CPO Lux car or new ?

[Sidekicknichola]

From what I can gather here is what I feel you're looking for:
4 doors
awd
25+ mpgs
reliable
luxury
sporty

With that said I would say your best two options are (putting these to ahead because of maintenance, mpgs, and affordability):
Lexus IS350
Acura RL SH-AWD
... these two will be solid and should run for 200k plus (a few guys on clublexus.com have 250k+ on their IS350s and haven't had problems), the the RL is basically a Honda, it should be solid as a rock.

Next best options, only putting them down a tier because of the maintenance concerns that go with Euro cars:
C300/350 4matic (kind of plain looking)
A4
335xi or 535xi (almost beat out the IS350 for me - but for the same price I couldn't have Nav, cooled seats, backup cam, and premium sound - the IS did have those)
Jaguar X-Type
G35x / M35x (their transmissions had some problems - thats why not with the other Jap cars)
Volvo S60 / S80

Other options that are AWD Sedans, but not so much luxury
Chrysler 300c
Charger
Mazdaspeed 6
Ford Fusion

 

[ss284]

Acura RL SH-AWD

The RL is effectively dead; I would go with a TL SH-AWD instead.

 

[z1ggy]

Ford Fusion is tempting, but is it getting the same engine that is going in the ST? Also, I would anticipate the AWD version will cost $30k+.

 

[tongqi2]

I bought a luxury/sports car CPO that was 5 years old at the time last year and couldn't be happier. Maintenance for the marque has a reputation for being relatively inexpensive though.

I think only you can answer whether or not you think spending that chunk of money on a car is "wise" or not, despite what others may or may not tell you.

 

[z1ggy]

I bought a luxury/sports car CPO that was 5 years old at the time last year and couldn't be happier. Maintenance for the marque has a reputation for being relatively inexpensive though.

I think only you can answer whether or not you think spending that chunk of money on a car is "wise" or not, despite what others may or may not tell you.

IMO that no car is ever a "wise" buy as far as finances go. You will never get a positive ROR unless you buy some car that is very unique and sit on it for 40+ years. Not happening for me. I believe a car, if one is passionate about them, should be something you enjoy, care for and take pride in. However, I always make good educated buys and never jump into any thing too quick. I want to feel comfortable in my decision, but since I am younger and I know people on here are older and wiser, I figure I will take some advice. Ultimately, it will come down to what I want, but I know there is probably some choices that are better than others.

Can any one comment on Hyundai quality? I checked last night and I could get a fully loaded 2013 turbo for around 24-25k.

 

[heymrdj]

IMO that no car is ever a "wise" buy as far as finances go. You will never get a positive ROR unless you buy some car that is very unique and sit on it for 40+ years. Not happening for me. I believe a car, if one is passionate about them, should be something you enjoy, care for and take pride in. However, I always make good educated buys and never jump into any thing too quick. I want to feel comfortable in my decision, but since I am younger and I know people on here are older and wiser, I figure I will take some advice. Ultimately, it will come down to what I want, but I know there is probably some choices that are better than others.

Can any one comment on Hyundai quality? I checked last night and I could get a fully loaded 2013 turbo for around 24-25k.

Like a house I don't buy a car for "future investment". I buy it decked out the way I will directly enjoy it as by the time I'm done driving it it's most likely getting thrown away. I think people would be much happier with their cars if they lived that way rather than building it out to "what will sell the best 5 years from now".

 

[Spicedaddy]

German brands CPO usually have good financing deals. 0.9% for 24 months in my case.(2007 GTI bought in 2010...) I like the fact that it's under warranty while I'm paying for it. If it breaks down after that, at least I don't have payments to make on top of the repairs.

How much mileage do you do in a year? I do like 10K miles a year, so CPO made sense. If you drive alot, I'd probably go for a new car. If not, then a 2009 A4 2.0T Quattro would be my choice.

 

[z1ggy]

German brands CPO usually have good financing deals. 0.9% for 24 months in my case.(2007 GTI bought in 2010...) I like the fact that it's under warranty while I'm paying for it. If it breaks down after that, at least I don't have payments to make on top of the repairs.

How much mileage do you do in a year? I do like 10K miles a year, so CPO made sense. If you drive alot, I'd probably go for a new car. If not, then a 2009 A4 2.0T Quattro would be my choice.

I drive on average, 10.2k per year (per the last 5 years.. the next 5+ years might be different). 24 Months is a pretty short loan term. I was hoping for 3-4 years but I know the rate will be higher.

I am wanting whatever car is next, whether it be a new ST/veloster/GTI/CPO that it lasts me at least 6-7 years. I was actually considering the A6 3.0T (or 335ix) , too, in case I have kids with in that time frame. The A4 seems a bit small to haul around kiddies and their pals..

 

[Sidekicknichola]

in case I have kids with in that time frame.

If that is a legit option your mindset will change from what is fun/fancy to what is safe... keep that in mind.

 

[z1ggy]

If that is a legit option your mindset will change from what is fun/fancy to what is safe... keep that in mind.

Or my wife will change it for me... :-/

or hopefully she's cool and has the safe boring minivan and I can keep my cool sport car

 

[ichy]

If that is a legit option your mindset will change from what is fun/fancy to what is safe... keep that in mind.

All modern cars (with a few freakish exceptions like the Smart Car) are safe.

 

[thegimp03]

Most CPOs are lease returns and have been driven hard. If I were buying a used BMW/Audi I'd look on car forums for people who've actually owned the car for the last few years as opposed to leased them. Owners tend to take care of a ~$50k new car better than a lessee. Plus, to get a CPO you pay that extra markup at the dealer after their "X" Point inspection...

 

[z1ggy]

Most CPOs are lease returns and have been driven hard. If I were buying a used BMW/Audi I'd look on car forums for people who've actually owned the car for the last few years as opposed to leased them. Owners tend to take care of a ~$50k new car better than a lessee. Plus, to get a CPO you pay that extra markup at the dealer after their "X" Point inspection...

Yeah, I saw some 2012 S4's around here that edmunds says should sell for roughly 32k and they are asking 45k. That's madness. I'd have to see what bank's would offer me for a used car loan rate as opposed to what a deal would. Is that "x" point inspection worth the cost as opposed to just buying one from Joe who promises he took good care of it?

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Is that "x" point inspection worth the cost as opposed to just buying one from Joe who promises he took good care of it?

When I bought my IS3, it was a CPO and had the "X" point inspection...I asked the dealer if I didn't take the warranty would the car be cheaper... we worked out a deal where that was the case, and since I knew it already passed the "X" point inspection it was a "good" car. I saved ~$3000 just on losing the warranty - which for me didn't make since, because I would have hit 100k in my 15th month of ownership.... so thinking I would need 3k in repairs over 15 months would probably mean I was selling the car anyways because of the problems.

I'm currently at 105k and no problems... wouldn't have used the warranty anyway.

 

[z1ggy]

But what if it's a BMW/Audi with..like 60k on it and maybe 1-2 year left on the 5yr original warranty?

 

[tongqi2]

Can't comment on BMW/Audi CPO, but for me it was 2 years from when you buy it if at any time you'd fall outside of the original 6 year warranty. I think a CPO is a must have for a luxury/sports car if you want that peace of mind.