What would you buy for $25,000

[Vinsanity]

Ok so I already made my decision. But this was an issue that recently arose with me. Do I buy a brand new mainstreamer with low interest, a full warranty, and cheaper maintenance? Or do I buy a 4-5 year-old luxury sport sedan with more features and lower depreciation cost? The choices pictured are just examples. The decision here is pretty much:

2007/08 mainstream sedan
vs.
2003/04 luxury sport sedan

Where does your $25k go?

[Raghavan]

I chose the luxury car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'll take the old POS. 

[ChrisV]

I'd go even older for my money. And I did. In fact, right now I'd probably go with either an AMG CLK55 or an '01 740i Sport for that sort of money.

[JYODER240]

I went with the new simply because of it's warranty and not having to worry about any problems that might arise with an older less reliable luxury car.

[thewizard16]

Luxury car. If it's a moderately reliable car, get as much toy/comfort as you can for your money.

[TBR]

older ftw.

[TheIntrepid]

Usually I'd pick the E60, but the looks aren't as nice in my eyes as they used to be. Also, I lust after the new Altima.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Usually I'd pick the E60, but the looks aren't as nice in my eyes as they used to be. Also, I lust after the new Altima.

The choices pictured are just examples.

[the Teuton]

For that kind of money, I'd start looking for E39 M5s if they are to be had.

[Raza]

For that kind of money, I'd start looking for E39 M5s if they are to be had.

25 grand will get you one with under 100k miles. 



I chose the older luxury car.

[the Teuton]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=232628895&dealer_id=619279&car_year=1991&num_records=25&model=M5&systime=1193685797859&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=15260&advanced=&end_year=2008&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=186

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=230434911&dealer_id=100751&car_year=2000&num_records=25&model=M5&systime=1193685797859&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=15260&advanced=&end_year=2008&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=801

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=227314581&dealer_id=55410601&car_year=2000&num_records=25&model=M5&systime=1193685797859&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=15260&advanced=&end_year=2008&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=419

[ChrisV]

Here's my choice: http://www.ferettimotors.com/site/index.php?s=car&id=3232

Black on black, sport equipped, 750i V12 car. 

[southdiver1]

Well, givin the autos in the pix, I would go with the new Nissan simply because after 5-6 years. the BMW's are absolute junk however, if we were talking, lets say, a brand new 25K Honda Civic and a 25K 5 year old Lexus 430, I would go with the Lexus.
Build quality means a lot.

[ChrisV]

Well, givin the autos in the pix, I would go with the new Nissan simply because after 5-6 years. the BMW's are absolute junk however

Really? Mine's junk? Didn't know that.

[the Teuton]

Really? Mine's junk? Didn't know that.

I always thought the pre-Bangle cars were timeless.  Really, how well does a car like that hold up and how expensive is it to maintain?

[ChrisV]

I always thought the pre-Bangle cars were timeless.  Really, how well does a car like that hold up and how expensive is it to maintain?

Holds up well, and is easy and pretty cheap to maintain, even at high miles (mine has 154k miles on it now). There are a couple of areas that need to be looked after, but they are cheap and simple. It's really no more expensive to work on than an old Chevy. I paid $7500 for it in January with 143k on it, and have spent a couple hundred on repair items since (all of them related to the fact that it's got 150+k on it not because it's a BMW, and all of them expected for the price. I paid less than market value for it expecting that it would need a few common repairs). There's a great community for diagnosing/repairing, and modding the cars.

I didn't get receipts for any work done to it in the past, and it came from a wholesale dealer, so I can't tell how it was maintained before I got it. But it is in excellent condition inside...

[850CSi]

Older.

[GoCougs]

In general terms, I'd be more inclined toward the Altima (in V6 form, that is). It will still provide pretty good performance, and will generally be cheaper to insure, to maintain and to repair; especially when compared with a used German marque.

I also don't think I'd like to drive a fancy car because of the attention they seem to draw.

[ChrisV]

In general terms, I'd be more inclined toward the Altima (in V6 form, that is). It will still provide pretty good performance, and will generally be cheaper to insure,

I've found just the opposite with insurance.

to maintain and to repair; especially when compared with a used German marque.

Actual prices I've paid have shown that not to be true, either. SOME big ticket items may be more expensive after the warranty runs out, but they are rarely needed in either case.

I've found the same to be true of my Range Rover.

I also don't think I'd like to drive a fancy car because of the attention they seem to draw.

it's not really bad attention... Actually, for the most part it doesn't draw any attention.

[2o6]

2 1/2 Toyota Yarises.

[Vinsanity]

In general terms, I'd be more inclined toward the Altima (in V6 form, that is). It will still provide pretty good performance, and will generally be cheaper to insure, to maintain and to repair; especially when compared with a used German marque.

I also don't think I'd like to drive a fancy car because of the attention they seem to draw.

meh. Unless you live in a bad neighborhood, who cares if a car draws alot of attention? (in which case, you should buy a cheap car and save up to move to a not-so-bad neighborhood)

Although I'm quite bothered by some people who seem to think that the CTS is considerably more expensive than the TL (and others who thought that the TL cost over $40,000)

And I agree with Chris; older cars are generally cheaper to insure than newer ones (even luxury vs. mainstream)

But you do bring up a good point that the V6 Altima is much faster than a 525i

[Eye of the Tiger]

But you do bring up a good point that the V6 Altima is much faster than a 525i

But... with used cars, the price difference between a 525i, and say, a 535i, grows ever smaller.

[FordSVT]

I'd go even older for my money. And I did. In fact, right now I'd probably go with either an AMG CLK55 or an '01 740i Sport for that sort of money.

You're a braver man than I. Quite honestly, I fear the 4-digit repair costs any time something breaks. I'd love to buy a 4-5 year old M3, but I'm afraid.

Me likey new car warranty.

[Vinsanity]

Here's my choice: http://www.ferettimotors.com/site/index.php?s=car&id=3232

Black on black, sport equipped, 750i V12 car. 

wow, that's a better warranty than I've seen on most of the newer used cars I've looked at

[ChrisV]

You're a braver man than I. Quite honestly, I fear the 4-digit repair costs any time something breaks.

Like the $135 radiator replacement? Or the $120 Cam Position Sensor replacement? (Two of the problem areas, and both took me a half hour with just a couple hand tools to do). Seriously, the idea that repairs are 4 digit ANY TIME something breaks is a myth. The most expensive thing I've seen on the E38 board was a replacement trans at $2k by a dealer. And that was the only trans repair I've seen in two years there.

Part of the reason I picked the 740 was the stellar record of reliability, the low cost of parts and repairs, and the apparent design ease of working on it if it needed repairs.  With that said, I checkbooked two repairs on it, both were $300. One was the water pump, which isn't common, but at high miles was an excuseable need, and the voltage regulator, which required pulling the alternator to change. Not a common repair either, but the part was only $90 (I was charged the 2 hour book time for the repair).

Over the year I've had it, those costs are actually pretty small, and I had expected to pay for repairs on a high mileage, under-market-value E38.

To be fair, some guys who have had the cars since new and paid to have work done at the dealer have paid more to keep the cars up when the cost of the car was factored in (we're talking a car that retailed for over $70k new for the V8 version and $90-100k for the V12). But most people buying used have needed very little in the way of expensive repairs. Shockingly, most money people spend is on upgrades to later parts (like the 16:9 nav screen, or iPod integration, or later HID lamps) Oh, and wheels. Custom wheels are not cheap for these. And I want a set of the factory MPar 18" sport wheels...

Now, this week I gotta change the oil...

[El Barto]

I'd go with the older car.  Oh wait, I already did.     That was basically the choice I had when I was shopping for a car a couple weeks ago, except my budget was around $15,000.  I was either going to end up with a Fit or Versa or something older but much nicer.

[Eye of the Tiger]

$25,000? I'd buy one of these, and do 1-Lap of America a few times.
http://maine.craigslist.org/car/462455123.html

[Onslaught]

Depends on what cars we're talking about.
But between these two I'd take the Nissan.

[Vinsanity]

I'd go with the older car.  Oh wait, I already did.     That was basically the choice I had when I was shopping for a car a couple weeks ago, except my budget was around $15,000.  I was either going to end up with a Fit or Versa or something older but much nicer.

I saw the pics the other day in the the thread you posted. That's a nice ride for $15k! Congrats!