Is a used BMW a good first car?

Hi,

I have a budget of €4,000 and I am looking for a car that will fit the golf clubs and a trolley. I'd like something sporty and was thinking of a BMW but that may cost too much with road tax etc. It will be my first car. 

 

Edward Murphy (Dublin)

May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

---

Expert answer

Hi Edward,

There is no such thing as a cheap used BMW. I just recently sold a 2002 BMW 318i Touring and I loved it, but the repair bills when things went wrong were high, even from independent garages, so you need to bear this in mind.

Having said that, you could get something that will be similar, like a Lexus IS 200 perhaps, which should be less costly to put right if things go wrong.

Here is one for €3,975 and it is from a main SIMI dealer.

Or how about this? A nice Subaru Legacy for just €2,950? This would be a great car for the money.

Complete Car Adviser