Luxury like cars under $18,000

[VinylxScratches]

So I'm looking into Luxury like cars. I have numbered it down to these cars. Any other cars I should consider?

1) 2006 Chrysler 300C
Probably my ultimate car I want. Reliability of these cars seem pretty decent out of the Chrysler family but used seems risky. I'm also considering the Dodge Magnum and the Dodge Charger. I've driven a Magnum Hemi and I liked it a lot.

2) 2005+ Lincoln LS
I've drivin one and liked it a lot but it's discontinued so it makes me weary.

3) 2005+ Mercury Grand Marquis LS
A nicer looking Crown Vic. It's got a old classy look that I like. Yes I'm old fashioned.

4) 2004 - 2005 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 or S-Type 3.0
Love the looks of Jags but they seem a bit douchy for a twenty something year old IT dude.

5) 2006 Hyundai Azera
Seem like a great bang for the buck but it just doesn't seem to have character IMO.

6) 2006 Infiniti G35
Basically a nicer Maxima. I like them but they just don't seem like a car I would want to keep for a long time. It also seems to lack character.

7) 2006 - 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero
Never really considered one but I liked the looks of them.

8) 2006 - 2007 Volvo S40
Like the looks but I'm not sure where Volvo stands on reliability.

 

[spidey07]

I'll toss in my 2004-2008 TL. Probably not the same kind of luxury, but a hell of a lot of bang for your buck.

Out of your picks, the 300 would be my choice. The G35 is tiny, nowhere near a maxima.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Thanks, I'll look into those.

I'm also really digging the V8 Cadillac STS cars.

 

[bruceb]

The Caddy is very nice and has lots of horsepower. Stay away from Jaguar as they will be expensive when repairs are needed (and they are now made by Ford) .. The Grand Maquis should be ok, if you like Ford / Mercury. If you go Chrysler, you may as well look for car with the Hemi as that would be fun to drive.

 

[DVad3r]

Lexus ES series. Other Lexus cars, there are tons around for low prices. They generally have good reliability. There was also an 01 Lexus SC 400 V8 on eBay with low mileage for like 9 grand, amazing car.

 

[mafia]

What is this character you look for?

In my opinion, the Chrysler 300C looks great exterior wise, but inside it feels very cheap. Plastically junk stuff.

From your list, I'd go with the G.

But IMO,

You should go and check out a 2004-2008 Acura TL like spidey07 mentioned. Very good car.

 

[DVad3r]

You don't want a Jaguar, or the Saab, or the Volvo.

Jaguar = shit reliability
Saab = sold off brand
Volvo = being sold to China? lol

 

[iGas]

Lincoln Town Car might be a good candidate if you don't mind the dated exterior, and one that were pampered by its previous owner.

[add] I recently test drive a 07 Azera and it was a sweet ride with fine interior for the price. But IMHO it doesn't feel as nice as an 08 Altima, or an 07 Accord that I test drove. 07 Camry SE is what I ended up with not as luxurious interior look but the trade off was that the car is more sporty, handle much nicer, and it only have 17,000 miles oppose to 43,000 miles on the Azera.

 

[TridenT]

What is this character you look for?

In my opinion, the Chrysler 300C looks great exterior wise, but inside it feels very cheap. Plastically junk stuff.

From your list, I'd go with the G.

But IMO,

You should go and check out a 2004-2008 Acura TL like spidey07 mentioned. Very good car.

I drive a 2007 Chrysler 300C... It doesn't feel that cheap inside if at all. :/ Although I have no clue how you classify cheap.

 

[casiotech wants a new accord]

rofl nice list

the "G" has no character but the lincoln, volvo and hyundai sure have a lot more character...

if i were into used cars which i am not i would recommend an M3 for whatever year that you can find one for under $18000

 

[LordMorpheus]

regarding the grand marquis, I'd spend the money on a town car instead, they are a bigger step up from the grand marquis than the grand marquis is from the crown vic.
disclaimer: I am irrationally attached to my 1997 Town Car.

Also, I've heard nothing but good things about the LS V8.

 

[DVad3r]

I would do some real extensive research about any cars you are interested in.

Wikipedia is sometimes a good source and tells of known problems etc.
Look at car review sites and videos
Look at consumer reports
Look at private reviews

And this site is pretty good too:

http://www.carsurvey.org/

Factor in reliability, repairs, known problems, bugs, refinements, etc.

 

[halik]

I drive a 2007 Chrysler 300C... It doesn't feel that cheap inside if at all. :/ Although I have no clue how you classify cheap.

Did you just start driving like 2 days ago? 300c interior is atrocious.

Also the Town Car is "american luxury" at best, definitely nowhere near world-class luxury. Cheap materials and fake wood everywhere.


Lincoln LS is a very solid, yet underrated car. Definitely if you want something more lux and less sporty.

 

[TruePaige]

The 300C is a nice car.

 

[coxmaster]

I drive a 2007 Chrysler 300C... It doesn't feel that cheap inside if at all. :/ Although I have no clue how you classify cheap.

You mean your parents drive a 300C? I didnt like the one i rode in at all..

 

[amdhunter]

1) 2006 Chrysler 300C

As long as it's a V8 model, it's a great car. V6's are sluggish. My father had both the 5.7 and 6.1 SRT models, and I agree that the interior is cheaply made. The seats are much better in the SRT8 model, but the dash is plasticy all over on both models. The engine makes up for it though.

2) 2005+ Lincoln LS

Growing up in NY and seeing all Lincoln models as livery cabs will ensure that I'd never own a Lincoln in my life.

3) 2005+ Mercury Grand Marquis LS

Old person, livery cab look.

4) 2004 - 2005 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 or S-Type 3.0

Older Jaguars look too old and played out today + my cousin owned an X-Type and it was a POS reliability wise. It was also butt-ugly.

5) 2006 Hyundai Azera

Hyundai

6) 2006 Infiniti G35

Great looking car for the money. I've seen the new bodies in the 18K - 20K range already. I'd definitely look into this.

7) 2006 - 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero

I wouldn't waste money on them since they are now a defunct company. I never saw the appeal of owning a "Saab." Reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld for some reason.

8) 2006 - 2007 Volvo S40
No real opinion here.

 

[TridenT]

You mean your parents drive a 300C? I didnt like the one i rode in at all..

I mean, I drive...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

of the cars on that list i'd take a 2006 g35, theres more character than you think. they're very nimble, fun to drive machines. can keep up with a maxima and probably out handle it.

forget the chrysler&saab, their companies went bankrupt because of those 2005-2008 cars that sucked

 

[Googer]

We recently rented a Hyundai Sonata with a V6. The car had very good handling (its not a 3 series but... more like an Altima or Accord), tight steering and an engine with tons of power that did not quit from 900rpm to the redline, the tires chirped nearing 2nd gear and gear shift that are unnoticeable. New they run around 19K and feature comfortable leather seating, a reasonable decent sound system (nice ipod/ USB mass storage integration, XM). I was not a Hyundai fan, but after driving this car I'd consider one.

With 2009 over and dealers looking to clear their lots for 2010 inventory, you could potentially score a good 16K deal on a NEW car with a 10yr 100k warranty!


http://www.hyundaiusa.com/

 

[lastig21]

I've known a couple of people with 300C's, and they have not had any problems. They are not my cup of tea, but alot of car for the money.

My father and brother in law both drive Lincoln LS's with the V8. I think its a good car for the money. They have had random things go out (window motors, alternators, etc.), but nothing costly.

The Jaguar X-Type made cars.com's 10 worst car of the 2000's list. I don't know much about them, but I would heavily research this car before making a purchase.

 

[TruePaige]

I mean, I drive...

You mean you drive the 300C your parents own?

 

[casiotech wants a new accord]

you cant get a new shape G for $18,000 unless it has a lot of miles

for excellent condition it's still $22g+

 

[pwnagesarus]

The newer models 300s have a better interior, although the back end on those are much uglier than the older ones. I have an 05 3.5L...it moves quick enough. Can't imagine driving a 2.7L though, shit would be too slow.

If it is a G35 coupe, I would definitely go with it. If not, out of all of those, I would go with the 300c, big 4 door that moves quick. As for interior, I don't imagine some of those cars on the list being leagues ahead of the 300.

 

[Shlong]

G35 for sure, but $18k for an 06 seems a bit low in price.

 

[Googer]

G35 for sure, but $18k for an 06 seems a bit low in price.

I have ridden in a few of those, it's not very comfortable.