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10-15yrs ago, $30k would have gotten you a lot of car.
However, now a days, car prices has gone up and you are probably looking at at least high $30k for a luxury car.
If I remember correctly, a new 2000 TL base was stickered about $29k. Now a 2014 TL is about $36k.
If OP is looking at $25k for a luxury car, best bet is in the CPO cars.
My neighbors saab still runs great and what amazes me is that the interior looks brand new. Nothing has faded, cracked, peeled inside the car. The dash is still shiny, the leather looks brand new except for driver seat.... Even the exterior paint looks great. And it's a 99 saab 9-3. Will a 2013 luxury car hold up like this 15 years? Doubt it.
My 16 year old Acura NSX has fantastic paint and looks great throughout. Your neighbor probably just happens to take very good care of his Saab. As a brand in general they don't hold up so well.
A good friend of mine has three Saabs. He really likes Saab. But he admits they are frequently broken. They have "glitches" according to him.
For the OP - your budget doesn't match what you want. Take the price of your Saab when it was new, apply inflation to it and the number would be more then $25K.
There are a number of fine cars that could be found in the $30K range. Three I'd look at:
I, too, am amazed at the OP's Saab lasting that long. My cousin had a convertible and it was a mess. I also agree that for $25K, used is the only option. I have been pricing replacements for wife's 03 Accord EX V6 and it is way north of $30K. Not sure I will buy another Accord V6, Consumers Reports has blacklisted the '13 in the latest issue. Hers is the worst Honda we have had.
I, too, am amazed at the OP's Saab lasting that long. My cousin had a convertible and it was a mess. I also agree that for $25K, used is the only option. I have been pricing replacements for wife's 03 Accord EX V6 and it is way north of $30K. Not sure I will buy another Accord V6, Consumers Reports has blacklisted the '13 in the latest issue. Hers is the worst Honda we have had.
If you ACTUALLY READ Consumer Reports in detail, the current Accord V6 has a solid black circle under Audio System. Otherwise it has the usual Honda reliability scores.
Not sure what's wrong with the Audio. But Honda will not let that persist. The V6 Accord is a rocket ship of a family sedan. And gets good MPG. Better MPG and power than Ford's "best" Ecoboost in the Fusion.
I drove the Legacy and did not like the power. Underpowered.
Ford and Chevy, I question the reliability of those cars.
If your experience with the Saab was anything like mine and most Saab owners I know, you will be thrilled with the reliability of Ford and Chevy, especially Ford. Maybe a BMW 1 Series would work for you? I don't know about their stereo system, but I would think a Subaru Legacy Limited would work well for you. They hold their value very well and people love them. Also, the limited trim checks all your boxes and comes with a Harman Kardon stereo.
If your SAAB lasted 15 years, than it did a hell of a lot better than my wife's SAAB. That thing was a turd.
Anyhow, best luck hunting down a new replacement Luxury vehicle for 25K. Its hard to find a domestic in that range. You could always pick up a Mercedes hood ornament around $50 and install it on a stripped down Ford Focus.
LOL, to be fair, OP didn't say how much money he put into maintaining the Saab for 15 years nor did he use Saab and "reliable" in the same sentence.
My neighbors saab still runs great and what amazes me is that the interior looks brand new. Nothing has faded, cracked, peeled inside the car. The dash is still shiny, the leather looks brand new except for driver seat.... Even the exterior paint looks great. And it's a 99 saab 9-3. Will a 2013 luxury car hold up like this 15 years? Doubt it.
Sample size of one demonstrates nothing more than existence. Try again. (And take statistics 101).
Getting rid of my Saab 9-5 after 15 years. Looking at cars WITH A REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY priced $25,000 and under. Cannot find any NEW car in the 25k and under price range that has the following features my Saab has. Any recommendations?
My Saab 9-5 has:
Power everything
Heated seats
Leather everything
12-speaker 200 watt Harmon Kardon sound system that still sounds AMAZING after 15 years
Great handling
Walnut interior trim
Excellent interior lighting
Fog lights
The reason I am buying new is because I plan to keep new car for 15 years just like my Saab.
Hmmm, good luck, a loaded Honda Accord MSRPs for over 32,000.
Look at Mazda, just because of the great handling aspect.
You might want to think about a used car coming off lease... your price range limits your options considering your requirements.
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