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My last car was a 5 year old Acura with 33,000 miles on it. I bought it in 2003 for about $13,000 and it now has 296,000 miles. Yes, parts cost more when you need them, but I have not needed much in the way of repairs except a rebuilt trans at 180,000 miles. When I do get another car, I would definitely buy used luxury again but I wouldn't spend more than $25,000 and probably closer to $20,000. The only thing that puts me off is that they almost all require premium fuel now.
I'm seeing many warning the OP away from luxuries because of maintenance, but first of all we don't know his cash flow and second of all, we don't know what type of driver he is i.e. an enthusiast, or a point A-to-point B.
If the OP has 40-50K, why not an older mid-level luxury? Like not A8 or Sclass...but a 5 year old A6 or 5 class is doable. Maintenance should be a little less than the top top of the line luxuries.
These are all good questions. I am in my 50s now, still young enough to want to take road trips but old enough that I really value the most smooth comfortable and quiet ride I can afford. Also, no more 4 cyl. for me. I want a bit more power, at least a 6 cyl. and AWD because I want a car I am confident will handle itself well in poor weather conditions. Reliability is a big plus. I hate breakdowns!
I like the German cars but some posters here are scaring me away from those based on what seems to be a temperamental nature of those cars. Plus I just don't want to spend a huge amount on maintenance. I don't care all that much about presenting an image to anyone that I am driving luxury and don't care all that much about exterior styling, it's more about what is inside and what makes me feel like I am riding in comfort and insulates me from the outside noise and conditions.
If you're concerned with maintenance costs, then you'd want to avoid a BMW. These cars are not cheap to maintain and I speak from experience. On the other hand I do love my 5 series. I purchased it with 39k miles and I'm currently @ 102k and the thing drives magnificently. If I were you, I'd go for an Avalon or entry level Lexus.
I bought my uncles E series Mercedes Benz and it had 110,000 miles on it. It is a 2000 and now has 248,000 miles and still drives better than my 2010 Cadillac SRX.
Maintenance hasn't been bad but I do have to use high mileage synthetic oil at around $120 per oil change.
On the flip side, two new tires for the Cadillac were $550, much more expensive than what I put on the MB.
These are all good questions. I am in my 50s now, still young enough to want to take road trips but old enough that I really value the most smooth comfortable and quiet ride I can afford. Also, no more 4 cyl. for me. I want a bit more power, at least a 6 cyl. and AWD because I want a car I am confident will handle itself well in poor weather conditions. Reliability is a big plus. I hate breakdowns!
I like the German cars but some posters here are scaring me away from those based on what seems to be a temperamental nature of those cars. Plus I just don't want to spend a huge amount on maintenance. I don't care all that much about presenting an image to anyone that I am driving luxury and don't care all that much about exterior styling, it's more about what is inside and what makes me feel like I am riding in comfort and insulates me from the outside noise and conditions.
You just described the Lexus LS. I think that if you got an AWD it would serve you well. The .E350 4matic would also be a good bet, but the Lexus will cost less to own over the years.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
I have been thinking of trading in a 2010 E 350 for a 2012 BMW 535i series. Does BMW include regular maintenance in their CPOwned vehicles?
4 year / 50k miles free maintenance...that can be extended 2 years up to 100k miles for an extra cost.
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