Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

kyfdx

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

roadburner

The F30 gets the LCI

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

Yep....!

I have an old college friend who moved to NYC shortly after we graduated. He's moved sround a little, but for all intents and purposes, he lives IN THE CITY.

Personally, I'm not familiar with the different areas except where the tourists go.....Wall St., Broadway, Ellis Island, etc.

My friend comes to visit me every once in a geeat while. He's totally flabbergasted by how I live.....driving everwhere. He said his whole world fits in an 8 square block area.....groceries, restaurants, entertainment, bars, shopping, etc. It's all within walking distance. Anything he needs over and above that is done by cab.

He hasn't driven a car in 25 years, let alone owned one. He wouldn't know a Prius from a Pepsi.

laurasdada

billyperks4 said:

Laurasdada
Which 535 XI do you have - the M Sport, Sport or just the Base?

It's the wife's, base. She chose it over the E-Class because she found it to be "sportier."

laurasdada

kyfdx said:

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

My son, somewhat quoting Clarkson, is disappointed that I "settled" for a Jag as I couldn't afford an Aston Martin. Although, at 16 and soon to be licensed, he feels I should give the Jag to him.

Dream big, my son. Dream big.

robr2

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

Yep....!

I have an old college friend who moved to NYC shortly after we graduated. He's moved sround a little, but for all intents and purposes, he lives IN THE CITY.

Personally, I'm not familiar with the different areas except where the tourists go.....Wall St., Broadway, Ellis Island, etc.

My friend comes to visit me every once in a geeat while. He's totally flabbergasted by how I live.....driving everwhere. He said his whole world fits in an 8 square block area.....groceries, restaurants, entertainment, bars, shopping, etc. It's all within walking distance. Anything he needs over and above that is done by cab.

He hasn't driven a car in 25 years, let alone owned one. He wouldn't know a Prius from a Pepsi.

You find that in many major cities. People don't own a car because they don't have to. Everything you need, including transportation is right outside your door. In NYC, you might consider having one if one lived in Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island. The further away from Manhattan, the more likely someone may own a car.

Here in Boston, they are encouraging NOT owning a car. The newest residential projects are expected to have limited parking and easy access to T stations, ZipCar locations, and Hubway bike sharing stalls. The newest neighborhood under redevelopment is the Seaport district. What was once a desolate area of piers with a couple of restaurants is now a vibrant area with offices, pharmaceutical labs, restaurants, shopping, apartments, museums, and a convention center. Yes there is parking but it's not easy to find and it's not cheap.

I know that might seem crazy to you in Dayton but it's the model that crowded northeastern cities have to take.

dino001

roadburner said:

The F30 gets the LCI

It's not just that. It seems they are repackaging things. It still depends on the prices, but I actually like some of the moves - 340 (more hp, so they can bump up the number) gets premium package standard, which is how it should be - I just hope the price differential between 328 and 340 won't get prohibitive. They get Sport Line aesthetic features standard into 328 (SEATS!!!!), saddle brown now available across the board. There will also be track package, not really my thing, by I understand why some will go for it. I bet they'll still keep the sport suspension away from x-drive, unless you get the "adaptive" option.

I like the changes. I have no illusions on pricing, it will go up, but at least so will content. This is a typical mid-cycle refresh that adds value to a model. I'm sure 4-series GC will get it, too at some point, hopefully also in 2016, perhaps just a few months later. It will be between 440 GC and 328 wagon (I'm sure there is no 340 wagon coming). I bought my current as last year of the model, where some optional things were added to increase the appeal. Seems similar thing is happening again. The option schemes and packages was one of things I didn't care for in the new model. Now they gave me a reason to wait.

billyperks4

"It's the wife's, base. She chose it over the E-Class because she found it to be "sportier."

Ok- Initially my salesman gave me the base to test drive but I knew that wasn't for me- coming from a SH-AWD torque vectoring car.

andres3

roadburner said:

dino001 said:

Neither would I, but I'd like to see percentage of those sold into fleets vs. retail. Also, the fact that ATS is even less, if baffling. Must be a real dog at the moment - and the car isn't so bad. I think the right people haven't found them yet. Looks people likely to like ATS don't even bother to come and look at it.

Yes the ATS is a great car that is being ignored. It doesn't broadcast the proper image for the wearers and the enthusiasts unjustly write the car off- associating it with the AARP Specials the marque used to crank out.

I actually test drove the 2.0T ATS and the 3.6 ATS and both didn't have enough grunt to steer me clear of the S4. There were other things too, but that was one of the main problems. Obviously, I'm sure the ATS-V would solve that, and while the real world selling price might be competitive, last I checked the stickers were ridiculous (I last checked in 2013).

andres3

m6user said:

Millions buy a Honda or Toyota because it is all they can afford, they are not "settling". It's hard for some to understand that it seems.  Some even aspire to same.

I bet you many of those millions have a 800 dollar smart phone financed over a 2 year contract. Cable TV, and other luxuries they felt was more important than "affording" something more than a Honda or Toyota.

andres3

Can we add the new Volvo S60R T6 that has similar (but falls short) numbers to the S4 to the list. Was at about 45K dollar wise, but I didn't get to drive it as it was indoors.

markcincinnati

News: Audi B9 coming -- but not exactly soon . . .

2016 A4/S4 will be unchanged from the 2015 model, which was unchanged from the 2014 which was unchanged from the 2013.

The A4 as we know it now will enjoy a SHORT model year (sort of).

The B9 A4 sales training (US) is scheduled for November with 2017 model cars arriving at dealers approximately in February of 2016.

My buddy at the Audi Connection here in Cincinnati showed me the email "from corporate."

The discounts on the 2016's will be, one would imagine, compelling -- how else will they be able to sell 'em?

Having said the above, the A4, even "long in the tooth" is a great place to spend miles and miles in. The S4 even more so -- with a bunch of incentives (my guess is the price will include a bunch of 'packages' in the Premium+ versions -- standard Nav, standard B&O, etc -- so for your $45K you may drive off in a $52K S4, which would be a helluva deal.)

Or perhaps for your $39K, you'll drive off in an all singing, all dancing loaded A4.

There will be those among you, however, that just won't be able to take the leap knowing that in some very few months later, the new and improved model will be for sale, meanwhile you've still got 42 months to go on your lease or note.

Decisions, decisions.

Everyday I get behind the wheel of my S4 it's like watching The Exorcist for the 128th time -- it just keeps getting better every time.

graphicguy

I saw the BMW announcement yesterday with regards to the drivetrain bump in the "new" models. I always felt that the 6 cyl twin scroll turbo was uner rated to begin with. That said, I had the performance pack upgrade in mine, which according to BMW, upped the HP and torque ratings by about 20 each. So, not sure if they just applied those engine management changes to the current motor, or they did something more "physical" to massage the engine..

The thing that will haunt the 3/4 series is the continued interiors they design. You look at the ATS, the A4, the C300, and the BMW interior needs some serious rework. I liked mine (2011). But, it could have used a shot of style. Even with the new models, the interior could use more panache, especially considering what the competition is doing.

LD....my sister, who traded her 8 year old Jag in for a Mercedes was bemoaning not going back to Jaguar for her new car. She likes her Mercedes. She liked her old Jag more, though.

Funny thing is, Jag is doing much better since they've been out from under Ford's thumb. I'm not a "Jag" kind of guy (unless it's a vintage XKE Roadster), but I do understand their appeal.

.

dino001

Totally agree. I think their general interiors are not so bad, especially when you go for some of the optional items, such as wood finish with real leather, but their dashboard and instrument cluster feels 30 years old.

I have my own insider joke about BMW interior design. They spend 150 hours perfecting exhaust valve, 500 hours working on shifting 100 grams from front to back then two weeks before the deadline they realize they don't have a dashboard. No problem, Hans, just put the old one. It still works. This happened three times already.

spidpooy

How do you guys compare Infiniti Q40 and Subaru Legacy Limited 2.5 with eyesight ? They are both almost cost the same to me. I know that Subaru is not Luxury car but The Legacy comes with all new technologies that other Luxury brands cannot offer in this price range. But Q40 is almost 5 years old technology with crash prevention technology at all. The interior of both are Leather. Of course Q40 is 3.7 and more performance and fuel hungry....

billyperks4

When was Cable TV added to the luxury list?

nyccarguy

spidpooy said:

How do you guys compare Infiniti Q40 and Subaru Legacy Limited 2.5 with eyesight ? They are both almost cost the same to me. I know that Subaru is not Luxury car but The Legacy comes with all new technologies that other Luxury brands cannot offer in this price range. But Q40 is almost 5 years old technology with crash prevention technology at all. The interior of both are Leather. Of course Q40 is 3.7 and more performance and fuel hungry....

Having driven a Q40 in it's former G37 guise and owning a 2015 Legacy 2.5i Premium, I can tell you that these are 2 completely different vehicles. I can offer you a few pieces of advice. 1st, if you like the way the Legacy drives, then stay away from the Infiniti dealership. Just thinking about the 153 horsepower difference makes me want to head down to my local Infiniti dealer and see if I can trade in and break even on my Subaru (13K miles since 9/27/2015). Power from the Q40's 328hp V6 is plentiful while I'd describe my Legacy's power output adequate.

The Legacy will definitely be roomier inside. The interior is very well finished with high quality, soft touch materials everywhere. The legacy will ride smoother. I got my Legacy before the Eyesight was available. I originally wanted it the package is somewhat of a bargain at only $1200 or so, but I couldn't wait. I've also read that depending on your market, eyesight equipped cars are selling closer to sticker than non eyesight equipped cars. I really like the 18" wheels on the Legacy Limited. I have cloth seats, but have driven a Legacy with leather and it was very nice.

carnaught

Not sure what the "Eyesight" option is on the Legacy. Is it some pre-crash alert system?

spidpooy

carnaught said:

Not sure what the "Eyesight" option is on the Legacy. Is it some pre-crash alert system?

Eyesight package include:
Pre-crash warnign
Pre-crash break
Adaptive Cruise control
Blind spot detection with radar
Line Departure Warning

spidpooy

nyccarguy said:

Having driven a Q40 in it's former G37 guise and owning a 2015 Legacy 2.5i Premium, I can tell you that these are 2 completely different vehicles. I can offer you a few pieces of advice. 1st, if you like the way the Legacy drives, then stay away from the Infiniti dealership. Just thinking about the 153 horsepower difference makes me want to head down to my local Infiniti dealer and see if I can trade in and break even on my Subaru (13K miles since 9/27/2015). Power from the Q40's 328hp V6 is plentiful while I'd describe my Legacy's power output adequate.

The Legacy will definitely be roomier inside. The interior is very well finished with high quality, soft touch materials everywhere. The legacy will ride smoother. I got my Legacy before the Eyesight was available. I originally wanted it the package is somewhat of a bargain at only $1200 or so, but I couldn't wait. I've also read that depending on your market, eyesight equipped cars are selling closer to sticker than non eyesight equipped cars. I really like the 18" wheels on the Legacy Limited. I have cloth seats, but have driven a Legacy with leather and it was very nice.

Thanks a lot. You mentioned extra horsepower is a plus for Q40/G37... To me that is a secondary since I should have to pay more for gas on Q40. Its MPG is low. Is there any other plus in Q40 compared with Legacy that you can imagine ?

roadburner

spidpooy said:

Eyesight package include:
Pre-crash warnign
Pre-crash break
Adaptive Cruise control
Blind spot detection with radar
Line Departure Warning

Wow; if I was a totally moronic and incompetent driver the "Eyesight Package" would be a must-have!
Upon reflection, perhaps it should be called the Helen Keller package...

Mr_Shiftright

Remember the old 1980s joke about how Volvos were built for people who hated cars? Well maybe all these Eyesight gadgets are for people who hate driving? (and sometimes when on the road, I wouldn't blame them btw).

roadburner

The eyesight gadget fans not only hate driving, they also seem to take pride in the fact that their driving skills are abysmal; "Why adjust my mirrors properly? Why practice situational awareness? Heck, why should I look past the end of my hood? Let the car do all that."

carnaught

The Subie's Eyesight seems like a great safety feature.

Talking "minuses', the Q40's 8 yr. run (essentially from the original 2007 G35), it's engine intrusiveness and it's poor gas mileage using premium are it.

laurasdada

graphicguy said:

I saw the BMW announcement yesterday with regards to the drivetrain bump in the "new" models. I always felt that the 6 cyl twin scroll turbo was uner rated to begin with. That said, I had the performance pack upgrade in mine, which according to BMW, upped the HP and torque ratings by about 20 each. So, not sure if they just applied those engine management changes to the current motor, or they did something more "physical" to massage the engine..

The thing that will haunt the 3/4 series is the continued interiors they design. You look at the ATS, the A4, the C300, and the BMW interior needs some serious rework. I liked mine (2011). But, it could have used a shot of style. Even with the new models, the interior could use more panache, especially considering what the competition is doing.

LD....my sister, who traded her 8 year old Jag in for a Mercedes was bemoaning not going back to Jaguar for her new car. She likes her Mercedes. She liked her old Jag more, though.

Funny thing is, Jag is doing much better since they've been out from under Ford's thumb. I'm not a "Jag" kind of guy (unless it's a vintage XKE Roadster), but I do understand their appeal.

.

GG, the red XKE roadster of my father's friend is what led me to the lair of the Jaguar! For your next chronic car buying experience, you should check 'em out, not your father's Jag. Man, the XE is getting some great press so far.

And, let your sister know, if she really misses Jag, they'll build another one for her.

markcincinnati

kyfdx said:

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

The above is the spirit and some of the actual words I wrote. Most of us have to make choices -- a new fill-in-the blank appliance, car, house, sofa, TV and so on. More important than "things" are the other choices we make -- perhaps it is children, college funds (for your kids or for your MBA or JD or whatever). The thing is very few of us can "have it all." And, even some who literally could have it all, don't want it all. My best friend worked hard at a manufacturing company and eventually became the president of the company -- he never, in his entire life, has owned a new car. He searches -- it seems like all the time, to me -- for the "cherry" car. He finds the mythical little old lady or little old man who has a 2005 Cadillac with 15,000 original miles on it and that's what he goes for. He is as passionate about cars -- subscribes to ALL of the magazines -- as I am. This guy knows chapter and verse specs about new cars, yet is always driving a car over 5 years old.

His "settling" on these rare cream puff cars allows him to spend lots of time on the west coast of Florida on a houseboat, sailing, fishing and sitting in the sun drinking a cold beer.

Whenever I get a new car, I take it to him and we go out for a long test drive -- with him behind the wheel. I can tell he loves the car and probably he hopes that when I get rid of it, he can be the next owner.

My wife and I work (long hours, typically), enjoy fine dining, wine, European travel and ELLPS cars. We probably could afford (that is the deal could be done) for an Audi RS7 ($120,000 MSRP). We'd have to settle on other things were we to go for the RS.

Instead we decided to set our sites on far less expensive cars (mine was $57K, hers $65K), we bought hers and leased mine. The burden for both is $1,400 per month, all in.

Our next door neighbor has a new 750 BMW -- and a Camry -- the Bimmer costs as much as both of our cars combined. The guy across the street has a Hyundai and a Yukon but also owns 1/5th of an airplane. We're all settling in our own ways. Cars are, for me, slowly, very slowly, beginning to be less important to me at 63 than they were when I was 50. My wife, oddly, seems to be picking up the slack -- wanting the highest HP she can get (within reason, of course).

Priorities, compromises -- settling.

andres3

The best collision avoidance system (or Eyesight) is a good attentive driver.

carnaught

andres3 said:

The best collision avoidance system (or Eyesight) is a good attentive driver.

On paper, agreed. Problem is we all get tired or a level of distraction. Some help countering this could be helpful.

flightnurse

andres3 said:

The best collision avoidance system (or Eyesight) is a good attentive driver.

You say that now, but when you are running late and need to check messages, oh, yeah people on this forum don't do that...

flightnurse

In regards to the standard sport package on the 328's, there is talk that the sport seats might now be standard. Of course some people over on BF are splitting hairs on what the press release says. Not everybody wants those sport seats, so to force people to have them, would drive people away from BMW... One thing I'm waiting to see is how much is this new Premium package going to be, since it now comes with LED lights. LED lights on other BMW's is a $1900 option, and currently the price on a 328i is $3100. So $5K is very steep, and some people could careless about the LED's for $1900,,, I would have liked to see Xemon being standard on all BMW's, even the El Cheapo 320i. But until the ordering guide is released (hopefully next week) we wont know for sure of prices.

flightnurse

graphicguy said:

I saw the BMW announcement yesterday with regards to the drivetrain bump in the "new" models. I always felt that the 6 cyl twin scroll turbo was uner rated to begin with. That said, I had the performance pack upgrade in mine, which according to BMW, upped the HP and torque ratings by about 20 each. So, not sure if they just applied those engine management changes to the current motor, or they did something more "physical" to massage the engine..

The 340i gets the new "B" series engine, so hopefully there will be a MPPK for this engine and Exhaust which would give the car roughly 370hp.

Regarding living in large cities, I have cousins who live in the Upper East Side (of Manhattan) they have a 2001 BMW 330i, that has 54K miles on it. Like you said GG, their world is about 8 blks from their apt, and the subway line in half a blk away, no need to really drive. They had their car from when they lived on Long Island, they have been in Manhattan now 8 yrs, and have put on about 12K miles on those 8 years.

In regards to Jag, I hope the XE is a success for them, this will only make the competitors even better.

dino001

My understanding of the release is that everything but suspension from Sport Line will be standard on 328 - and I love it. I also have a concern about premium package pricing (and 340 as well, since premium pack features will be standard there). LED prices went down, but I'm sure BMW would like to keep the margins, if only let by the market. Seems like they're going away from HID lights altogether, for obvious reasons - green commies from Europe and America hate those, as they'd rather you poison yourself with mercury from CFL than use couple of kWh more; CFL doesn't work for headlights, so LEDs are next "best" thing).

I cannot imagine why wouldn't people want those great sport seats. I'm large frame and still find those standard seats simply abhorrent.

dino001

flightnurse said:

graphicguy said:

I saw the BMW announcement yesterday with regards to the drivetrain bump in the "new" models. I always felt that the 6 cyl twin scroll turbo was uner rated to begin with. That said, I had the performance pack upgrade in mine, which according to BMW, upped the HP and torque ratings by about 20 each. So, not sure if they just applied those engine management changes to the current motor, or they did something more "physical" to massage the engine..

Regarding living in large cities, I have cousins who live in the Upper East Side (of Manhattan) they have a 2001 BMW 330i, that has 54K miles on it. Like you said GG, their world is about 8 blks from their apt, and the subway line in half a blk away, no need to really drive. They had their car from when they lived on Long Island, they have been in Manhattan now 8 yrs, and have put on about 12K miles on those 8 years

I wonder how their muffler looks like. If they drove 8 blocks to work in the middle of winter, there is probably only rusty shell left - you touch it, it's gone into dust.

nyccarguy

spidpooy said:

nyccarguy said:

Having driven a Q40 in it's former G37 guise and owning a 2015 Legacy 2.5i Premium, I can tell you that these are 2 completely different vehicles. I can offer you a few pieces of advice. 1st, if you like the way the Legacy drives, then stay away from the Infiniti dealership. Just thinking about the 153 horsepower difference makes me want to head down to my local Infiniti dealer and see if I can trade in and break even on my Subaru (13K miles since 9/27/2015). Power from the Q40's 328hp V6 is plentiful while I'd describe my Legacy's power output adequate.

The Legacy will definitely be roomier inside. The interior is very well finished with high quality, soft touch materials everywhere. The legacy will ride smoother. I got my Legacy before the Eyesight was available. I originally wanted it the package is somewhat of a bargain at only $1200 or so, but I couldn't wait. I've also read that depending on your market, eyesight equipped cars are selling closer to sticker than non eyesight equipped cars. I really like the 18" wheels on the Legacy Limited. I have cloth seats, but have driven a Legacy with leather and it was very nice.

Thanks a lot. You mentioned extra horsepower is a plus for Q40/G37... To me that is a secondary since I should have to pay more for gas on Q40. Its MPG is low. Is there any other plus in Q40 compared with Legacy that you can imagine ?

Basically power, performance, & handling are the Q40's major advantages. It's all what you put stock in. I happen to like all that stuff, but didn't exactly have the budget when the lease was up on my 2011 BMW 328xi. I also do a lot more driving than average (over 20K per year), so leasing gets pricey.

andres3

flightnurse said:

graphicguy said:

I saw the BMW announcement yesterday with regards to the drivetrain bump in the "new" models. I always felt that the 6 cyl twin scroll turbo was uner rated to begin with. That said, I had the performance pack upgrade in mine, which according to BMW, upped the HP and torque ratings by about 20 each. So, not sure if they just applied those engine management changes to the current motor, or they did something more "physical" to massage the engine..

The 340i gets the new "B" series engine, so hopefully there will be a MPPK for this engine and Exhaust which would give the car roughly 370hp.

Regarding living in large cities, I have cousins who live in the Upper East Side (of Manhattan) they have a 2001 BMW 330i, that has 54K miles on it. Like you said GG, their world is about 8 blks from their apt, and the subway line in half a blk away, no need to really drive. They had their car from when they lived on Long Island, they have been in Manhattan now 8 yrs, and have put on about 12K miles on those 8 years.

In regards to Jag, I hope the XE is a success for them, this will only make the competitors even better.

Don't people in NY ever go on road trips???? Rent a car I suppose?

robr2

Not everyone goes on road trips.

flightnurse

dino001 said:

I wonder how their muffler looks like. If they drove 8 blocks to work in the middle of winter, there is probably only rusty shell left - you touch it, it's gone into dust.

never said they drove it 8 blks

flightnurse

andres3 said:

Don't people in NY ever go on road trips???? Rent a car I suppose?

You never watched Seinfeld.

Mr_Shiftright

The cost of a parking space in Manhattan per square foot is about the same as the cost of an apartment per sq. ft. It's not uncommon for parking spaces attached to condos or co-ops, to sell for $225,000, because only 1% of this type of building has parking. Some people buy parking spaces as real estate investments in Manhattan.

stickguy

common in the city is renting a car for the weekend when they need to go out of town. Much cheaper than owning and storing one.

andys120

I lived in Manhattan for 8 years (Upper East Side) and parked a car on the street the entire time, doing the Alternate Side Tango the whole time. In retrospect it seems like insanity but then I am CRAZY about cars and I did get good use out of it. Like most Manhattanites I went out of town most summer weekends.

I think it was harder on the cars than on me. NYC with it's horrid roads and [non-permissible content removed] drivers is a very unforgiving place. My nephew lives on the Lower East Side and got rid of his car. H/e uses Zip Car or borrows from family and friends when he needs to go out of town, likewise my niece who lives on the Upper East Side.

andres3

stickguy said:

common in the city is renting a car for the weekend when they need to go out of town. Much cheaper than owning and storing one.

I suppose it's cheaper to rent if you are only doing it a few weekends a year. You'd have to buy all the extra overpriced insurances, since you have none since you don't have a vehicle.

I recall a Seinfeld episode where they drove out of town to get to a State with 10 cents per can/bottle recycling pay, and another episode arguing over a parking spot.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

The cost of a parking space in Manhattan per square foot is about the same as the cost of an apartment per sq. ft. It's not uncommon for parking spaces attached to condos or co-ops, to sell for $225,000, because only 1% of this type of building has parking. Some people buy parking spaces as real estate investments in Manhattan.

Anyone in Manhattan living out of their van and parking space? Do they ban camper/trailers?

robr2

ZipCar has made a car

andres3 said:

stickguy said:

common in the city is renting a car for the weekend when they need to go out of town. Much cheaper than owning and storing one.

I suppose it's cheaper to rent if you are only doing it a few weekends a year. You'd have to buy all the extra overpriced insurances, since you have none since you don't have a vehicle.

I recall a Seinfeld episode where they drove out of town to get to a State with 10 cents per can/bottle recycling pay, and another episode arguing over a parking spot.

If one rents a couple of weekends a year, it's not that expensive. Or one joins ZipCar. It's $35 a year for a membership and about $30 a night on top of the regular rate to keep a car overnight. That includes insurance.

robr2

andres3 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

The cost of a parking space in Manhattan per square foot is about the same as the cost of an apartment per sq. ft. It's not uncommon for parking spaces attached to condos or co-ops, to sell for $225,000, because only 1% of this type of building has parking. Some people buy parking spaces as real estate investments in Manhattan.

Anyone in Manhattan living out of their van and parking space? Do they ban camper/trailers?

RV living in NYC isn't that uncommon and it's not illegal. As long as the vehicle is registered and not illegally parked, it's allowed.

ctl

Reading about your friend is somewhat of a relief. Our annual family income is 400+K, family net asset 10 times that, but all we drive are two old Camry's... I sometimes wonder if I am normal (wife doesn't care about car), in that even though I don't care much what I drive (this Camry is all I need), have been interested in cars since young (now 48 yr old).

markcincinnati said:

kyfdx said:

Plenty of people "settle" for Accords and Camrys, because they don't see the value in the luxury makes, not because they can't afford it.. It's just not important to them.

The above is the spirit and some of the actual words I wrote. Most of us have to make choices -- a new fill-in-the blank appliance, car, house, sofa, TV and so on. More important than "things" are the other choices we make -- perhaps it is children, college funds (for your kids or for your MBA or JD or whatever). The thing is very few of us can "have it all." And, even some who literally could have it all, don't want it all. My best friend worked hard at a manufacturing company and eventually became the president of the company -- he never, in his entire life, has owned a new car. He searches -- it seems like all the time, to me -- for the "cherry" car. He finds the mythical little old lady or little old man who has a 2005 Cadillac with 15,000 original miles on it and that's what he goes for. He is as passionate about cars -- subscribes to ALL of the magazines -- as I am. This guy knows chapter and verse specs about new cars, yet is always driving a car over 5 years old.

His "settling" on these rare cream puff cars allows him to spend lots of time on the west coast of Florida on a houseboat, sailing, fishing and sitting in the sun drinking a cold beer.

Whenever I get a new car, I take it to him and we go out for a long test drive -- with him behind the wheel. I can tell he loves the car and probably he hopes that when I get rid of it, he can be the next owner.

My wife and I work (long hours, typically), enjoy fine dining, wine, European travel and ELLPS cars. We probably could afford (that is the deal could be done) for an Audi RS7 ($120,000 MSRP). We'd have to settle on other things were we to go for the RS.

Instead we decided to set our sites on far less expensive cars (mine was $57K, hers $65K), we bought hers and leased mine. The burden for both is $1,400 per month, all in.

Our next door neighbor has a new 750 BMW -- and a Camry -- the Bimmer costs as much as both of our cars combined. The guy across the street has a Hyundai and a Yukon but also owns 1/5th of an airplane. We're all settling in our own ways. Cars are, for me, slowly, very slowly, beginning to be less important to me at 63 than they were when I was 50. My wife, oddly, seems to be picking up the slack -- wanting the highest HP she can get (within reason, of course).

Priorities, compromises -- settling.

tlong

ctl said:

Reading about your friend is somewhat of a relief. Our annual family income is 400+K, family net asset 10 times that, but all we drive are two old Camry's... I sometimes wonder if I am normal (wife doesn't care about car), in that even though I don't care much what I drive (this Camry is all I need), have been interested in cars since young (now 48 yr old).

Well, in the book "The Millionaire Next Door", the basic idea is that an awful lot of people who look rich are not - they are just highly leveraged. Conversely a lot of people who look of very modest means are quite wealthy. They're wealthy partly because they save and invest their money rather than spending it all over the place on high profile items.

andres3

Instead of jetskis, boats, yachts, snow skis, snowboards, skate boards, snowmobiles, ATV's/buggies, and other toys, I choose to divert my toy fund towards my vehicle. Heck, my last video game console is the GameCube.

billyperks4

Here we talk about ELLPS and not old Camrys or individual net worth.

laurasdada

Good, as I have neither...