So I'm estimating my budget to be about $7000. I've found several of these models on craigslist within my price range. For the prelude I'm looking at the newer ones 1998-2001. and for the bmw, '99+.
Which is a better buy assuming similar factors such as mileage, decent care, etc. ?
Which would cause less pain? Don't just say BMW is more expensive to maintain, just because that's what you've heard.
Incoming search terms:
- are bmw parts expensive
- is bmw 325i expensive to maintain
- should i buy a honda prelude
- are hondas expensive to fix
- why are bmws so expensive
- bmw vs honda reliability
- are bmws more expensive to fix
- are bmws expensive to maintain
- are bmw 325i good cars
- which car is reliable honda or bmw?
BMWs ARE more expensive to maintain, but they are well worth it in my opinion. A Prelude is just another car, but a BMW is a whole new driving experience and even the older models hold that certain prestige. It's not so much that BMWs are expensive to fix, but they are such fun, great driving machines that you will want to keep them in tip-top shape. So, yes they are more expensive to maintain, but worth it.
Check out the auction sales on 3-Series Bimmers and compare the prices to Hondas before you make up your mind. You should be able to acquire a pretty nice 2001/2002 Bimmer for around $7,000.
Both good cars. Fun to drive, fairly reliable, and good resale value. I just sold my Prelude for $1500 over blue book. All comes down to how well a particular 325 or Prelude was serviced and maintained. Look hard at all the maintenance records. If there are mysteries… keep shopping.
what would a used 2001 prelude cost do you know ?
BMW's typically have an edge in the "fun to drive" area, especially if you're comparing a Prelude to a BMW with the Sport package. BMW's also have more expensive parts, and there are a quite a few "wear items" in a BMW that just don't seem to wear out in the better Japanese cars such as Hondas. Of course there is the prestige factor — if that's important to you (not to me). If you do your own work and like working on cars its close to a toss up. If you're not into do-it-yourself maintenance it is going to be significantly more expensive to maintain the BMW. Not only are the parts more expensive, and you will go through parts like suspension bushings that you're not likely to need to replace in the Honda, but a good BMW shop is going to charge you more than a good Honda shop.
I've put in excess of 80k miles on three different Hondas bought new ('86, '93, and '01); and added about 30k miles to an Acura Integra bought used ('96). And I've got 118k miles on an '03 330i. When it came time to buy a used car for my daughter I bought a Civic. And I'd buy a used Honda for my wife if we were in the market now. For myself, I'd be on the fence and would look at both — because fun to drive is that much more important to me then to the ladies in my family. But don't count out Honda — with better than the factory tires and a 5-spd they are a satisfying driver's car. Not a BMW, but the Prelude is one of the better handling Hondas and comes close.
I have heard things about the engines in those early 2000's 3 series I would definatley look into that. One of my friends has a 3 series I think its about 2004 its happened to him he doesn't drive that much though, I've seen that If you drive a lot that won't be as big of a problem. Definatley ask the seller about the engine. BMWs are pretty fun to drive.
The Prelude is a much better car. It is fun to drive. It handles better, especially if you get the 2000-2001 Prelude SH(The SH stands for Super Handling).
0-60mph time is faster than the BMW. In my opinion, it looks better than the BMW and it is much less common. You will probably get some people asking you "what car is that?" It is more reliable and much cheaper to maintain.
BMW dealerships charge $125 per hour on average. The 325i's oil change costs around $60 as opposed to the $20 oil change for the Honda. The BMW requires more quarts of oil and uses synthetic.
And then there is the gas. BMW needs premium gas. BMW performance parts are expensive too. For example. An Intake will cost $400 for the BMW. An Intake for the Honda will cost $200-300. The difference is even more horrifying when thinking about exhaust systems. $800-1200 vs $2000+.
I hate my new Honda Accord. I’ve always purchased Toyota’s and I wish I had stuck with Toyota. My Honda is the worst car I have ever owned. My gas tank started leaking on my new $35,000 car and Honda wouldn’t fix it — they said it was “rodent” damage. I guess you can’t park your car anywhere because there are “rodents” everywhere. Talk about the Ford Pinto gas tank fiasco all over again. If you are thinking about buying a Honda, don’t!!! Get a Toyota. I’ve had 4 Toyota’s and never had a problem and I got over 250,000 miles on all of them — I didn’t have 20,000 miles on my Honda before I started to have problems. I hate Honda!!!!! I wish I felt better after whining about my car, but I don’t. Thanks for letting me vent
Songs like someone’s on “it”
Sounds*
I’ve had 2 hondas, never had problems, also have a toyota. Love the preludes. I don’t think the 3series BMW is prestige, it screams, “waannabe” prestige. Stick with the Honda, its simply more reasonable.
BMW had come out with a facelift during the 2002 3-Series model, and the consumers had seen minor alterations in the standard features availability.