BMW 5 Series Insurance (NYS)

[Babyboii4Llife]

Hey all,

It's Ari again, I'm back under my old name. Haven't talked to you all in a while and I'm sorry for that. I'm kind of in a rush, so I'll get to the point.

I am now 16, and my Road test in T minus 6.5 days away. I WILL be passing it hopefully, and I will be using my parents cars for a while. But, before my parents find out, I'd like to ask you guys.

I was at first interested in getting a 3series...hopefully 330I, but the insurance is straight off $3600 a year (Thats with my % off for taking courses). And the companies look at a 3 series as a "high end sport" or w/e so pretty much a 16 year old + 3 series = high insurance. So I'm thinking of picking up a 00' 01' or 02' 5 series. They're fast, safe, big, luxurious, stylish and most of all the insurance companies don't really care to classify them as a high end sport.

So I was wondering:

1. I've seen prices for EVEN an 02' 5 series on ebay go from $12,000 to $19,000 which seems very cheap. Is this the usual range?
2. How much do you think Insurance would cost for a 16 year old male with a 5 series. My grades are all mostly A's and I would most likely get that "Good student" reductions.
3. Is the 5 Series a good car for me? I like fast cars, but I'm not into racing come on now, I mean maybe once in a while, or perhaps I'll "hooK" the engine up which brings me to a next question.
4. I know the aftermarket on BMW's is insane in $$$ but, is there a way for me to make the 5 series if I get it much faster?

That's all I can think of now. Thanks so much guys! Please help me out!

-Ari

 

[Big Daddy]

The wise young student would buy a used 90's model 3 series, 325is is a nice car, easily maintained, fairly quick, and the insurance would not be in the higher end. Use this car, enjoy it, maintain it, mod it, than when you turn 21 sell it and buy a nice 3 or 5 when your rates are lower and you have matured.

 

[epj3]

Yea buy an e36 so you won't be raped for insurance and repairs...and you won't be one of the thousand other dull e46's around new york.

Personally if I had the $$ for a few year old 3 series, I'd rather get an E36 m3. I know people will say "16 year old shouldnt have an m3" but it happens! If I had the money, I would have one right now.

 

[overdrive21]

man, that's too many! are you a car collector? hehe! kidding! compare those at http://www.oneshopinsurance.com you could check out how they would vary from other insurance company. 3 series would really mean a high insurance.

 

[overdrive21]

do you have a speeding ticket?

 

[ALBOTONI]

E39 5 series 00-02 at about 50 thous miles u looking at 19-24000 $ anything extremely cheap, make sure they dont have a salvaged title or just turned down miles.

 

[lattelady]

for the record...

We bought a 3rd car (it's for my soon-to-be-16 year old but we maintain that it is not officially his!!) last month - a 99 323i with 52k miles for $14,000. Seems to be a great car. Insurance for us right now is about $320 for 6 months. When we list our son as the main driver (come Nov 30) that insurance will jump to $1200 for 6 months (including good student discount).

A week ago, I leased a 2006 525i for me . My insurance only went up $35 for 6 months from the mom-o-bile I was driving!

It's all good!!

 

[epj3]

Geesh I thought my $1600/YEAR was bad!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I'm just going to add that the 3-series is not worth the insurance rate you're (at that age)going to be paying unless it's an M3... I personally am against new or fairly new luxury cars for kids. I agree with the older model suggestions if it has to be a BMW.

 

[tazza0712]

...Whats the big deal about kids getting new luxury cars??

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

...Whats the big deal about kids getting new luxury cars??

They don't fully appreciate them and it tends to cheapen the cars image. Aside from that the liklihood of an expensive or fatal accident is increased...

 

[tazza0712]

I would say that the likelihood of a fatal accident is somewhat decreased considering the array of safety features that are present in these sorts of luxury cars. As for cheapening the BMW image, I don't see how age has anything to do with that, as BMW have themselves attempted to appeal to younger people by the release of the 1 Series. The only point presented that holds validity is the expense that an accident would cost - even this however is countered by the simple fact that if you can afford the car, you can afford the repairs.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I would say that the likelihood of a fatal accident is somewhat decreased considering the array of safety features that are present in these sorts of luxury cars. As for cheapening the BMW image, I don't see how age has anything to do with that, as BMW have themselves attempted to appeal to younger people by the release of the 1 Series. The only point presented that holds validity is the expense that an accident would cost - even this however is countered by the simple fact that if you can afford the car, you can afford the repairs.

The likelihood is increased because in luxury cars it is easier to go FASTER than fast enough in them. So the safety features mean nothing, except maybe the kid will be brain dead instead of squashed dead...

As for BMW appealing to younger people, they mean YOUNGER ADULTS 21-35, come on now BMW has never been trying to appeal to teenagers. Thereby all of my points are valid, thanks for scrutinizing them and allowing me to reinforce them into concrete statements.

Ofcourse there are exceptions, but the vast majority of teenage drivers have nothing to show for when it comes to responsible and safe driving.

 

[tazza0712]

Appreciation however, you're right on the spot. If you start at the top, how can you ever aspire to anything? I know that for myself, I have bargained to get my new car within a year of obtaning my driver's licence and that although I will be driving a BMW at 17, I am well aware what its like to be at the "other end" - I'm not going into further detail about that. At the end of the day, the important thing is to stay grounded and not be so full of yourself, whatever car you drive or image you portray. The car is just that, a car. If you get out of the car and lose every ounce of confidence you felt while driving it, if image is truly that important, then no, you shouldn't be driving a car like that at all - The car doesn't make the person - confusing I know... sorry.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Appreciation however, you're right on the spot. If you start at the top, how can you ever aspire to anything? I know that for myself, I have bargained to get my new car within a year of obtaning my driver's licence and that although I will be driving a BMW at 17, I am well aware what its like to be at the "other end" - I'm not going into further detail about that. At the end of the day, the important thing is to stay grounded and not be so full of yourself, whatever car you drive or image you portray. The car is just that, a car. If you get out of the car and lose every ounce of confidence you felt while driving it, if image is truly that important, then no, you shouldn't be driving a car like that at all - The car doesn't make the person - confusing I know... sorry.

You're referring to my "cheapened image" statement, what I meant by that is if the High School parking lot is full of E46's or now E90's that creates a negative connotation with owning one and being part of the spoiled kids group. This has nothing to do with "self image" or with "being full of oneself" it's a simple fact. I know this board has mentioned the above MANY times, I find it funny that almost everyone mentions their dislike of "kids driving the E46 in HS" yet when it comes up there is an interesting silence and I'm forced to fiend off the "self image" comments. My confidence when driving is created by the mechanical integrity of my car and my cognitive abilities. The roundel in no way affects my confidence... If you're sorry, the appology is accepted.

 

[tazza0712]

I just lost what I wrote - damn internet. Basically, my problem with what you have said, is that the cars go faster... sorry, but a Daihatsu Charade for example, can still achieve 120km/h, the only difference is that the likelihood of the accident being fatal may be higher in the Charade than in a luxury car with more safety features. And if anyone is dumb enough to speed, whether 15 or 65, then they certainly do not deserve to be driving anything. In terms of cheapening the image, I think that any arrogant driver, whether 40 or 20, will cheapen the image of BMW - one of the threads on this forum specifically states that most people won't allow a BMW in at an intersection, I doubt this is specifically because people have seen teenagers driving them erratically.

 

[tazza0712]

Not at all sorry. Nothing to be sorry for. This is a place where people are encouraged to share opinion, thats what I'm doing. I don't know about the US, but in Australia, you don't see too many high school car parking lots full of any BMWs, whether they be an E30 or E90. I am truly happy that you aren't at all affected by the BMW insignia planted all over your car. Anyway, happy and safe driving.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I just lost what I wrote - damn internet. Basically, my problem with what you have said, is that the cars go faster... sorry, but a Daihatsu Charade for example, can still achieve 120km/h, the only difference is that the likelihood of the accident being fatal may be higher in the Charade than in a luxury car with more safety features. And if anyone is dumb enough to speed, whether 15 or 65, then they certainly do not deserve to be driving anything. In terms of cheapening the image, I think that any arrogant driver, whether 40 or 20, will cheapen the image of BMW - one of the threads on this forum specifically states that most people won't allow a BMW in at an intersection, I doubt this is specifically because people have seen teenagers driving them erratically.

Here is where you are wrong, it is a lot easier to cruise at 80 or 100 in a BMW and do it leisurely thinking its so smooth and nothing dangerous can happen until the inexperienced driver runs into some fix and cannot make up for the loss of control or sudden change in situation. In a low-end car you can feel the speed, and the car tells you its limits somewhat better. What you are saying is that in a standard speed crash, the BMW is a lot safer than a beater and on that you are correct.

As for not allowing a BMW in at an intersection, I personally have never experienced that. When it comes to getting in, it's all about driver skill and timing. Living in NYC will teach you how to drive without requiring the casual consent of other drivers. As for being let in in general, all you have to do is ask (raise your hand or open the window and stick your hand out). When it comes to the above the car brand has really nothing to do with it, although there is somewhat of a slight dislike for the "rich image" (which BMW unfortunately portrays) in general. All I can say to that is don't operate your BMW in high-crime or poor neighborhoods as thats asking for trouble.

I'd also like to add again that you may very well be the exception, but arguing on behalf of teenage BMW drivers is a losing battle. You cannot possibly tell me that you wish to defend reckless driving. As to you personally, I hope you enjoy your BMW when you get it. I have no problem with you expressing your opinion it's just you're speaking from a personal standpoint and I am talking about the teenage driving population as a whole. You CANNOT defend them as a whole, you can only defend yourself for which there is no need to.

 

[tazza0712]

You are right. I often find myself expressing my own values and ideals when it comes to teenage drivers and are then thrown into the losing battle where I defend those who in truth, don't deserve to be defended, but probably incarcerated. I myself get increasingly annoyed with the teenage image, but thats really in any car. Seemingly I currently drive a corolla, lowered and on 17"s, I don't drive recklessly, but because of the modifications to my car, I am probably unfairly looked upon as being a hoon.

Anyway, any teenage driver who drives safely and with the thoughts of safety and well-being of other road user's in mind, congratulations, to those who do not... I hope you learn before its too late, because it is an issue that has not subsided, most likely due to the sense of bravado associated with reckless driving.

Well all, happy and safe driving and I do love BMW =D

 

[lattelady]

We had a VERY hard time getting to the place of getting our son a BMW (even if it is 7 years old) because we did not want to feed any materialism, etc that may be within him, and because we think he needs to learn to work for what he gets. But we had decided to get another car so he could help with the driving (we have two other kids and we put on a lot of miles with school and all of their activities). We flat refused to buy a Mustang (don't like the mix with testosterone), which was his dream car, but we had put aside $12-14K for this 3rd car and we finally decided that if the car fit in the budget, and was a safe and reliable car, that we would get a BMW (his 2nd choice). Of couirse, he wants to remove the 323 decal and replace it with a 325 or 330!

In the process of looking at cars, we got numerous insurance quotes from our insu company. We found that they were all within $100 of each other -- even the Mustang! So it wasn'[t a factor in our decision.

Actually, we thought getting the 'older' BMW was somewhat of a compromise. His school parking lot is full of new, or dad's 2-year-old, Lexus, Audi, H3, and BMW's. And buying the car introduced us to the world of BMW, which is why I ended up getting one -- why should he have all the fun