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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 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 1306 of 1610

#13043 of 16087 new vs. used, financing vs. cash by nyccarguy

Feb 09, 2012 (12:34 pm)

I didn't mean to throw up a topic & start an argument between 2 posters. Especially q who is our resident auction maven & 135i driver and flightnurse who tracks his ZHP on a regular basis & found an awesome E90 low optioned 328i w/ SP & stick. "Can't we all just get along?"
 
Like I stated, I've only bought (or leased) new cars since the glorious day I got my license back in August 1992. I'm happy with my 2010 Acura TSX as a DD (could use more power, hydraulic steering, & MUCH better brakes), but am not head over heels in love with it (like I am my 2001 Prelude Type SH). My TSX was also a car that I bought originally for my wife with Cash 4 Clunkers money that I knew I'd be driving on the weekend, but not every day. This changed when we decided to have a 3rd child and now needed a bigger vehicle. Bought her a 2011 Pilot, The 2010 TSX becomes my DD, & my beloved Prelude gets driven once or twice a week (yes it gets the garage with the Pilot).
 
I'm always thinking (building online & checking out used car values) about what's next. I know the financially smart thing to do is to pay off the TSX (just refinanced), and drive it with no payment until the wheels fall off. Cars are my "thing." I've been hooked on BMWs ever since I drove a friend's '95 E36 325is (stick, sport) through the streets of Buffalo one winter night when I was in college. I leased my wife an '07 X3 and just loved the way it drove. It was never in the shop once except for scheduled maintenance.
 
With 3 kids and a mortgage, I think it would be selfish of me to go out and buy an almost $50K car (328xi or X3). If in a few years, I can muster together a small down payment, then I can convince the board of directors (my wife) that this Mid to high used $20K BMW (X3 or 328xi) is what i want and I think it'll last, then I'll go for it! Life's way too short to drive boring cars.

#13044 of 16087 Re: new vs. used, financing vs. cash [nyccarguy] by qbrozen

Feb 09, 2012 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Feb 09, 2012 12:34 pm)
Hey, don't forget my poor 540.
 
You reminded me... I wanted to also say that's the one nice thing about the Acura (well, seems to be most Japanese vehicles): low-to-no options. There is something to be said for simplicity and standard features.
 
The Germans are notoriously horrible in that regard. I was shocked to see at a Porsche show that you could actually option up a base Boxster into 911 GTS territory!

#13045 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [flightnurse] by dino001

Feb 09, 2012 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 09, 2012 10:18 am)
paid $39K (out the door) for my 2011 328i. In four years if I sell it for $30K I lost only 9K, I wont have more then 35K miles on the car, so selling it or trading it in wont be a problem
 
Talking delusional And my house is worth half a milon.
 
After four years you'd be lucky to get $20K for a stripper 328. Unless you got something like 10 grand discount (which I doubt), it was probably base plus one package, no sunroof, no sports, no HID.
 

#13046 of 16087 Re: new vs. used, financing vs. cash [qbrozen] by nyccarguy

Feb 09, 2012 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 09, 2012 1:10 pm)
Something that I do love about my Acura. Tech pkg was the only option. Auto was a no cost option.
 
Porsche's options are insane. It is cool how customizable the cars are from the factory. My Mom drives a 2011 V6 Cayenne. I think there are only 3 options on it, but one is a $10,000 option package.
 
It is crazy if you ever look on a Porsche dealer's website to see inventory. Some of them have PDK equipped base boxsters with $70K + MSRPs.

#13047 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [qbrozen] by flightnurse

Feb 09, 2012 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 09, 2012 11:39 am)
I would like to hear from the regulars of this group if I shouldn't have made the comment "he group you are talking to now [sic] the ins and out [sic] of depreciation" is false!
 
Regarding my 328i, first you are making an assumption that my 328 is a strip down car, MSRP was almost 47K, the GM ordered this car as an experiment and it failed on him. Here in Phoenix, 99% of all 3 series cars (non M cars) are sold with automatics, the GM wanted to see if he ordered a 328i with M sport package, (leather was a free option on my 328) xenon head lights, keyless access, cold weather package, moon roof would sell, and it did't not sale, it sat on the lot for 5 months. I must have hit the showroom at the right time, that is why I got the smoking deal. So yes most base 328 with very little options are selling at mid to low 20s. BTW, the average buyer can not get cars at auction prices so that is a mood point. So currently at one of the local BMW dealers in Phoenix, has 2 BMW 328s with the M sport package with 40 and 49K miles are asking 28 and 30K for them. Mine will have less then 40K and keep in pristine condition with all the right option.

#13048 of 16087 Re: new vs. used, financing vs. cash [nyccarguy] by flightnurse

Feb 09, 2012 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Feb 09, 2012 2:28 pm)
Yes porsche does have a nice long list of options, I was looking at a Caynne GTS, however when I optioned it out how I want it, it was 93K....

#13049 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [flightnurse] by dino001

Feb 09, 2012 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 09, 2012 2:39 pm)
So, you say you got $47K MSRP for $39K with taxes (that's what OTD means in my dictionary)? Even with dealer incentives, it's still five grand below dealer cost. Wow, on that I can only say your it sounds just too good to be true, but since you say you got it, congratulations and kudos.
 
Now, on the resale: I'm no expert, I just sold a three year old car last week. First, the fact that dealers post $30K on something, doesn't mean you can sell same thing for that. Buyers don't care about auction prices, but dealers do when they take a trade. If you want to sell it individually, be prepared for weeks of no phone calls interrupted by text messages from people wanting to give you less that dealer would. I just went through that personally just in last month. Finally I sold it, but the reality was quite painful. You may have more patience and you obviously have more luck than me, so who knows.
 
Well, it is funny you said about the "experiment" car. That's very close to what I got (no M package, but regular sports package, convenience pkg and Nav). The car was about $46.5K MSRP. Nowhere near your discount, but it was ordered, so no reason to go below costs either.

#13050 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Feb 09, 2012 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 09, 2012 2:39 pm)
Your story sounds alot like those "leader adds" that manufactures put on there websites. Sorry guy

#13051 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [dino001] by flightnurse

Feb 09, 2012 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Feb 09, 2012 3:13 pm)
dino I can only say the "experiment" was the word the GM used to me, I had no reason not to believe him, why would the car sit on the lot for 5 months with no bites. the Color combo was great, the options were right on the mark, except it was a manual and not an auto.

#13052 of 16087 Re: "My" 2012 BMW 328i [dino001] by nyccarguy

Feb 09, 2012 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Feb 09, 2012 3:13 pm)
I'm sure you got calls from some serious characters selling your STi (right?). What were you offered by your BMW dealer on the trade? How much more did you get selling the car privately?
 
Flightnurse - auction values are relevant because that's what you are offered (at least here in the north east) for your trade.
 
I'm trying to talk myself into buying used next time around, so I'm trying to look at the glass as half full. Most BMWs here in the north east are leased for 3 years. When the lease is up, the car has anywhere from 30K to 45K miles on it. The car is still under warranty, has had all maintenance done by the dealer (ok, so not by Mike Miller's old school maintenance schedule) and is still in relatively good condition. It might have a new set of tires, fresh oil, and at least front brake pads & rotors. BMWs are wonderfully built machines who's life is FAR from over when the 50K mile warranty expires.

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