the higher cost to fuel a V8. Just curious as to why there isn't an LLT or LFX on that list too man! Great cars..... But I am biased

Butcher · 04-18-2012, 02:21 PM

I would go with the Camaro. However, I would find a new insurance company too. You totaled your car in November and you're just getting paid for it NOW? That sounds like a nightmare.

Rangore · 04-18-2012, 02:28 PM

Don't want to be car poor. Be sure any car is affordable for you...don't go broke paying for too much car.

You can pick up a nice V6 Camaro much cheaper and mod it. I would take a V6 Camaro over any of those other choices...but that's my opinion. You had a V6 before...why not get another? Not following...

PS - I would never make payments on a car with 100k miles.

Dznts · 04-18-2012, 02:29 PM

get the camaro!

BowtieBelle · 04-18-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrpaintballordie

As some of you might know my car got totaled back in November of last year. ( link in signature in case you might want to read it) any who the insurance company finally paid off the loan, and within a week or two hopefully I'll be getting some money from them so I can get a new car. Well I've been doing a lot of thinking and research and I've come up with three possibilities.

Option 1: Camaro SS used around $28k $29 for a nice one ($500+ monthly at least)

Option 2: a 2004 BMW I found online decked out custom paint, body work, exhaust, intake ect. $18k but 100,000 miles on it ($360 monthly)

Option 3: a 2007 dodge charger str8 40k miles, $23k ($400 monthly)

Its a really hard choice, I hate to say it but I'm kind of leaning toward the str8
What do you guys and gals think? I am 17, and pay my own payments.

If you buy a BMW with 100k miles on it, you will SERIOUSLY regret it. They cost a FORTUNE to work on after 100K, and lots of things will go wrong. I speak from experience.

Just brakes on my 325i were $1200. NO to the Beemer.

Get the Camaro.

spectre_ · 04-18-2012, 02:33 PM

I believe #2 is out. Most banks will not finance a used car that is over 7 calendar years old unless it is a "luxury" car or "Classic" car. With the amount of mods you describe on that BMW, I doubt they would consider it a luxury car anymore.

If I was 17 and had a choice, I would go with the Camaro. The Charger is too much like a sedan to me..

View Poll Results: Which car?
2010 camaro SS	144	90.00%
2004 BMW 525i	5	3.13%
2007 dodge charger str8	11	6.88%
Voters: 160. You may not vote on this poll

04-18-2012, 10:00 AM	#1
Mrpaintballordie Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: hilton head island Posts: 506	Major major Dilemma, need opinions!! As some of you might know my car got totaled back in November of last year. ( link in signature in case you might want to read it) any who the insurance company finally paid off the loan, and within a week or two hopefully I'll be getting some money from them so I can get a new car. Well I've been doing a lot of thinking and research and I've come up with three possibilities. Option 1: Camaro SS used around $28k $29 for a nice one ($500+ monthly at least) Option 2: a 2004 BMW I found online decked out custom paint, body work, exhaust, intake ect. $18k but 100,000 miles on it ($360 monthly) Option 3: a 2007 dodge charger str8 40k miles, $23k ($400 monthly) Its a really hard choice, I hate to say it but I'm kind of leaning toward the str8 What do you guys and gals think? I am 17, and pay my own payments. __________________ 15' 1LE R.I.P Kendall Walton

04-18-2012, 10:10 AM	#3
kjkjr27 COTW 9/16/13 Drives: 2011 2LT/RS Camaro IOM Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Syracuse Posts: 10,089	Def not the bmw with that many miles __________________ Twitch Youtube

04-18-2012, 10:16 AM	#6
Mrpaintballordie Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: hilton head island Posts: 506	Thanks for the input so far everyone! That's why I'm leaning to an str8 I'm in love with the camaro SS and want one badly, but I'd have to work my ass off for it I don't like my parents paying for it, I like doing it on my own. Nothing feels better then driving a car you pay for and having it decked out with your own money __________________ 15' 1LE R.I.P Kendall Walton

04-18-2012, 10:22 AM	#8
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	Yeah, negative on the bmw all together for reasons listed above. Dodge doesnt hold up too well either, plus a charger has 4 doors and doesnt touch the camaro in looks, IMO. Also being an 07, any camaro you get will be 3 years newer. So, out of those, Id say camaro, it does cost more, but thats because its more of a sports car than the charger, and is at least 3 years newer. Cant just think in terms of mileage, because parts wear with time AND use, so with the same amount of mileage, the charger will still have idled much longer than the camaro, tires are older, paint has sat in the sun longer and had more rock chips, interior has worn more, belts, hoses, fluids, etc. __________________

04-18-2012, 10:08 AM	#2
Fiveg56 Drives: - Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MN Posts: 1,654 View My Garage	The BMW sounds like it may be trouble waiting to happen. They are expensive to fix, and with 100,000 miles and lots of custom work, things are bound to go wrong. I’m a huge fan of all of the SRT8 cars. A used car like the SRT8, and the SS, will likely be driven hard. That’s not a bad thing as long as they are well cared for, but it’s something to keep in mind. I’m partial to the Camaro, but the SRT8 is also a cool car.

04-18-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
1BADLS3 Drives: Sold: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 1,896	They all sound like great cars, but as I mentioned in another post...It's no fun working your ass off just to afford a car, no matter how cool it is. Do you know what kind of parties you can throw with $500/month? Seriously, if you've got money to spend on a car, I'd go rock the 10 year old Z28 for $10k, rag the hell out of it, and fix it as it dies or replace it when I change my mind or get a better job, graduate, whatever. Off your list I'd take the Charger because it's the cheapest performance bang for your buck. I'd never own a used BMW with 100k, unless I had personally put those 100k miles on it myself. The cost of parts for those things is nightmarish. Example: The alternator in some of them is actually water-cooled. The cost of the part is about $900 and requires you to tear apart the front end of the car. At 100k miles, wear parts like that are chancy.

04-18-2012, 10:15 AM	#5
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	They have cars that are not Camaros? Why?

04-18-2012, 02:18 PM	#9
Dmerk Drives: 2010 RY Camaro LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 101	As much as I love BMW's (I've always had one alongside my Camaro), I'd definitely stay away from that one. E60 5-series cars were finicky to begin with, and one with all those mods would make me real nervous. I'd rather know they were done properly by myself, or not have them at all (IMO). The mileage wouldn't scare me off (though for an '04 that is kinda high...) if it was well maintained, mod-free, and fully documented. These cars can cost a lot of money very quickly if they weren't previously loved! The 525i is fairly gutless too, definitely worth the upgrade to the 530i or 535i. If you want a BMW, there are loads of really nice E90 3-series cars out there in your price range, just a thought! Out of your choices the SRT-8 sounds like the best bet, just remember to factor in the added insurance price hike and the higher cost to fuel a V8. Just curious as to why there isn't an LLT or LFX on that list too man! Great cars..... But I am biased

04-18-2012, 02:21 PM	#10
Butcher Drives: '03 MY/MR Z06, '09 Sliver/Red G8 GT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 179	I would go with the Camaro. However, I would find a new insurance company too. You totaled your car in November and you're just getting paid for it NOW? That sounds like a nightmare.

04-18-2012, 02:28 PM	#11
Rangore Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS 45th Anniversary Ed Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,220	Don't want to be car poor. Be sure any car is affordable for you...don't go broke paying for too much car. You can pick up a nice V6 Camaro much cheaper and mod it. I would take a V6 Camaro over any of those other choices...but that's my opinion. You had a V6 before...why not get another? Not following... PS - I would never make payments on a car with 100k miles. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS 45th Anniversary Edition - No longer owned: 2010 Camaro 2LT, 1993 Camaro Z-28

04-18-2012, 02:29 PM	#12
Dznts Anabolic Connoisseur Drives: Sold - Blown Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 22,094	get the camaro! __________________

04-18-2012, 02:33 PM	#14
spectre_ Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Columbus Georgia Posts: 165	I believe #2 is out. Most banks will not finance a used car that is over 7 calendar years old unless it is a "luxury" car or "Classic" car. With the amount of mods you describe on that BMW, I doubt they would consider it a luxury car anymore. If I was 17 and had a choice, I would go with the Camaro. The Charger is too much like a sedan to me..