[Barathon]

I am currently deployed and sold my M3 before I left. I ended up cancelling to X4 M40i that I ordered for when I get back and ordered an X4M Competition instead.

The only issue with this is that my X4M won't arrive until after I have been back for a few months which means I will be car less.

I also have to move when I get back so will have something like a 2,000 mile trip.

Renting a car for 4-6 months seems like it would a massive waste of money so I was thinking about buying a used car for around $10K - 15K and the selling it when my X4M arrives.

I have become quite a regular at buying or leasing new cars but haven't really dealt with used in a long time.

I'm looking for suggestions for what type of car would be good to own for around 4-6 months that I would be able to sell for close to what I bought it for. I've been looking at used 3 series, A4s or something similar because I don't want to completely hate driving the car (some something like a Prius is out) Also, is this a bad price range to look at? Thanks

[Alfisti]

Do you have something like leasebusters? Where you can take over a lease and avoid issues with buying and selling?

personally, for 6 months, i'd go low-rent .... Corolla etc to lose as little money as possible.

[shockin330i]

I'd get a gti

[tdott]

Something that is at the lower end of the depreciation curve.

Some type of e9x should be easy to pickup and sell after without loosing too much.

[GenXer]

I'd go for a slightly used Honda Civic. I leased one in 1994 drove it for 2 years with 36K miles, traded it in to a dealer and made $900. I didn't even have to turn it back in to the selling dealer.

[yco]

what sort of car you want? economic, fun etc?

[Barathon]

Originally Posted by tdott

Something that is at the lower end of the depreciation curve.

Some type of e9x should be easy to pickup and sell after without loosing too much.

Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking, I just didn't know if they were easy to off load when I'm done.

Originally Posted by yco

what sort of car you want? economic, fun etc?

Something fun but also with some modern tech, I'd prefer to have bluetooth and nav.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Do you have something like leasebusters? Where you can take over a lease and avoid issues with buying and selling?

personally, for 6 months, i'd go low-rent .... Corolla etc to lose as little money as possible.

I hadn't really thought of doing something like that, but maybe I could find something with 6 months left on the lease and then just turn it in.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by Barathon

I hadn't really thought of doing something like that, but maybe I could find something with 6 months left on the lease and then just turn it in.

Just make sure there's enough tread on the tires to drive 6 months and pass lease inspection.

[roastbeef]

get a smart car. i swear you'll love it.

[natahoa]

5-9 year old Honda or Toyota. Should hold its value pretty well for resale and unlikely to have major repairs.

As mentioned above, be sure it has good tires and can pass inspection in the state you live in, including emissions if you are in an urban area.

Test the AC - in Arizona that is probably the most important feature. Older cars might be starting to lose AC effectiveness. My guess is that a lot of Arizonans get rid of cars that are losing their AC punch. AC is expensive to repair.

Lots of cars to choose from in different sizes and models. It should be fun to shop if you can narrow down what you want! Honda CRV is a great car, Toyota Highlander also, Subaru’s might be a good used car also.

If you want cheap, buy a used American badged car or truck and cross your fingers. I’d recommend Ford, such as the escape. Very nice mid-sized SUV. Most should be good at 5-8 years old and you can probably get more for your money in terms of luxury and power, if that is what you want. Resale might be more of a hit tho.