Car purchasing advice.

Parent Cafe
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<p>well it’s about time to get rid of my 05 cadillac, the lease is set to expire in a few months and I am looking at lease options for mid-size luxury sedans. I am looking at something that runs at most 50k, I had narrowed it down to the BMW 528i vs. Infiniti m35, but to my dismay both of these vehicles will be redesigned for 2010, meaning in about a year I will be driving an older model. I have considered the Audi a6 but it too will be redesigned shortly and is quite a bit more expensive than the rest. This is a problem, I received the Escalade in the summer of 05, to see the enjoyment short-lived well in the summer of 06 a newer model was released. </p>

<p>I have also considered other cars such as the BMW 328i coupe; however, I’d prefer a sedan and the 328i sedan seems too small. I looked at Mercedes but nothing floats my boat. The Infiniti G37 seems like a nice car, but I would really prefer a model that is a bit higher up in the chain, not entry-level luxury. </p>

<p>I can spend around 600 a month for the car with a 0 down payment, which leaves me with sedans in the mid to high 40’s range.</p>

<p>BMW - Family already owns a 5 series BMW so I would receive a lower interest rate and the car would be $40 less per month. Another big plus for BMW is the free maintenance which covers everything from washer fluid to brakes, $0 maintenance cost plus the discounted rate, it seems like I can’t go wrong. </p>

<p>I am wondering what ya’ll would do? I prefer not to own a coupe, but the deal seems great, and the car was redesigned for 07 meaning I will not have to drive an outdated model come this time next year. </p>

<p>Anything in the price range you guys would recommend? The maintenance is really pushing me towards BMW. If any other manufacturers offer similar warranties please share your experiences thanks.</p>

<p>I really would like to support the American economy by buying a US car, but let’s be honest they are sub-par when it comes to reliability, performance, quality, pretty much in all aspects. I have visited the Cadillac dealership to see the newer models, and I am not impressed by any means. My sister’s 2004 Volkswagen has better features than a 2008 cadillac.</p>

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<p>"I am wondering what ya’ll would do? "</p>

<p>I don’t know. I’m far past the time where I felt I needed to impress anybody and I never had to compensate for any shortcomings…</p>

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<p>I don’t think you can beat a Lexus for comfort, reliability and luxury. Unless you buy a Toyota. And it does seem that most cars are least partly built in the US, so that is a nonissue with me. My H has the Infiniti M45, and is going back to Lexus for his next car. He likes the Infiniti, but the service you get at a Lexus dealer will make the difference for him.</p>

<p>I would not buy an Audi for any reason. I have read and heard too many bad things about reliability with them.</p>

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<p>For under $40,000 in a full size car with great reliability you can’t beat the Toyota Avalon which has the same body as the large Lexus and has plenty of power and luxury along with great gas economy. Also mostly made in USA.</p>

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<p>I would buy 10 U.S.-made 1999 Saturn SL2’s, and put a U.S. mechanic who lives in your hometown on a yearly retainer.</p>

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<p>the price I have paid (total) for every car I have owned in the past 26 years come out to less than 50K</p>

<p>a little over 600 a month is my mortgage.</p>

<p>Obviously I have no car advice for you. </p>

<p>gee, 40K would pay my efc for the next 3 years, with a bit leftover.</p>

<p>I guess I’m used to being poor (but according to the data, I’m middle class!)</p>

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<p>hahaha. You’re so funny, mini.</p>

<p>So . . . UriA702 . . . these cars you mention are huge gas guzzlers, aren’t they? Why don’t you spend that money on a hybrid? </p>

<p>If I had money to burn on a car, I’d consider one of the old Thunderbirds – I love the way they look- (“and put a U.S. mechanic who lives in your hometown on a yearly retainer.”) :)</p>

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<p>“I would buy 10 U.S.-made 1999 Saturn SL2’s, and put a U.S. mechanic who lives in your hometown on a yearly retainer”</p>

<p>Saturns? Are they that good? </p>

<p>My hippie, elite college educated, Yoga teacher cousin (who I grew up with and was very close) always keeps ‘two’ very used Subaru’s on hand and is <em>very</em> nice to her mechanic. Her amortized expenditures are less than most spend on beer during the Super Bowl</p>

<p>I visited her last summer at her home in the mountains of Cailf. Although she lives a spartan lifestyle, she’s unbelievably happy. I admire her immensely.</p>

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<p>You’re spending 600 a month, much of which is interest, on a 50k car with 0 down. This is going to take you about EIGHT YEARS to pay off. I encourage you to take another look at the CTS if not a more reasonable (non-luxury) car. A CTS isn’t going to be subpar in performance by any means, and I wouldn’t expect it to be any less reliable than a new BMW. As for “features”, what are you getting in a Passat that you aren’t getting in a CTS? For one thing, you’re comparing the cheapest, smallest Cadillac that starts under $35k to a mid-range BMW that costs $10k more. I don’t know what features you’re longing for, but if it’s a question of style (or lack thereof), I’m in agreeance, but I hold the same sentiment for the ugly-stick smitten 5-series, as well.</p>

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<p>With a U.S.-built mechanic on retainer, they are more than good enough. ;)</p>

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<p>d’oh. you didn’t mention a trade-in, but I assume it’s the missing part of the equation. If BMW will give you enough more for your trade, then by all means, trade. Otherwise, get a Lexus GS and bask in the glory of a car that is not ugly.</p>

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<p>I’m proud to say I have always paid cash for my (new and used) cars, as did my dad. Of course, none of the cars I’ve ever owned (nor any my dad owned) were among the OP’s list. Nevertheless, the very thought of going into debt for a car just makes me queasy.</p>

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<p>“With a U.S.-built mechanic on retainer, they are more than good enough”</p>

<p>I remember looking at Saturns when they were first introduced. Being made out of a plastic material, they weren’t prone to door ding/dents. I thought it was a stroke engineering genius. Never understood why they didn’t become much more popular. Probably the “no discount” policy</p>

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<p>They were not really all that good. Engine problems, etc. Nice dealers.</p>

<p>I don’t know why some people have to get all sanctimonious over how someone else wants to spend his/her $$$. It’s nice to have a new car if that’s what you like. Some of you need to take off the hair shirts. Building cars put lots of people through college in this country. So does selling them.</p>

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<p>This is better than politics! :slight_smile: Just go out there and buy the car you can afford and like. Forget about advices from “car partisan” people.</p>

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<p>Well…I certainly am no help spending $600 a month on a car. BUT I will say, I love my Volvo. I realize that they have been redesigned since I bought my 2001, but still…I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Comfortable, etc.</p>

<p>However, I will say…my next car will be a Honda Civic Hybrid. DH will get a Toyota Prius or Hybrid Camry. Neither of us will get anything until BOTH kids graduate from college. And first, we’ll get new kitchen counters.</p>

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<p>Go green. Buy a hybrid. Better still buy one for yourself and one for me. You would still have change leftover compared to what you are considering and between the two of us we would be saving a ton of gas.</p>

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<p>

But they also required large gaps between panels - I think to allow for thermal expansion/contraction. A lot of people thought it made the vehicles look clunky and ill-fitted.</p>

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<p>I didn’t notice. It was years ago. But I don’t notice when my wife gets a new hair style, so my observations are inconsequential.</p>

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<p>Are you a student or parent? If your young and can afford that kind of car payment I would suggest getting something less expensive and saving the rest.
You can still get a nice luxury auto for less. I have an BMW x3. It is the nicest car I have ever owned. Not super expensive but drives like it is.</p>