Ask the Car People.SM


Best vehicle for $40,000

233 messages,  Last post on Dec 21, 2011 at 9:53 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, Saab 9-3, BMW 3 Series, Honda Accord, Volvo V50, Honda Odyssey, Lexus RX 400h

Messages Page 22 of 24

#204 of 233 Re: Best Vehicle for 40K [fedlawman] by circlew

Apr 03, 2007 (4:55 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 02, 2007 2:49 pm)
My best would be the 335 at this point. The G car is getting interesting. The Merc needs further development. The TL needs something more visceral as does the I.
 
Let's see what the CTS can bring in the fall.
 
Regards,
OW

#205 of 233 Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 by socalkid

Apr 12, 2007 (9:47 pm)

Does anyone take the new Pontiac G8 seriously? I was wondering if this is a car I should consider or will it be too unrefined (the hood scoops scare me!)?
 
Please give me some feedback.

#206 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [socalkid] by circlew

Apr 13, 2007 (3:54 am)

Replying to: socalkid (Apr 12, 2007 9:47 pm)
I would say the resale value is suspect vs. your 2 German considerations, 335, C350.
 
THe write-ups say it is a decent performer since it is from Holden division. Just a Bonneville replacement to me, FWIW.
 
Regards,
OW

#207 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [circlew] by fedlawman

Apr 13, 2007 (7:51 am)

Replying to: circlew (Apr 13, 2007 3:54 am)
It's a porker (almost 4000 lbs?), but at least it's RWD...

#208 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [circlew] by dhanley

Apr 13, 2007 (8:04 am)

Replying to: circlew (Apr 13, 2007 3:54 am)
"I would say the resale value is suspect vs. your 2 German considerations, 335, C350. "
 
Well, resale's only really relevant if the prices are broadly similar. Supposedly, the v8 g8's going to top out around 35K.
 
That being said, i'm sure the g8's going to be tuned as a powerful family car.

#209 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [dhanley] by socalkid

Apr 13, 2007 (10:37 am)

Replying to: dhanley (Apr 13, 2007 8:04 am)
It sounds like the new C-Class will be "tuned more like a powerful family car" than the G8. I'm just not getting a sense of real "sport" from this C-Class. Correct me if you think I'm wrong.
 
Needless to say, the Mercedes interior will be superior.
 
I think they could have pushed this car futher. Everyone else is doing 300hp, why can't they? That's my big problem with Mercedes these days - too safe, too vanilla ice cream.

#210 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [dhanley] by circlew

Apr 13, 2007 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: dhanley (Apr 13, 2007 8:04 am)
Resale or lower residual value with repect to mileage/age is relevant if it's a U.S. brand.
 
Taking the price of a 2004 GTO with $33K price, 2007 retail is $20,255. A low optioned Merc holds a 2007 price of $23,800 assuming an out of the door price of $33K.
 
Not apples/apples but close considering the GTO is a Holden off-spring also.
 
Merc will always be higher as a relative percentage of price.
 
Regards,
OW

#211 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [circlew] by dhanley

Apr 13, 2007 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Apr 13, 2007 12:16 pm)
First of all, I said "don't matter unless the prices are quite similar" and you find two cars with the same sticker prices.
 
Also, that GTO almost certianly didn't go out the door for 33K. The resale is low because the cars sold for invoice-rebates, and most likely had low-interest financing as well. The GTO was a clear "miss" for the marketplace and were quite hard to move.
 
That "low optioned merc" for 33K is a c230 with very few options.
 
I used to buy the "depreciation" rationilization until i ran the #'s with a few of my own cars. Had the saab and the BMW, the bmw holds its value very well, the saab depreciated like a rock..etc. The cars had almost the same sticker (smidge under 40K as in this topic), but the saab was cheaper in the long run because of the thousands saved up front. And those savings also factor into taxes, interest, etc.
 
I think if you want to determine the real financial viability, you have to compute depreciation from "out the door" prices and factor in finance deals, etc.

#212 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [socalkid] by civicguy3

Apr 13, 2007 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: socalkid (Apr 12, 2007 9:47 pm)
I hear that the British version of the G8 replaces the British version of the GTO. So it will be more of a muscle car, I guess.

#213 of 233 Re: Any love for the 2008 Pontiac G8 [civicguy3] by socalkid

Apr 13, 2007 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: civicguy3 (Apr 13, 2007 3:06 pm)
I'm really just thinking of leasing a car for 3 years. I just wanted a great car between 30k-40k but reading these forums has me totally depressed. People frequently bash all the cars out there. Here are some examples:
 
BMW 3 series: cold horrible interiors, cramped, punishing and stiff ride. Overpriced.
 
2008 Mercedes C Class: boring, quality has dropped, performance isn't there.
 
Lexus: My wife has a 2007 IS250. I like it but can't see owning two Lexus (Lexi?).
 
2008 Cadillac CTS and Pontiac G8: GM makes crap, etc, etc.
 
It goes on and on. I used to like cars but now all I see are flaws. I'm scared I'm going to panic and do something stupid.
 
My friend keeps telling me, "Dude, there just isn't anything inspiring out there. You should get the 2008 Accord sedan. 255hp, sweet design, great balance, nice interiors and gas milage. Forget everything associate with a Honda Accord, this thing will be amazing! You can get one loaded with nav, leather, etc,etc for 28K. Why pay more?"
 
What do people think I should do?

Messages Page 22 of 24

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement