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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16249 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1258 of 1625

#12569 of 16249 Re: Yup - 4 days ago [sweendogy] by nyccarguy

Dec 03, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Dec 03, 2011 8:00 pm)
The clunker was a 1990 E30 BMW 325iA coupe. It only had 82,000 miles on it, but was neglected. I had a new radiator put in, a new set of tires, & an alignment. The car drove great as a BMW should, but it had trouble passing New York State inspection. After it passed, the mechanic said to me that I should either find a donor engine or start paying him to rip out things & replace them with new parts. I knew it was time to "throw the towel in.". Cash 4 Clunkers came out & I had a 2007 X3 with 38,000 miles (with a year to go & 45K miles allowed for the lease).
 
I loved the 3 series, but it was out of my price range & too small.
 
I drove a Mini Cooper S w/ a 6 speed & didn't like it at all.
 
The G37X which I really dig didn't meet the gas mileage requirements for me to get the $3500 credit.
 
I drove by the Acura dealer & drove the TSX. I thought it drove like a big, 4 door version of my beloved 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH. I didn't like the electric power steering, but the car was to be my wife's daily driver. It has a huge trunk, room in the back for child safety seats, had thickly bolstered seats, a great engine & transmission combination, transmitted some road feel, I was impressed with the suspension dampening. I bought the car and am extremely happy with it.
 
Is a 328i a better driver's car? Absolutely. Is the G37 a balanced handling road rocket? You bet.
 
Is my TSX 75-80% of those cars on public roads? I certainly think so.

#12570 of 16249 Re: Please explain [sweendogy] by flightnurse

Dec 04, 2011 (8:27 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Dec 02, 2011 6:32 pm)
When I bought my BMW I was talking to the sales guy he told me that BMW will finance without stellar credit of a score of 640, but you pay, he quoted me about 8%. However used cars are higher.
 
People will buy just to keep up with others. Now an on interesting note, the same sale guy told me that when it comes to the 6 and 7 series cars, he will have more people pay cash for those car then fiance them or lease them.
 
5 series its a 50/50 split buy vs lease.
3 series is 70/30 lease vs buy.

#12571 of 16249 Re: Please explain [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Dec 04, 2011 (10:32 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Dec 04, 2011 8:27 am)
Makes sense - would guess 7 series closer to 70 owned vs lease.

#12572 of 16249 Re: Please explain [flightnurse] by kdshapiro

Dec 04, 2011 (11:38 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Dec 04, 2011 8:27 am)
People will buy to keep up with others? How about "I specifically know of a case where my (friends, neighbors, cousins, uncle etc) bought x car because they were jealous that y person bought z car". Smh.

#12573 of 16249 Re: Please explain [flightnurse] by dino001

Dec 04, 2011 (11:58 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Dec 04, 2011 8:27 am)
Possible interpretation is 3-series is "entry" level, which attracts more people who don't really have the money, so they buy it on payment and 5-series is already out of reach for them.
 
It would be interesting to know what is percentage of those 3-series leases with terms like 10K/yr with 4K down - that would be a giveaway of "bologna sandwich budget with caviar taste, I have no money, no clue, but I really want that stuff" people.

#12574 of 16249 Re: Please explain [kdshapiro] by dino001

Dec 04, 2011 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 04, 2011 11:38 am)
People would not admit that openly. All you can do is read the signs, such as how much they make and how much they buy. I know personally several people who would buy stuff they shouldn't - all on debt. Zero savings, zero hedges, just good stuff in the house and house well beyond what they can afford, too. All they talk about is next boat, next sound system. Then occasionally they mention paying off the debt, but it lasts for about two minutes.

#12575 of 16249 Re: Please explain [dino001] by sweendogy

Dec 04, 2011 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Dec 04, 2011 12:02 pm)
Good point- one of the reasons American economy is failing.

#12576 of 16249 Re: Please explain [dino001] by cdnpinhead

Dec 04, 2011 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Dec 04, 2011 11:58 am)
. . ."bologna sandwich budget with caviar taste, I have no money, no clue, but I really want that stuff" people.
 
Their number is legion.
 
A number of years ago we lived next door to a couple who "liked nice things." They, in fact, had many more nice things than we did (or do to this day for that matter), but the next few years demonstrated that having them paid for, such that they could be kept, was a whole 'nother thing.

#12577 of 16249 Re: Please explain [dino001] by kdshapiro

Dec 04, 2011 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Dec 04, 2011 12:02 pm)
Leasing a car is like renting an apartment. Neither is bad and both have their place. Buying on credit is a personal decision.
 
But one has to be responsible whether it is a house, car, work of art, etc. And I don't think people spend money irresponsibly to keep up with the jones'. People just spend money irresponsibly. Just look at the foreclosures.

#12578 of 16249 Re: Please explain [kdshapiro] by dino001

Dec 05, 2011 (7:21 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Dec 04, 2011 9:16 pm)
You're right, there can be many motivations. "Keeping up" is just one of possibilities. A lot of it may not be linked to particular Jones's, but rather to media image of a successful person. When you looked at lifestyles of characters from many shows and compare with real-life earnings power of their jobs, there is often a large disconnect. However, many people would take that as a validation for their acquisitions. And of course commercials.
 
Finishing on lease - it's not the lease itself that is a giveaway, it's the terms. If somebody leases at 0 down for mileage they are actually driving then that's a choice, when they put 4 grand down, 10K miles/year and their commute is 15 miles each way, you know that having car on the driveway was more important that actually driving it. Don't get me wrong - it's their money (or in some cases - it's their not having the money) and their choice to make. But if they wanted to borrow 10 bucks from me, I would automatically assume the likely actual choice here is losing 10 bucks or losing their graces.

Messages Page 1258 of 1625

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