• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

YACT: Best luxury sedan for under $25K?

halik

halik

Lifer
Looking for something relatively big (5 series, e class) and low milage. I don't think I can get a 745i ('02 and up) for that price, all the ones I've seen were higher milage or around $30K.

Any other ideas ?
 
German cars can be bought used for a good price, but know that a lot of money is going to be spent on maintenance. Make sure it has under 30K miles on it.

Japanese cars hold their reliability pretty well, but cars like the Infiniti G35 can be picked up for under 25K, with low miles, but you won't get the level of refinement found in German luxury cars.
 
You can easily find a 5 series for that money. It would be good if you can spend a little more and get one with warranty though.
 
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Used Acura or Lexus.
Click to expand...

Acura != luxury

I haven't really seen a lexus sedan that I've liked.
Click to expand...

Ugh, forget Lexus, it's too expensive and depreciation is too low. You can pick up an Acura TL for that price if that interests you, but I would much rather have a BMW if I wasn't driving a lot (maintenance costs will be lower).
 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: TheDro
Volvo S40
Click to expand...

That's more of a BMW 3-series competitor, not the 5/7 series.
Click to expand...

Yeah I missed where the OP wanted something like a 5er or bigger, but in the end the S40 is still the better choice being new, with full warranty. Could get a CPO Bimmer, but they're still a bit expensive.
 
You could get an almost new top spec town car for the price. Won't be as fast in a straight line or around a corner as the Germans, but it'll ride better and give you less maintainence headaches.

If you really want a european feel, look at the Lincoln LS V8. Good power, shiftable autobox, good looks, and still not too small.
 
I'd suggest a 530i if you can find one around that price, and same year, the 525i is a good car, but the engine in the 530i is far more efficient. For such a heavy car to be able to get up to 35mpg on the hwy (traveling around 70-80mph, and on completely flat ground like coastal TX, or the Netherlands) is awesome. The 2.5 straight six is a good engine but seems to be a little less reliable than the 3.0, my mom has a 325Ci and every once in awhile the engine will sputter when she first starts the engine in the mornings. The car isn't parked at any incline since its in their garage, so its not like oils at one end of the pan or whatever.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
You could get an almost new top spec town car for the price. Won't be as fast in a straight line or around a corner as the Germans, but it'll ride better and give you less maintainence headaches.

If you really want a european feel, look at the Lincoln LS V8. Good power, shiftable autobox, good looks, and still not too small.
Click to expand...



Town car? I've driven both the marquis and a town car and they are the reason why everyone makes fun of "american luxury". Outside their lack of luxury on the inside (plastic dash, fake wood accents don't count), the handling is absolutely aweful. The marquis has steering looser than /* inappropriate reference*/ and the seats are straight out of la-z-boy catalog. No thanks man, body on frame is 20 years passe.

Lincolns depreciate like no other, otherwise I'd consider it. At that point I might as well go for lag and do real luxury.
 
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
You could get an almost new top spec town car for the price. Won't be as fast in a straight line or around a corner as the Germans, but it'll ride better and give you less maintainence headaches.

If you really want a european feel, look at the Lincoln LS V8. Good power, shiftable autobox, good looks, and still not too small.
Click to expand...



Town car? I've driven both the marquis and a town car and they are the reason why everyone makes fun of "american luxury". Outside their lack of luxury on the inside (plastic dash, fake wood accents don't count), the handling is absolutely aweful. The marquis has steering looser than /* inappropriate reference*/ and the seats are straight out of la-z-boy catalog. No thanks man, body on frame is 20 years passe.

Lincolns depreciate like no other, otherwise I'd consider it. At that point I might as well go for lag and do real luxury.
Click to expand...

Don't knock it! They've got all the creature comforts, and I'd say the La-Z-Boy seats would be a huge point in it's favor. The steering is loose, it's true, but for cruising comfort there is nothing that approachs the Town Car. I'll drive 14 hours in a day in mine and feel fresh at the end of it.

And all this focus on handling - his MOM will be driving it. You turn the wheel left, the car turns left. Ditto for right. You follow traffic laws and that's all you'll ever need. She's in the market for a big luxury car, not a sports car. There is no torquesteer in the town car, no unpredictable twitches in a town car, just a very light steering wheel with no feedback - this is not dangerous, hell, it might even be preferrable to the heavier steering found in other cars in the luxury car market.

And yeah, there is lots of plastic in the interior. All cars have plastic interiors. The TC uses heavier, softer plastics - the interior might be a bit boring, but it's not bad. They didn't add a huge consol down the middle, opted to put wider more comfortable seats in, instead, with the option of a third passenger in front.

The TC takes some getting used to, but once you feel comfortable in the vehicle it's fantastic.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
You could get an almost new top spec town car for the price. Won't be as fast in a straight line or around a corner as the Germans, but it'll ride better and give you less maintainence headaches.

If you really want a european feel, look at the Lincoln LS V8. Good power, shiftable autobox, good looks, and still not too small.
Click to expand...



Town car? I've driven both the marquis and a town car and they are the reason why everyone makes fun of "american luxury". Outside their lack of luxury on the inside (plastic dash, fake wood accents don't count), the handling is absolutely aweful. The marquis has steering looser than /* inappropriate reference*/ and the seats are straight out of la-z-boy catalog. No thanks man, body on frame is 20 years passe.

Lincolns depreciate like no other, otherwise I'd consider it. At that point I might as well go for lag and do real luxury.
Click to expand...

Don't knock it! They've got all the creature comforts, and I'd say the La-Z-Boy seats would be a huge point in it's favor. The steering is loose, it's true, but for cruising comfort there is nothing that approachs the Town Car. I'll drive 14 hours in a day in mine and feel fresh at the end of it.

And all this focus on handling - his MOM will be driving it. You turn the wheel left, the car turns left. Ditto for right. You follow traffic laws and that's all you'll ever need. She's in the market for a big luxury car, not a sports car. There is no torquesteer in the town car, no unpredictable twitches in a town car, just a very light steering wheel with no feedback - this is not dangerous, hell, it might even be preferrable to the heavier steering found in other cars in the luxury car market.

And yeah, there is lots of plastic in the interior. All cars have plastic interiors. The TC uses heavier, softer plastics - the interior might be a bit boring, but it's not bad. They didn't add a huge consol down the middle, opted to put wider more comfortable seats in, instead, with the option of a third passenger in front.

The TC takes some getting used to, but once you feel comfortable in the vehicle it's fantastic.
Click to expand...

My mom is nowhere near being medicare-eleigible, which seems to be the pre requirement to drive one of those land yachts😉 And for the record, there are plenty of twiches in town car/ crown vic - anytime you take an onn/off ramp at more that 15mph, the rear end starts dancing around and jumping laterally (for lack of grip).

Just to exmplain, my mom (and myself also) is european and she's spend 90% of her life driving manual sports sedans. Right now she drives a C class sport ... trust me she's not interested in anything that remotely resembles retirement-home fleet car.

 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Used Acura or Lexus.
Click to expand...

Acura != luxury

I haven't really seen a lexus sedan that I've liked.
Click to expand...

How about your Mom? Has she seen a Lexus sedan that she likes?
Click to expand...

She likes my CLK, though wants rear doors. I think S class might be a good compromise for both my parents - they both like the finish and the car is big enoug to accomodate my stepdad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top