Spence_RENAMED

Well, I'm not one to really complain about an Acura or a Honda product. At 16, when I first got my license I got an 95' Acura Integra SE, and then got a 96' Accord EXL Coupe after I wrecked my Acura. Now I have a 03' BMW 330i. I got my BMW for my graduation present last year. I was pretty much talked into buying it by my parents/friends. BMW's are tight...the whole nine yards. I do like the style of my car, but it's not the car that I really wanted. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I got it. When I compare it to my sister's SLK320, it's so different. They drive differently, and mine drives a lot stiffer. I do have the Performance Package on my car. I do like the styling of the TSX/TL although sometimes, I find the TSX to be a little bland @ some angles. I don't know if I should trade my car in for another car. How differently would my car drive because it is RWD to a FWD TSX/TL? I can't post the picture of my car, but if you guys want I can post one of it somewhere else.

BDI

uh. You're a very lucky kid to have a bimmer at 16.

SPUDMTN

I'd say keep the Bimmer. It's pointless to trade it on a new car (especially if you aren't totally convinced you like it). Having driven both a 3-series and a TSX (the TSX extensively) I'd say stick with your 330. The 3-series is definately more of a driver's car and it sure feels good to drive. The TSX feels too light and not as hunkered down to the road as the 3. And the 3-series steering...well, you know what I'm talking about.

Now, don't get me wrong...if you were in the pre-purchase process, I'd say that the TSX is the best all around package--it is. Hands down. Nothing can compare to how well-rounded the TSX (and the TL for that matter) is. But you already have a 3-er. What's the point in getting another new car so soon?

ssm_tsx

He got the teg when he was 16. He got the BMW for graduation.

xizor

I hope that's a college graduation present. But... I wouldn't trade in the car. You'll be biting the depreciation for a very similar car and your gains will be minimal.

Dan Martin

You'd be crazy for trading your 330! As nice as the TSX is I would take the 330 in a heartbeat if it was the same price.

NeoChaser

I'LL TRADE WITH U!!

My car is brand new! haven't even picked it up yet haha



as u can see my opinion would be a "no"

scheißterhöffer

The guy got a 330 as a graduation gift. I'm betting depreciation isn't a concern.

fdl

Ill take that 330 off your hands.

osubuckeye98

Keep it and get a MDX.

or

Go get another degree and get the TSX as a present for graduation.

ABP-CL9-TSX

Keep the Bimmer....or get a G35 instead.

RWD > FWD

larchmont

No surprise, I wouldn't trade with you. Anyway it's a great car as long as you don't care what kind of troubles you might have with it after the first 2 or 3 years. Or any time, for that matter, IMHO (an opinion which is not shared by most).

Have you considered that you'll probably have to kick in some extra money? Or do you expect to get at least 26K or whatever in a trade-in or private sale?
When I traded in my '03 TL-S (back in April '03), I had to kick in A LOT of extra money to get the TSX.

jdibella

I think that if he wanted to trade an 03' 330 Bimmer he would be able to get a decent amount for it. If anything, get a TL. I wouldn't trade a 330i for a TSX or TL. I'd stick with what you have.

larchmont, you talk about problems he may have in the future. He got the car for free. Who knows how low his payments are (if he even has any at all)... I dont think that'll be to much of an issue. At the rate he's going, I dont think he'll own this car for more than 3 years if he's already thinking about trading it in.

jcg878

I love my TSX, but if you are for real spence you're crazy.

larchmont

Call me crazy then.
(You certainly wouldn't be the first!)

But you know, the dude didn't really say why he wants to get rid of the 330, and what he's looking for in a different car.
Tossed out a couple of hints, but....

ostrich

Larch, if you don't mind me asking, how many miles did you have on the TL-S when you traded it in? And what percentage of the original purchasing price did you trade it in for?

tsxer.ca

another guy want change the car yearly....
but it's ok.. you are not the first one.

larchmont

17,000 miles.
About 65%, via trade-in. If I had done a private sale, I probably would have gotten an extra 2K, which would have made it just over 70%, but besides being glad to avoid the trouble, I saved most of the sales tax on the new car by doing the trade-in, which made it as though effectively I got almost 70% of the original price.

Creaminz

Keep the Bimmer plz...plz...

iamhomin

spence, trading the bimmer for the tsx is taking a step down.

put it this way, if you owned a tsx, would you trade it in for the mazda 6???? of course not

jdibella

It sounds to me that he wanted to trade in his car. I'm giving an opinion just like your giving an opinion.

TSX Hokie

Sounds to me like his parents are rich yuppies (buys son a new 330i, daughter an SLK....), but he doesn't want to be labeled as one because of the car he drives. I don't blame him; BMW definitely makes the best performance sedans, but unfortunately you get a stigma of elitism too, whether you want it or not. An Acura is a sporty Honda with a longer warranty and all the options included, and neither Acura owners nor dealers are ashamed of this fact.

No one ever sees someone in an Acura and says "Wow, he must be compensating for something" (well, except maybe the NSX). Most BMW owners couldn't tell you what cylinder configuration their engine has, but they do like the status that blue and white circle gets them at the country club.

larchmont

Sounds good Hokie.

For sure that's how I felt at that age. We weren't rich, but my parents wanted to get me an MB. I took a Chevy Nova.

Spence_RENAMED

Well I'm real for who ever asked that and so is my car. I'm not one to complain about much unless I don't like it. I don't feel like i'm totally into my car and although I know most people would, I don't. I like the TSX and TL despite the fact that they are FWD and RWD vehicles are much better handling cars. I like the interior layout of the TSX/TL. Espically w/ the navi. I've driven both and I like the TL w/ an automatic SportShift. I don't know how an long-term driving feel is like becaus I don't own one so what do you guys like dislike about your TSX/TL? Thanks.

Spence_RENAMED

By the way, how do you put a pic in here. I can't upload them. It says they're too big.

Mokos23

how fast is the 330 anyways? i would keep the bimmer like everyone else says. personally i would go to bmw and trade in the 03 330i and get an 00-02 M3, now that would be the best.

dnl2ba

Shrink the image or host it elsewhere and use the [ img ] tag to show it here.

SilverTSXinPA

I do not think you would be happy with the TSX. I think you should sit your parents down and explain to them the virtues of the NSX. It just isn't right that your sister has the sporty two seat ride and not you. Also, I think you should discuss with them the advantages of adopting me. I am already out of graduate school, so there is a big savings right there. Just one question, could I have my own room at the beach house?

Spud

330i is in a different league. Reliability aside, it is a superior car in most aspects. But it also costs more: about $12K (Canadian $$) more, I think. TSX is a better package than its competition, but I don't think it can really compete with a "high-end" 3 series.

I'd stick with what you have, as much as I love my TSX.

TinkySD

I haven't read through this thread BUT I will trade you my tsx straight up for your 330!

D_Nyholm

I wouldn't trade the 330 for a TSX. I would suggest you look into the G35 coupe. If you think the 330 is too stiff, then just make sure you get the coupe with 17" wheels. Or you can get the 18" wheels ($600 option), sell them on ebay for $2000 and then but some wheels that you really like.

ecsw

330i it is. If I have the money, I would want to have a 330i too. :p

SmokeTL

you guys make me wish i didn't return my lease.

Mokos23

how much would a 330xi cost? i would love to get that awd bmw 3 series sedan or coupe.

larchmont

Sedan - $36,550 "stripped"
Coupe - don't think it comes in AWD. Regular 330 coupe is $36,300.

TypeRS

is this a joke? shouldn't u be considering cars in the 40k-60k range? keep the bimmer man...i'd have it anyday.

SilverTSXinPA

There is only one TSX you should trade you 33 for and that would be mine.

gocubsgo55

i dont know if its just my outlook on these things, but here is what i know.
if your going to get a bmw or benz, imho, a 3 or c is the cheap man's way into getting into them. then again, i have lightend up on my morals because i could see people buying a c or 3 as a sports sedan, such as the tsx. but for the 37k of a nicely equiped 325i (not even the +200 hp 3) or c240, someone can get a g35 or tl.
anyway, they are going to change the design of the 3, which looks discusting imo. the c230 kompressor sports sedan looks sooooo hot. if anything, consider that, a tl, or a g35. but the 330i looks great with the sport package. plus you already have it. its your choice. personally, id keep it. if you had not made a decision yet, itd be either a tl, c230, or fx in my mind. good luck either way.

Iceman

Spence, if you don't like the 330, trade it for what YOU want. As far as the TSX goes, if you are used to driving a car with a 6-cylinder engine, the TSX will probably feel underpowered. On the other hand, I get 24 mpg in the city, which is probably not a concern for you. Other considerations: the Bimmer is RWD, and the TSX is FWD, so this will also feel very different to you. I live in Minnesota, and the difference is very important to me -- the TSX's engine is over the drive wheels, which really helps the car's traction during the winter months.

The TSX feels like a much more expensive car than it is, and the BMW is much more expensive than it feels. In the 330i's price range, the image the car conveys is as important as the car itself. What are you looking for in a car? If you trade it in on something else, do you have to pay the difference?

If you are spending someone else's money, why not shop around? Go to the auto show in your area -- all the cars in your price range will be in one place. Personally, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that you traded your BMW for another BMW, without the sports suspension.

By the way, I wouldn't trade cars with you. The TSX is exactly what I wanted.

toto too

Are your parents adopting?