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You've mentioned "luxury" but then went Accord and Camry, so I'm confused a bit on the specs.
I agree that Altima that you already know would be the most practical purchase. But otherwise great suggestions on Camry XLE V6 there. We've been through car selection process few times but always ended up with V6, first XLE and eventually Lexus ES. Extremely happy. And we're not "brand blind" and tried many other cars but really none struck us as a better choice in the same price range. Honda is close second but it felt a bit stiff for us.
This really depends on what you actually need. Keep in mind sedans are usually cheaper than SUVs, so make sure you actually need that extra.
Good luck! Honestly I'd just keep Altima because I absolutely hate car shopping.
Subaru Forester or Outback. I bought a 2005 Forester in 2013 and it is a great car. Now has 170,000 miles with absolutely no issues.
I would look for a used, but low mileage Lexus. I know that Subaru has a very vocal group of customers, but no Subaru can compare to the Toyota (Lexus) ride quality. I owned a 2009 Forester, and was not impressed with it. Ended up trading it for a 2010 Toyota RAV V6 and handed the key to my wife. The Forester's seats were killing her back, and she hated it.
Curious if anyone here has actually ever bought a car from a rental company- my son drives for Hertz, and I hear stories. Just saying.
I have done it on several occasions and have been get a vehicle for $2k under the price dealers are charging. I have had no problems with vehicles from Hertz, Avis, and corporate fleets.
Getting a used luxury car is no bargain unless the CPO warranty adds many years of bumper to bumper. We have had Volvos and BMWs and the maintenance on even a young car will break your bank. You could step up to an Acura or Lexus with less worry however.
My girlfriend has a very low mileage used S80 she bought from a Mercedes dealership. The car is reliable and there are plenty of indie Volvo shops that can service it without getting slaughtered at a Volvo dealership. The car is garaged and she doesn't put a ton of miles on it.
You first have to realize the just because you "come into money" doesn't mean that that money is free. I don't know if you are talking about an inheritance or a lawsuit...and I don't really care.
If you like the Altima, go to the dealer and negotiate a buy-out price. You might get a much better deal. Don't ever accept the price they first want. Fight for a huge reduction and settle for what they give you.
Invest the money you save .
Bravo your right. That is how I feel, to a point. Now, if I could get the car for 20 percent less about 12k from Nissan, I don't know if I would. If they offered me that price I might consider it, only out of relief of not having to car shop. But I am bored of it. Would like a V6 maybe. However, the best luxury car is a paid off car. Thanks for your insight, and everyone's so far. Nice group of people here.
Curious if anyone here has actually ever bought a car from a rental company- my son drives for Hertz, and I hear stories. Just saying.
Friends of mine own rental car franchises as part of the family's investments, and all of the cars that they had as teens/young adults have come from the rental sales lot. If the agency is selling the car, it's generally well maintained and in good condition because the problem cars are given back to the manufacturer to appear on the dealer lots as "program" cars. Not that the rental returns are the only program cars, since some are also driven by executives or are in the parent company's business use fleet.
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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)
Curious if anyone here has actually ever bought a car from a rental company- my son drives for Hertz, and I hear stories. Just saying.
Once. It worked out fine.
Many of the cars are gently used. Most renters drive to a hotel, then to an office then back to the hotel. A few drive around to tourist attractions and might get sand in the car. Most car rental companies do not rent to anyone under 21, so it tends to limit the frat boy puke parties in the car or bozos who take the car off road ect. Yes there are some immature renters who are over 21 who trash the cars, but it is not common. A least not common according to rental workers I have known.
Like buying any used car, it is a gamble. However your odds of getting a well cared for car are much better from a rental company than from an individual, or from a dealership who knows nothing at all about the car. You are not going to get a flood car, nor an unreported salvage car, you are not going to get a car loaded up with billy bob mechanic repairs, or temporary repairs using bars leak or other potions. The main downside to me is you are unlikely to get a car that has never been smoked in.
I still prefer to spend the time searching for the war I want from the original owner, preferably a friend, friend of a friend, neighbor, or relative. That is the only way you know what you are getting, or at least very likely.
Not a big car person? Something like a Kia Soul. Can buy those around $15k outright brand new with a 10 year warranty. Lots of functionality in that little thing with a comfortable higher seating position.
>>>> Second that. Ours is a base 2014 Soul but with automatic that's been trouble free now for going on four years. It doesn't have many bells and whistles but is built and designed well and not what I would call "cheap." Its also holding up well and doesn't show any wear or tear but I do maintain it. I expect it to last 10 or 12 years at least.
I take it the OP doesn't want to own the ugliest car on the road, which to many, is the Kia Soul.
It really is hideous.
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