Author Topic: I want a lux sedan for $60k!  (Read 6424 times)

Tetsuya Hondo

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I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« on: January 13, 2017, 09:06:01 AM »
Please enjoy. http://jalopnik.com/i-want-a-luxury-sedan-for-60-000-but-i-dont-like-most-1791050654

From the article:

    I am looking for a serious upgrade from my current car which is a 2010 Mazda 3i sedan. My trusty Mazda has been a great commuter car and over the last 6+ years I have never had a single issue with it. The thing is, I am not in the same place I was 6 years ago. I have made decent progress in my career, I got married, we just sold our starter house and moved into what could be our “forever” house, so can I be blamed for wanting more out of my vehicle now that I can afford it? I want more horsepower, more luxury, more aesthetic appeal, and way more exclusivity.

    I am now commuting to work via train so my weekly mileage has been drastically reduced. Although I would consider this my daily driver it will mostly live in the garage. I’ll be driving maybe 20 miles a week plus an occasional longer trip to see relatives who live about 90 miles away.

    I still want 4-doors and it has to be automatic (my husband already has two manuals – a new Ford Focus ST hatchback and a 1990 Mazda Miata). However, I hate the idea of driving around in a brand that everyone else already has so I’m not looking to get into an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. I want something less common, but also want something reliable that I can count on like I’ve counted on my Mazda 3 – am I being unrealistic? I’m intrigued by Tesla and I’m really interested in the Maserati Ghibli and new Alfa Romeo Giulia, but what I have heard about Italian reliability makes me nervous. My target price range is $50,000 - $60,000 and I am willing to get CPO. I should probably note that in addition to the above exclusions I also can’t stand SUVs or Porsches.

    I want my car to make me feel special. luxury-feel inside and outside; responsive with good handling since I like to speed on curvy back roads; and a nice sounding engine that will make me grin when I step on it. Also, I need to have a usable backseat and all-wheel-drive would be nice as well since I live at the top of a hill and in the winter the roads are rather treacherous.

Quick Facts:

Budget: up to $60,000

Daily Driver: Sort of

Average Miles Per-Week: 20


Wants: Luxury, but not the same old thing, all-wheel-drive, reliability

Doesn’t want: An SUV, a Porsche, or a typical luxury brand like BMW or Audi
« Last Edit: January 13, 2017, 10:42:52 AM by Tetsuya Hondo »

Dave1442397

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2017, 12:12:01 PM »
Well, if she has $60k to burn, I'd go with a new Lexus GS 350 with the Luxury Package or a CPO Lexus LS 460.


libertarian4321

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2017, 12:52:25 PM »
She could get the low end Tesla Model S for about that amount after the tax credit.

jjandjab

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2017, 01:11:54 PM »
OK, I like cars, but $60k for around 1-2k miles a year? Yikes.

RoostKing

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2017, 04:41:13 PM »
Fortunately my job now, and my potential future job(IF I get it, means I can walk to work) allows me to hardly have to drive at all. Before I started riding the bus to work, I was looking for a used low mileage truck for under $30,000. Now that I barely drive, I have lowered my needs to about $12,000 - $15,000 as it wont need to be so low mileage. Mainly to get me 5 miles to the bus stop daily and hauling the toys to the desert.

Metric Mouse

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2017, 11:40:30 PM »
Jaguar XF, maybe?

mwulff

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2017, 11:58:22 PM »
The Tesla Model S is the obvious answer. But seriously just keep the friggin Mazda. It's sad to see someone just blow a huge chunk of money on something as irrelevant as a car.

With that mileage I would give up the car and use an electric bike.

Paul der Krake

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2017, 12:06:28 AM »
All the car brands listed advertise during football games between Taco Bell and GEICO. Such exclusivity...

Indexer

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2017, 09:37:25 AM »
"However, I hate the idea of driving around in a brand that everyone else already has so I’m not looking to get into an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. I want something less common, but also want something reliable that I can count on like I’ve counted on my Mazda 3 – am I being unrealistic?"

Lucky me!!!!

Where I live everyone drives a Mercedes, Audi, BMW, or Tesla.

For me a reliable less common vehicle is a used Hyundai. :D

pbkmaine

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2017, 09:42:46 AM »
I used to live in a fancy neighborhood where most people drove fancy cars. I drove a bright yellow Ford Focus hatchback named Eggbert. I could always find Eggbert in a parking lot.

Dave1442397

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2017, 12:21:20 PM »
I used to live in a fancy neighborhood where most people drove fancy cars. I drove a bright yellow Ford Focus hatchback named Eggbert. I could always find Eggbert in a parking lot.

When I came to the US in 1990 my first car was a 1978 Mustang II junker. I went to the Paramus Park mall, came out, and the car wasn't there! I searched all over, knowing that nobody would have stolen it, and finally realized that the mall had identical parking lots on both sides...I was looking on the opposite side from where I went in. I have no sense of direction :)


SeaEhm

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2017, 12:23:46 PM »
Married?  Have the wife get the sedan and he needs to get a Porsche 911.   Why buy a luxe sedan to sit in the garage?  If you want something to sit in the garage, it should error more on the side of attractiveness. 

I am not sure how many people have gotten up off the couch to look at their $60k sedan.  I bet a lot of people have left the couch to look at their $60k porsche 911 though.


(I heard used Lexus LS4xx are pretty decently priced while having lexus reliability as well )

Abe

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2017, 02:04:47 PM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Fish Sweet

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2017, 04:21:09 PM »
The way she says that she wants her car to "make her feel special" makes me honestly kind of sad.  Like... OTHER PEOPLE might make you feel special by treating you well or doing nice things for you, YOU might make yourself feel special by treating yourself or taking good care of your mind and body.  But having to depend on an object for that feeling?  That's kind of frightening.

Dave1442397

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2017, 06:52:47 PM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Most car engines aren't that expensive. The two I've seen that cost $20k to replace were a Porsche Panamera and a Porsche Cayenne. I saw another Cayenne for sale in my area. The owner had bought it used with no warranty, so when the engine blew he couldn't afford to replace it. That was a big hit. I know someone bought it, but I'm pretty sure they only paid around $5k.

Metric Mouse

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2017, 06:58:58 PM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Most car engines aren't that expensive. The two I've seen that cost $20k to replace were a Porsche Panamera and a Porsche Cayenne. I saw another Cayenne for sale in my area. The owner had bought it used with no warranty, so when the engine blew he couldn't afford to replace it. That was a big hit. I know someone bought it, but I'm pretty sure they only paid around $5k.

I've always figured one could get an engine swapped (in an average car) for about $8k. Not sure where I get that number though.

lost_in_the_endless_aisle

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2017, 06:31:15 PM »
A serious consideration given the distance of commute would be investment in a relatively cheap sedan chair--even one in rough condition could be reupholstered with silk in a few hours. For propulsion, I would suggest a pair of professionally discouraged PhDs since their spirits would have already been broken by graduate school. I believe a post-doc could be had for <$30K/year in most fields: if the goal is to impress your neighbors and stand out, at least do it right.

carolinap

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #17 on: January 15, 2017, 11:18:04 PM »
I thought i would see more shame in this forum (not a critic, just a thought). Fancy car to live in the garage bought to feel "special and unique"? This woman has to have very serious self esteem issues...

SnackDog

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2017, 01:10:26 AM »
Extremely rare. Completely exclusive. Faster than Porsche. AWD. Hauls kids and groceries. Sorta reliable.

https://youtu.be/OQSXBDh-Ox4

Tetsuya Hondo

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2017, 08:43:13 AM »
I thought i would see more shame in this forum (not a critic, just a thought). Fancy car to live in the garage bought to feel "special and unique"? This woman has to have very serious self esteem issues...

It blew my mind that she wants to spend up to $60k (and just wait until insurance and regular maintenance, etc. kicks in) for an "exclusive" marque that will sit in the garage 99% of the time. That's a lot of status and exclusivity per mile.

SeaEhm

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2017, 10:35:11 AM »
I thought i would see more shame in this forum (not a critic, just a thought). Fancy car to live in the garage bought to feel "special and unique"? This woman has to have very serious self esteem issues...
I thought i would see more shame in this forum (not a critic, just a thought). Fancy car to live in the garage bought to feel "special and unique"? This woman has to have very serious self esteem issues...

It blew my mind that she wants to spend up to $60k (and just wait until insurance and regular maintenance, etc. kicks in) for an "exclusive" marque that will sit in the garage 99% of the time. That's a lot of status and exclusivity per mile.
Extremely rare. Completely exclusive. Faster than Porsche. AWD. Hauls kids and groceries. Sorta reliable.

https://youtu.be/OQSXBDh-Ox4

Regarding the R63 (Not a great car if the head bolt breaks)

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a32269/this-r63-amg-owner-is-rebuilding-his-engine-to-avoid-a-57000-repair/

Regarding the shame - Yes, her perspective is definitely warped.  I didn't read the article when I gave my first advice.  However, I still stand by the idea that purchasing a sedan to sit in the garage for the large majority of time is pretty irresponsible.  Only caveat is if she is loaded and it makes no financial impact, however, this is not the case.

SHE should get the porsche.  There was a woman in my town that had a Porsche with the license plate that read, "Y B POOR"  yikes...

Sounds like she has some personal voids that she thinks will be filled by a sedan.  She doesn't sound like a car person.  A car person knows exactly what they want to fulfill that void. 

Just Joe

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #21 on: January 17, 2017, 01:22:34 PM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Most car engines aren't that expensive. The two I've seen that cost $20k to replace were a Porsche Panamera and a Porsche Cayenne. I saw another Cayenne for sale in my area. The owner had bought it used with no warranty, so when the engine blew he couldn't afford to replace it. That was a big hit. I know someone bought it, but I'm pretty sure they only paid around $5k.

I've always figured one could get an engine swapped (in an average car) for about $8k. Not sure where I get that number though.

Search for a used JDM motor on the web. Can be as low as $500. Then 4-5 hours to install it at whatever shop rates are in your city.

I wouldn't buy a Tesla (or any electric) if I wasn't planning to use it alot. Don't those batteries "age out" at some point? Die from age?

acroy

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #22 on: January 17, 2017, 01:44:55 PM »
"I hate the idea of driving around in a brand that everyone else already has so I’m not looking to get into an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes"

-- said the consuma sucka

mwulff

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #23 on: January 17, 2017, 11:56:44 PM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Most car engines aren't that expensive. The two I've seen that cost $20k to replace were a Porsche Panamera and a Porsche Cayenne. I saw another Cayenne for sale in my area. The owner had bought it used with no warranty, so when the engine blew he couldn't afford to replace it. That was a big hit. I know someone bought it, but I'm pretty sure they only paid around $5k.

I've always figured one could get an engine swapped (in an average car) for about $8k. Not sure where I get that number though.

Search for a used JDM motor on the web. Can be as low as $500. Then 4-5 hours to install it at whatever shop rates are in your city.

I wouldn't buy a Tesla (or any electric) if I wasn't planning to use it alot. Don't those batteries "age out" at some point? Die from age?

Batteries degrade a bit over time. This happens quickly in the beginning and then slows to a crawl. There are Tesla Roadsters on the road that are almost 10 years old and still have around 90% capacity left.

Cars with proper thermal management of the battery pack have very few problems. Odds are you will get 15-20 years out of a pack and by that point pack replacements will have become cheap.

Just Joe

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #24 on: January 18, 2017, 07:51:46 AM »
That's good to hear. I still want an EV.

Metric Mouse

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #25 on: January 19, 2017, 12:08:33 AM »
She will stop feeling special because of her car soon enough. Save the $60k mistake and buy the same model again. Then drop a $20k engine in it (if that exists, don't know how much car parts cost)

Most car engines aren't that expensive. The two I've seen that cost $20k to replace were a Porsche Panamera and a Porsche Cayenne. I saw another Cayenne for sale in my area. The owner had bought it used with no warranty, so when the engine blew he couldn't afford to replace it. That was a big hit. I know someone bought it, but I'm pretty sure they only paid around $5k.

I've always figured one could get an engine swapped (in an average car) for about $8k. Not sure where I get that number though.

Search for a used JDM motor on the web. Can be as low as $500. Then 4-5 hours to install it at whatever shop rates are in your city.

Wow. That's considerably cheaper than I thought.

Just Joe

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Re: I want a lux sedan for $60k!
« Reply #26 on: January 19, 2017, 07:42:11 AM »
I have no connection to these guys but as an example:

http://www.jdmquality.com/engine-only.html/

On my browser it sorted for price.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!