Best vehicle for $40,000
I want to consider new and USED vehicles, in this analaysis (gasp!).
What would you buy if you had 40k burning a hole in your pocket? Your needs are: sporty, yet comfortable on the highway; 4 seats minimum; over 28 mpg. (yes, we also want reasonable reliability)
Our discussions always focus on new cars, but shouldn't our discussions START with price (and thus include used cars, as well)?
What would you buy if you had 40k burning a hole in your pocket? Your needs are: sporty, yet comfortable on the highway; 4 seats minimum; over 28 mpg. (yes, we also want reasonable reliability)
Our discussions always focus on new cars, but shouldn't our discussions START with price (and thus include used cars, as well)?
Tagged:
0
Comments
Do I really have to drive an econobox to get >28 mpg? I want to drive something NICE!!!
2002 BMW M3
2004 Audi S4
2006 Subaru STi (and treat yourself to a '97 Miata with the change!)
2006 Volvo V70R (don't forget the 3rd row jumpseat option!)
2006 Pontiac GTO (see the STi note above)
do you think a 2003 530 is a better value than, for example, a 2006 CTS or Acura TL?
We so often get sucked in by the new cars, that we forget that just a year or two ago we were raving about a car that is no longer on our radar screen.
Find an off-lease low-mileage CPO'ed car and just take it for a drive. It will answer your CTS/TL question. To me, still the finest interpretation of what a BMW sedan should be... well, the new 3 and 5-Series are really nice
And this really isn't about ME. It's as much about what you folks think of cars that might be close to meeting this set of parameters. I might not have thought of a3-year old 5-series if one of you had not pointed it out, for example.
I'm not sure there is that much worth driving that gets this high MPG. I likely have to lower my MPG figure to 25 mixed. That will give me way more cars to choose from.
but I'd really like a high MPG vehicle
I just don't want to give up all the performance (and comfort)
I guess what I am wanting is an entry-level luxury performance sedan (or coupe or oncvertible) that gets really good MPG.
the only car that meets that need may be the RX400H, which is more than 10 grand too much.
(then again, I'd be buying it for the long term, planning to plug it in within 5 years, and then getting some great miles/$$)
so....a used 525?
I'm too mature for a 3 series.
the Accord hybrid piqued my interest, but I've heard mixed reviews (from owners, not simply from naysayers)
It fits the entry-level luxury description, but it is a far cry from fitting the performance or sedan category.
Really just an overpriced Toyota Highlander, isn't it?
.....realizing this is a Honda Accord thread.....(so ultimately you just might expect something like this....):
...for 40 large, the well-engineered, extremely fuel efficient (see my two-week AcDuTra to Luke AFB transit: Gila Bend to Yuma, AZ segment) AV6 6MT remains at the top of my list.
..The BMW unquestionably remains a fine automobile. Personally, the reliability/longivity aspect carries such importance that I must forego the pleasure.........
....and the 15 large surplus? Spend it any way you want. Call it an incremental reward.
all the best, ez......
:P
2006 Luxo sedan? Mercedes-Benz C280
Anything else is an also-ran wannabe.
Am not sure why the HAH (hybrid) hasn't been successful as the Prius or Civic. I always thought there'd be a market for hybrids outside of the traditional green market, but that doesn't seem to be the case. At least not yet.
I found your Gila post - 39 mpg - nice. That's got to be the hybrid.
I odn't know if the Accord Hybrid will be "sprty" and "luxurious" enough for me. I need to go drive one.
Will it drive nicer than an RX400H?
Of course, I could add a lot of bling to a V6 HAH with the money I'd save by nt buying an RX400H. (25 grand?)
I have a "normal" (which is to say - IMHO now - far above normal) Honda Accord V-6 EX Six-speed manual shift coupe........
I found your Gila post - 39 mpg - nice. That's got to be the hybrid.
Honest man (I double checked the calcs....); this "normal" V-6 actually performed as posted.......
I tried again: Castaic to Stockton calc'd out at 37.99.
..upon my word of honor as an officer and gentleman.......
holidays best, ez..........
This will include all TTL and leave you with 3-5K in "change".
As for MPG, I got 32 on straight interstate driving back home (though only about 18 city -- cold and mostly 3-5 mile short trips since).
If you do go for a TL, with the large chunk of change you keep in your pocket you can buy me and Elvis a present!
Thank ya. Thank ya very much.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The car is so good You will not care that it doesn't get 28 mpg...JUST DRIVE ONE...THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT.
..best suited for the left foot motor skill challenged (or those whose appreciation for the mechanical nirvana of a well-engineered clutch/transmission system has waned.....)
..but I agree with you....
..ez...
It's a good recommendation, and I really appreciate folks considering used cars
but if I am willing to drop the MPG down to 25, there are a whole lot more options than if I want 28
which is why I limited the discussion to 28 - I'd really like to see if there is a high-mpg car that fits the bill
and maybe a bag of money will fall from heaven.....
The GS450H would be perfect.....if MSRP was 20K less
luxury, sporty, high MPG
over 300 HP and (likely) well over 25 mpg
I wonder if it will have an AUX input for the iPod
I'd also be looking at the Volvo R cars, but you won't achieve your mileage number.
Maybe not sporty enough for your tastes, but you could try to track down a used '05 Benz E-class diesel for near your pricepoint (edmunds says $41k private party with some options, but their pricing is usually on the high side anyway). And, heck, at 27/37 mpg, it might be worth it to you to up your budget $1k.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
:-)
BMW owner.
Are Cali folks just uninformed?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I want to consider new and USED vehicles, in this analaysis (gasp!).
What would you buy if you had 40k burning a hole in your pocket? Your needs are: sporty, yet comfortable on the highway; 4 seats minimum; over 28 mpg. (yes, we also want reasonable reliability)
Almost as bad as my son, souping up his Lotus Elite on his video game, and the game allowing him to put 200K into the car by twin turbo charging it.
Sick.
abfisch
When he starts doing it on his real car, give us a holler.
As to your basic point, yes a Cadillac has 10K of stuff that a Buick does not have. If you don't want that stuff, you can buy the Buick. But don't pretend that the Buick is the same car as the Caddy. It isn't.
I wish more people would mention used car choices here. I find it odd that a car that people loved at 50K two years ago, is not loved at 40K, used, today.
LOL, Only if you are older than 70 (seventy) do Buicks make sense. They are the old folgy car of the old folgies.
Cheers,
MidCow
Even if your statement were half correct, it is not as terrible of a strategy for a car company as one might think. While the over 70 cohort may not buy a lot of cars, our somewhat screwed up entitlement system guarentees that they will have significant disposable income, and compared to other age cohorts, over 70 is going to be the fastest growing group for probably the next 30 years.
/direct/view/.efe7a8c
Just bought an 06 TL. Had considered the G35, 325, EX V6, C280, and Azera. TL has a lot going for it.
I like the car (I have the second generation TL) but Acura nneds to address quality controls.
The 'harmonic vibration' is nothing - this happens in every car too. The seats are fine with me and the dash can be treated with protectant. I'm obviously 'taking my chances' with this car since I bought one, but read about the BS on these other cars in this comparo and ask why you'd buy any car.
No Kia ever - even considering the $ saved. You only live once.
If you call those complaints minor in regards to the price you paid for the car, I would strongly suggest that you re value the way you spend your money.
If you think Harmonic vibrations are normal and as you suggested, happens on every car, you got to be out of your mine.Personally, I think you sound like someone who works for Acura of North America with comments like those.
I have owned several cars and never experinced any Harmonic VIBRATIONS, so go get your car checked out before it causes you serious damages.
Another thing- you kind of remind me of me,I was just as stubborn as you are when I purchased my TL.A lot of posters were complaining about the Transmission failure and I actually ignored them and laughed in their face (so to speak).At 30,000 miles the transmission on my TLS went and I had to grin and bear it.
That's why the manufacturers love selling these higher-end luxury cars -- it really does not cost them much at all to add the goodies compared to what they charge for them. Heck, some of them are just software upgrades! It really does not cost that much more for materials and manufacturing costs between an economy car and a luxury car, which is why they push the high end cars and SUVs so much.
Lastly, you can't possible be sane to tell yourself that "ok, the car cost 333-35k, it has cheap leather seats that wears out in no time, the dashboard fades and there is a harmonic vibration coming from the engine but that's okay I can live with that its only 30+k I am spending.
I am not bashing Honda, for goodness sake I drive an Acura, my wife drives a 04 Accord but the facts are the facts.Even on my wifes Accord there are several quality control issues.
I test drove a GS 300 AWD and throughly inspected it, the car was absolutely flawless.Am I saying Lexus is perfect-NO.
I know all cars have there anomalies but personally, I would not purchase the current TL unless these issues are resolved along with drivetrain and some cosmectic upgrades.
Maybe you should move over to the Best new or used vehicle for $30,000 discussion.