Buying used cars... Luxury vs. Non-Luxury

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I recently came to the conclusive hypothesis that when it comes to used cars made in 2003 or earlier, the prices are roughly the same for high-end luxury cars like BMW, Infiniti, Acura, even some Lexus models and mid-end economy cars like Ford, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and such. Just thought I should throw that out there to everyone... please feel free to discuss.

[fitbass3p]

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

conclusive hypothesis

I almost entirely agree with you, except for the part where you put these two words together (it makes no sense)

I own a Lexus for that very reason.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Originally Posted by fitbass3p

I almost entirely agree with you, except for the part where you put these two words together (it makes no sense)

I own a Lexus for that very reason.

Haha

[toytech]

buy what you can afford to keep, not what you can buy.

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by toytech

buy what you can afford to keep, not what you can buy.

Sure.

Now, back to the thread, where he says the luxury cars are just as expensive as the midrange cars.

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by toytech

buy what you can afford to keep, not what you can buy.

+1


Insurance rates can get nasty, I'll be in the market for my first car in two months or so also.

yes I know I'll only be 17 and a big money drainer, but I don't care I've wanted one since i was 11, anybody who calls me stupid can **** me.

[Sig Saucer]

Say if you get a BMW. Parts are more expensive harder to find, dealer will charge much higher fees for maintenance, uses a lot more gas (I heard the smaller 3 series is a bigger gas guzzler than the 5 series), and insurance rates will increase because you have a car designed for the autobahn (which you may or may not use recklessly).

Then consider getting a Camry or Accord. Parts are almost too easy to get, you have many places that will service your car, uses a decent amount of gas, and insurance rates will be kept low if you are a safe driver.

In the end, the difference in cost can be in the thousands.

If you have the money, just go ahead and buy the luxury car.

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by Sig Saucer

Say if you get a BMW. Parts are more expensive harder to find, dealer will charge much higher fees for maintenance, uses a lot more gas (I heard the smaller 3 series is a bigger gas guzzler than the 5 series), and insurance rates will increase because you have a car designed for the autobahn (which you may or may not use recklessly).

Then consider getting a Camry or Accord. Parts are almost too easy to get, you have many places that will service your car, uses a decent amount of gas, and insurance rates will be kept low if you are a safe driver.

In the end, the difference in cost can be in the thousands.

If you have the money, just go ahead and buy the luxury car.

True. Could also get a Lexus - my parents owned an ES300 and parts were plentiful and work on the car was certainly less than its Euro counterparts. I'm guessing many Japanese-made Luxury cars are the same.

[peaveyuser]

i was thinking of getting an Audi Quattro, 90, or 5000 quattro (basically any of those late 80's early 90's audi quattro models) because you get a great deal on em here, very affordable.

I'm buying a sporty car, so I want either all wheel drive or rear drive. Problem I worry with the audi is parts may be too expensive.

[fitbass3p]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

True. Could also get a Lexus - my parents owned an ES300 and parts were plentiful and work on the car was certainly less than its Euro counterparts.

+1. My older Lexus has cost me less in maintenance than any car I owned previously. Though that could be a factor of construction quality and age of the vehicle.

Of course, my NEW Lexus is an '08, so this argument doesn't really apply to my new car, just my previous one.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Originally Posted by Sig Saucer

Say if you get a BMW. Parts are more expensive harder to find, dealer will charge much higher fees for maintenance, uses a lot more gas (I heard the smaller 3 series is a bigger gas guzzler than the 5 series), and insurance rates will increase because you have a car designed for the autobahn (which you may or may not use recklessly).

Then consider getting a Camry or Accord. Parts are almost too easy to get, you have many places that will service your car, uses a decent amount of gas, and insurance rates will be kept low if you are a safe driver.

In the end, the difference in cost can be in the thousands.

If you have the money, just go ahead and buy the luxury car.

I have to agree with most of the things you say except for how BMW parts are hard to find. BMW OEM parts are one of the easiest to find. Trying to find parts for a 325 is no harder than trying to find parts for a Civic. And some 3's are gas guzzlers, but that all depends on the engine. Usually x's use more gas than i's in 3 series. But there are 3's that get 25-30 mpg.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by toytech

buy what you can afford to keep, not what you can buy.

Absolutely. Remember that luxury cars have many more switches, sensors and other parts that can fail.

I do my own car repairs - down to pulling power window switches apart and rebuilding them rather than paying $60 a switch - but not many people are ready to do their own diagnosis and work on such things.

IME BMW parts are cheaper than Audi, but Chevy parts are a lot cheaper then either. I can't speak for Lexus, Honda or Toyota - never owned one. But my 1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo is going strong...although things like window switches and vacuum tubing are worn out. My wife has a 1994 BMW 325i and it's a wonderful car that gets nearly 30 MPG highway. Parts haven't been bad for it, and it hasn't needed much work either.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I heard Audi/VW start to become worthless after they get to the 100k mile mark?