Hi guys. Let me introduce myself... I go by Teej, I'm 26, I live in Northern Virginia (Fairfax), and am considering getting either a Protege5 or Protege ES. Right now I drive a '01 BMW 325i, but I'm going to grad school next year and want to start saving as much $$ as I can. So first of all, if anyone here or if anyone you know is interested in a 325i, there's an ad up on cars.com:
http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/s...&src=&cid=null

I think a Protege would be the best alternative in terms of fun, and have been looking around the last few days. The local dealer websites seem to have some pretty good Internet prices. For instance, a 03 Classic Red Protege5 (stick of course..I don't think I'll ever buy an auto) with ABS pkg, moonroof and 6cd pkg, and other extras (wheel locks, bumper guard, cargo net, moonroof deflector) for $15,395. This is before tax, tags, $220 processing fee, $520 freight. Similarly they have a Black Protege ES with ABS pkg and MC pkg for $14,472.

What do you think??

 

If you can get the ES all told for about $15,500 or less, go for it.
I don't like friggo wagon-shaped vehicles, but that's me.
Inquire about any APPLICABLE student rebates - the salesman that I bought from seemed like he wanted me to "forget" about this (deceptive, dirty dick-dreamer), but I made sure that I got it. Peace.

 

Your asking price is alittle on the hight side for the BMW. Their selling for around 19k to 20K.

 

Thanks! I do like the Protege5 but last night I pointed one out to my girlfriend and she hated it.. Then I showed her an ES and she didn't like that either..her reason? Because this girl in her college used to drive a Protege (older one) and she hated that girl... Oh well, its my decision in the end.

I don't think I can get any student rebates...I've been out of college since May 99, and am starting again Fall 04.

 

I haven't seen any similarly equipped 01 325s selling for that low... if you look at cars.com, autotrader, etc.. they're all selling for >25k, most around 27-29k. The Sport Pkg in particular, esp when combined with the Premium pkg, adds quite a bit to the value.

 

Personally, I like sedans better. Plus they are cheaper. But, you should think about what you are going to do with the car and then decide which one you want.

Also, don't pay the processing fee. Its just dealer bs. The only things you should pay for besides the car is tax and registration. Frieght is part of the cars price. They made it seperate so the car would seem like a better deal to people who don't read the entire ad.