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Given that the "economy" segment cars are now piling up the luxuries (the new Honda Civic even has heated rear seats that many Lexuses and Mercedes don't have) would you still want to pay $15-20k more just for a badge and marginally better refinement? Many of the entry level luxury cars are pushing $40-50k and don't even offer a potent powertrain but rather chintzy interiors and lackluster engines.
So would you choose one of the pseudo economy luxury cars like the new Mazda 3, Honda Civic Touring etc. or pay a few grand more and get the "poverty pack" luxury cars?
So would you choose one of the pseudo economy luxury cars like the new Mazda 3, Honda Civic Touring etc. or pay a few grand more and get the "poverty pack" luxury cars?
Neither.
Many luxury cars depreciate like crazy, so I'd go up a notch or more and buy one pre-owned.
I've bought a number of these cars, many different brands and enjoyed them.
OTOH, I also liked the VW Phaeton And KIA K900, so it doesn't necessarily have to have a "badge".
They also depreciate like crazy. So does the Lincoln MKZ, which looks great with the new grille. I didn't like those "wings".
Luxury cars have some features that make a big difference like better quality seats, real leather, and better sound insulation. I had a Volvo that I could drive all day. Now I have a C-Max and my lower back hurts after an hour
Absolutely! In fact, I am a very recent club member. After driving Dodge pickups for a decade and a half, the time had come to treat myself. And the treat came in the form of a 2016 Lexus ES 350. Of course the badge is important. That's why you pay $89 for a Tommy Hilfiger shirt and $25 for the same shirt without the logo, both made in Bangladesh. Back to the Lexus, I couldn't be more pleased. There is no way a Civic or a Camry would offer anywhere close to the level of luxury and refinement. The thing floats in clouds. You won't know it until you drive both, and I have. The first day I drove the Lexus to the gym, I heard couple of friends ask whose Lexus is that? Nobody would ask whose Optima is that.
Years ago got a nice Ford Taurus as a 3 year old car. Like new. Low miles. Looked and drove like new.
Had a chance to take a long ride with neighbor who had just purchased a nice Mercedes 500 sedan. Around $85,000.
Both cars had comfortable leather seats.
Neighbor told me I will loose too much on depreciation for buying an American car. That buying a car like his he will maintain a high resale/trade in return.
In like new condition with 43,000 miles on odometer (wife's car) he got $15,000 as a trade in for that car. The car was 7 years old when sold/traded.
I eventually sold my nice Ford Taurus after 3 more years of use. I lost $3,000 in depreciation.
So the Mercedes depreciation was $70,000 and mine was $3,000.
I own a Toyota Avalon which many describe as a poor man's Lexus.
One of the most comfortable cars I have driven. Toyota Avalon.
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