Used luxury cars

hoosman

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Why choose a luxury class vehicle? Comfort? Performance? Styling? Technology? I am also in the market . I think prices and availability will improve in about a month. Usually total cost to own is not lower when you buy a luxury auto. I test drove the 540I , A7, C300, and the CT5 last week. All were very good, but were either high odometer or low performance. Not ruling out Infiniti, Tesla, Genesis - can’t find these right now. Ok with Lexus IS and RC , but probably not ES or Acura ( too boring). Taking my time. My current car only has 60k miles.
 

somecyguy

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Jun 19, 2006
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I'll be the first to admit that it can be a crap shot, but my last Audi A6 I drove to around 135K miles and I currently have a 2012 A6 with a 130K. I've had to fix a few oddities that have popped up over the years, but the most important necessity IMO is having an independent mechanic who knows German cars. The guy I use will tell me what could be done, what should be done and what I can get away with. The $200 oil changes still suck, but otherwise, I love my car.
 

Cychl82

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As my Toyota exceeds 200k miles, I am thinking of trading her in for something else in the next few months. I am wanting a luxury vehicle and looking at something between 2009-2015 as it won't break the bank. I am thinking of getting either a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniit. I love the styles of German luxury vehicles, but everything I read about them is they are less reliable than their Japanese counterparts and much more expensive to repair. I want my cars to go over 200k without investing a lot in them.

TLDR, should I go with a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti? Leaning Lexus at the moment, even though they're a little more pricey than the other two.
I have a 2011 Lexus I paid off 3 years ago now and running strong. Would definitely recommend Lexus
 
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SEIOWA CLONE

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I sold cars for 23 years. The Avalon is the pick of the litter for price, comfort, and reliability. Dealership mechanics certainly do not make much money off them. They are normally only in the service department for maintenance services only.
Toyota is getting rid of the Avalon after this year, they are replacing them with the smaller Toyota Crown in 2023.

 

0u812

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Jan 14, 2012
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Lexus LS. Early 2000s LS430 is hard to beat.

Checks all the boxes. Dont get a camry or avalon if you want a luxury car. BMW and Benz's in this price range are tempting but dont get one unless you do some of your own maintenance and repair.
 

Candide

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Jan 4, 2020
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I drive a 2012 Acura for work and a 2020 on the weekends. I also drove an Accord for 20 years and put 300k on it. Honda builds rock solid vehicles and I probably won't ever buy anything but one again. That's based solely on my personal experience of never having anything but great luck with them.
 

ClonerJams

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Lexus LS. Early 2000s LS430 is hard to beat.

Checks all the boxes. Dont get a camry or avalon if you want a luxury car. BMW and Benz's in this price range are tempting but dont get one unless you do some of your own maintenance and repair.
Yeah, looking at BMW's and man are they gorgeous. But doing research on them on other German luxury cars has turned me off on them. I love my Camry as its been the most reliable car I've ever owned, but its boring. Lexus seems to be the way I'm leaning.
 
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Mr Janny

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Why choose a luxury class vehicle? Comfort? Performance? Styling? Technology? I am also in the market . I think prices and availability will improve in about a month. Usually total cost to own is not lower when you buy a luxury auto. I test drove the 540I , A7, C300, and the CT5 last week. All were very good, but were either high odometer or low performance. Not ruling out Infiniti, Tesla, Genesis - can’t find these right now. Ok with Lexus IS and RC , but probably not ES or Acura ( too boring). Taking my time. My current car only has 60k miles.
If you can find a Genesis, I highly recommend checking it out. They look really nice, have a lot of options that are standard, and are a blast to drive. I have a G70 3.3t and I absolutely love it. The G80s are pretty sweet as well.
 
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NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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Why choose a luxury class vehicle? Comfort? Performance? Styling? Technology? I am also in the market . I think prices and availability will improve in about a month. Usually total cost to own is not lower when you buy a luxury auto. I test drove the 540I , A7, C300, and the CT5 last week. All were very good, but were either high odometer or low performance. Not ruling out Infiniti, Tesla, Genesis - can’t find these right now. Ok with Lexus IS and RC , but probably not ES or Acura ( too boring). Taking my time. My current car only has 60k miles.

For what it is worth Deery Ames had a Tesla in their lot a couple of weeks ago 29,000miles and $48,000 if I remember right. Out of my price range (I'm LOL poor.) I was surprised to see it there.
 

NWICY

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I'll be the first to admit that it can be a crap shot, but my last Audi A6 I drove to around 135K miles and I currently have a 2012 A6 with a 130K. I've had to fix a few oddities that have popped up over the years, but the most important necessity IMO is having an independent mechanic who knows German cars. The guy I use will tell me what could be done, what should be done and what I can get away with. The $200 oil changes still suck, but otherwise, I love my car.

Is it the filter or the volume of oil that kills you on that?
 

dmclone

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If I'm wanting a used luxury, I'd increase your budget. Any decent luxury model is going to have probably 100K miles, if you try to stay under $20k. A few models I'd consider at around $25k-$30k.

Lexus ES
Infiniti M37. G37, G35

There is a problem with this scenario though. The 10-15 year old Lexus, Infinti, Acura, etc. is going to seem very dated compared to a middle of the road 2023 Accord for the same price with zero miles. The real big positive for me on the used Lexus/Infiniti are the smooth V6's that have been replaced by sometimes terrible turbo 4's. The used car market has changed a ton over the last few years. You used to be able to get luxury cars just a few years old for 1/2 price, this is no longer the case. Plus sedans are a dying breed so there are fewer on the market.

10 year old ES
11-09-30-lexus-es-350-special-edition-interior.jpg



2023 Accord
2023-honda-accord-interior.jpg
 

ianoconnor

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If I'm wanting a used luxury, I'd increase your budget. Any decent luxury model is going to have probably 100K miles, if you try to stay under $20k. A few models I'd consider at around $25k-$30k.

Lexus ES
Infiniti M37. G37, G35

There is a problem with this scenario though. The 10-15 year old Lexus, Infinti, Acura, etc. is going to seem very dated compared to a middle of the road 2023 Accord for the same price with zero miles. The real big positive for me on the used Lexus/Infiniti are the smooth V6's that have been replaced by sometimes terrible turbo 4's. The used car market has changed a ton over the last few years. You used to be able to get luxury cars just a few years old for 1/2 price, this is no longer the case. Plus sedans are a dying breed so there are fewer on the market.

10 year old ES
11-09-30-lexus-es-350-special-edition-interior.jpg



2023 Accord
2023-honda-accord-interior.jpg
Love my 2018 Accord FWIW
 
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CyCloned

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Oct 18, 2006
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In general, I would avoid any European luxury cars. You can get one at what looks like a great price, but they have proven to be very unreliable and super expensive to maintain. Most of the Japanese based stuff is well built and very reliable.
 

somecyguy

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Jun 19, 2006
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Is it the filter or the volume of oil that kills you on that?
Mostly the volume of oil, plus the time involved. It's more than just pull the plug and drain it. I watched them do it once, and like most German stuff, it's over engineered, so there is a multi step process to it.
 
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Mads4st8

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Yeah, looking at BMW's and man are they gorgeous. But doing research on them on other German luxury cars has turned me off on them. I love my Camry as its been the most reliable car I've ever owned, but its boring. Lexus seems to be the way I'm leaning.
Own a 2016 X5 i50 and I haven’t had any issues outside of normal maintenance. Absolutely love BMW technology - it’ll be hard to switch to anything else.
 

Cyclonesrule91

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Apr 10, 2006
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For what it is worth Deery Ames had a Tesla in their lot a couple of weeks ago 29,000miles and $48,000 if I remember right. Out of my price range (I'm LOL poor.) I was surprised to see it there.
I was at the local Chevy dealership the other day and there was 3 Tesla’s on the lot there. Wonder if the “man I want one” desire to have one before buying fizzles out when you actually own one for awhile??
 
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Pat

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Oct 20, 2011
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Taking mine to a BMW dealer would be outrageous. That said, I don't take my other cars into dealerships for anything more than basic services. Honestly, I'd probably get bored maintaining a Toyota.

Not sure where prices sit at the moment but a reach for a 2018 Camry is what I'd consider. I prioritize performance and styling over reliability, so the Camry isn't my thing, but the 2018+ models were a real shock. They really made the Avalon unnecessary.

Starting from an older Camry I'd be cross shopping Accords from your range too
.

For the Camry, do you mean in terms of reliability? I test drove a top-end 2022 Camry (don’t remember because Toyota reeeeally loves their different trims) and a 2022 Accord EX-L back to back, and my wife and I both agreed almost immediately that the Honda was nicer, more comfortable, and a smoother ride. I was stunned at the difference.
 

cyfan92

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Sep 20, 2011
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I drive a 2012 Acura for work and a 2020 on the weekends. I also drove an Accord for 20 years and put 300k on it. Honda builds rock solid vehicles and I probably won't ever buy anything but one again. That's based solely on my personal experience of never having anything but great luck with them.

2016 Accord and 2020 Odyssey owner. I'm set for vehicles until 2030 and the earliest. Love our Hondas
 

kirk89gt

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Feb 15, 2014
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FWIW, with the last few years and car prices, $20k, may not get it done, unless you go older, or higher miles.


My ES is a ‘13 (bought last year) w/77k miles. It is a hybrid which adds to the price a little, but it was $24k. Prior to the pandemic, it was a $19k car.
 

Candide

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Jan 4, 2020
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Mostly the volume of oil, plus the time involved. It's more than just pull the plug and drain it. I watched them do it once, and like most German stuff, it's over engineered, so there is a multi step process to it.

My wife loves and drives VW's. Her 07 took an oil weight only produced by Mobil or Castrol. Even the stuff sold in bulk was rebranded Castrol and because the old German made models always burned oil, I always had a few $10 quarts in the garage.

The new ones that are built in Mexico or the US are a little better, but not much. An OEM air filter is $30-40 delivered and you not only need a T25 torx to replace it, you need an extension for it. The Acura filter has clips and no tools are required.
 
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