Starting to shop for new car

[metallimonster]

And the TL's come in AWD!

[duccarlos]

And when you compare prices, it's much more reasonable compared to the other cars in its class.

[il d00d]

For my money, luxo cars should always be purchased used.  But, my auto money may be more closely guarded relative to others'.  When it comes to cars I am a cheapo , but I don't see the sense in losing 20% or more of the value of your car in the first year when you can buy one in good shape, pre-depreciated.

My .02 on the BMWs - I have always loved them, have tried to buy one on a couple of occasions, but the maintenance has always scared me off.  If I ever do buy one, it will be a CPO, or it will come with a comprehensive third-party warranty.  
The last one I tried to buy was an e46 3-series that came with a pretty detailed service record - it was the wheel position sensors at $150 a piece (replaced several times), and the xenon headlight (that worked, but had a broken clip) at $1200 (a single headlight) among other things that made me back away.  I got the feeling that I would be replacing expensive parts frequently, and these parts would not really affect the overall operation of the car to the point where it was undriveable.  Instead, these little, expensive things would be a growing repair bill looming over me, and something that would make it harder to resell if I had to.
Keep in mind that the service department seems to be very liberal when it comes to replacing things under warranty - so if you got one that was covered up to 100k or more, a bimmer may give you many miles of low-cost, headache-free driving.

As far as styling goes, the Japanese makers have supplanted ze Germans in the current generation of cars in my opinion.  I would take an M45 over a 5-series any day of the week and twice on Sunday.  I like the Lexus IS, but that may not be big enough for your needs.  
On top of that, I trust Japanese reliability over German, although I admit I don't have FHE with those brands.  If you go with JD Power ratings, you can't go wrong with any Lexus or Infiniti over the last five years (or, ever in the case of Lexus), or MB in the last three years.

So, short answer:  a used, low-mileage Infiniti M45.  It is probably big enough, they look cool, and appear to be reliable.  Happy hunting...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Wait-did I misread this to say you want a luxury car and to put kids in it? They'll just ruin it.



And if Honda has treated you right, I would definitely go with another of their products.


I was unimpressed with the BMW we had, though the Mercedes has been snazzy so far.

Really-luxury cars ain't worth it.

[duccarlos]

I just want a step up from our Accord. I'm not looking to get a new 7 series. My wife isn't about keeping up with the Joneses and The TL sounds like a happy medium. I'm also keeping the CTS in the running simply because I really really like it.

[metallimonster]

Really-luxury cars ain't worth it.

I totally agree with this.  I love Audi's and think they are beautiful cars but if your not getting a top of the line A6 or A8, S4, or something way higher than your price range than your not getting the best use of your money.  The high end of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are still way ahead of anything else but their "cheap" cars are similar if not worse than Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura plus service and parts still come at high end prices.

My buddy just got an 09 TL and that thing is amazing.  Similar ride and feel to an S4.  Awesome interior and crazy good paint job.

If I had the money and was looking in your range it would be a TL or an IS250 period.

[cyrus buelton]

I was unimpressed with the BMW we had, though the Mercedes has been snazzy so far.

Really-luxury cars ain't worth it.

Are BMW's and Mercede's not considered luxury cars now?


Must one step up to a Maserati to reach that status?

shit, my lexus (which I actually don't consider luxury.....it is on par with an Acura) must be an economy.

[RAT900]

They're made based on the same chassis and I think the Acura engines are basically a tuned version of the same one used in the Accord, which is fantastic in terms of reliability. The reason the TL is a frontrunner is based solely on our experience with our Accord. In 10 years we've had no major issues except for the idle fan crapping out. That's it. The interior is showing its age. The only reason I'm selling it is because if we screw up the interior any more, we won't get what we want for it. Whomever buys it will be getting an extremely reliable car.

I'll be checking out the new TL this weekend. I will be checking the used options as we get closer to February.

That's why I would stay with a HONDA product like an Acura...I have never had one leave me stranded on the side of the road with a mystery shutdown or had one rust-out on me

I just dumped my 2006 Saab convertible...what a POS 3 ring circus of short circuits and rust issues...daughters BMW was another marvel of Brand vs. Reality

My German next door neighbor refuses to buy a German car anymore and warned me away from them...he says they are made poorly by (former) East Germans, Turks and Algerians (and I think I hear German marching music playing late at night coming from his windows)

I really wanted to buy American this year and shopped a LOT trying to convince myself into a Ford Escape for my wife...

I wound up back at the Honda dealership buying her a CRV fully optioned for the same as I would have spent on a Ford.....

but the Honda was in a different league of quality it was apparent throughout...

it was actually saddening because I wanted a US made car again but could not reconcile the delta between the two cars

[derby]

I just dumped my 2006 Saab convertible...what a POS 3 ring circus of short circuits and rust issues...

i never really considered saab a luxury car, and my scandinavian friends just laugh at 'em...

[derby]

I wound up back at the Honda dealership buying her a CRV fully optioned for the same as I would have spent on a Ford.....

but the Honda was in a different league of quality it was apparent throughout...

it was actually saddening because I wanted a US made car again but could not reconcile the delta between the two cars

your cr-v is, in fact, american made (east liberty, ohio)...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Are BMW's and Mercede's not considered luxury cars now?


Must one step up to a Maserati to reach that status?

shit, my lexus (which I actually don't consider luxury.....it is on par with an Acura) must be an economy.

They are considered luxury cars, and I'm saying from having owned some-they aren't worth the additional money. Was that unclear?


Also, around here, a BMW is like driving a Ford Taurus-everyone has one.

[cyrus buelton]

i never really considered saab a luxury car, and my scandinavian friends just laugh at 'em...

The price tag says differently by normal standards, but I agree.


I'd never own one either. I've heard nothing but trouble.


but then again, I've heard horror stories about VW Jetta's and mine has been bullet proof, but then again it is a TDI and not standard petrol.

your cr-v is, in fact, american made (east liberty, ohio)...

I think Derby might be right on this one.

I can't recall what they make at the two plants in Marysville and something Liberty, but CRV might be one of them.



Honda's are more american made then GM's.

Do the research if you don't believe me (not you derby as I am sure you already knew that).

Last I read something like 90% of GM were foreign bought parts.

I can't tell you how many manufacturing facilities around here are 100% honda suppliers.

They are considered luxury cars, and I'm saying from having owned some-they aren't worth the additional money. Was that unclear?


Also, around here, a BMW is like driving a Ford Taurus-everyone has one.

It just didn't make much sense to me.

If they aren't worth it, then why did you buy another Mercedes?

agreed on the BMW. Having a brief visit to the Bay Area, lots of Bimma's around.

There are a shit ton around here as well, mostly the 325's and 7-series.

For some reason people skip the 5-series here; no idea why.

[Triple J]

Really-luxury cars ain't worth it.

Agreed. We have an Infiniti G35xS. Great car, fun to drive, and my wife loves it (she's the primary driver), but I don't see how it delivers any better value than my Xterra.  The Xterra is cheaper and far more versatile. On top of that the G maintenance is too expensive and it takes premium gas. I actually prefer driving the Xterra, although that is probably just because I'm used to it.

I can see a luxury car being worth it if you drive a LOT, but otherwise...meh.

[duccarlos]

Also, around here, a BMW is like driving a Ford Taurus-everyone has one.

+1 I can look out my window and see 4 in my row.

Rat, I still love my Accord. I would keep it if I could get as much as I wanted for it in a few years. As it is, I've owned it for 10 years and it's the little things that are slowly breaking, like the power locks don't work in the back doors. At this rate, the engine will last another 10 years before the first major issue.

My brother-in-law moved to Switzerland and is also unimpressed with the quality coming from Germany. He even said to stay away from VW. Not sure if this is a recent issue or if it's been going on for years.

At this point, a 1 year old preloved TL would be nice. I would also love to find a 2010 TL that went unsold until I get there. I should be able to get a sweet deal for it. At this stage I will be test driving the TL, CTS, Lexus ES and Infiniti M.

[The Bearded Duc]

I'm sure you've already considered/looked at the new Accords but I want to add my $.02 about them.

My brother's GF just bought a brand new one, she traded up from an older model TL. She got the V6 with all the fixin's and she loves it. That thing is pretty luxury as far as Accords go. If you love the Accord why not go for it and save some cash.

My GF has a 2008 Accord, her second, and she loves it.