Please help me pick out a new to me luxury car
 

My commute has increased from 12 to 26 miles one way and my 3 isn't cutting it. As much as I love the car, driving it that much everyday and sitting in traffic a lot of the time is exhausting. So I have decided to get rid of it and get something with a little more comfort.

I have 20 grand to spend on a used luxury car. Looking for 2008 and newer. I could go older but I prefer to stay 5 years and newer because that's the oldest the bank will finance in case I decide not to pay cash.

I'd also prefer it to be cheap to insure.

I have been thinking Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, maybe Volvo S80 all can be had 2010 and newer for 20. Avalon I am being told is smooth as butter, cheap to insure and reliable. I have driven the new Maximas and they aren't bad but not completely luxury. I don't know anything about the S80.

If I go older and then even Mercedes and BMW are on the table but my fear is maintenance and repairs. Especially for the Mercedes; those years they were notoriously problematic. Probably explains why they are cheap.

I would consider American cars but they are just so blah inside and out. Not even sure I like a single car from the domestic offering.

I looked at Lexus GS, those could be had for close to 20, but usually with 60k+ miles. Not an issue really but when 2 year newer car with 1/3 of the mileage goes for the same money its hard to decide.

So that's kinda where I am. Anything you guys can recommend from experience or even help me narrow down the choices would be great.

im sorry, but please if you're going to buy a luxury car, then buy a luxury car.

those do not include:

BMW 3 series
Toyota Avalon
Nissan Maxima
Volvo S80

If you're fine doing a couple repairs (read: preventative maintenance) here and there, the E46 is a serious bargain. What is this crap about bank financing? Sign up with Penfed, I can get an auto loan at 1.5% APR with no limit on age.

I'd love to hear the logic behind this one. Even the Toyota Avalon can be pretty plush inside depending on the package.

the logic: if someone doesn't think your car is a luxury car, then it isn't a luxury car.

the 3 series is borderline.

I live in NOVA. everyone has a 3 series, my dad has owned 3 now. It's like a writ of passage to get on in high school.

'08 Acura TL type S

Need more than 2 passenger? If not, pick up a MX5 Touring w/PRHT. It IS a luxury sedan.

Lexus IS300. A close friend of mine has one. Feels like a cloud but with a great automatic and decent torque.

Buick. Seriously, take a look. Comfort for old people, and they are surprisingly well built. They top the reliability lists, year after year. Not gonna be a "perfomance luxury" car, but are going to feel like siting in your living room recliner.

Just nothing newer than 2008. Oy vey! that face!

Personally I would get a e39 M5, but the world is awash in used 7 series BMWs for cheap. Hell you probably find a used early B7 Alpina for mid 20s

Avalon, without a doubt.

I would avoid BMW and Mercedes in favor of something a bit more reliable. Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota and Nissan are what I would look at. Get out there and drive the cars you are interested in and make your own decision.

I think peoples definition of luxury car is about as loose as most of the buttholes on this forum.

OP's seems to be: "more comfy than a mazda3"
Others seems to be from: "anything with 4 wheels" to "maybach".

There are many options for what you're looking for. So much that there really won't be one single car to recommend, more like 20.

I'd recommend a Lex. But not the is300. Those are shit. I'd recommend the IS250 (or 350) or a GS.

I'm conflicted on the Avalon.

My mother back in Florida owns one, and I have driven it long-distance on a number of occasions (eg: family trip to Sea World, visiting family near Miami, etc.)

The car has a little over 100k on it, and it's been fairly reliable. One failed O2 sensor and the in-dash CD changer died, but those are the only repairs I can recall the vehicle having. So that's a plus.

And it's an exceedingly comfortable place to sit for long periods of time. Very good seat, excellent driver ergonomics, etc.

But actually driving the vehicle terrifies me. In terms of perceived responsiveness to steering input, this is literally the worst vehicle I have ever driven, and that includes a couple of old VW Beetles, a '72 Mercury Grand Marquis, a 31' RV and several moving trucks. It is as though the tie rods and lower control arms are made of a rather firm rubber as opposed to something more conventional, such as metal.

The actual handling isn't all that bad (the car does in fact do what you want it to), it simply gives the impression that, all else being equal, it would prefer to pause for a moment, offer you a nice cup of hot tea with lemon, and afford you an opportunity to peacefully reflect on your decision, to be absolutely certain that turning left is really going to bring you happiness and fulfillment.


I would very seriously consider the Audi A6. A co-worker of mine has one, and while it's not nearly as cushy as the Avalon, it's a very decent car. Just avoid the CVT- they've apparently never gotten the software quite right. It tries to emulate a conventional gearbox (eg: it has simulated shift points) and it sucks at it. Not unreliable, just kind of annoying.

You're right. I should have been more clear. This is basically what I am looking for.

Japanese or American (unless its a reliable German)
4 Doors
V6 or V8
Leather
Rides like a cloud
Huge comfortable seat with heat. Massage and Cooling preferable.
Tons of legroom both front and back
Quiet enough to hear a mouse fart going 60 mph
Wont attract cops
Great sound system stock or have the provisions to upgrade easily

So basically I just cut out every car companies entry level and sporty cars leaving the luxo barges from mid size to full size.

So.
No Miatas - To small.
No 3 series - To small and too harsh
No Lex IS - To small and too expensive

I like the suggestion of the Acura TL but I thought they had a problem with their transmissions some years?

I like the suggestion for Buick.


I'm down for that but I need to narrow the search a bit. I just don't have the time to attack every single car on my list especially if its too expensive or doesnt fit the requirements.

I agree with you about BMW and Mercedes. 7 series, S Classes and A8's can be had all day long in my price range but their is a reason for that. I wouldn't want to play around with those cars without a factory warranty.

ES350. My grandma had one, that is a nice v6 and several times I almost got pulled over for speeding because I didn't realize how fast I was going. Not my cup of tea, as I like driving and not floating, but if that's what you are looking for...

Lexus LS430 is definitely worth a look then. (also Penfed, seriously look into Penfed)

This ?

https://www.penfed.org/