Where do these kids get the money?

[16hr Day]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:

[1RXTECH]

Hi,
My wife and I were talking about this very point, how so many young people can afford a $60k car!
We figured they live at home, or have a room mate, have reasonbly good jobs, and most of their money goes for the car.
It would be great to have someone who is in their 20s and has an M3 to post.
Oh and as a side point, all the young people, and us older ones were VERY polite and well mannered, and made Bimmerfest a great experience, Thanks to all. Bob

[KnightRider]

well... you live and you learn. If they mess up their car, then I hope they learn from it. Sometimes I see the 16 year old kids with brand new 60k M3's and I guess im a little perturbed by it. I am somewhat glad I wasn't spoiled with an expensive fast M3, who knows what could happen. its kinda odd seeing 16 year old kids drive cars 6 times the cost of my car.

I can see your point, but theres not much you can really do about it. I know for sure I would not refuse a new M3 at the age of 16 if my parents offered it to me.

oh yeah and I like the E36 bodystyle better than the E46. :)

[drmwvr]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:

They lease :dunno:

[Patrick330i]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:

If it makes you feel better, a buddy of mine that works at Ditech in Costa Mesa was telling me about a 24 year-old that bought an M3 and totalled it 13 days later. (Come to think of it, that probably wouldn't make anybody feel better, but I am sure you get what I am driving at - no pun!) The dude was even suspended. Now he takes the bus. And if that dude is on this board, I do feel for you, but...

Oh and when I was 16, I was driving around a Pontiac Sunbird. :eek:

[FlyingDutchMan]

Hi,
My wife and I were talking about this very point, how so many young people can afford a $60k car!
Bob

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!

[1RXTECH]

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!

Good point!!! lol Bob

[16hr Day]

Good point!!! lol Bob


true, I have wife, kids, house, but, when I was 25 I had a good job making 1200 a week (almost 15 years ago) and I still couldn't afford a 60K car. And, it's not just the 60K, I saw all sorts of upgrades, Dinan, Supercharges, Wheels and so on, so now you are talking more like 70K+. If I could afford to buy my son an M3 as his first car I still wouldn't. I will probably cruise the police auctions for an old CHP car with a huge bumper. After all, you always seem to bend up your first car! :thumbup:

[gemusan]

hmmm, I can't speak for others, but I started a business when I was 20 that has allowed me to buy the toys I want to buy. I got the M3 at 23.

Maybe the other early 20s M3 owners have good jobs that allow them to buy the stuff they want. :banana:

[16hr Day]

hmmm, I can't speak for others, but I started a business when I was 20 that has allowed me to buy the toys I want to buy. I got the M3 at 23.

Maybe the other early 20s M3 owners have good jobs that allow them to buy the stuff they want. :banana:


Kudos to you, however, I doubt you are the norm. :freakdanc

[car_for_mom]

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!


Or...'Tax Deductions' (also known as offspring, issue, progeny, rugrats, children....) :p

Hope you guys had a good time!

[CaliJeff]

I don't know where they get the bucks, but god bless 'em for spending it modding the cars. Gives low rent guys like me something to oogle and dream of and keeps thousands of car crazy people employed. I imagine the chicks dig it too. I'm just depressed that I missed the fest and all the people this year.

[VegasM3Pimp]

They lease :dunno:

More like parents lease...hehehe

I gotta admit I have had help with my car since I am still a student, but I work on the side doing things I enjoy such as euro tuning and also promotional and clothing. I also put the down payment on my car in when I got it back in 2000...Just grateful my parents haven't spoiled me as bad as some people...it's not all fun and games. Actually looking forward to my job this may...

[WILLIA///M]

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!

That would be wives. Wife = singular. Wives = plural.

[Stuka]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:

If you have no debt of any kind, and car is your passion, and you have a good paying job, it is doable.

I got my first E36 M3 at 23 as a consolation after I didn't marry my college gf.

Second one at 24 (first one was auto, and I mended my wayward ways and sold it, took a loss, and got one with proper 5 speed gearbox 10 months later).

I got my E46 M3 that was killed by Savage BMW at 27.

I got my Turbo at 30, part of it again was as a consolation to not getting married to the gf at the time.

Not having student loan was a big blessing that allowed me to spend my $$ on what I wanted to spend on, cars.

[AF]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:
It comes down to something very simple .. .What might seem like a lot of money to you might not be for others . . . Here you are driving around a $60k car and the guy who can barely afford a used Hyundai see's you and thinks to himself how he can never afford what you have and wonders how in the world anyone so young (being only 40) can afford such an expensive car.

It's all relative ...

[DINANISR3]

Im in my 20's, but I live at home and pretty much have no bills. I can make the payment for my cars, and still have enough money to get by. Im sure if you were single and had virtually no bills to pay you could be driving around a ferrari or 100K+ car of some sort. Pretty much most of all my money goes into my cars. Prob 75-80 %. You guys got kids, a wife, mortgage, etc.. etc..

[bmw325]

The other thing to keep in mind is that while it might *seem* (at bimmerfest, on some messageboards, etc) so many 20-sometings are driving around in 60k cars, in reality, you are taking about a very, very small percentage of the overall population. The tiny percentage that do can easily be explained by:
-A few that happen to be successful at a young age (coupled w/ lack of debt and other financial obligations)
-Parents may be helping out
-Independently wealthy (trust fund)-- although I bet this is an even smaller percentage.
-Ok job + willingness to spend nearly every cent earned on car (unforunately, this may explain the bulk of the small percentage)

[RO-330i-G35]

Hi,
My wife and I were talking about this very point, how so many young people can afford a $60k car!
We figured they live at home, or have a room mate, have reasonbly good jobs, and most of their money goes for the car.
It would be great to have someone who is in their 20s and has an M3 to post.
Oh and as a side point, all the young people, and us older ones were VERY polite and well mannered, and made Bimmerfest a great experience, Thanks to all. Bob


Yup, I bet you its like 60% of expensive cars, that most of the kids live at Home with parents and have good jobs. Especially when lease rates are soo low. A 325 is like $289 a month!

[RO-330i-G35]

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!


thats is sooo true. when I was single with a condo, heck I was even thinking of getting an M3 convert buy! My payment was going to be like $800 a month, but I LoVE! the M3.

I get a permanent lady(and Im happy) and settled for a new G35. :)

but Im eyeing the Z now. :thumbup:

[King Jason]

I'm a Senior Computer programmer, and run my own business. I bought my first 328is when I was 18 and just purchased my new 330Ci ZHP and paid cash.

Like it's mentioned above I think only a very small population (which you see at these events) that are young and can afford expensive cars. I think you are just seeing the few guys who have become successful at a young age. However this is California where money is everywhere. So it could be a combination of parents success and child's success...not sure.

[M3guyCA]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.

[Desertnate]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.

I don't think it is a matter of being "pissed" more than just not figuring out how you do it.

Most of us "older" folks just now getting our BMWs probably have come from more humble backgrounds where our folks could never have dropped $20K to help us with a car. Heck, my folks went into debt just helping me get out of college.

I admit I am amazed as well. I bought my car when I was 26, but it was a stipper 323i (only SP, CD and moonroof) and I was going out on a limb payments wise to even afford that...and I was single at the time! Now days, I am married with kids and there is no chance I will buy a car that expensive again for a looonnnggg time. Probably not a BMW either due to the high price of maintenance :(

Once my girls are grown and I don't work for the government any more maybe...but that is too far out to think about...

[alee]

and my parents only put 20K down for me
:eek:

[1RXTECH]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.

ONLY 20K down??? Boy you should bring your Mom a 200lb box of candy daily
and buy your Dad the best set of Golf clubs you can find!!
ONLY 20K down??
YOU HAVE GREAT PARENTS!! Bob

[munchdown]

you cannot lease a car and do all the mods that you saw on these cars. so it's not a lease. im not saying that to brag but just to let anyone out there who is thinking of leasing to know that you cannot modify it in any way or you will end up having to buy it. Just a bit of advice. Also, not having any kids, a wife, and good credit are the key to owning one of these automobiles. so to any teens wanting to have a bmw, dont get married, knock a girl up, or run up those credit cards. If you want a car like this get it first, then do the family thing. later in life you can say ," I owned a bmw." , rather than," I'll never know what it's like to own one of those fine machines."

[Desertnate]

If you want a car like this get it first, then do the family thing. later in life you can say ," I owned a bmw." , rather than," I'll never know what it's like to own one of those fine machines."

And when you do get it, baby it like it was made from solid gold so you can say, "I bought a BMW when I was young, single, and free...You want to see it?" :D :thumbup:

[King Jason]

And when you do get it, baby it like it was made from solid gold so you can say, "I bought a BMW when I was young, single, and free...You want to see it?" :D :thumbup:
Just like the M6 at the Bimmerfest this year ;)

[sailwind]

Please note: This is based on my limited exposure to people around me ONLY. This in no way stereotypes the younger enthusiasts, and many of them have done amazing work to afford their own BMWs. Some of my poorer fellow enthusiasts makes do with:

1) Parental help (This'll cover 80% of what you see)
2) High credit card debt, coupled with minimum credit payment and constant acct transfers to temporary no interest cards. I've seen many people with 30k+ debt to pay for the mods
3) Negative savings, as in, most young modders don't have any money saved up. They typically have to wait for the next infusion of cash in order to buy the next mod, as evidenced in for sale forums.
4) Low living cost: To most, the car is the passion and most important thing. Many of them live at home, going to college so parents are paying for living expense, aren't paying home mortgage, and use all of the money on cars and clubbing.

When you shift your priorities accordingly, it is quite possible to come up with 800/mo. to pay for an M3. Especially if you redirect your living expense to credit cards.

Now I don't see a problem with this. Everyone have their priorities in life, and you're free to do whatever makes you happy. If they overspend young and have tougher time when older, then so be it, at least they enjoyed the experience.

But yeah, especially in california, you'll find a lot of rich parents pampering their kids and buying them nice cars. It's a big trend. I'm lucky that my wife's second income actually helps me to buy my BMW instead of farther away from it.

[Motown328]

If you have no debt of any kind, and car is your passion, and you have a good paying job, it is doable.

Not having student loan was a big blessing that allowed me to spend my $$ on what I wanted to spend on, cars.

So true, so true...if it wasn't for college loan debt, I could have done a M3/545 right out of college.

And don't think that I don't think about that every week or so!!!!!! :cry: :(

[CanamBMW]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:


I just returned from my first Bimmerfest and thought about this issue on the way home today. I decided that the current 20 +/- group are no different than I was when I was 20 something. The price has changed, but cars are still imbeded in our culture. My '57 Vette and a later '65 cost me a lot of money but I worked very hard and made do with less. No wife, kids, or trust fund. My early experience with cars was a good one and I learned a great deal about life, the value of work and money, and made some life long friends. There were exceptions - there always are. But. "car guys" (and girls) usually work for what they have. Maybe the "boomers" have more to contribute to their kids but I still don't think much has changed.

The bottom line is - would I rather have my kid spend $60K on a Bimmer or whatever - or stuff some white stuff up his nose. An M3 any day. I spoke to a lot of them and I would hire many of them in a minute just on their enthusiam for the subject.

I am over 60 and looking forward to next years "Fest" and the 20 something kids showing their "mods" and teaching us old guys some tricks of the trade.

JM

[Galun]

just to let anyone out there who is thinking of leasing to know that you cannot modify it in any way or you will end up having to buy it.

Er... No. :eeps: :angel:

[M3pinoydriver]

Parents got all my cars
15 1/2 2000 328Ci (gone)
16 2001 6 Speed M3 (gone)
17 1/2 2002 Carrera Cabriolet (daily)
18 2003 SMG M3 show (in the process)
19 2004 Porsche GT3 (all go)

[liuk3]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.

That has got to be one of the dumbest thing in the world I have ever heard! If my folks had $20K to put down for my car, I would have taken the money and bought them a new car myself (parents are frugal immigrants who just bought a toyota camry and feel like they splurged and bought a mercedes).

As for myself, I'm 31 with no wife/kids, making $160K+ a year, and just bought my first car ever (always just rode motorcycles) which is an old 2001 530. I did walk around that event wondering WTF was up with a bazzillion kids running around with heavily modified M3s, but I also realized that people have differing lots in life. I am definitely grateful to everything that my folks gave me even though we were not wealthy. I love machines and definitely enjoyed looking at all the cool mods the people did to their cars.

[chonch]

This topic is very interesting because I was talking to my girlfriend about the same thing on our way home....I mean, there was alot of money being spent on what are already incredible cars....BMWs.....

I am sure that I may speak for a small percentage of people but I am in my mid-20s, and own a 540. My parents didn't help a bit rather I was pushed towards working at 13. And since I really had no use for the money I was making, I decided to open a savings account. Then at about 18 I played the stock market with the help of a market guru--made some good money, and eventually placed all of my earnings into mutual funds and savings bonds. Then, at the age of 23, I graduated from USC, landed a good paying job in commercial real estate and purchased my 540. Granted I am still paying off the car and some school loans, but trust me, the hard work is definitely worth it; and being able to purchase a BMW on your own makes you appreciate the car even more. :thumbup:

[chonch]

Parents got all my cars
15 1/2 2000 328Ci (gone)
16 2001 6 Speed M3 (gone)
17 1/2 2002 Carrera Cabriolet (daily)
18 2003 SMG M3 show (in the process)
19 2004 Porsche GT3 (all go)


Are you serious? Those are some damn nice parents and damn nice cars!!!!!

[M3pinoydriver]

Are you serious? Those are some damn nice parents and damn nice cars!!!!!
thanx. u see the red GT3 there? That was me

Edit: ohh yea and my sig was from SB to my house

[infamousM3]

Personally I'm 20 and purchased my '96 M3 a little over a year ago with my own money. I purchased a '95 Dodge Ram in high school, paid it off working at a start-up internet company doing data entry in the summer, then worked as a web site designer during the school year and the balance was paid off by my current job valet parking cars (not a bad job for someone who is into cars :) ) When I sold my Dodge, I put used the money as a down payment on the M3 and financed the balance over 4 years. The result: A car payment that was about $50 more than my Dodge Ram pickup payment and a beautiful BMW M3 to have fun with :)

P.S. I fall under the category of college student living at home with parents with little other expenses

[Fzara2000]

Parents got all my cars
15 1/2 2000 328Ci (gone)
16 2001 6 Speed M3 (gone)
17 1/2 2002 Carrera Cabriolet (daily)
18 2003 SMG M3 show (in the process)
19 2004 Porsche GT3 (all go)

Wow...and I thought I was spoiled for geting this brand new bimmer for doing exceptionally well in college...

Do they need anymore sons in the family? :bigpimp:

[FireFly]

I do not know of one 20 something "kid" who owns a nice car and a house. All of them rent and most rent with others. This allows them to buy/lease a 60k car.

[RKT BMR]

Or...'Tax Deductions' (also known as offspring, issue, progeny, rugrats, children....) :p

Hope you guys had a good time!We missed you cfm!!!!! :grouphug:

[RKT BMR]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.FWIW gang, I'm a 42 year-old-fart and was delighted to see everyone of all ages. I really don't care what age any of you are -- we share a great common interest, and I have more fun hanging and talking cars with you all, of all ages, than just about any other activity. Bimmerfest rocks!

:grouphug:

[car_for_mom]

Ah, I rejoice when I see anyone, young or old, with a fine product of the Bayerische Motoren Werke! :bigpimp: (although, like Jimmy Carter, I do "lust in my heart" after the M3's and 645's of the world....

I was at the local gas station where I usually get my morning coffee and a couple of times I've seen this very young, very pretty girl with a black M3 I gave her the "thumbs up - you go, girl!" sign, and whenever she sees me now she smiles and waves back to me in my humble 325i :thumbup:

Ah, I was 44 when I got my very first Bimmer; I test drove lots o'cars, saved up quite a bit o' money, and I have to tell you - I feel a sense of ownership and connection to this, the very first car I bought for myself.

If you're 25 with a M3 - you go!

If you're 35 with a M3 - you go!

If you're 45 with a M3 -you go!

Older...you go, but do it carefully! :p

[BloodRedHog]

If you're 25 with a M3 - you go!

If you're 35 with a M3 - you go!

If you're 45 with a M3 -you go!

Older...you go, but do it carefully! :p


:rofl: :rofl:

Well, I did not get my first bimmer until 30. It was after I drove a co-workers and realized there was INDEED a difference in BMW's. It was so incredible that a few months later I flew to Dallas to pick up my 328 coupe. Best car I ever owned.

I have no problem with kids of all ages driving bimmers. I would have earlier if I had known how great they felt.

I had to sell the coupe after marriage and the first of two kids arrived...and no flames please, but we did sell the bimmer for a...minivan. And it was not cool. But it does have power sliding doors and a stow-away third seat, which the parents on this board will know the value.

Anyway, I now am out of credit card debt and the mortgage is under control...so here I come ZHP. :bigpimp:

[RKT BMR]

I had to sell the coupe after marriage and the first of two kids arrived...and no flames please, but we did sell the bimmer for a...minivan. And it was not cool. But it does have power sliding doors and a stow-away third seat, which the parents on this board will know the value.Now now, coolness is one of those relative concepts.

We've got a Chrysler Town&Country, loaded, with all the bells and whistles. Cool for a road rally? No. Bimmerfest? No. The track? No.

Cool for hauling the family around, vacations, transporting plywood from the lumber yard, etc. etc. etc.? YES!!! I love our minivan.

I enjoy driving my bimmer a lot more, but then, that's what I got it for. The minivan is not purposed really for driving, per se, it's the utility that makes its value -- especially hauling kids and their friends around. Power doors on both sides is one of the coolest features to come around in the entire existence of the family minivan :thumbup:

[tony2tru]

Well here's my .02 cents on the topic, I don't own an M yet. I'm 24, own my own place, and got myself a used E46 8 months ago all by myself. Since then, i've put alot of money towards modding my car and I do all this on my own. You have to give some of us twenty-something year-olds credit. I work hard to make my car payments and I'm sure there's alot of people out there like myself. But there were alot of younger people than me with M's. I can't say that they didn't derserve their car either. To each their own I say. It was just great to see people of all ages getting together to enjoy all the different BMWs out there. That's the important aspect.

Thanks

Tony

[KnightRider]

damn so many of the older people getting pissed at the younger people. Im 18 and drive a 04 M3, and all i have to say is i work my ass off for that car and my parents only put 20K down for me and im paying 800 a month for the next four years.

I think that's kind of a waste of money. You are paying 800 a month and working hard to afford such a nice car at a young age. Your parents even put down 20k! lol, why didn't you just get an E36 M3 and not have to work so hard to afford a new M3?

lol and the funniest comment...


"my parents only put 20K down for me"


LOL! 20k is double what my car costs.

[jaramill]

thanx. u see the red GT3 there? That was me

Edit: ohh yea and my sig was from SB to my house

Hey, this is Gio, we met at the off-ramp of the I-101 Fwy in Encino and you asked me where the caravan was for Bimmerfest. I have the Red M3. Nice to meet you and damn that Porsche GT3 is nice. Next time bring the BMW! :)

Gio

P.S. - I'm on page 2 Bimmerfest Pics (page 2) (http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/showthread.php?t=132764&page=2&pp=15) withe ///M Power windshield decal

[suprken]

In response to pretty much all the people posting on this subject:

What you can afford is always directly related to the amount of money you earn and the discretionary income you can afford to spend after deducting financial responsibilities. A lot of these younger guys in their 20's driving $60K cars, I would suspect, have great jobs, few liabilities (no wife, kids or mortgage), probably have a very economical housing arrangement (live with parents), and obviously love their cars more than anything else. As for the older guys, hey, it took a little while, but we got to own an awesome BMW also. I personally feel very happy for the younger guys who can drive these super M3's with turbos' and countless mods. I'm 31 and it took me a long time to be able to purchase my own BMW. I may not have all those performance mods that let me do 0-60 in like 3 seconds with 10 sec quarter mile times, but I love my car all the same. And when I went to Bimmerfest, I gotta say, young or old, BMW owners had a brotherly comradery that was unbelievable. Hey, we love our cars!

[EddieB]

HOW DO WE AFFORD IT...SIMPLE...We don't have WIFES!!!!

Klootzak :bigpimp:

[M3pinoydriver]

Hey, this is Gio, we met at the off-ramp of the I-101 Fwy in Encino and you asked me where the caravan was for Bimmerfest. I have the Red M3. Nice to meet you and damn that Porsche GT3 is nice. Next time bring the BMW! :)

Gio

P.S. - I'm on page 2 Bimmerfest Pics (page 2) (http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/showthread.php?t=132764&page=2&pp=15) withe ///M Power windshield decal

thanx. yea it was nice meetin ya. I was wondering which forum you were on since I forgot to ask. Next time you go autox PM me or somethin because I want to try it out

[jaramill]

Sure no problem. I usually compete in SCCA events. And if you're a first timer, there is a an auto-x school coming up this month. Go to SCCA - Cal Club Region (Solo2 Division) (http://www.solo2.com) I also do BMWCCA events when they have them, either for the Los Angeles Chapter (http://www.bmwclubla.org) or the San Diego Chapter (http://www.sdbmwcca.com).

Check them out.

Gio

[M3pinoydriver]

Sure no problem. I usually compete in SCCA events. And if you're a first timer, there is a an auto-x school coming up this month. Go to SCCA - Cal Club Region (Solo2 Division) (http://www.solo2.com) I also do BMWCCA events when they have them, either for the Los Angeles Chapter (http://www.bmwclubla.org) or the San Diego Chapter (http://www.sdbmwcca.com).

Check them out.

Gio
Is there an OC chapter?

[jaramill]

Is there an OC chapter?

No there isn't. Based on your zipcode when you join BMWCCA, you'll be assigned to a chapter. Anyone in San Diego County goes to the San Diego Chapter. The other chapters are the Golden Gate Chapter (for San Fran area), Central Cali Chapter for Central California, then LA Chapter which encompasses most counties in the SoCal area (except San Diego). So you'd be assigned to the LA Chapter.

Now........the Porsche Club of America (http://www.pca.org) does have regions broken up into different counties that are much smaller (i.e. San Gabriel Valley, etc...). So checkout their clubs as well.

Gio

[M3pinoydriver]

No there isn't. Based on your zipcode when you join BMWCCA, you'll be assigned to a chapter. Anyone in San Diego County goes to the San Diego Chapter. The other chapters are the Golden Gate Chapter (for San Fran area), Central Cali Chapter for Central California, then LA Chapter which encompasses most counties in the SoCal area (except San Diego). So you'd be assigned to the LA Chapter.

Now........the Porsche Club of America (http://www.pca.org) does have regions broken up into different counties that are much smaller (i.e. San Gabriel Valley, etc...). So checkout their clubs as well.

Gio
cool thanx for the great info. I might just sign up for both

[M3guyCA]

LOL man all i can say is whateverz i drive my dream car at 18 W00t! And when im 28 ill be in a Ferrari and still have people flame me because im young! hahaaha

[BeamsDog97]

I am almost 40 and buying the car as a gift to myself. I went with a friend and as we walked around it seemed that these 60K+ cars where owned by kids in their early 20's! I have always thought of myself as a "young guy" but it was depressing to see basically teenagers driving the car that I am streatching to buy as an adult. I also fear that a good percentage of these kids will wrap their hopped up supercharged M3's around a tree somewhere. :tsk: Good luck trust fund babies! :tsk:


YOur totally right, kinda....i am 23 years old, i was 16 when i owned my e28 84' 533i. This thing was a beater, let me tell ya, but i totally loved the design and ride that the bmw offered. I was love. From there on i would go to the dealership and slobber all over the m3, this was the e36 model at the time, but i told myself "someday this baby is going to be mine" I worked my ass off, now 23 i got the chance and bought myself a 97' 4dr motorsport. Now 23, my new fantasy is to drive a car like your own. So maybe when i your age i can afford a 50-55 thousand dollared ride. So i think you can see where im going with this. Basically, if a kid driving a m3, he either loves the car so much he'll work his ass off for it or simply, mommy and daddy open there wallets. And i think most kids got the nice parents who will buy there kid what ever they want. But then again most of those kids cant wipe there own ASS!!

ps bimmerfest was fun, but i think everybody drove too slow, hahah

darius

[sailwind]

I wouldn't say the drive was too slow, but too short...

Maybe we need to go all the way up to pismo beach or something, and do 2 drives to keep out the boredom at around lunchtime :)

[Spectre]

I wouldn't say the drive was too slow, but too short...

Maybe we need to go all the way up to pismo beach or something, and do 2 drives to keep out the boredom at around lunchtime :)How many more coordination stops would we need? That was the really tough part of the road rally.

[mjames]

Interesting thread. I'm 18 and my first car is an '03 325i stripper (ONLY option is Step because I haven't learned to drive a stick ... I know) ... my parents bought it for me, and I payed most of the money I had saved up (around 10% of the total price). I also pay for all mods I do on her, which is only clears right now, and hopefully new wheels in the future.

I do have my own business where I make some modest money that allows me to pay for mods and other things. I never expected to drive a new BMW as my first car, but it just worked out that way (we started looking at used 323s and they were way overpriced). I do all I can to deserve the car, i.e. never getting into trouble (zero accidents or tickets) and making good grades.

Someday, I hope I can be one of those young guys with an M3, but my 325 is plenty good for me right now and through college! :thumbup:

[RKT BMR]

Interesting thread. I'm 18 and my first car is an '03 325i stripper (ONLY option is Step because I haven't learned to drive a stick ... I know) ... my parents bought it for me, and I payed most of the money I had saved up (around 10% of the total price). I also pay for all mods I do on her, which is only clears right now, and hopefully new wheels in the future.No criticism of you, bud, from my POV I'm happy for you that you get to share in the Ultimate Driving Machine experience.

I think what irks some of those in your parents generation is just that time have changed considerably in this regard. When I was a youth, it was almost unheard of for parents to drop that kind of bank for a new car for their kid. It happened, but usually only among the richest, most spoiled, Academy-attending brats.

The rest of us, if we were lucky, got a hand-me-down when mom & dad bought a new car. Or, saved some bucks and spent a few Gs on a clunker, then transformed it on our own with grease up to our elbows.

Today, parents buying new, or good condition used cars for their kids at 16/17/18, especially high-end "luxury" marquees, seems to be quite commonplace, and it causes congnitive dissonance for us old schoolers.

[SAZMan]

No criticism of you, bud, from my POV I'm happy for you that you get to share in the Ultimate Driving Machine experience.

I think what irks some of those in your parents generation is just that time have changed considerably in this regard. When I was a youth, it was almost unheard of for parents to drop that kind of bank for a new car for their kid. It happened, but usually only among the richest, most spoiled, Academy-attending brats.

The rest of us, if we were lucky, got a hand-me-down when mom & dad bought a new car. Or, saved some bucks and spent a few Gs on a clunker, then transformed it on our own with grease up to our elbows.

Today, parents buying new, or good condition used cars for their kids at 16/17/18, especially high-end "luxury" marquees, seems to be quite commonplace, and it causes congnitive dissonance for us old schoolers.

I hear that. The first car I had was a 1980 Crown Victoria, and I had it in 1993. I lovingly called it the "Death Trap" My next car was a 1986 Grand Am that I bought with my own money. Only now that I have saved up can I get a car like a BMW.

[16hr Day]

No criticism of you, bud, from my POV I'm happy for you that you get to share in the Ultimate Driving Machine experience.

I think what irks some of those in your parents generation is just that time have changed considerably in this regard. When I was a youth, it was almost unheard of for parents to drop that kind of bank for a new car for their kid. It happened, but usually only among the richest, most spoiled, Academy-attending brats.

The rest of us, if we were lucky, got a hand-me-down when mom & dad bought a new car. Or, saved some bucks and spent a few Gs on a clunker, then transformed it on our own with grease up to our elbows.

Today, parents buying new, or good condition used cars for their kids at 16/17/18, especially high-end "luxury" marquees, seems to be quite commonplace, and it causes congnitive dissonance for us old schoolers.


My point exactly. My first car was a 1973 VW Bug, I bought it in 1980 for 1,300 bucks. I painted it Guards Red and that was the closest I ever came to a 911!! now, I grew up in Westchester County NY where we all lived in big houses and belonged to country clubs, but as kids with their first cars, we got the family clunker or as in my case a VERY cheap used car.

Like another poster said, if you are working your ass off to afford an M3, perhaps you are spending too much on your car. Do you own a house or property? what kind of savings do you have? I think most of you guys are missing the point. Just yesterday some little **** in an M3 (smg..*****) came into where I was eating lunch with his High School friends....HIGH SCHOOL!!! 333HP!! Wow, I must be old. I sound like my Dad. He was right!