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Used Reliable Luxury < $7k

14 messages,  Last post on Mar 19, 2012 at 5:34 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura RL, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, Lexus LS 400, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 14 Used Reliable Luxury <$7k Buy & Fix Up by jjgoodwin

Aug 11, 2006 (10:34 am)

Is it reasonable to get a used, reliable, luxury car with at least 8 yrs life left for $7k or less including cost to buy, fix, and repaint, or whatever it takes to make it look 95% new?
 
If so, I'm hoping when I get done the car will be at least somewhat trouble free (barring regular maintenance), and get at least 25mpg freeway mileage.
 
Basically, looking for something that looks great, drives well, don't care if it's used as long is it's in good shape. Sedan preferred, but coupes and convertibles are considerations too.
 
Am I off the mark? I'm willing to have nearly any part of it fixed/repainted/interiored upto about $7k or so. After that, I figure, I might as well get a 3yr old Acura RL or something.
 
Thoughts, opinions, and anything else you can think of let loose.
 
John

#2 of 14 Mechncially reliable, yes. But... by Bushwack

Aug 13, 2006 (8:35 am)

It is reasonable to find a car mechanically sound that when properly maintained, should last 200,000+ miles. The caveat is that your wallet will not allow you to get that far because the electrical/electronic issues of modern cars will bleed you dry; which is one reason why my next car(s) will be leased and/or not owned beyond the warranty period.

#3 of 14 depends on what you call 'luxury' by ghulet

Aug 13, 2006 (9:00 pm)

So, you want a car that's 'luxurious', costs $7k or less, will be 'reliable' and get 25 mpg? Good luck!
 
You could buy an older Acura (maybe an early RL), quite a few Cadillacs or Buicks, a '98-99 Volvo S70, some much older (I'd say '96 or so) BMW 5-series or Mercedes E-class for around $7k, but as for them being all that 'reliable', I wouldn't count on it. Ditto for the 25 mpg...have you considered something a bit less dreamy, like, say an Accord EX or Camry XLE...those with four-cylinders will get 25 mpg easy, should be reliable, and are reasonably luxurious. They won't break the bank with repairs, either. How about a Buick Regal with leather? I dunno.

#4 of 14 Re: depends on what you call 'luxury' [ghulet] by jjgoodwin

Aug 14, 2006 (4:32 am)

Replying to: ghulet (Aug 13, 2006 9:00 pm)
Thanks folks for the replies!
 
Basically, when I say luxury car, it's in reference to when the car was new.
 
Personally, the current age of the car doesn't bother me so much as the condition I can get it in, how much, and how long I'll be able to keep it running before the bills get out of control. If you consider the cost of a new car, even overhauling the engine can seem like a small amount, assuming that's all it needs, and it doesn't need it every other year or something.
 
I'll take a look at some of those cars and see. Do you happen to know of any "lemon" years on those cars you mentioned?

#5 of 14 Re: depends on what you call 'luxury' [jjgoodwin] by zodiac2004

Aug 15, 2006 (10:00 am)

Replying to: jjgoodwin (Aug 14, 2006 4:32 am)
Some cars that come to my mind - in varying degrees of luxury - are
 
Lexus ES300 (any year you can afford)
90-94 LS400
95-97 Oldsmobile Aurora
90-96 infiniti Q45
 
Of course the last 2 on the list have a history of higher maintenance/repair cost than the first 2.
Find an independent mechanic and ask him for cost of normal maintenance items before you buy any car.
If ongoing maintenance is a concern - pretty much the only luxury car you can buy is the Lexus ES.

#6 of 14 forgot about that by ghulet

Aug 15, 2006 (9:45 pm)

I think a Lexus ES is a GREAT choice in this price range; it is little more than a gussied-up Camry (which isn't a bad thing), though you'll pay Lexus rather than Toyota repair costs, but they should be reliable and won't break down much....keep an eye on things like climate control systems (a luxury car pitfall, they're all electronic) and electric items, the engine and trans should be fairly bulletproof.
 
The last three are decent choices and fairly inexpensive, but you're never going to get 25mpg in one unless it's turned off running downhill.
 
I'd still look at some of the GM big cars with V6s, though it's a stretch to call most 'luxury' cars. Check out Buick Regal, LeSabre and Park Avenue (3.8 V6 gets upper 20s mpg on the highway and are fairly torquey), Pontiac Bonneville, Olds Intrigue and Aurora (3.5 only).

#7 of 14 Re: forgot about that [ghulet] by zodiac2004

Aug 16, 2006 (8:56 am)

Replying to: ghulet (Aug 15, 2006 9:45 pm)
though you'll pay Lexus rather than Toyota repair costs
 
Not at all.
Just take it to a Toyo dealer, if you must take it to a dealer at all for maintenance.
It's the Camry's V6 after all. Most quicky lube places can do fluid changes on it.

#9 of 14 Post moved by pat

Nov 26, 2006 (8:47 am)

Link: 93lexus, "Lexus LS 400/LS 430" #8023, 24 Nov 2006 3:44 pm

#10 of 14 Re: depends on what you call 'luxury' [ghulet] by geoblue

Jul 03, 2008 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: ghulet (Aug 13, 2006 9:00 pm)
So, you want a car that's 'luxurious', costs $7k or less, will be 'reliable' and get 25 mpg? Good luck!
  
You could buy an older Acura (maybe an early RL), quite a few Cadillacs or Buicks, a '98-99 Volvo S70, some much older (I'd say '96 or so) BMW 5-series or Mercedes E-class for around $7k, but as for them being all that 'reliable', I wouldn't count on it. Ditto for the 25 mpg...have you considered something a bit less dreamy, like, say an Accord EX or Camry XLE...those with four-cylinders will get 25 mpg easy, should be reliable, and are reasonably luxurious. They won't break the bank with repairs, either. How about a Buick Regal with leather? I dunno.
 
BUY A TOYOTA.

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