Kirkland Inc

I graduate college in the next year or so and my parents have promised me a new car at graduation. They said they would spend as much as 55 K on it. What car should I get? I want something sporty, sexy, dependable and just all around nice.

Right now my short list includes:
Audi S5
Acura TL
BMW 3-Series
Cadillac CTS (Preferably Coupe)
Lexus IS

No, I'm not some rich spoiled kid. My parents are doing this for making good grades all throughout high school and college, for me paying my way through college and being completely independent during the past few years.

Ken1997TL

Well, $55,000 would generally be considered spoiled/rich. I won't judge though.

Anyway, I'd probably go S5 or TL.

Kirkland Inc

I know it would be considered rich normally but my family has been going through economic problems until recently. My dad got a huge promotion and my mom got a better job as a nurse at Emory. And they said they would spend up to 55 if they had to. But I'm looking more at used versions because it's an easy 10 to 15 k off of the original price.

Ken1997TL

Tell us more about your needs/preferences. Do you need four doors? Prefer a manual transmission? Etc.

Kirkland Inc

Gas mileage I don't care too much about, 22 to 24 MPG is good enough (It's better than in my 01 RL). I've been wanting a manual for a while now so that's what I'm looking most at. I prefer coupe body styles most of the time but on some cars I prefer sedan version. It will be a daily driver but usually at most 20 miles a day.

AZuser

$55K?

I'd get a used car/inexpensive new car and use the rest for grad school. But hey, that's just me....

madcaps

iTrader: (1)

What's up with these "Which car should I buy" threads, can't people make up their own minds?

55k? I would buy a pristine E28 M5 and pocket the rest...but that's just me.

HBaJ

Get a E92 335i, or an E60 535/550i..both of my cousins picked up one of these, converted me to the darkside.

05TLdcc

Boss 302

old coastie

Well.......since you're on this thread I'd go with a new TL with MT/SH-AWD, especially if you plan to keep the car for awhile. If you already have a job lined up or if you're still looking, not having to worry about maintenance issues while you're getting established is good for peace of mind. Since you have an '01 RL you know what Acura quality is like. The new TL has everything your RL has plus a lot more. A used BMW can be a rolling money pit. After a few years Audis also have their issues.
So the final answer: test drives for those on your list. A lot of us can offer advice but it's going to be your butt parked in the driver's seat, so only you can make that final decision (and it's a pleasant one to make).
Congratulations on getting through college and good luck on your search.

lazytik

Get a used TL-S and save the rest of the money. Promotions/wages can always decline, better have cash in the bank than an unnecessarily expensive car in the driveway. What was your major? Most people need grad school nowadays, just to get a job.

pttl

for 55K he could get the Shelby.

fsttyms1

CTS-V (low mileage used)

charliemike

I guess the question is if they're willing to help on the car to that extent would they be willing to do the same for something else?

I'd get a $30k used car and put the other $25k towards grad school (or your student loan debt if you have any).

Ken1997TL

Or a house..

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

and

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

If the monies aren't coming for another year or so, you may want to revisit this when you are a couple months away from graduation. Things can change in a couple of years.

CarbonGray Earl

I say house. But if you stick to a car, and your parents are for it, I'd say get the most expensive one they'll let you get.

If they can shoulder the load, and it truly is a free car to you, when you turn around and trade it in or sell it, the better the trade in or resale for you.

However, if it were me? I was offered a BMW M3 and I turned it down. An Integra was just fine for me. My sis got the BMW....

Carraway

I worked and paid my way through school and got excellent grades, as well. It wasn't an easy balance, but I'm glad I did it. Congratulations.

Since you did that, I also think that you'll be much happier if you buy a car in that range with your own money, so at the most, I'd ask for something like a used Mazda 3 hatch or Subaru Outback, as they'll be reasonably priced, small enough for commutes but have quite a bit of room, since you may be moving around soon. Anything over that, I suggest sincerely telling your parents thank you but asking to reserve any additional financial help if needed for a house or other long term investments.

Edit - Grad school is another excellent suggestion. I'm glad I did that, as well.

ghttf

You're supposed to do that anyway...


But dont buy a house. Maybe an IS350 F Sport.

teranfon

If I was offered the same and had no real preference towards any of them, I would choose the car with the least operating and ownership costs. I would consider maintenance, repairs, fuel, and insurance costs. If I'm understanding you correctly, the car is a reward with no additional monies. It is always expensive after college, and try to limit yourself to the minimum for transportation until you are firmly established.





Terry

d-townhakuzo

I'd get the S5 or a 335i coupe.

phee

iTrader: (5)

I wouldn't put my parents into that kind of debt.

Crazy Bimmer

Wow congrats to them. You should buy them a car now.

Anyways you still have a year. Lots of things can change in the car market and your parents jobs. So wait till then to decide.

MySoCalLife

+1 this is Acrazine, obviously you should get the BMW. Duh.

But seriously, for that much I would get the M3.

Wait I realize the m3 its not on the list, is the Lexus an Is 250 or 350?

TheMirror

A slightly used G37 coupe will set you back somewhere in the high 20's, and that is a really nice car.
http://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/g37/2008/

If it has to be a BMW, consider a slightly used CPO 328i coupe. Get a factory extended warranty with it.
http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/2008/?sub=coupe

Honestly, anything more expensive than 30K you'd have to consider an extravagance.
-Mirror

loulinjai

Honestly if my parents had 1M+ cash just sitting there, it would be reasonable to ask for a "up to a 55K car". If they are hard working folks in which 55K will put them into or further into debt, then I will just spend 20K and get basic transportation. 20K can get you a new Si or a slightly used TSX or comparable.

Yumcha

Howabout a Kia Forte...?

Yumcha

Show your parents real appreciation by saving them a few bucks.

MySoCalLife

If I ever pick a Kia, its just for leasing. The 100,000 miles warranty is great.

nspec_ya4

iTrader: (38)

thats more than enough money to pick up a brand new corolla and turn it into a monster.

madcaps

iTrader: (1)

, especially if they are struggling.

Plus, if you're going to only be driving 20 miles a day like you mentioned, why not just get something reliable and cheap now and then after you graduate get the nice, expensive car? That just seems more practical to me.

KillerG

gonna have a hard time arguing that one lol

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Kirkland Inc, as in Kirkland's Home Decor?

Anywho.
Audi S5- sure.
Acura TL- probably what I'd pick. likely one of the cheaper ones to maintain.
3-series- wouldn't want.
CTS Coupe- not a bad one either.
Lexus IS- body design will be redone soon.

So
1) TL
2) S5
3) CTS Coupe.

Carraway

Whoa, I didn't even consider that they'd take out a loan, even in my answer to get something much less expensive, at the most. I can't fathom having anyone else go into debt for my sake.

Aman

If they're going into debt to fund this, I would turn it down. You can argue all you want, but I think you should consider just how much your parents are doing for you (and have done in the past). If anything, give them a gift for graduating college.

You can still get some damn nice cars for WAY under $55k IMO. 3G TL-S, a used 335 coupe, Infiniti G, etc. If you choose that route, you can spend the rest on decreasing your student loans or getting into a house.

Consider this: In 8 years, those cars will probably be worth $10-$15k. That means if you choose to keep the cars for that long to sell it, you'll be out $40k with nothing to show for it. Put it somewhere else, and that might be $40k less on your house mortgage, or completely eliminate your student loans. I hope you plan on doing those things eventually.

Wish I could get $55k for getting good grades. That's like, $55k more than I get now.

csmeance

In all honesty, I would suggest something like a 2008 TL-S, G37 or a Lexus IS. Remember you will probably be on the job hunt in a little bit and rolling up in an Audi S5 or a brand new 5 series isn't going to help you get a job. As well there's a HUGE issue of what other folks will say.

Believe it or not, people will look at you in a MUCH different way if you get a nice car. Folks that I used to talk with on a daily basis just as friends suddenly started drifting away once I got my 760 and after I got into a small argument with one over something stupid, he brought up the car and called me a rich guy laughing at his poor ass when that was FAR from being the case (it was over paying the bill at dinner and it was my turn to pay and he forgot).

As well, beware that a nice car may actually be a deterrent to some folks as far as relationships go. Some women may comment on it being essentially like a "cheat" to get ahead and think that you are a womanizer. As well, it can really bite you in the butt when you are taking more care of your car than your SO.

Either way, just take some advice ,esp for a person your age, you don't want something to flashy or to "sweet". As well you are going to be planing for your future (house, family,etc soon) so you don't want to welcome astronomical repair bills with a BMW, Audi or Mercedes.

A TL-S, G37 and/or IS have a decent amount of aftermarket support, are reliable and as well will be tons of fun without breaking the bank.

If your parents have this money laying around and they really want to put it towards you, my suggestion would be to spend the money on one the cars above or something like them and take the rest and put it into something to help it mature. If you parents invest, talk to their broker about investing it into something secure and long term such as some Federal Bonds. If you want to do something a bit less convoluted, you could just go to your bank and put it in a CD. By the time you are ready for a house or some big investment, you'll have money sitting that you can tap into later. As well if an emergency pops up, you will have something to fall back on.

Kirkland Inc

Thanks guys. No they're not going into debt for this. I wouldn't dare put my parents into debt. I am looking mostly at used cars right now to save a good bit of money off of it and am looking at models that are a few years old. I'm not trying to use up all of their money. I was seeing what you guys would suggest for a car given that constraint. They said they would spend that much if they had to. I was never planning on spending the full amount. More like at most 30 K. Thanks for your help though guys. I appreciate it. Sometimes you need to see other peoples opinions on cars because you begin to be biased.

FollowingNFront

Get a 08-09 CTS-V, or top of the line CTS V6 (CTS-V is the fastest production 4 door sedan).... Other car I'd recommend is a 3rd gen TL 6mt. Base or Type S... (probably Type S though)

mrmako

Also, take a look at a Subaru Legacy GT or the 3.6R. Both can be had brand new under $30K (the GT is right at that). And you get a quick, sporty sedan with AWD. And full warranty, very cheap to insure, and you'll be #3 in our poll of cars (not other).