…with most on this board.
There’s only two reasons why you would want a car like this:
- You want to look cool.
A brand new BMW or MB would make you stand out because that’s what every artist on MTV/VH-1 is cruising in, and they’re always loaded with gorgeous women in those videos.
- You have an appreciation for cars.
You know the marques of BMW and Mercedes Benz, know that they’re well-built performance sedans and want to appreciate them while you’re still young.
So I want to go on the record as saying that there is nothing wrong with either of these reasons. Both are reasonable and legitimate reasons for considering your thoughts. And, when I was your age (some would even say that I haven’t grown up much since :)), I thought along the same lines.
But let me let you into my head:
The ONLY reason why I would EVER consider leasing is if it’s a company car and the company’s buying. Leasing is the most ridiculous way I’ve ever seen to “own” a car… because you never own it! It is the biggest rip-off scheme of car companies for a loooong time. And they love it. Why? It is the biggest Win-lose situation (and if you think you’ve got the ‘win’ on this… dude, drop your pants and assume the position, because that sensation you’ll feel is just the first of many to come!)
After all that money you drop into this lovely piece of German Automotive Engineering
(down payment
- {monthly payments x months}
- extra charges for ‘wear and tear’
{trust me: EVERY dealer knows how to overcharge on every
ding and scratch they see. There are reports on this}),
you have to hand the keys back at the end of the lease and say “bye bye”. The dealer, of course, smiles, thanks you for your money, and then sells off the used car as (and this makes me chuckle) “previously enjoyed”.:rolleyes:
Now, not only that… but all those things you were thinking about in regards to making the car “your own”? (Sweet 3-piece alloys / Aftermarket body kit / Engine chip upgrade / Tuned exaust / Pimpin’ Blaupunkt Stereo / Tinted windows / Momo steering wheel / upgraded suspension / whatever you have in mind.)
Forget it.
Remember: The car isn’t yours.
Athena hit on something which I’m going to take to the next level:
‘Buying’ a car is not ‘affording’ a car.
If $30,000 droppped on your lap right now, you could say,
“Wooohoo! I can afford to buy a Beamer!”
Sure. Then you’d have a nice-looking, shiny driveway ornament. Because you need it to “go”, right? So… gas.
No problem.
Ask you parents how much they spend on gas on a monthly basis. (Being who you are with a flashy new car, I suspect you could multiply that figure by 1.5 - You wanna “cruise”, right? You wanna go to friend’s parties, right? You’ll be out driving more often than your parents-I was at your age.)
Oop. But then a cop pulls you over because you have no plates.
Right. Plates.
And insurance. (Now I don’t know how much that is, but I do know that teenagers in the US are targeted harshly on this. Check your local insurance agent to realistically look at the numbers)
Now when you go downtown, you have to pay for parking.
…
After all that… you will need to set aside some cash for “unknown inevitables”:
Parking Tickets.
Speeding tickets.
Oil.
Tire patch stuff.
New tire. (Most warantees do not include a flat tire. Check this)
Auto Club. (Although both MB and BMW have 24-roadside assistance programs, but check if they have some monthly cost on that.)
Wiper Fluid.
Car wash tokens. (Or soap and sponges if you’re doing it at home)
Fuses.
…and if, Diety forbid, something MAJOR happens to the car that ISN’T in the warantee. The parts on German cars (even VWs) are NOT cheap.
Trust me on this. I want a nice toy as much as the next guy, but I’d seriously reconsider the value of an off-the-lot car.
You want a new toy? Go out and find a classic. Get another car that may not be so shiny around the wheelwells. See if you can find an old MG, convertible 'Stang, Austin Healy, or some other just-this-side-of-rustbucket that’s got some character to it. Even an older Beamer or Benz (with a more powerful engine). If you’re going to dump money into a car anyway, why not have it be your own? After two years, YOU can decide what you want to do with the car (keep/sell/upgrade), and while you own it, YOU can decide what you want to do with it (repaint/upgrade suspension/powerboost engine-install nitrous/install stereo).
Besides, the look on the face of the guy who DID lease the Benz is just priceless when you leave him at the lights in your NO2-ed older Miata.
Of course, that’s just my opinion, and you can feel free to ignore it. If you choose to do so, that’s fine, it’s your decision and only you have to be cool with it.
In that case, I’d opt for the 323 Coupe. 2-doors always look better.
OLT:
The cars you see on music videos? Most of them are rented for the vid shoot. That’s right. It’s all part of the image they sell to people like you and me.