Appreciation post: my $800 Honda with 200k miles vs my buddy's $4500 BMW

I mean, I get it, a nice car feels good. My friend spent months saving up for this 2006 BMW 3 series with 140k miles, paid $4500 cash. It looked amazing in the driveway. But then within a month the cooling system needed work and a window motor died and the oil filter housing gasket started leaking. I've got my 1998 Honda Civic I found on Facebook Marketplace for $800 with 200k miles. I've put maybe $300 in parts into it over two years, just basic stuff like a valve cover gasket and some brake pads. It starts every morning and gets 34 mpg no matter what. Last weekend he asked me to help him figure out why his check engine light was blinking and I drove my Honda over there while his car sat on jack stands. Has anyone else seen people blow their whole budget on a nicer car and then just end up with a pile of problems?

2 comments

2 Comments

jakeperry6d ago

Nah, you got the water pump and thermostat prices slightly off. That E90 cooling system job is usually closer to $1200 including labor if you can't do it yourself. Parts alone are like $600 for OEM stuff, that water pump is electric and expensive. But your point still stands, my 1999 Camry with 230k has been way cheaper to keep alive than any BMW I've ever seen someone try to daily drive. These luxury cars just cost luxury money to fix no matter how cheap you buy them.

miles_perez9d ago

started leaking" is the perfect phrase man. That coolant system on those E90s is basically made of glass. Had a buddy with the exact same car, same story. He spent $4500 on the car and then $900 on a water pump and thermostat before the summer was over. Meanwhile my Accord with 260k just needs a $12 belt and it's good. The real trick is finding that sweet spot where the previous owner already did the expensive stuff. Your Civic is the right answer here, just keep doing those valve cover gaskets and it'll outlast both of you.