Car Corner
Next Car - BMW 3 Series Convertible

June 1, 2007
By Scott Lewis

One large car payment instead of two small(er) payments.

We have a new wrinkle in the new car purchase department. Instead of getting a new SUV we may trade in my Mini Cooper S Convertible for a BMW 3 Series Convertible.

Long time readers know that I bought my wife a 1999 Porsche 911 Cabriolet for her 40th birthday. This was in 2004. Well, 2005 brought in a new version of the 911, and that slight nagging feeling that there is something faster out there was itching. My wife once asked me if I would mind if she trading in the 911 for a newer model. I told her that it was her car to do with whatever she wanted. If she felt it had too much sentimental value being a 40th birthday present then she could keep it. She would not hurt my feeling if she traded up to getting a newer, faster model.

My wife really likes the BMW M3 Convertible. We even sat in one at the dealership. I checked out the rear seat. A pet peeve of mine. I hate having to move my seat forward when one of my kids are sitting behind me when I am driving. The M3 had a tight, but bearable back seat. A little negotiating would be in order when putting my oldest son back there.

Then my wife mentioned she wanted to get an M3. It had been a long time since we sat in one. In fact, the new 3 series coupes were still months away from the dealer's inventory. I merely said, "So you want to trade your Porsche in on a M3?" Nope... she wants me to trade my Mini Cooper S Convertible in on a M3.

My wife is thinking that instead of getting a new SUV we could trade my car in on a BMW 3 Series Convertible. Instead of two smaller car payments we would just have one big car payment. We would keep our Acura MDX for when we need to carry a lot of people, and we would share the BMW. Sharing the BMW means I would keep my 93 Camaro and I would drive that when it was my wife's turn to drive the Bimmer. This also allows her to keep her 40th birthday present.

Conclusion

So, next year we will be taking a trip to the BMW dealership. Will this happen? Would we get a M3? Or will any 3 Series Convertible be acceptable? These are all question that will have to be answered at a later time.