whatwasthat

my girlfriend's family started a business and after long hours and months of hard work, they finally are starting to see some profits. they really want a car and after looking for their finances, they're setting their limits right around $45000.

my gf has her heart set out on the 5-series BMW. however, her dad is really a car... enthusiast (as well as me). i'll explain.. since my gf wants the 5-series, we don't want to get the 525, we want something that shows they are "wealthy." so meaning they will have to get atleast the 530 and up (basically, we dont want the first [or lowest] model they have of that) - which also brings up the price.. and adding all the options we want really brings up the price... so there's goign to be a lot of researching to buy this next car..

i've mentioned a these two to them - TL, GS, etc.. we're really split on this and i guess the price is the largest factor.. i personaly do like the TL, however, i think the GS is really what they are looking for.. - but i do really like the 5-series..


what are our other options?
my question to you is, what car would you buy? why?



however, there are a few conditions:

1. no suv's. they already have a truck, and they want someting more comfortable and quiet..

2. has to be a luxury car - so that takes out honda, nissan, toyota and the others..

3. sedan, her parents aren't coupe fans at all. they bought an accord coupe and they got tired of all the seat fliping and whatnot..

4. has to be an auto, since the whole famiy will be driving it. and having AWD would be a plus.

5. has to be an "adult" car. for instance, the GS over the IS.. since the parents are driving it too, they want something that says they bought it for themselves, and not just for their kids..


once we have a list of cars we can narrow down, we then can narrow it further and then we're going to really take a good look and the pros and cons of each..

JJ4Short

Truthfully I would get her a 3 series if she is anywhere near your age. The company is pulling profits now but who says it will a year from now or 2 years from now. I guess if they have the disposable income but if "looking wealthy" is the motivation behind getting it and not performance or comfort I say hold off on it get the 3 series.

But since your going to do it either way I would say get Infiniti M45...I love those things! BMW your a dime a dozen but the M45 isn't as popular but still :tits:

edit: ok I just read the parents will be driving it too so fuck the 3 series idea, get the M45 I love that car! But I would still put that money back into the company instead of investing in a car

einsatz

OK I don't see how the IS is not an "adult car" whatever that means. If you look at the IS 350, its options and features, you'll find it's a better deal than, say an A4, and as you add options it'll go well into the 40s - easily. You won't have AWD but everything else will be there (except maybe some rear legroom that may be expected from a sedan).

How about an S60? A4? M35 or maybe M45 (pushing price)? CTS (Vspec may be out of range).

JJ4Short

5 series vs M45

5 series 3.0 225 hp
M45 4.5 335 hp

racersky

In my opinion BMW says it all......it's got everything you would want in a luxury sedan sport type of car but too many people have the new BMWs were I live....Personally I'd recommend the Lexus IS350 which I personally test drove for my mom and it's pretty sweet for a fully loaded package the car totals up to $43,684 before tax and that price includes the $500 destination fee. Now if you want to look wealthy than take a look at the Lexus GS430 which I also test drove as well but it was too much for my mom. This car has a 4.3 Liter V8 motor w/ VVTI. Pushing 300HP with 325lbs tq the car goes 0-60 5.7 seconds and runs a quarter mile at 14.2. If not that than what JJ4Short says the Infiniti M45......hey you can go wrong with either cars. The prices for both cars may be a little over what your looking for but like how the saying goes you got to pay to play. Hope that helps ya.

racersky

BMW 530i 3.0L 255hp INLINE 6


LEXUS GS430 4.3 Liter V8 300hp 325lbs TQ


Infinite M45 4.5 Liter V8 335hp

thatguy

you can get a nice infiniti M for that price range. Even perhaps a G (lexus).

Chief F1 Fan

this shld be in Car talk section but nonetheless, wait for the re-designed G35x which is rumored to have over 300 hp coming out this fall. It's a Consumer Reports best buy fave.

cob3683

If that is their criteria, then I would look at these:

M35 (M45 with options will push well over $50,000)
GS300 (GS430 has the problem as the M45)
A6
S80

JnC

iTrader: (12)

M

.

Ashburner

M35

SSMTL01

i saw m as well... if you're that concerned about status get the 5 series and shave the badge

Dan

Gs300

picus

Definitely M35x - AWD will be a huge plus in the winter.

AznX TL

lancer evo IX MR ftw!
EDIT: nvm i just saw the requirements, i'd say Get a subaru legacy 2.5gt spec b!

AznX TL

ok maybe not....spec b is 5 speed only

cob3683

Forgot to add the RL to the list...which might be the best choice

95gt

M35 if they are worried about being luxury and still having some performance.

te3point5

Flame all you want:


2006 Cadillac STS

synth19

This is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to people who buy cars "for the name" Absolutely fckn ridiculous.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Nicely loaded 3.30i sedan.

cob3683

If you really want to impress people then eat only cereal and raman noodles for about 2 years and go buy an A8, 745i, S550, etc.

Then you will be pimp wealthy.

DownUnder

Buy the car because you like it, not to show off your wealth or lack thereof.

MaximaPower

shows off their wealth and also their lack of knowledge about cars

they jus wanna look

LuvMyTSX

I too would invest most of the money back into the company while it's at such a young stage, but whatever...

Also, why are they sharing a car with the kids? No way in hell would I share a $45,000 car with kids. Why can't they get their own cars?

Anyway, I'd go for the GS. I'm not crazy about the looks of the M. BMW will break and cost them way more than $45k.

They need to buy what they like instead of worrying about impressing others though.

AutoGirl

no doubt in my mind... M35x

Edr0e

For a girl the 330ci would be perfect or even a C class benz.

45,000 down? Now we are talking about a luxury car.

SPUDMTN

Just like everyone in SoCal...

KCPreki11

A6...

bz268

Look like you are shopping for a status rather than a car. There is not much you can pick. I think it's got to be one of the BMW, MB, or Audi.

I think the ultimate question for life, the universe, and everything... is... what can you get for $45k?

gocubsgo55

Audi A6 3.2, fully loaded..

dealer holdback at this time is probably around 4-5k, MSRP is give or take 51,000. You can get it for 45 if you try.

Deity711

With 45K I'd look for a 2004 RL and put the change in the bank.

billlikessuger

Used A8

brianlin87

iTrader: (1)

what an ignorant statement.

bz268

I know! I know!!!

A Jaguar S-Type.

I like the style very much.
And it is within your price range.

oonowindoo

_____________

Haha well i do agree with him to certain extend.


i am sure u have been to chinese supermarket...

just look around inthe parking lot =)

Crazy88

You have to buy the car based on the feel, price, features, looks and because you like it.....not because of what people will think of you or if it makes you look half-wealthy.

a $45,000 car doesent imply wealth in my mind. I would suggest waiting a few years and get a 7 Series or an S Class, those show wealth.

Also, who cares if you have the lowest model (i.e. 525) its still a BMW. And if looking wealthy is that important, go on Ebay and get some 530i or 550i badges and slap those puppies on the rear.

fast-tl

^^ I hear ya. The owner of our company (50 years in business, $7M annual revenue, 80 employees) drives a 2000 Lexus LS400, worth about $15K, paid for by the COMPANY, since he has to drive to see clients and such. I don't think these folks have their head screwed on stright, spending that much on a car after only MONTHS in business. God help them if there's a downturn!
They should read this article, http://www.betterbudgeting.com/artic...llionaires.htm , whic reads in part "People who become millionaires put more emphasis on building a strong financial base than on having all the showy toys. They might forgo a luxury car and buy a more ordinary one so they can put that extra $5000 into an investment that builds their net worth. They are more interested in being solid than stylish."

fast-tl

OF course, we're judgung these folks vicariously through their daughter's boyfriend, so we may not be getting the actual perspective. I'm sure we've all played the telephone game, and the message and intent get distorted the father the message gets from the original sender, e.g. Dad and Mom who'll be signing the check.

Water-S

I think the best looking car for the money with an automatic tranny,AWD, 4 door,"adult car" is the Benz E350 4 matic. it starts around 50 grand. but I think the E class look is timless.