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(UPDATE: I got it!)if you had 20k to spend on a used car right now

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simonizor said:
I would much rather have new car for 20k that isn't as fancy as a used car that would cost 20k. Used cars almost always have problems. If there weren't any problems, the original owner probably wouldn't have sold it. Sure, you'll find a few cars that just weren't right for someone, but the majority of used cars out there are being sold because the owner doesn't want to deal with them anymore. For 20k you can get a pretty damn nice new car that more than likely won't come with the headaches that used cars are prone to.
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I believe that is BS, although neither of us can provide quantitative evidence to prove we're correct.

There are numerous reasons for people changing cars, and it doesn't mean that they are selling the car because it is faulty. For example:
Financial changes / job loss / promotion
Family changes (e.g. kids)
Relocation / increased commute
Bored with the car
Running costs are too high (not necessarily due to repairing faults) / poor fuel economy

Edit: I may be stating the obvious, but by buying the car brand new, you are loosing money as soon as you drive it out of the showroom, since the depreciation is at its highest at the beginning of the car's life with it decreasing with age.
 
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daw123 said:
I believe that is BS, although neither of us can provide quantitative evidence to prove we're correct.

There are numerous reasons for people changing cars, and it doesn't mean that they are selling the car because it is faulty. For example:
Financial changes / job loss / promotion
Family changes (e.g. kids)
Relocation / increased commute
Bored with the car
Running costs are too high (not necessarily due to repairing faults) / poor fuel economy

Edit: I may be stating the obvious, but by buying the car brand new, you are loosing money as soon as you drive it out of the showroom, since the depreciation is at its highest at the beginning of the car's life with it decreasing with age.
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I'm not denying that there are reasons for people getting rid of their cars other than having problems with them. I just believe that the majority of the time, that is not the case.
 
simonizor said:
I would much rather have new car for 20k that isn't as fancy as a used car that would cost 20k. Used cars almost always have problems. If there weren't any problems, the original owner probably wouldn't have sold it. Sure, you'll find a few cars that just weren't right for someone, but the majority of used cars out there are being sold because the owner doesn't want to deal with them anymore. For 20k you can get a pretty damn nice new car that more than likely won't come with the headaches that used cars are prone to.
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dude not everyone is a ghetto-dweller that has to drive their cars into the ground. Here in S. Florida many upgrade cars before their first set of tires is even half used up.

A 20k used car is a bit out of reach for most poor folks. It's a bit of a steep purchase for even many middle class.
 
simonizor said:
I would much rather have new car for 20k that isn't as fancy as a used car that would cost 20k. Used cars almost always have problems. If there weren't any problems, the original owner probably wouldn't have sold it. Sure, you'll find a few cars that just weren't right for someone, but the majority of used cars out there are being sold because the owner doesn't want to deal with them anymore. For 20k you can get a pretty damn nice new car that more than likely won't come with the headaches that used cars are prone to.
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All the cars we own have been bought used. We aren't having problems? In fact, sometimes older cars are better built than new ones.

EDIT: Simonizor, tell me what new car for 20k can keep up with a used CTS-V or S2000? You can't even compare. I'd rather spend my 20k on a nice luxury/performance car, than a econo-box.
 
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mafia said:
All the cars we own have been bought used. We aren't having problems? In fact, sometimes older cars are better built than new ones.

EDIT: Simonizor, tell me what new car for 20k can keep up with a used CTS-V or S2000? You can't even compare. I'd rather spend my 20k on a nice luxury/performance car, than a econo-box.
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I'm still recommending the 05-06 GTO, but just got to thinking. If you can stretch out to $23k, you could get a brand new base Camaro. Sure it's the V6, but it's still got 311 hp...

Lol, or you can buy 2 Hyundai Accents! http://www.hyundaiusa.com/accent-3-door/gallery.aspx
 
There are plenty of great new cars out there in the 20k range that aren't "econo-boxes." Once you get over the need to have a luxury car just as a status symbol, you can open your eyes and look at them.
 
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I don't think most are looking at a 20k car as a status symbol.

It's the more bang for buck factor.

I owned a $20k car back in 1996 (new)...in 2004 I decided to spend less than even my college car from 2000 to pick up my current ride.

I got it for right under $9k when at the time I was looking at dogs selling for almost twice that and cherry picks at 2x and beyond.

The seller was 2 hours away and wanted cash that weekend. It's how I got the second car in my life too (1988 Mustang GT with T-Tops and fully loaded with more options than the factory in 1990 for $7500 from a Lincoln-Mercury Service Manager that was short $7500 for a sailboat).
 
jaydee said:
I'm still recommending the 05-06 GTO, but just got to thinking. If you can stretch out to $23k, you could get a brand new base Camaro. Sure it's the V6, but it's still got 311 hp...

Lol, or you can buy 2 Hyundai Accents! http://www.hyundaiusa.com/accent-3-door/gallery.aspx
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True but the new Mustang V6 whoops on that Camaro, and puts a surprisingly vicious fight against the 1SS. Only the 2SS can really get the leap on it.

I hear that GM is gonna crank the power on the V8 camaros for '12, not sure about the V6 though. You would think so given the giant disparity.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...ro_rs_vs_2010_challenger_se/test_numbers.html

closing on 2 seconds faster to 100, over half a second faster to 60, along with better braking and handling. Approximate same power, but the weight seems to doom the Camaro to 'also ran' status. At least they both murder the Challenger as expected.

MT liked the 'feel' of the Genesis the best though 😛 I guess they hung out with the C&D staff a bit enough to catch the illogical bug. Genesis 3.8 is quite a bit more pricey than V6 Camaro or Mustang, the 2.2 Turbo is the one that's priced to compete with those. Oh well, logic is over-rated anyway right? 🙂
 
Arkaign said:
True but the new Mustang V6 whoops on that Camaro, and puts a surprisingly vicious fight against the 1SS. Only the 2SS can really get the leap on it.

I hear that GM is gonna crank the power on the V8 camaros for '12, not sure about the V6 though. You would think so given the giant disparity.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...ro_rs_vs_2010_challenger_se/test_numbers.html

closing on 2 seconds faster to 100, over half a second faster to 60, along with better braking and handling. Approximate same power, but the weight seems to doom the Camaro to 'also ran' status. At least they both murder the Challenger as expected.

MT liked the 'feel' of the Genesis the best though 😛 I guess they hung out with the C&D staff a bit enough to catch the illogical bug. Genesis 3.8 is quite a bit more pricey than V6 Camaro or Mustang, the 2.2 Turbo is the one that's priced to compete with those. Oh well, logic is over-rated anyway right? 🙂
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I don't think I would ever buy a V6 muscle car. Just doesn't feel right without the V8.
 
this thread reminds me of a convo i had with a friend a while back. i asked him why he always bought high end cars but always wanted 100k miles on them.

He explained to me that many of these cars owned by rich people should of taken care of ALL the problems and they have the best change of being completely problem free. He bought all his family these 93-01 E500 or similiar with 100k+ and all 6 sedans made it to 250k with no problem mainly other then tires and oil. I think he had a small common things go out once in a while like, a bad window motor, wiper motor but he has had GREAT luck...
 
JMapleton said:
It costs more to maintenance a car that falls apart after a few years, like most American made cars do.
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FWIW, Car and Driver did a "best cars for under $20000" feature a while back. They featured a Benz CL600, you might find this quote interesting:

"Yes, these two-door S-classes may be easy to acquire for our target price, but it takes more euros to keep them roadworthy—sometimes many more. McGowan bought his 105K-mile example two years ago for about 14 grand. Since then, he and his mechanic have worked through a prioritized fix-it list focused on drivability—specifically in connection with the sophisticated suspension, a common trouble source. Repair costs are quickly approaching the purchase price.

As with its inauspicious arrival, McGowan’s CL didn’t leave the party in South Haven without incident. One electrical short, two days in the shop, and $1100 later, it was back on the road, still looking as impressive as ever."

Granted the example you listed is much more recent and half the miles this one had and that would factor in. But when you have problems with a luxury German car, it's going to cost you.
 
JackBurton said:
I agree.
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Interesting. Sound's to me like you buy new cars because they are "new" and like that status symbol.

It is foolish and stupid (yes I said it) to discount used cars because they are "less" reliable than new cars and to say that people buy them for status. I have bought both new and used, and it really depends on the situation. As others have said here, many people buy and then sell a car shortly after for no apparent reason and there is no reason why purchasing said car couldn't be a great deal.

Coming into a garage forum and saying ignorant statements like this is rediculous. Either you are really ignorant or just a troll.
 
exdeath said:
Those are fun to destroy when the owners think that V12 emblem will protect them from anything.
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Hah yeah. The CL600 wasn't even that fast (for the price range for sure) 0-60 in 4.6-4.8 in most tests. Hell the new Mustang GT beats it, and it doesn't cost $130k new. I haven't driven one, but I've also gathered that they handle like crap for the most part.

Now the Mercedes SL Black Edition, that's more like it. Not available for $20k used yet though.
 
If it's me, it's a no-brainer: E39 M5.

It's not the fastest, it's not the cheapest to maintain, but I've always thought it was an incredible car; one of those rare vehicles where every single thing about it was somehow completely "right". Aesthetically and dynamically the E39 M5 remains high on my short list of cars that somehow manage to have everything align perfectly.

ZV
 
JMapleton said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005...5687335?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20b500e1a7

V12
493 HP
Luxury
Well Built
Blows away Pontiac GTO, most Vettes, Mustangs of whatever POS car others have suggested and does it with style and luxury.

/thread
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I'm actually suprised it's only $100 for an oil change... and you can save even more money by siphoning the oil out yourself and shelling out for 9 quarts of full synthetic and filter.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w215-cl-class/1499684-how-change-oil-04-cl600.html
 
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