Are expensive cars worth it?

[csala]

Depends. I once had an "expensive" car that was a 5 or 6 cyl turbo convertible. I had a V8 Mustang convertible at the same time and preferred the Mustang because of its fun factor. Only thing i liked about the expensive car was that you could adjust certain things from the steering wheel. Now, I have another "expensive" car that's got a German V8 in it. There's nothing like hitting the gas on that beast. It's thrilling. So for me it needs to be a blast to drive if I'm going to spend a lot of $$ on it. That's the determining factor with me. If I lived in NYC I wouldn't care what I drive but living in California is another thing altogether.

 

[socialleper]

Toyota fan here. Longest lasting most trouble free cars I’ve ever owned.
As far a buying, I usually look for a used that is coming off a lease.
You get something that still has everything but the new car smell, and sticker shock.
For instance... Bought a ‘96 Camry just coming off a lease in ‘99. Had about 45K miles on it.
Still driving it today. Very little work needed through the years. Other than routine and mileage associated things like timing belts, struts, brakes... you know, that stuff that every car wears through, it has been very trouble free.
Gets low 30’s MPG/Highway. 4 Cyl.

I like the new Camry design, but they are a little on the high side. The Corollas don't have as much positive feed back, but I haven't written one off. I was thinking about a Prius, but then I found out about the lifespan of the batteries and the cost of replacing them. With as many miles as I put on my cars, that is a guaranteed expense down the road.
I wouldn't mind a Tacoma since I know they are bullet proof, but the gas use is too much of a factor.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I like the new Camry design, but they are a little on the high side. The Corollas don't have as much positive feed back, but I haven't written one off. I was thinking about a Prius, but then I found out about the lifespan of the batteries and the cost of replacing them. With as many miles as I put on my cars, that is a guaranteed expense down the road.
I wouldn't mind a Tacoma since I know they are bullet proof, but the gas use is too much of a factor.

I rented a Corolla a couple of months ago.
I liked it except when you hit the gas it sounded like something measured in two digits of CC displacement.

 

[socialleper]

I rented a Corolla a couple of months ago.
I liked it except when you hit the gas it sounded like something measured in two digits of CC displacement.

Would you think that a Camry would be more reliable than a Corolla? Or would a Lexus? When you go up to the Lexus\Acura\Infinity level are you getting more reliability, or more features?

 

[fretter]

Most financial advice columns say to buy a preowned car, regardless of whether it's an economy car or a luxury car. For one of our cars, we leased the "manager's special" (essentially new with a couple of 1,000 miles on it; only drawback was the color), then bought it after the lease.

 

[AngelDeVille]

I wouldn't know. My 2007 is expected to last me another 10 years.


Bought used in 2010? maybe 2009.

 

[socialleper]

Most financial advice columns say to buy a preowned car, regardless of whether it's an economy car or a luxury car. For one of our cars, we leased the "manager's special" (essentially new with a couple of 1,000 miles on it; only drawback was the color), then bought it after the lease.

The thing that has always scared me about used cars is you are going totally commando. If you buy new, the warranty doesn't last long, but at least you have one. With a used car, you could drive a bomb off the lot, have it croak, and be totally on the hook for it. I know many dealers laud their multipoint, whiz bang inspections, but I trust dealerships about as far as I can throw them.
I also wonder, why did someone give up the car? If it was a good car, still under warranty, with low mileage, in a color that isn't dreadful, why would they trade it in or give it up?

 

[kesslari]

When you go up to the Lexus\Acura\Infinity level are you getting more reliability, or more features?

More features and more "status". And possibly a better warranty, and the dealership will have a nicer bathroom.

I also wonder, why did someone give up the car? If it was a good car, still under warranty, with low mileage, in a color that isn't dreadful, why would they trade it in or give it up?

Many people like to get a new car every year or two or three. Clearly not your bag, nor mine, but there you go. And most leases run 3 years, and then those cars are up for sale.
Lots of other reasons people sell fairly new cars. Kid or spouse got real sick. Or Vito came to collect on the loan you forgot about...

 

[Downunderwonder]

Toyota fan here. Longest lasting most trouble free cars I’ve ever owned.
As far a buying, I usually look for a used that is coming off a lease.
You get something that still has everything but the new car smell, and sticker shock.
For instance... Bought a ‘96 Camry just coming off a lease in ‘99. Had about 45K miles on it.
Still driving it today. Very little work needed through the years. Other than routine and mileage associated things like timing belts, struts, brakes... you know, that stuff that every car wears through, it has been very trouble free.
Gets low 30’s MPG/Highway. 4 Cyl.

That's smart buying. Newer ones have timIng chains but they wear out the alternators and starter motors like crazy.

Yes, and it is stupid stuff that keeps giving me trouble.
I really liked the Mazda 3 I had, and it was completely paid for (long story, but I bought it out right.) However, I thought I could be mister mechanic and swap out my own spark plugs. I do it on my Chevy Nova all the time, but that isn't an aluminum block. Turns out you can really F up an aluminum block if you tighten down a spark plug too hard. Then something similar happened when the jack wagons at Jiffy Lube stripped my aluminum oil pan with the steel oil plug by using a pneumatic wrench. So I was losing compression and dripping oil in a car that wasn't worth $3k any more. So I traded it in for a Ford Focus hatch back. That has been biting me in the backside ever since.
I have had 2 recall repairs. The seam on my coolant reservoir split and shot hot coolant all over the upper motor mount, which failed and had to be replaced. The windshield fluid reservoir leaks, and the plastic cap cracked apart in my hand when I was trying to refill it. Now my radio is dead, and it would cost at least $400 to replace (new shroud, new harness, new aftermarket deck.)

you have had a bad run.

Ime the biggest impact on ride quality comes from sheer size and weight. A compact luxury car rides better than a compact box o doodoo but a big old box o doodoo rides pretty nice unless it's got worn out shocks.

Mazda3, Focus, I think you are after fuel economy primarily? Reliability close 2nd? Either way you should look at a Camry Hybrid coming off lease.

The standard Camry 2.5 has a dog of a transmission which Toyota are trying to hide under the rug. Don't get of those.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

That's smart buying. Newer ones have timIng chains but they wear out the alternators and starter motors like crazy.

you have had a bad run.

Ime the biggest impact on ride quality comes from sheer size and weight. A compact luxury car rides better than a compact box o doodoo but a big old box o doodoo rides pretty nice unless it's got worn out shocks.

Mazda3, Focus, I think you are after fuel economy primarily? Reliability close 2nd? Either way you should look at a Camry Hybrid coming off lease.

The standard Camry 2.5 has a dog of a transmission which Toyota are trying to hide under the rug. Don't get of those.

That the same tranny as in the Corolla? Is that why my rental sounded like handful of dimes (or appropriate exchange coin for NZ) in blender?

 

[Downunderwonder]

Toyota does a huge amount of leasing here. They refurbish the nicer ones and sell at dealers as ''Signature Class'' used car with a 3 year factory warranty.

 

[Downunderwonder]

That the same tranny as in the Corolla? Is that why my rental sounded like handful of dimes (or appropriate exchange coin for NZ) in blender?

I very much doubt it. The dime rattling would be little pieces of transmission broken off.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

I think expensive cars are worth it. But I was raised to pay cash so I don't believe in car payments.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Are they worth it depends on your definition of It. The premise of the OP is faulty.

 

[Mike N]

I drive junk.

51 years old and I've yet to pay more than $4000 for any of my vehicles. Most are in the $50 - $500 range with a handful of free cars/trucks tossed in for good measure. I'm a mechanic by trade so I can afford to fix up cars/trucks that others have given up on.

 

[Mike N]

A base Corolla and an Audi A5 do essentially the same thing. But they’re worlds apart in many significant ways.

The Corolla will last longer and cost far less to operate than the Audi will.

 

[Alkali Ike]

The Corolla will last longer and cost far less to operate than the Audi will.

I love sweeping, broad generalizations!

 

[Mike N]

I love sweeping, broad generalizations!

I like to paint with a wide brush.

 

[Alkali Ike]

I like to paint with a wide brush.

Nothing wrong with that. Your definition of “worth it” is different from mine.

Just shoot me now if my only driving option is a Corolla. It’s a very fine car but it’s not worth $2 to me. Or if given one for free, I would immediately sell or trade it for something I would like.

 

[Pilgrim]

Define "expensive car". Define "worth it."

I buy used. I currently drive a 2008 BMW 328xi Sportwagon that I bought used at 98K miles and cost me $15,500. I don't consider that unduly expensive. Parts may cost more than a Chevy, but it needs almost nothing in maintenance at 125K miles. Runs great, doesn't break, and most important, it is FUN to drive. I HATE boring cars. I hate low powered cars (if it won't do 0-60 in 6 seconds or less, I'm not interested.) I love cars that have power, handle great on twisty roads, and give me feedback when I drive.

Our family cars since 1987 have been mostly Audis or BMWs bought used with at least 40K miles on them, always at a cost of less than half the new price.

If you don't spend silly money on a new car, you can drive a very nice used car and you still have the money for maintenance and parts. No problem.

OK, here's my wisdom to all in this thread. It's what I learned from selling cars for two years while earning my master's degree.

Ready? Ultimate truth coming next.....

NOBODY DRIVES THE CAR THEY NEED. THEY DRIVE THE CAR THEY WANT.

What you WANT says a lot about you. Econobox? Mercedes? Rat Rod? Pickup? SUV? Minivan (yech). They all reflect your personal taste and choices. They are what you WANT, even if you drive a POS that says "I hate cars and reject all car culture."