00R Wants YOU: New Car Shopper Looking For The BEST $40,000 Luxury Sedan — What's YOUR Pick?

Genesis

That's what I was thinking but I don't think he wanted to hear it, haha.

That one is a slam dunk - the LAST generation W-221 (Not the current one) - Mercedes S Class 3-4 years old. (That is how I buy my S600s too) - low mileage - and WITH an extended warranty. The car's looks were different enough to continue to be nice - and for a huge (inside) sedan - these cars are fast - have all the bells and whistles you could possibly ask for - and are wonderful on a long run from NJ to Florida too. Either the 4.7 twin turbo V8 - or the S-550 regular V8 are both top notch. And they are readily availbale because the new W-222 has been so popular.

Why buy used when new is much cheaper to lease or finance?

Stop the madness, your brother'sonly choices are

NEW- C 300 4 Matic

USED- E 550 4 Matic

Done & Done There's simply Mercedes-Benz and those other things that resemble automobiles sheesh

Merc C300 4matic seems like a great option, 328 or 320 xdrive would be ok. Although most here will spaz on the 320 it is a nice viable daily driver if you put the right options on it. I just spent 3 years in Europe driving a 318d that would cruise all day long at 180kph (110mph). How fast do you really normally go??

To MDarringer -
Although things may be different where you live - but a NEW S-class Mercedes in my neck of the woods is in the $100,000 range - so to get one in the $40,000 price range you must buy it used - and there is NO LUXURY car in the new $40,000 range (Remember - I consider that to be LARGE cars - not small sports sedans like the 3 series or c class) that remotely compares with a 3-4 year old S-Class as a LUXURY car. The 7 series doesn't - and I still consider the Audi to be a step lower than the Mercedes. Smaller cars need not apply

How is he getting a 335i or 528i for $40k? He could get a low optioned 328i xdrive for that price. I wouldn't touch the 320i. Too underpowered and screams that you are trying very hard to get into the segment.

ATS could be a good option to look at.

True. With that kind of money, all he can buy is some crappy Japanese cars.

Not sure about the ATS, but if he can go for that one, then that'd be great.

It's a ballpark number and if you know how to negotiate it's not a huge problem.

You are not going to be able to negotiate cars in the low $50k range down to low $40k range.

Perhaps he is best to lease the car.

Don't know what his problem is with Audi, but an A4 is probably his best option. Or an A3

3 series is to small for a grown assed man. 528 is a dog, too heavy for that engine...even with the turbos. Plus waaaay too much for a 4 cylinder. It's okay when it's new but give it 2 or 3 years then it starts sounding like a 4 cylinder bad decision.

You mean turbo. The 528i has one, although BMW would like you to believe it has two

Get the Acura. It's a good car all around.

If he likes boring chick cars, then sure.

Thank you for providing some insight!

3 series is a chick car too

Are you shooting heroin?

Sorry, but a car in the luxury segment with a decent engine, decent room, AWD, and non-Audi pretty much cannot be had. Not enough room in a CLA. A 328I xDrive starts at $40k with no options. A Lexus IS300 with AWD and no F-Sport starts at $40k with no options.

His best bet is to go with something like a loaded Fusion or Chrysler 200 with AWD. Or a Lexus NX or Acura RDX that starts at $34/$35kk.

Indeed. It's a tough market out there!

Spending over 45k for some, crappy Honda and Nissan is pretty ridiculous. There are far better choices like Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, etc.

The Japanese "luxury" cars simply have no prestige, no heritage and practically just overpriced Honda and Nissan. And Lexus? Oh ya, no. Lexus, Infiniti and Acura are like, "Hey, look at me, I am desperate!" kind of brands.

Even my Japanese girl friend laughs at those 3 lol

I feel like before you comment you sniff glue or something. Always bombastic, always filled with nonsense and typically featuring some nationalism.

I just hope it's schtick.

Who lets trolls like GMCadillac on this site? There is nothing positive on his comments and always bitter against cars other than GM/Cadillac. Either you are a rich kid with lots of money and don't know what to do with it or clueless about cars.

monster, people like you are the reason why people nowadays can not appreciate the freedom of speech.

I am bitter against cars other than GM and Cadillac? Did I say anything negative about the European cars, or any other cars from Ford and Chrysler?

But then again, you don't really seem like a smart person who is good at memorizing anyway, so I forgive you, friend.

There are plenty of Americans who laugh at Cadillac.

Many Americans just say crap about Cadillac because many of those poor Americans can't even afford all that maintenance costs, so they just stick with poor man's luxury brands like Lexus, Infiniti and Acura.

GM is right

I just got the new TLX 4 cyl with tech package. Smooth ride; fill with gadgets, good on gas and plenty of room for 2 kids and their stuff. Had Q50 before, complete disaster from get go! Returned that pos 2 months early!

Most insightful comment on here. Thank you for the head's up!

While I am no fan of the MKZ, it can easily be had for $40K loaded. They simply do not sell anywhere near list price and $5-7K off is common. If you can stomach it's ugliness then go for it.

The ATS and the CTS routinely go for well below list.

I rather like the MKZ...just needs bigger wheels.
T

@TauroB2G...you would.

Yes Derringer I would...I like the design...sorry I'm no brand whore like you. You're the kinda guy that' would blow 50 k on a Hyundai on an 84 month lease. I rented an MKZ and liked the design. Nice car.

I recommend looking at a CPO 15 5 or 3 series, they have some pretty great lease options.

Higher interest rate than new

"Higher interest rate than new"

No they are not, they are the same rate or better. The lease deals on a CPO 15's a much, much better.

The new Genesis is by FAR the most underrated car in this space and it has the best looking exterior design. Best looking face for sure. I'd get a loaded one with stop/go active cruise and never look back. Plus DOUBLE the factory warranty of everyone.

001

I agree the Genesis is the best value, until you sell it. The Genesis has dismal resale value. So if you opt for it lease don't buy.

The Genesis is a good capable car and is certainly good looking, but for anyone looking for an enthusiastic driver, it misses the mark.

The article said LUXURY sedan. Not ENTHUSIAST driver.

001

@scenicbyway12 Why would you BUY any premium vehicle? Lease and move on is how the smart money is played.

@MDarringer As some one who has worked in the industry for decades, buying and leasing to me offer the worst value. A current year or previous year used offers a far better value than a new product.

@scenicbyway12 WRONG! New purchases and new leases are HEAVILY incentivized. Your factoids are outdated. Go bye bye.

My next three-month test drive is in a 2015 Genesis V8--again if it does not get sold out from under me--in blue. This one on the manifest ticks all the options. It's sticker is $56K but retail on it would be $47K.

@MDarringer No I'm not wrong, I am a professional appraiser of luxury cars. All the incentive and low payment destroy the resale value of the car. The used car market has to compensate to able to be a better value than the new car. Just check the Mannheim auction reports to see what big incentive do to a car.

I didn't say it didn't, 001. But did you read his choices? Did his list include the LUXURIOUS Buicks, Lincolns, and Cadillac XTS? I think it's pretty clear what types of vehicles he was targeting.

@scenicbyway12 The average customer does not buy at auctions. They buy off the lot or they may even do a CPO.

The interest rate on a used car loan is almost universally higher than the interest rate a new buy or a new lease.

Therefore, if you have a budget of $40K for your loan, you want to go with the LOWEST interest rate and because the interest rates are lower on new buys and leases, you'll be spending less out of pocket as you repay the loan.

Furthermore, buying used--for most buyers--means no warranty and that most decidedly has to be factored in to the cost of ownership. If they purchase an extended warranty, that will add cost to the loan that is then paid off at the higher interest rate of the used vehicle loan.

In the current premium market most transactions are leases. Even with a cheap lease, the dealer and manufacturer are making money. But because the interest rates are lower, it's a win for the buyer/lessee.

When the car returns in 2-3 years, it will likely be put out at CPO prices, which will ALWAYS be higher than private transaction prices. The interest rate on the CPO loan is usually higher so that a salesman can point to the cheaper interest rate of the new vehicle and "motivate" buyers in that direction.

The only number that matters to the manufacturer is the sales of new vehicles, thus cheaper rates.

The only purpose for CPO is to make money and boy do they.

If you use manufacturer financing--as many people do--the manufacturer has found a way to get payments and interest from buyers for five to nine years. How did I arrive at that? I lease the vehicle for two to three years. Two is preferable. I then sell the car at the end of the lease as a CPO and finance that for up to six years.

My partner just purchased a new 2015 Mercedes c300 4matic last week. After months of looking, we decided that there was no comparison with the baby S-class looks and award winning interior. I figure a base one with the 4matic option should fit within your sons requirements & price range. We decided to splurge for a sports package & pano roof & the car looks SHARP!!

Being a luxury realtor, my partner also factored in that he has clients in his car everyday as well, and when it came down to it, 3/4 of his clients drove Mercedes. It was hard to consider anything else after seeing the quality & craftsmanship of the new C class. Hope my opinion helps!

Ford Taurus SHO. AWD, turbo power, starts at 40k.
T

Merc C300 4matic seems like a great option, 328 or 320 xdrive would be ok. Although most here will spaz on the 320 it is a nice viable daily driver with the right options. I just spent 3 years driving a 318d that would cruise all day long at 180-200kph (110-125mph), how fast does he normally drive? I also agree wholeheartedly with the CPO route, 535, 528, used Merc etc... Also is a Luxury SUV an option? Maybe the new X1 when it roles in, a used Evoque, X3 or even X5 could all be had for $40k. If he is open to CPO cars his choices expand dramatically.

jeezus Christ just have him buy a 1-3 yr old CPO 535i or Q70x, finance it with a loan from his credit union for the lowest rates on used cars and keep it moving. It'll be way better than trying to buy a bare bones 528i, or a Q50x/TLX/335i which are too underpowered (528i) or small(Q50/TLX/335i) for a guy with 2 car seats.