Ask the Car People.SM


Buying Luxury used cars

526 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2013 at 10:32 AM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 53

#1 of 526 Buying Luxury used cars by jacobkori

Oct 13, 2007 (4:32 am)

It seems as if used car prices are 25% cheaper in US than - I can imagine that 50% of all cars coming into the country come from US, imported by dealers.
               
              We plan to cut out the middle man and come in by ferry to Arizona and then find a used car dealer there.
               
              Can anyone recommend any websites where we can find details of the major used car dealerships in Arizona?
               
              Many thanks for your help with this.

#2 of 526 Re: Buying Luxury used cars [jacobkori] by kirstie_h HOST

Oct 15, 2007 (11:57 am)

Replying to: jacobkori (Oct 13, 2007 4:32 am)
Are you asking about classic luxury used cars, or just regular old used cars? And, from what country are you travelling? I think you're in the wrong place, but I'd like to help you find the right discussion.

#3 of 526 Re: Buying Luxury used cars [jacobkori] by dianejsmith

Oct 16, 2007 (5:13 am)

Replying to: jacobkori (Oct 13, 2007 4:32 am)
Ok just go the side www.autobandits.com and get very advance tool for this type Service …
There is online Form you just fill from and tell him what you're looking for? He was contact to you.
 
I hope this is help post for you…

#4 of 526 Re: Buying Luxury used cars [dianejsmith] by kirstie_h HOST

Oct 16, 2007 (7:30 am)

Replying to: dianejsmith (Oct 16, 2007 5:13 am)
The original poster wasn't looking for on-line services... he/she is inquiring about dealerships in Arizona, specifically.

#5 of 526 Re: Buying Luxury used cars [kirstie_h] by dianejsmith

Oct 16, 2007 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Oct 16, 2007 7:30 am)
this is on-line-service !!!

#6 of 526 Re: Buying Luxury used cars [jacobkori] by speedboy

Aug 06, 2008 (7:28 am)

Replying to: jacobkori (Oct 13, 2007 4:32 am)
hi,
check out zibe or hendrickcars. They are located close by

#7 of 526 Costly Parts and Components by hpmctorque

Dec 24, 2008 (6:09 pm)

I debated in which discussion to place this message, and decided that this discussion is about as appropriate as a couple of others.
 
Anyhow, as the owner of a well maintained '87 BMW E30, I sometimes buy "Bimmer" magazine. One of the features of this magazine is "Tech Q & A."
In Tech Q & A, and throughout this magazine there's frequent mention of the fact that while BMWs are rewarding to drive and enjoyable own, they're high maintenance. Parts and labor are expensive. In addition, in the most recent issue, in the article "Living Large On Small Claims," about the appeal of buying older BMWs for a maximum if $5,000, they state that BMW parts and components, such as water pumps, generally don't last as long as Japanese and domestic brand parts. This begs the questions, "why?", and "must it be like this." As a manufacturer of quality products, shouldn't BMW components last at least as long as those from the more mass market auto makers? Why can't BMWs be designed to retain their attributes, while reducing the cost of ownership?
 
It seems to me that the same questions could apply to Mercedes and Audi.
 
Now, I know that some Japanese, cars such as the Infiniti Q45, for example, are also expensive to maintain and repair. However, I believe that their components last longer, and they require less frequent maintenance. Also, the Q45 isn't exactly representative of Japanese luxury cars.
 
The Acura TL, which is sometimes cross-shopped with the BMW 3-Series, despite being FWD, is significantly less expensive to own than its German counterparts. I know first hand, because I also own a TL with 115,000 miles on it.

#8 of 526 Re: Costly Parts and Components [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 24, 2008 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 24, 2008 6:09 pm)
It could be that the cars are more "narrowly engineered" that is to give maximum performance within a certain range of parameters. To achieve this level of precision, it might be that wear and tear is just higher than some cushy squish-bucket bouncing down the road at 1800 rpms.

#9 of 526 Re: Costly Parts and Components (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Dec 24, 2008 (9:53 pm)

"It could be..."
 
Maybe, but aren't Infinities, Acuras, and RWD Lexuses similarly narrowly engineered? I assume you make a distinction between precisely engineered and narrowly engineered for performance, because one could argue that ordinary Toyotas and Hondas, as well as other cars today, are precisely engineered. Toyotas and Hondas, especially, are known for having close tolerances. I'm thinking that they're perhaps comparable to at least the near-luxury models from Germany, in terms of precision.
 
I know what I'm about to say is probably controversial, but I'm wondering whether the German luxury brand manufacturers charge more for parts because they're less efficient than the Japanese and Americans, and must subsidize their margins on car sales by charging more for parts. And might the less frequent maintenance intervals for the leading Japanese brands, for timing belts, water pumps, and even drive belts and hoses be due to their superior quality?
 

#10 of 526 Re: Costly Parts and Components (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 24, 2008 (11:01 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 24, 2008 9:53 pm)
I don't think narrow engineering and precision engineering are the same thing....they may overlap but narrow engineering involves more compromises. It's no accident that a Lexus does not even feel remotely like a BMW.
 
I think where there is no excuse to be made for German cars is in the electronics. They just don't have that down apparently.
 
You buy a Toyota, or even a Scion, and you turn the key and drive away and hardly touch the thing for the next 100, 000 miles; but a German car, you'd be lucky to make it a year without some electrical failure.

Messages Page 1 of 53

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