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Used Vehicles Best Values

948 messages,  Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Values, Certified Used (CPO)

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#946 of 948 Buying used for the 1st time? Any luxury vehicles in the $15K range? by newtoused Aug 11, 2009 (5:06 am)
Hi!   I'm new to this forum and purchasing used cars. I've been looking at 2004 Audi A4 & TT's, 2004-5 BMW 3 series coupes and convertibles. All seem to be in the price range but only have miles around 70K-80K.   Is it worth buying a used car with that many miles whether a "luxury" car or not?   If not, I'm also thinking buying a 06-07 VW jetta that's "pre-loved" or certified. I'm worried about the lack of a warranty on the older models I mentioned. I'd rather have peace of mind with the car rather than luxury (i think - convertibles are pretty appealing).   Are Certified pre-owned worth the extra costs? Or is buying un-certified used, getting it checked out and relying on it's good condition and AAA enough?   ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED!!! THANKS!!! Replies to this message: volvomax (Aug 11, 2009 9:20 am) plekto (Aug 11, 2009 11:51 am)
#947 of 948 Re: Buying used for the 1st time? Any luxury vehicles in the $15K range? [newtoused] by volvomax Aug 11, 2009 (9:20 am)
Replying to: newtoused (Aug 11, 2009 5:06 am) CPO is definitely worth the money. However, you can't compare a car thats a couple years old with an older high mile car. Everyone will tell you that old high mile European cars are expensive to keep up and they are correct. Not only repairs but maintenance as well. If the thought of keeping up an older car is too daunting,stick with the newer CPO car.
#948 of 948 Re: Buying used for the 1st time? Any luxury vehicles in the $15K range? [newtoused] by plekto Aug 11, 2009 (11:51 am)
Replying to: newtoused (Aug 11, 2009 5:06 am) IMO, A luxury vehicle has to be nice inside, at least somewhat refined, and most of all have a good engine/drive-train combination(which means rear wheel drive and not slow as a slug).   Here is my own personal short list given the same criteria and price range(though I also want manual, which is highly recommended but YMMV of course )   - First gen CTS with the 3.6 engine. - 2004 GTO (almost 30mpg with manual and 350hp!) *added exception - not "luxury"* - previous generation G35 sedan (ie not the G37) - IS300   If you add in automatics, the list grows by quite a bit. Top of my "automatic models" list would probably be the GS300 or a Buick Lucerne CXS(eerily like driving a late 90s S420, which for GM is/was a huge step forward)   The problem with the newer BMWs and most of the other luxury European brands is that they all source from Bosch and similar mostly German electrical companies. It's why a VW/Audi has a solid engine but the switches and radio and so on self-destruct at 7-10 years age almost every time. It used to be that these premium brands were really built better, but now it's all plastic and cheap underneath with a plush covering to hide the corners that were cut.   BMW and Audi are out. Mercedes is as well - too expensive to run used. Maintaining any of these three brands will cost nearly the same as a new vehicle would in monthly payments. Things get stupefyingly expensive for the most basic stuff. It makes even Toyota's overpriced insanity look reasonable. I know - I've had Mercedes in the past and it gets insane - like $60 for a shifter knob and upwards of $5K for a transmission rebuild. You really should only own these brands, even used, if you can afford them new. Or lease them and avoid the idiocy.

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