Advice on buying a nice used luxury sedan

[Via]

I'm going to have an empty garage stall soon.

I've always thought about buying a nice, classy, used luxury sedan for occasional around-town driving, and maybe a rare out-of-town trip, and now I can actually do it if I want to. I really don't care about the age, as long as it's in fairly decent shape and a somewhat timeless design, and is not prohibitive to repair (although I understand that no such car will be cheap to maintain). I'd like to be able to do things like meet friends at a nice restaurant or club in something other than my old Accord, and show up to an out-of-town friends house in something nice.

I haven't really determined a price range, but I can't spend tens of thousands. I'm not even sure what to begin to look at.

I've always had a soft spot for late 90's Audi S8s, but the few times I've checked over the years there haven't really been many available. I'm just sort of looking for suggestions on makes and model years to check out.

If there's any ideas out there shoot them my way. Thanks.

 

[AMCRambler]

CTS-V
/thread

 

[jlee]

CTS-V
/thread

I may even have one for sale, if ViperGTS doesn't want it...

 

[Via]

I saw a brand new Caddy the other day on the highway that I really liked (I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was thinner from top to bottom than any recent Caddy I've seen), but the older ones have never really been my kind of style.

Maybe I should test drive one and see if it changes my mind.

 

[vi edit]

Lexus LS have the durability of a tank and the interior silence of a bank vault.

The older body style ('06 and under) aren't prohibitively expensive to buy or maintain.

 

[Howard]

Town Car?

 

[Via]

Lincoln Town car? That's probably not for me.

I looked at some images of the Lexus LS, and I like it. I'll put it on the list.

 

[quakefiend420]

E38 BMW

You will spend some money to maintain it(have to pay to play), but it's leaps and bounds ahead of just about everything of that era except for maybe the W140. It still looks much better than the W140 too.

 

[quakefiend420]

go for the V12, it doesn't suffer from the infamous timing chain guide issue that the V8s do(just did that service on mine, either really expensive if you pay someone, or somewhat expensive for parts and it takes you 30-40 hours)

 

[jlee]

I saw a brand new Caddy the other day on the highway that I really liked (I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was thinner from top to bottom than any recent Caddy I've seen), but the older ones have never really been my kind of style.

Maybe I should test drive one and see if it changes my mind.

What's your price range?

I took someone for a ride in the CTS-V the other day and he started laughing after I got sideways in first and laid rubber in second. It's fun for an old guy's car.

 

[Via]

What's your price range?

I took someone for a ride in the CTS-V the other day and he started laughing after I got sideways in first and laid rubber in second. It's fun for an old guy's car.

I haven't really set it yet. I was hoping I could find something for around $10,000.

I was just looking at some mid 2000s BMW 7 series, and they were generally around 13-15k. If it was a great clean car I would consider that range.

 

[quakefiend420]

I haven't really set it yet. I was hoping I could find something for around $10,000.

I was just looking at some mid 2000s BMW 7 series, and they were generally around 13-15k. If it was a great clean car I would consider that range.

I would advise against the 02 and up unless you have really deep pockets. They're somewhat notorious for expensive failures and aren't very DIY friendly the way the 95-01 is.

 

[MagickMan]

Keep an eye on Mecum auctions, some nice mid-year Mercs have gone through recently for decent prices.

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=FL0112-119821 (sold for $14k)
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0511-113692 (sold for $15.5k)

 

[jaedaliu]

Just gotta make sure that you're getting one with timeless style. If you can tell at a glance that it's from 2 generations ago, it screams "smart with money" or "cheap" or "thrifty" depending on who's looking.

My uncle got a steal on a 98 LS for $1500 a year ago. You can tell it's old, but he's also not trying to show off. Just the best car he could get at that price.

 

[satyajitmenon]

i haven't really set it yet. I was hoping i could find something for around $10,000.

I was just looking at some mid 2000s bmw 7 series, and they were generally around 13-15k. If it was a great clean car i would consider that range.

ls400

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I took someone for a ride in the CTS-V the other day and he started laughing after I got sideways in first and laid rubber in second. It's fun for an old guy's car.

Well to be fair, it is a lux edition Corvette

OP, would you consider the Lincoln LS? An 06 with low miles can be purchased pretty inexpensively and you can get a Ford CSP should you decide to (12y/120k miles).

 

[tcG]

E31 8-series BMW perhaps? Who needs backseats?

I like the late 90's Audis as well.

EDIT: I like old cars, but after some cursory research it seems like a newer car (~05'+) might be better when it comes to luxury... they seem to have nicer interiors? E31 8-series is probably not luxurious enough.

 

[sontakke]

Most of the cars (except may be the Lexus) from your list if purchased at $10K could end up costing you another $5K easy in keeping it on the road. The used luxury cars are sold cheap for a very good reason. A car which left the dealer's showroom in a 6 digit transaction few years ago will always have maintenance costs commensurate with that price tag regardless of how cheap you manage to pick it later on the used market. Since you are asking for suggestion here, you might not be aware of that fact.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Lexus LS have the durability of a tank and the interior silence of a bank vault.

The older body style ('06 and under) aren't prohibitively expensive to buy or maintain.

:thumbsup: I carpool with a woman who lives near me from time to time and she drives an older Lexus LS. It is very comfortable, powerful and quiet. Very nice car.

They get horrible mileage though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I haven't really set it yet. I was hoping I could find something for around $10,000.

I was just looking at some mid 2000s BMW 7 series, and they were generally around 13-15k. If it was a great clean car I would consider that range.

That car will not be kind on your wallet.

 

[exdeath]

Small: N55 335i with M package and JB4
Big: CTS-V

There isn't anything else IMO.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I don't think it's a good idea AT ALL.

Remember, even though some of these cars are pretty cheap to buy (as used) you will STILL be maintaining/fixing a $XXXXX car. It's not CHEAP (in most cases).

Also, owning such a car outside of warranty period.....scares me (especially if it's German).

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Jaguar XK VP - Supercharged if you must - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008...6277512?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2ec78b1908

Classic timeless absolute gorgeous car - go British Racing Green over saddle hides if you can.

Mercedes E55 Kompressor - $20K bargain go fast luxo machine - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/E55-...6028965?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item338180b925

If you prefer classic Benz styling - the E55 from '98 - '02 can not be beat. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...9224276?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43baf1e6d4

And if you just plain want to be different - Infiniti Q45 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003...8783501?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e78fbc00d


Other good choices:
Acura RL
Lexus LS400 LS430
Cadillac DTS
Cadillac STS or STS-V

 

[rommelrommel]

If this is an occasional driver/cruiser I totally think a LS430 is what you should look at in that price range.

 

[Via]

A few clarifications:

1) I'm not buying this to be a daily driver. That's what my Accord is for. This car won't be driven often.

2) I've factored in cost of ownership, and that's why I'm probably looking in the $10,000-$15,000 range. I know there's a chance it'll have some repairs in the thousands over the years. I'm prepared for that.

3) I plan on having it impeccably maintained.