Are YOU Afraid Of All-New, Tech-Laden Luxury Vehicles? Do You Hesitate To BUY Over LEASE?

Lease way to go based on high number of fixes I've had done on cars under warranty.

It really depends on the type of car. Hybrids and EVs I'd say lease them because 10 years from now, today's technology will be archaic. If you're needing a family truckster, then buy it. If it's a vehicle you'll want to drive for a long time, buy it. If it's a bauble (any premium car) lease it because the lease is likely to be heavily subsidized. Moreover, premium vehicles tend to have steep real world depreciation. If you lease, the manufacturer ate a part of the depreciation, if you buy, it's all you, baby.

I've leased for a number of years because I like getting a new car every couple of years. It also lets you drive an expensive car for not as much as if you'd actually purchased it. My issue with the new cars is the powertrains. Many are so complex and that just gives me the willies. Nearly all the German luxury cars for the most part have given up normal aspiration in favor of turbos. The new Volvos have this insanely creative but very complex powertrain in the XC-90 and cars to follow. As Matt states, what will those require in 5 years or at 75K miles? I like the new 6's that Cadillac has out and think in the longer term they will ultimately cost less to fix. All the other technologies will not require a part but a whole assembly which will cost. However one can live without the navigation because its now on your phone. As cars get more and more expensive I'll be looking for a new one to buy and will likely go with a normally aspirated powertrain. Even though I absolutely love the XC-90.

I have been incredibly lucky with my S-600 - which has had almost no wierd problems - since I bought it OFF lease. Thankfully - I am still able to fix most of the problems with that and older cars - BUT - the cost of a scanner to be able to even check the new Mercedes cars is simply out of bounds unless you work on a lot of them. The one problem I had with the S - turned out to be a bare wire sometimes touching the metal inside the door - causing power window problems - but that is an old school problem.

I deliberately bought the non-turbo six for my CT6. I believe in the long run - it will be easier to fix (and cheaper) than the turbo - it has plenty of real world highway power - and is far more spacious inside than an E class.

My Company car - a FORD Fusion Hybrid - is due for replacement - and - with a Hybrid requirement - I am not sure between an Accord - or a Malibu. My second biggest complaint about the Fusions is the brakes - which are much better in the Malibu. Still - the CVT is still the biggest complaint - and I don't know if the Malibu is any better with its CVET.

I'm hoping you get the Malibu. I have heard that car is a game changer even though I think the styling could be prettier. I'm with you on the CT-6. I have been out of the country off and on since Feb and have not been able to drive one. I've sat in one and think it looks terrific and distinctive. I wish the CTS was as efficient as the CT-6 as its a better size for me but as the CT-6 is lighter with a great engine line up and all the tech, AND the value, its definitely on the list...

The original new owners have little to fear. The future used car owners have LOTS TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. The repairs and parts prices will make their hair turn grey!

The new Audi/MB/BMW/Lexus first generation semi-autonomous auto-braking tech is GOING TO FAIL after your warranty expires, bet on it. If it's a stripped Accord or Camry, no worries. But the controls that correct your lane drift or handles your emergency braking is complicated and not cheap to repair/replace.

If you really like a car and want to keep it out of warranty, just purchase the extended warranty from the manufacturer. Financially, it is one of the best deals out there is you want to cap your out of pocket (and the math is pretty simple if you drive an expensive German car).

My MB GL350 Bluetec (which I own) just needed several oxygen sensors replaced under warranty (and I suspect it was Mercedes' back-handed way of "fixing" a few "ahem" problems if you know what I mean because once I got the car back, fuel economy was a little lower and power seemed to be a little down but perhaps that's a post for another day) which ran Mercedes about $4,000.

I love the vehicle and want to keep it (drive 8,000 miles/year on it) so for $5,000 I purchased an extra 3 years of coverage to 75,000 miles (for a total of 7 years/75,000 miles) from MB Financial. This way, when it won't pass inspection, its Mercedes problem to fix for me.

If you run the numbers, its financially least expensive to buy a car and then keep it at least 5 years. If you can keep it 10 years, you are basically driving it for free (aside from the repairs).

M A Y B E

MB Financial is a third-party entity and is not the same as Mercedes Benz.

You do realize that most consumers that buy an extended warranty at the dealership think it's from the manufacturer right? It's actually from a 3rd party source because in most states it's illegal for the manufacturer to offer a warranty that the customer has to pay for. A third-party insurance can be sold through the dealer and unscrupulous dealers often allow buyers to believe the company is behind them.

Moreover, you need to look at how much the extended warranty will cost. When buyers say yes, that amount is tacked on to the sale of the car and consequently the interest you will pay. The dealer makes a commission on the sale and screws you over on the interest paid.

Additionally, extended warranties are full of exclusions, so you don't get what you pay for. For example, if your automatic transmission dies under the initial warranty, you get a new one free of charge. Under an extended warranty the transmission is prorated for wear, so you will be majority out of pocket.

@mre30 The basic question for you is: Will you get $5K (plus interest paid on financing the warranty) of COVERED warranty repairs in the additional 3 years. The answer is probably not.

Dealers adore customers like you.