$20k unpopular but interesting cars

[RearAdmiral]

I've been considering buying a used car to replace my 2011 MT Legacy(133k) soon. It is a fine enough car but man is it dull and lacking a few modern features. While searching it is interesting to come across cars that folks don't seemingly buy that have hideous amounts of depreciation but cool features. This seemingly leads down the path to korean cars, which I have never owned. For instance:

2016 CPO Kia K900 V6 Luxury trim w/ VIP package(highest possible features) $21.6k asking and ~$60k MSRP
Some features(lots of others besides this):
CPO means 10yr/100k powertrain warranty transfers
~300hp v6 RWD - I don't need huge power but wow is the legacy slow
heated / vented seats front and rear
Power reclining rear seats lol
HUD
adaptive cruise(stop and go) - this is something ive been looking at since my commute has been getting on my nerves more than usual
surround parking cams

Honestly I can't help but be interested in this car for the price point. I've never really driven a "luxury" car before, especially with this amount of features. That is a lot of stuff to break and I have no idea how reliable it would be, but for probably <20k it seems pretty cool!

Other cars I've been looking at

2017 Cadenza for android auto and less features than above
Hyundai G70/80
Lexus GS450h
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S/V60R - leaning away from european cars though
Another Legacy

The lexus is probably a good bet but it would be substantially more $ and have less features.

 

[herm0016]

seems like a great deal on the k900. not a car that is worth 60, but seems pretty nice for 22.

 

[EXCellR8]

If you're looking for another manual transmission that should narrow down your search.

I haven't owned any Korean cars so I can't really vouch for or bash them. My initial impression is that they're plenty reliable but just don't hold value. The Kia stinger seems to be a good value for the time being though.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Lexus GS450h are very hard to find.
I picked up a perfect 2015 GS350 with under 20K miles for about 20K this summer.

There were like 5 used GS450H for sale in the entire country under 25K, and all of em had some shady carfax histories or LOTS of miles on the clocks.
The fuel economy inst great, but, its very comfortable, and the interior falls short of Volvo, but otherwise, is damn nice to be in.

 

[manly]

As EXCellR8 said, Korean cars depreciate quickly like American car marques.
I don't know much about the K900, but "badge" somewhat matters. I've never been inside of one, but no casual observer will consider it a luxury car.

The Genesis G80 was previously the Hyundai Genesis, and I believe 2016 model year was the last before the re-branding. These also depreciated heavily, and you can probably find them in the mid $20k's very well equipped. Like the Kia, it'll need to be CPO to have the warranty transferred.

 

[zinfamous]

Interesting luxury car with modern features that no one wants, ~$20k?

The only proper answer to this question is, of course, a used Equus.

People will pull up behind you and have no other choice but to grab their phones to figure out wtf car that is in front of them.

These things are hosses, too, man. Get you some of that V8.

 

[desy]

Chrysler Crossfire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You see these rarely

 

[RearAdmiral]

I did take a peek at the Equus. V8 would be pretty hilarious for DD'ing, but I have a roughly ~100 mile commute. Getting a v6 could be painful enough. I drove a WRX before the Legacy and the insurance / gas bills were a little rough.

 

[ondma]

I would very highly recommend adaptive cruise control, even more so if you do a lot of freeway driving. I have it on a Suburu (eyesight), and it is a tremendous feature for freeway driving.

 

[RearAdmiral]

I would very highly recommend adaptive cruise control, even more so if you do a lot of freeway driving. I have it on a Suburu (eyesight), and it is a tremendous feature for freeway driving.

I'd really like adaptive cruise. I went to checkout a '15 Genesis Tech pkg. this weekend. It was a pretty nice car, reviews are on point about the light / weak steering. Rear visibility is also questionable while driving, again mentioned in reviews.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Judging by your list you are looking mostly at large sedans? Might as well add the Ford Taurus to the list. It's large and well equipped. Won't be as nice as the others on your list but it'll be much cheaper.

 

[RearAdmiral]

Judging by your list you are looking mostly at large sedans? Might as well add the Ford Taurus to the list. It's large and well equipped. Won't be as nice as the others on your list but it'll be much cheaper.

For the most part that is correct, but I am open to quite a bit. I recall looking at the Taurus a bit earlier in the year, I'll have to revisit.