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Is a BMW a good first car?

Does BMW make good cars? I’m looking for my first car right now, and I found a used BMW that seems like the perfect fit for me. I’ve never bought a car before, so I want to make sure that a BMW is a good idea before I show my parents.

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
A
BMW
can be a good first car, but what matters more than the brand of the car is the model and year of the vehicle you choose. In general, though, BMWs are considered to be reliable and often boast a good safety rating, so you’re probably in good shape.
To make sure that the BMW you’ve chosen is the right one for you, check to make sure that the car has:
  • A good safety rating. While most BMWs are very safe, it’s worth checking the safety rating of the vehicle you’ve chosen before you go through with the purchase. The 3-series is known for its great safety ratings, so that’s a good place to start.
  • A good model year. While you don’t need a car from the current model year (in fact, it’s best to opt for a slightly older vehicle for your first car), be very careful when considering vehicles that are more than 10 years old. Older cars might have hidden mechanical issues that could be expensive to fix.
  • The right features. BMWs offer a variety of different driving assistance features, so check to see what kinds of options are available for the car you’ve chosen.
One downside to the BMW as a first car is that they can be very expensive to insure. Luckily, the
Jerr​​y
app can help you find the best insurance rates available to you in a matter of minutes. The average user saves $887 per year. Download the app to learn more.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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