help with higher end sedans buying decision
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if an audi is a vw, then don't forget that a Lexus is just a Toyota, an Acura is just a Honda, and an Infiniti is just a Nissan.
The only one of those three that I get a feel of a real value proposition and enhancement over the basic manufacturer is Lexus.
If I wanted a nice sedan and didn't want a euro maker, I'd only go Lexus. I'd look at a Lexus is if I were you...[/quote]
My point exactly. I would rather have a gussied up Honda, Nissan or Toyota which are known for lasting 250k miles than an gussied up VW that is known to start falling apart with less than half that mileage.
if an audi is a vw, then don't forget that a Lexus is just a Toyota, an Acura is just a Honda, and an Infiniti is just a Nissan.
The only one of those three that I get a feel of a real value proposition and enhancement over the basic manufacturer is Lexus.
If I wanted a nice sedan and didn't want a euro maker, I'd only go Lexus. I'd look at a Lexus is if I were you...[/quote]
My point exactly. I would rather have a gussied up Honda, Nissan or Toyota which are known for lasting 250k miles than an gussied up VW that is known to start falling apart with less than half that mileage.
I found out that yes you can turn the Onstar off but the police can track you with your cell phone anyway (and listen in even if you aren't talking on the phone BTW). There are so many ways to track you these days that I wouldn't even worry about Onstar unless you were a major drug dealer or something then you would have a whole new set of issues to deal with.
And yes, you really need to look at the new Caddys and Buicks. They are nothing like they were 5 years ago. If you are ever in the state of MI I will see if I can get you into our plant and let you take a CTS V Coupe for a spin!! ;-)
And yes, you really need to look at the new Caddys and Buicks. They are nothing like they were 5 years ago. If you are ever in the state of MI I will see if I can get you into our plant and let you take a CTS V Coupe for a spin!! ;-)
You can unplug the onstar module, or pull or cut the antenna wire - it works over the cellular network.
I don't know why anyone would disconnect it - I have the whole OnStar enchilada of cell phone, nav, xm, blah enabled on all my GM cars.
If you're wanting to live a little large now that you've paid for the kid's college, forget about a car - get an airplane. The weather is almost alway good for flying in Texas, and they don't depreciate. The last one I had I kept ten years, and sold it for twice what I paid.
I don't know why anyone would disconnect it - I have the whole OnStar enchilada of cell phone, nav, xm, blah enabled on all my GM cars.
If you're wanting to live a little large now that you've paid for the kid's college, forget about a car - get an airplane. The weather is almost alway good for flying in Texas, and they don't depreciate. The last one I had I kept ten years, and sold it for twice what I paid.
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
I found out that yes you can turn the Onstar off but the police can track you with your cell phone anyway (and listen in even if you aren't talking on the phone BTW).
They can't do that with mine.
I found out that yes you can turn the Onstar off but the police can track you with your cell phone anyway (and listen in even if you aren't talking on the phone BTW).
They can't do that with mine.
I like the CTS, no doubt a fine car. Sorry to say I feel claustrophobic in the Buick. Front pillars are too large, belt line is very high, small window out the back. Taurus and 300 all have the same styling so I guess I am not with the times.
What is wrong with a new 3-series? It gets high with options but all the cars you are talking about do the same thing.
Personally I think the BMW 3 series is superior to anything made by a Japanese brand.
A CPO 3 series with a killer warranty can be had in the mid 20's to 30's.
Personally I think the BMW 3 series is superior to anything made by a Japanese brand.
A CPO 3 series with a killer warranty can be had in the mid 20's to 30's.
Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
I
If you are ever in the state of MI I will see if I can get you into our plant and let you take a CTS V Coupe for a spin!! ;-)
You work in a nice plant. I was there back in 2008 watching my CTS being built. I'm an 8th level production mgr here in Tx. You're welcome to tour my plant if ever in town.
I
If you are ever in the state of MI I will see if I can get you into our plant and let you take a CTS V Coupe for a spin!! ;-)
You work in a nice plant. I was there back in 2008 watching my CTS being built. I'm an 8th level production mgr here in Tx. You're welcome to tour my plant if ever in town.
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Originally Posted By: milwaukee
What is wrong with a new 3-series? It gets high with options but all the cars you are talking about do the same thing.
Personally I think the BMW 3 series is superior to anything made by a Japanese brand.
A CPO 3 series with a killer warranty can be had in the mid 20's to 30's.
The standard 3 series does not include folding rear seat ($500), leather seats (!), sunroof, a decent radio and quite a few other things that the others do include. Plus it has run flat tires that cost $1300 to replace every 20,000 to 25,000 miles. If you pick up a nail in the tire, you can have the pleasure of driving in for service, but likely you will have to replace the tire for $300+. As you point out, after the 50,000 mile warranty expires, the price drops significantly, so a used one might be worth considering if well optioned and run flats are replaced with regular tires. I dream of getting a used 335d but none on the market.
What is wrong with a new 3-series? It gets high with options but all the cars you are talking about do the same thing.
Personally I think the BMW 3 series is superior to anything made by a Japanese brand.
A CPO 3 series with a killer warranty can be had in the mid 20's to 30's.
The standard 3 series does not include folding rear seat ($500), leather seats (!), sunroof, a decent radio and quite a few other things that the others do include. Plus it has run flat tires that cost $1300 to replace every 20,000 to 25,000 miles. If you pick up a nail in the tire, you can have the pleasure of driving in for service, but likely you will have to replace the tire for $300+. As you point out, after the 50,000 mile warranty expires, the price drops significantly, so a used one might be worth considering if well optioned and run flats are replaced with regular tires. I dream of getting a used 335d but none on the market.
Originally Posted By: Burt
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Do you have any student loans or debt? How much money are you earning? How secure is your job?
No debt. I am frugal. My first car was a 10 year old 65 mustang. 45 years after it was built, I am on my fourth car (not counting wife's cars) and might keep the 02 maxima for awhile except my daughter says I owe her a car cuz the older one got one too. Job is not that secure but am in my early fifties and have enough money to retire.
How about a used LS430 or LS460?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Do you have any student loans or debt? How much money are you earning? How secure is your job?
No debt. I am frugal. My first car was a 10 year old 65 mustang. 45 years after it was built, I am on my fourth car (not counting wife's cars) and might keep the 02 maxima for awhile except my daughter says I owe her a car cuz the older one got one too. Job is not that secure but am in my early fifties and have enough money to retire.
How about a used LS430 or LS460?
How about a Ford Taurus with the N/A 3.5L?
Taurus, Buick Regal and 300 all have the high sill/small window treatment that give them the gangsta look. Makes me feel claustrophobic in them and I would be nervous making lane changes. While I bought Fords for 20 years, the dealer told me I was not a preferred customer b/c I do my own oil chages. Another ford dealer sabotaged my car when I told him I would only pay the inspection fee. I can take a hint.
Used Lexus 430 might be okay although kind of big for an empty nester.
Used Lexus 430 might be okay although kind of big for an empty nester.
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Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Toyota Avalon. I would not buy a domestic.Buick? LOL
Motor Trend Magazine says about Detroit in an article introducing the new Buick Regal (which is engineered in Europe not in Detroit):
'... Detroit mindset that believed American automakers could get away with foisting outclassed machinery on American consumers too patriotic -- or dimwitted -- to buy an import brand.'
'First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal' at http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_1004_2011_buick_regal_drive/index.html
Avalon and Buick similar? You can say that Avalon is a modern interpretation of a horse carriage, yes it is. But not of dad's Buick.Buicks have never been that interesting to enthusiasts.
You obviously have not noticed the change in Buick the last 3 years. The new models are competitive and not like Buicks of the past.
Best to wait for 2011 Buick Regal then. Engineered in Europe, not in Detroit.Buick Regal badge was an afterthought, since Saturn was killed it could not be named Saturn, they ended up with Buick name.
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Toyota Avalon. I would not buy a domestic.Buick? LOL
Motor Trend Magazine says about Detroit in an article introducing the new Buick Regal (which is engineered in Europe not in Detroit):
'... Detroit mindset that believed American automakers could get away with foisting outclassed machinery on American consumers too patriotic -- or dimwitted -- to buy an import brand.'
'First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal' at http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_1004_2011_buick_regal_drive/index.html
Avalon and Buick similar? You can say that Avalon is a modern interpretation of a horse carriage, yes it is. But not of dad's Buick.Buicks have never been that interesting to enthusiasts.
You obviously have not noticed the change in Buick the last 3 years. The new models are competitive and not like Buicks of the past.
Best to wait for 2011 Buick Regal then. Engineered in Europe, not in Detroit.Buick Regal badge was an afterthought, since Saturn was killed it could not be named Saturn, they ended up with Buick name.
Let's see:
- You want an upscale sedan
- Are willing to buy used to save a bunch
- Want some specific options such as ventilated seats
- Want good fuel mileage
- Hate the "gansta look"/gun slit windows of many current models
- Don't want a too large vehicle
- Like doing your own maintenance
- Want long vehicle life
Buy a gently used SAAB 9-5! It meets all of the above criteria. My 2000 9-5 just turned 275,000 miles, still delivers over 30MPG on the rare occasions I drive sedately, and I am able to D-I-Y nearly all maintenance activities.
The only downside is that a few regions of the country have limited Dealer support.
- You want an upscale sedan
- Are willing to buy used to save a bunch
- Want some specific options such as ventilated seats
- Want good fuel mileage
- Hate the "gansta look"/gun slit windows of many current models
- Don't want a too large vehicle
- Like doing your own maintenance
- Want long vehicle life
Buy a gently used SAAB 9-5! It meets all of the above criteria. My 2000 9-5 just turned 275,000 miles, still delivers over 30MPG on the rare occasions I drive sedately, and I am able to D-I-Y nearly all maintenance activities.
The only downside is that a few regions of the country have limited Dealer support.
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Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Older Saabs are better than GM-contaminated Saabs.
Personally, I think the GM contamination is over-stated but I didn't like the de-contenting that happened during the later years of GM's watch.
The 9-5 was originally released in 1998 and designed when GM had a much smaller influence. The car is all new in 2010 but recent years, 2006 thru 2009, are still direct descendants of that 1998 model making parts easy to come by. And all 9-5's with the four cylinder engine have a SAAB engine, made in SAAB's own engine factory (since closed).
SAABs have not held market value well making any used SAAB a terrific buy! Their new owner promises to restore the brand to its original roots, meaning they will no longer be sold as inexpensive imported alternatives to GM's Cadillac brand.
Older Saabs are better than GM-contaminated Saabs.
Personally, I think the GM contamination is over-stated but I didn't like the de-contenting that happened during the later years of GM's watch.
The 9-5 was originally released in 1998 and designed when GM had a much smaller influence. The car is all new in 2010 but recent years, 2006 thru 2009, are still direct descendants of that 1998 model making parts easy to come by. And all 9-5's with the four cylinder engine have a SAAB engine, made in SAAB's own engine factory (since closed).
SAABs have not held market value well making any used SAAB a terrific buy! Their new owner promises to restore the brand to its original roots, meaning they will no longer be sold as inexpensive imported alternatives to GM's Cadillac brand.
I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. The radio is better than decent and leather is standard now. Buy what tickles your pickle but some of the fancied up econo sedans you have mentioned don't hold a candle to the rwd 3series.
Maybe a good driving car is not what you are looking for? If not go back to the maxima and what not.
Maybe a good driving car is not what you are looking for? If not go back to the maxima and what not.
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