US luxury market - a competitive frenzy?

I'm in the market for a second vehicle, and was looking at the car ads in the Saturday newspapers in South Florida today. I ran a little analysis and was amazed by how low some of the lease deals are. Average costs of $12-19 a day over the life of a lease are typical. I'm not saying these are absolutely the best deals you can get (for that you need to contact Agent 001) but I am saying now is GREAT TIME to buy a car!

Here's what I looked at today:

2007 Acura TSX - $329/month, 36 months, $4,414 at inception – average $16/day

2007 Audi A4 2.0T auto - $339/month, 24 months, $914 at inception - $15/day

2007 Audi Q7 - $499/month, 36 months, $1,074 at inception - $19/day

2006 BMW M3 Convertible $559/month, 28 months, $6,218 at inception - $30/day

2007 BMW 328i - $299/month, 27 months, $4,869 at inception - $18/day

2007 BMW 328iC - $399/month, 36 months, $3,743 at inception - $18/day

2007 BMW 530iA - $479/month, 24 months, $3,478 at inception - $23/day

2007 BMW 750iA - $869/month, 24 months, $5,868 at inception - $40/day

2007 Cadillac CTS 3.6 - $199/month, 27 months, $3,899 at inception - $13/day

2007 Cadillac STS - $399/month, 39 months, $3,995 at inception - $18/day

2007 Lexus RX350 - $399/month, 36 months, $1,995 at inception - $17/day

2007 Lexus IS250 - $299/month, 36 months, $4,995 at inception - $16/day

2007 MB C230 - $279/month, 27 months, $3,900 at inception - $16/day

2007 MB E350A - $519/month, 27 months, $3,995 at inception - $24/day

2006 Mini Cooper - $169/month, 27 months, $3,750 at inception - $12/day

Notes:
In addition to the amounts shown at lease inception, another $1,000-$1,200 may be due for tax, tag and title. Also in Florida there is a sales tax on the monthly payments, but no sales tax is due on the entire value of the vehicle – just on the lease payment.

Most of these vehicles are relatively well equipped with sunroofs, leather etc.

The daily averages take into account all payments, except scheduled maintenance [which is free for BMW] including Florida taxes. This total is divided by number of days in the lease.
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BASED ON THIS ANALYSIS MY FAVORITES ARE THE BMW 328iCoupe, BMW 530i and MB E350. Which would you buy as an second vehicle if the first vehicle is a SUV?

S4cabriofoxone - 12/9/2006 5:27:06 PM

0 Boost

"2007 BMW 328iC - $399/month, 36 months, $3,743 at inception - $18/day"

The 328ci (convertible) isn't on sale yet.

Otherwise, these deals are smokin'.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/9/2006 5:27:39 PM

0 Boost

UNLESS you meant 328i (sedan) and 328i (coupe)? Because, I think, BMW doesn't put "C" in the coupe names.

mostafa - 12/9/2006 5:52:22 PM

+1 Boost

s4, i believe it's the coupe. they have been flying off here in L.A. for about $100 more a month than their sedan counterparts when it comes down to leases.

great deals, by the way.

Agent001 - 12/9/2006 6:18:53 PM

+3 Boost

Man! Do you ever need the AutoSpies.com buying service!

We'd blow these deals away!

001

MercBasher - 12/9/2006 6:20:08 PM

-1 Boost

Yeah C for the coupe

MercBasher - 12/9/2006 6:26:31 PM

0 Boost

Agent 001 can you give an example of blowing away these deals please? How about the E350?

Agent001 - 12/9/2006 6:56:25 PM

+1 Boost

We can do better...you need to purchase our buying service to find out how much better

001

mstangpny07 - 12/9/2006 6:12:49 PM

+4 Boost

nice deal on the CTS. They aren't selling very well, are they?

bmwdrvr - 12/9/2006 8:25:03 PM

+2 Boost

i was reading the cts is still selling very well, but classic gm is to mark down the value leader, or volume seller of a brand to get more sales, but yeah now adays everybody has to compete there are many more deals out now than just these that are listed on every luxury brand

lexusis350 - 12/9/2006 6:21:37 PM

+2 Boost

Holy crap! $299 for an IS 250! My father in-law drives a 2002 Honda Accord LX for $365 a month. By the way, were these lease or purchase price?

MercBasher - 12/9/2006 6:23:42 PM

+2 Boost

Lease prices assuming good credit, out-of-pocket expenses as described, and no trade-in.

Lexus - 12/9/2006 7:15:07 PM

+1 Boost

Hey! MercBasher, If you just looking for a second car and if the brand does not matter, get something that suit you. But if I were you I would either get the IS250, why not the IS350 instead, or the 328iC, Acura TSX, or the Audi A4.

Lexus

MercBasher - 12/10/2006 12:04:15 PM

+1 Boost

The leases on the Lexus IS350 [and ES350] do not appear to be subsidized, for the same payments you can get an MB350 or BMW 5 series. Audi A4 doesn't appeal. The Acura TSX is getting a little old but it is a great car. . . but thx for your suggestions.

chewy - 12/9/2006 8:01:27 PM

0 Boost

I thought that Audi was the only luxury brand that had cheap leases, silly me.

mxrxk - 12/9/2006 9:25:26 PM

+4 Boost

Agent001 - Where do we find more information about your buying services?

Also the lease on the 2007 A4 2.0T Quattro is going for $379/month $0 down 24 month w/ 15000 miles year - tiptronic, premium package, heated seats, 17 in wheels. I partial to the IS250/350 and the 328xi coupe, but this is a great deal.

kart1 - 12/10/2006 11:25:16 AM

0 Boost

Yes 001, where do I find more info???

2JZSoarer - 12/9/2006 11:53:26 PM

-1 Boost

Acura is not a real luxury brand,they don't offer a V8 or RWD vehicles,I consider Acura more like entry luxury !!!!

MercBasher - 12/10/2006 12:07:29 PM

+1 Boost

The ES is a nice car, and with the right options can be very comfortable and impressive. However in South Florida its leases are not subsidized by Lexus and payments are equivalent to "higher" BMW and MB models - so the ES is not in serious contention.

AmazingBimmer - 12/10/2006 3:57:51 PM

+1 Boost

chewy.. these are advertised pricess. the audis are a lot cheaper. they have to be for the quality and perfrormance/ desireability equation (the Audi has neither. competes more with the chevy impala)

chewy - 12/10/2006 4:05:31 PM

+2 Boost

WTF, they are cheaper than the official Audi leases that are very much the same as the other leases???

S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2006 11:07:17 PM

0 Boost

Oh yeah, I should've gotten the Impala. Thanks for reminding me.

Why are you even on this website? Why are you such a fool?

aussiecarnut - 12/11/2006 9:22:29 AM

+1 Boost

i must say, car's in the US are very cheap!

in Australia a standard BMW M3 starts at around $150k AUD (around $117k USD). Simply looking on eBay at brand new US car prices makes me want to book a flight tomorrow!

MercBasher - 12/11/2006 4:06:21 PM

+2 Boost

I think you have much higher vehicle taxes? Also the policies of the Republicans [high deficits, runaway spending, in-your-face diplomacy etc. etc.] have driven the dollar lower relative to most currencies. US assets are a bargain right now - come on over and buy, buy buy!