Entry-Level Luxury Performance Sedans

"Why would a non-enthusiast pick a BMW lease over a Camry purchase".

Nicer car for the same monthly payment? Some people come to the conclusion that they're always going to have a car payment, or at least for the foreseeable future. And, if they're not going to exceed the mileage limit, a lease could be a good option for them.

I have driven a whopping total of 1,650 miles since January 1 of this year. I don't have a car payment, but if I were to take on one, I would consider a lease instead of purchase, set a budget, and get the car that I believe I'd most enjoy for that payment.

Replies to this message:

habitat1 (Nov 08, 2012 4:21 pm)
- kirstie_h (Nov 09, 2012 8:47 am)
sweendogy (Nov 08, 2012 4:29 pm)

#15253 of 16087 Re: What Is Going on with Infiniti?? [kirstie_h] by habitat1

Nov 08, 2012 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Nov 08, 2012 3:36 pm)

I have driven a whopping total of 1,650 miles since January 1 of this year.

Sounds like you are a candidate for ZipCar? Or BikeShare? Perhaps with a supplemental Vespa? When you calculate all of the costs of automobile ownership - insurance, maintenance, depreciation, etc. - the cost per mile can get pretty extreme if you only drive 150 miles a month. Plus the cost of underground parking if you happen to live in an apartment or condo in an urban area like Washington DC.

Replies to this message:

kirstie_h (Nov 09, 2012 8:47 am)

#15254 of 16087 Re: What Is Going on with Infiniti?? [kirstie_h] by sweendogy

Nov 08, 2012 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Nov 08, 2012 3:36 pm)

1650 miles, wow edmunds must be close to home.

#15255 of 16087 Re: What Is Going on with Infiniti?? [victor23] by buya

Nov 08, 2012 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: victor23 (Nov 08, 2012 11:59 am)

Why would non-enthusiast pick a BMW lease over a Camry purchase?

Don't take things too seriously. Crossed and rebuke is ok. Read again other posts some contributors wrote and you'll see getting all worked up is waste of your precious health.

There're all sorts of reasons why people lease BMW over Camry. Top reasons would be status symbol and the fact that it's a damned good car! Leasing takes away the troubles of trying to register your credit card with the dealership for all the little annoying things that will come after the warranty expires, so you don't have to remember to bring the card. Of course there're those who flagged themselves as enthusiasts and know cars in and out, even rebuilding one from scratch. That in itself is bragging. It is as snotty as buying performance cars for their price and prestige.

Didn't check who posted the original question and didn't care either. The comparison is flawed because Camry is a sedan not in the same class as BMW, which is known for performance. The question looked sarcastic, and it looked like "poor people who can only afford to buy Camry should not have a big head of trying to lease into rich people's world and drive a BMW". I recent these forms for communications and views because these are the foundation that build to the poor children from heritage had to act apologetic and feel guilty -- for absolutely NO reasons. Money itself is not a crime, people make things what they are.

For someone who know nothing about the mechanics of cars, I like performance cars. I like BMW but I won't buy another one simply because it's a BMW - the badge. The question would be more of a question of curiosity if it were "why would a life long high-end performance cars owner choose to buy a Camry?" I can tell you it's not for performance. Camry is a reliable car for daily commute if you take care of it's basic needs, but it's definitely not a car you would choose to do long distance. I drove a loaner out of town once and I can attest to that!

MB is increasingly unreliable, and if I buy another one of them it's only for the name and not even for nostalgic. Yep, status. But which I don't care!

Obvious answer why BMW over Camry is performance. To a lot of people it's the badge.

Replies to this message:

andys120 (Nov 09, 2012 4:48 am)

#15256 of 16087 Re: What Is Going on with Infiniti?? [buya] by andys120

Nov 09, 2012 (4:48 am)

Replying to: buya (Nov 08, 2012 4:55 pm)

Why would non-enthusiast pick a BMW lease over a Camry purchase?

I am an enthusiast and when my non-enthusiast friends (who tend to drive pickups and Subarus) ride me about getting a "Beemer" I tell them it cost about the same as a new loaded Camry ($26K).

If there hadn't been a good supply of nice second-hand BMWs available at a BMW specialist near me I'd probably be driving something else. Buying used is a good solution for those who would rather own than lease, they are very well made and the depreciation curve is pretty steep. My 4 y/o 528iA (44K) cost about 50% of the new price and it's such a good car that I recently bought another Reitzle-era BMW, an 11 y/o 330Ci cabriolet (78K)
which cost me about the same as a new Ford Focus ($13K).

I'll admit that part of it's badge snobbery but there's also build-quality and wonderful RWD driving pleasure.

#15257 of 16087 Camry vs....... by graphicguy

Nov 09, 2012 (7:07 am)

Interesting discussion. I don't know why others buy what they buy. I know I buy my cars because I like to drive them....sometimes like a banshee with their fur on fire.

Used to autox quite a bit. And, had an old ratty cobbled together Mustang which went to the local track (owned with a buddy) to do nothing but 1/4 runs.

Does that make me a driving enthusiast? I dunno? Maybe!

What it does do is give me an appreciation of a finely engineered car capable of doing things other cars aren't capable of doing. To some, a Camry is the kind of drive that appeals to people (lots of them, given how many they sell). To others, a BMW or Audi or Porsche evokes the driving experience they desire.

Frankly, I don't know why people buy what they buy. I know I do like the driving experience that BMW and Audi offers....over just about anything else.

That said, I also have a ratty 200K mile Accord sitting in my driveway. I appreciate it for what it is, too.....just for different reasons.

Some view cars as necessary evils. For the vast majority of us, a car certainly isn't a good financial investment. Some buy cars because of their MPG (i.e. Prius types). Some buy because of utilitarian reasons (why else would you buy an SUV?).

Only the person pulling pictures of dead presidents out of their wallets knows their motivation for buying what they buy.

Replies to this message:

m6user (Nov 09, 2012 9:35 am)
- ctl (Nov 09, 2012 2:46 pm)
billyperksii (Nov 09, 2012 11:59 am)
- sweendogy (Nov 09, 2012 12:32 pm)
  - billyperksii (Nov 09, 2012 2:01 pm)
- buya (Nov 09, 2012 9:15 pm)
  - ivan_99 (Nov 09, 2012 10:30 pm) and 2 more...

#15258 of 16087 Re: What Is Going on with Infiniti?? [habitat1] by kirstie_h HOST

Nov 09, 2012 (8:47 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 08, 2012 4:21 pm)

We live in a way outer suburb, 3-car garage, so parking's not an issue. I have considered getting rid of my vehicle - we have two others - but one of the others no-go-in-snow. So, I'd be stranded in the house when my S.O. takes the truck to the airport (travels a lot for biz). But, the idea of just having a Vespa holds some appeal.

Sween - Edmunds HQ is a couple thousand miles away from me. I staff the greater Kansas City metro area office.

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