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You definitely want to do your homework when considering the lux makes in regards to maintenance.
For example, some model/s in the MB line uses 2 spark plugs per cylinder.
There is no increased cost for maintenance for a luxury car. Oil and tires cost the same regardless of the vehicle they are used on.
Never owned a luxury car but I would think that the ones with low-profile tires (most of them) cost more than your average Camry's tires due to higher speed rating and likely width...and generally they would wear quicker so you'd be replacing them more often = more costs. And if you ever cracked a rim and needed a new one...$$$
DO NOT BUY A USED GERMAN LUXURY CAR. They lose value for a reason and you will regret it down the road (paying out of pocket for costly repairs!) Personally I would look at the Acura lineup (I love the new TL), Lexus or even Buick and Cadillac. Do some research on which cars are the most reliable and go out and test drive the ones you like, and it's best to buy 1-2 years old to save some $. Not necessarily "up there" but Toyota Avalons are pretty nice too, and so is the new Ford Taurus. Just stay away from used german cars.
We bought my wife's aunt's lightly used and well maintained Cadillac Catera. That's actually a re-badged high end Opel, designed in Germany.
Water leak. Cost $1100 because it was at the back of the intake manifold.
"Oil" light was so sensitive that when the engine got 1/4 quart low it would come one.
I decided to put shocks (struts, actually) on it. $1400! I changed my mind.
Radiator replaced. Several hundred; can't remember how much.
Leak developed in the gas tank. $1200.
In the end we sold it. I think it was 5 years old then, and had less than 100,000 miles on it. But, LORDY! it would fly! 80 MPH was nothing at all to that car.
Bought my wife a used Honda CRV. She loves it. New or used I probably won't be buying a luxury car in the future. Nice, yes. But luxury? Nah, we don't think so.
PS: My vehicle is a 90 GMC 4X4 pickup. 400,000 miles; original engine and transmission. Looks almost new. I say, if ya got one that works well, KEEP IT!
I just wouldn't want to spend $40k+ for someone else's headache.
Never really understood how a used car was automatically "someone else's headache." Out of the hundered plus cars I've owned in the last 35 years, only a couple were new, and when I sold them, they certainly weren't my headache at that point.
I'm with you. I loved my 740iL for the 5 years I had it, after buying it used with 143k miles on it.
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