Maybe, but if so, they might be making an incorrect assumption about the reliability of BMWs or of used cars in general.
Speaking of BMWs specifically, I bought a used 1996 3-Series several years ago for $10,000 with 108,000 miles. It now has over 150,000, and that includes about 5 weekends of hard driving at a race track (as well as my usual daily abuse). It's been very reliable, with only a few minor and inexpensive repairs required, nearly all of which I've been able to fix myself. As a member of the BMW CCA, I know many other people with older, high-mileage BMWs (many of which are similarly abused at the track) and can vouch that these are very reliable cars. Now, the current models, I don't know... ever since they introduced iDrive, reliability seems to have taken a nose-dive. But the previous generation and earlier cars (especially the 3 Series) are pretty reliable.
Of course, if you really want reliablility, you could always go with a used Honda or Toyata. Either one would be significantly cheaper than a either a used BMW of similar age and mileage or a brand new Hyundai, and either is also likely to be a lot more reliable than the new Hyandai or used BMW. True, there may not be a warranty, but if the car rarely breaks, who really needs one? Most things that do break aren't going to leave you stranded, and even with repairs, you'll almost always end up spending a lot less money on a used car. Insurance is less, too.
I used to think I wanted to someday own a brand new car, but now that just seems stupid. Provided you do your homework and shop around, buying used gets you a much nicer car for much less money with few or no disadvantages.
In still other news, a $10,000 used BMW is a lot more fun to drive and gets me from point A to point B with far more performance and comfort than a $13,000 new Hyundai. Why on Earth are people buying brand new cars???! It's craziness!
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Maybe, but if so, they might be making an incorrect assumption about the reliability of BMWs or of used cars in general.
Speaking of BMWs specifically, I bought a used 1996 3-Series several years ago for $10,000 with 108,000 miles. It now has over 150,000, and that includes about 5 weekends of hard driving at a race track (as well as my usual daily abuse). It's been very reliable, with only a few minor and inexpensive repairs required, nearly all of which I've been able to fix myself. As a member of the BMW CCA, I know many other people with older, high-mileage BMWs (many of which are similarly abused at the track) and can vouch that these are very reliable cars. Now, the current models, I don't know ... ever since they introduced iDrive, reliability seems to have taken a nose-dive. But the previous generation and earlier cars (especially the 3 Series) are pretty reliable.
Of course, if you really want reliablility, you could always go with a used Honda or Toyata. Either one would be significantly cheaper than a either a used BMW of similar age and mileage or a brand new Hyundai, and either is also likely to be a lot more reliable than the new Hyandai or used BMW. True, there may not be a warranty, but if the car rarely breaks, who really needs one? Most things that do break aren't going to leave you stranded, and even with repairs, you'll almost always end up spending a lot less money on a used car. Insurance is less, too.
I used to think I wanted to someday own a brand new car, but now that just seems stupid. Provided you do your homework and shop around, buying used gets you a much nicer car for much less money with few or no disadvantages.
In still other news, a $10,000 used BMW is a lot more fun to drive and gets me from point A to point B with far more performance and comfort than a $13,000 new Hyundai. Why on Earth are people buying brand new cars???! It's craziness!