Suggestions/Opinion on Third Car

[Need4spd28]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

OK - I am in a similar situation and have done extensive research on this. Easier if the car "changes hands" will explain what I mean. You're best plan, purely from a $-savings perspective, is to stick with the two cars and put as many miles as you can on the X1 to save your M3. You don't want to both go over. You won't want to just turn the car in since you'll pay a huge mileage penalty. And you cannot under any circumstances buy it out since you will be overpaying big time and you cannot renegotiate your residual. It is what it is. That said 120 days before lease expires your dealer can, if they want, negotiate a fair market wholesale value for the car and buy it. So let's say your buyout is $30K and the car is worth $20K. You have to pay $30K there is no discussion there. Dealer can pay $20K to then put it on the lot and sell it themselves. You should speak with your dealer as I have with mine, and this is where the address and married or not can matter. Dealer buying the car to put into stock and selling it back to her is somewhat fishy because they are basically sticking it to BMW. They can, however, sell it to you because on paper the two of you have nothing to do with each other. At least not yet. So you need a dealer willing to do you a solid and you'll have to pay some fees for inspections and whatnot since they are selling you a car that they own and you could come after them if they sold you a car with crap brakes or something, but it can be done. Assuming you have a decent relationship with your dealer it should not be too much of a problem. Some dealers would buy and sell to her, but it's just a lot less problematic to sell the car to you.

That's if you want to keep the X1. If you don't, you can do everything I just described and get another car - but it would have to be a BMW from the dealer that was doing a "courtesy deal" on the car you weren't keeping. If you want to leave BMW entirely all of this gets much more complicated.

So bottom line before you do anything give your dealer a call and talk through options with him. I assume were it not for the mileage issues you're perfectly happy with the cars and aren't looking at another just for fun. My advice was based on the premise of minimizing $-hemorrhage until your leases are up.

Wow, you certainly have done your research. Are you referring to the pull ahead program? In any event, here's the kicker - Both of our cars are in both of our names. It's kind of a moot point because I won't want to keep her X1 anyway, no more than I'll want to keep my M3. We both like our cars a lot but there will be something better in a couple years that we'll like more. I never lease with the intention of buying out.

[Need4spd28]

It also occurred to me that the MDX should probably be in the discussion. I don't love the styling in the 08-12 era, but there are much worse looking cars/trucks out there and I would feel more comfortable buying an Acura with high mileage than almost anything else.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Need4spd28

Wow, you certainly have done your research. Are you referring to the pull ahead program? In any event, here's the kicker - Both of our cars are in both of our names. It's kind of a moot point because I won't want to keep her X1 anyway, no more than I'll want to keep my M3. We both like our cars a lot but there will be something better in a couple years that we'll like more. I never lease with the intention of buying out.

OK well in that case still talk to your dealer. He could help you by buying the X1 and you could help him by getting another BMW. Assuming he will play ball it will be cheaper than adding another car to the mix.

What I am describing is different than a pull ahead they can explain the options to you.

[Need4spd28]

True, and I considered just trying to get out of it, but that won't change how many miles we drive. I do have a good relationship with the guy I bought both cars from, and one other one all in the last 12 months, so going to have a chat with him certainly wouldn't hurt.

[BEM-S4]

If you end up adding another car, realize it's not what you were thinking originally, but I'd add the GTI to your list. They can hold a lot of gear very practical and I just came from looking at them with a friend. $27k brand new 2017 marked down to $19k. Would have to think you could find a 2014 or 2015 well within budget and for the money I'd be hard pressed to find a better handling car. FWD though so maybe not great for what you want but certainly doable.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Need4spd28

Great feedback so far. I knew I could count on this crowd! So a couple of things:

1) AWD is not a requirement, but a nice to have.
2) Why are GLK's such garbage? Not being a wise guy, I really dont know much of anything about them.

Cheap interior that's not pleasing to the eye and terrible driving dynamics.

Basically, it was engineered during the horrible Daimler Chrysler days. Pretty much every Benz from that era sucked, which is why I'm still baffled by the popularity of the GLE (a refreshed ML) and GLS (a refreshed GL). Both are also dinosaurs with shoddy ugly interiors and poor driving dynamics.

I'd still keep it on my short list though cause it's a Benz lol. I'll admit I'm a badge chaser.

[08njSTEP]

Honda Pilot. 3rd row if you want and available with every high end option in touring spec. And Honda reliability.

[Need4spd28]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Cheap interior that's not pleasing to the eye and terrible driving dynamics.

I'd still keep it on my short list though cause it's a Benz lol. I'll admit I'm a badge chaser.

As am I, admittedly. Any significant reliability issues?

[mxa121]

Another idea:
Spend 15k (or whatever so no payment) on a used crew cab pickup truck with leather interior. Finish out your leases and get rid of them. When you are ready, purchase your BMWs outright on the used market.

Driving as much as you do, new cars depreciate far too quickly. That truck you pickup now will hardly depreciate and is comfortable/functional/reliable for the time being.

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by mxa121

Another idea:
Spend 15k (or whatever so no payment) on a used crew cab pickup truck with leather interior. Finish out your leases and get rid of them. When you are ready, purchase your BMWs outright on the used market.

Driving as much as you do, new cars depreciate far too quickly. That truck you pickup now will hardly depreciate and is comfortable/functional/reliable for the time being.

Finding a decent loaded truck for $15k is pretty tough nowadays.

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

Finding a decent loaded truck for $15k is pretty tough nowadays.

While I do agree with you (as I'm in that market right now) craigslist has plenty of specimen available. My trouble is I am so picky on color/options.

09 Lariat F150 w/82k miles
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5974201028.html

[Need4spd28]

I contemplated that momentarily but I just cannot see myself in a pickup, and I guarantee you my fiancé won't be caught dead in one. She vetoed a Tahoe almost immediately because she refuses to drive something that big. Bear in mind, she'll be driving it 75% of the time.

I will probably continue to lease two of our cars, definitely mine at the very least. I like to switch up cars pretty often and have no desire what so ever to be dealing with the negative equity that I would be buried in if I didn't. I have equally little desire to deal with maintenance issues.

I said this in another post but there is a cost to driving as much as we do. There's probably half a dozen or more ways to go about handling it but I'm not going to get away from it, and pouring money into maintenance for a car, whether it be my first, second, or third, is probably the least desirable.

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by mxa121

While I do agree with you (as I'm in that market right now) craigslist has plenty of specimen available. My trouble is I am so picky on color/options.

09 Lariat F150 w/82k miles
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5974201028.html

Try to find a Platinum edition if you can. Not sure what year they started that trim but man are they nice inside and out. I currently own 3 Ford trucks that work hard and I have always been happy with them.

[jmg]

Look into a CPO Subaru Forrester or Outback. We are on our 2nd Forester and we are looking to get a new Outback for my wife while I split my miles between the M3 and our current Forrester. They are fairly cheap and easy to maintain. AWD is a plus for us, since we love going to the mountains and camping trips etc. While they may not be the most luxurious vehicles out there, they are perfectly fine commuter and road trip car. We've had so much fun in our Foresters the past 10+ years, I can't imagine not having a Subaru in the garage the rest of my life.

[wren57]

Surprised there has been no mention of a Porsche Cayenne. AWD, reliable, take a big depreciation hit the first 5 years.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by wren57

Surprised there has been no mention of a Porsche Cayenne. AWD, reliable, take a big depreciation hit the first 5 years.

Scheduled maintenance is a bitch on those. Just a brake job can run $3k.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by wren57

Surprised there has been no mention of a Porsche Cayenne. AWD, reliable, take a big depreciation hit the first 5 years.

Any used German/Euro car is going to be costly for maintenance.

[wren57]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Scheduled maintenance is a bitch on those. Just a brake job can run $3k.

On a Turbo S, but not on a regular S or even a turbo. And who dealers their car for brakes?!

[Housekeeping]

335d

[Need4spd28]

Originally Posted by wren57

Surprised there has been no mention of a Porsche Cayenne. AWD, reliable, take a big depreciation hit the first 5 years.

Thought about this, but it's the maintenance that got me a little spooked. Can't help but think I'd be playing with fire. Plus, they're not really in the price range.

[eluded]

S2000

[jmg]

Originally Posted by eluded

S2000

He has an M3. What's he gonna do with 2 sports cars?