2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

Gents,

Looking for a car to put next to the Ferrari F40 and AM Vanquish in the stable. Something that my wife can drive and enjoy, when we take on trips. We both prefer a car with a "sporty" look and clean lines. Interior is important. Reliability (past 125k) is important as well.

Hoping some of you have real-life experience, as opposed to taking the (oftentimes biased) reviews online.

Budget
<$20,000.00

Currently looking at the following
BMW 530i
Audi A6
VW CC
Acura TL / TL-S
Hyundai Genesis
BMW 330i / 335i

Any insight appreciated.

If a car isn't on the list, and you recommend it...list it!

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

For that price you can get a nice 06-07 Acura RL. AWD standard, and it shits on a TL in terms of comfort. I've had both in the A-Spec versions, and my RL was my favorite sedan to drive. I regret selling it a lot. There isn't more than 1-2 A-Spec RL's for sale in the country at one time from my searching constantly.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

For example:

Its a bit above your $20k price point, but don't let an asking price a tad higher limit your search. And in the end, if you can pay an extra $500-750 and be in a flagship car, why not?

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/..._A.562x421.jpg

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=23060&endYear=2014&inGall eryView=true&modelCode1=RL&showcaseOwnerId=0&start Year=1981&makeCode1=ACURA&searchRadius=100&maxPric e=22000&mmt=[ACURA[RL[]][]]&listingId=353346059&Log=0

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

All the other cars you have listed, BMW, VW, Audi; are going to be massive pieces of shit past 125K miles, and most of them are pieces of shit before than too. I have sold "certified" pre-owned cars for almost 3 years now, those brands are the ones to stay away from if you are buying pre-owned and worried about reliability. Maintenance and service is stupid expensive, and parts later down the road are never cheap.


Those brands are the ones to buy/lease when they are new and under full-warranty; let someone else deal with the ass-raping of maintenance from 50k-125k. You can always get lucky and have a good one, but most will be very costly on your pocket.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

RL's are "ugly" to me though, in every color other than white.

I will look into them more though

Thanks Wall-E.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

They are very ugly to me also, the A-spec lip kit, 18's, and lowered suspension set it off.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/...6f3bc46677.jpg

That car looks fucking boss, completely stock also. Drive one and see, they handle like they are on crack. Even gets a bit tail-happy if you throw it around hard enough, but is VERY VERY easy to control and bring back.


I could go into a turn, floor it mid-turn and have the rear kick out and come right back when desired, such an awesome car to drive.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

Damn you Levi, I am considering driving to CO now, lol.

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/..._A.562x421.jpg

I have never, ever, ever seen a pearl white A-spec with black leather. God damn, what a hot car :(

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=23060&endYear=2014&inGall eryView=true&modelCode1=RL&showcaseOwnerId=0&start Year=1981&makeCode1=ACURA&firstRecord=26&searchRad ius=0&maxPrice=25000&mmt=[ACURA[RL[]][]]&minPrice=1&listingId=344135640&Log=0

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

The only car on that list I would recommend to someone who wants nothing to do with constant repairs would be the TL; a distant second would be the Genesis and thats only because I don't have any experience with higher mileage ones.

Other suggestions:

- Newer TSX's (and by newer I mean 2010 and not the 1st generation body style) are now under the $20k pricetag if you don't mind miles around the 50-60k range; you can find them even cheaper if you opt for non-tech package cars

- You're still looking at 1st gen TL's for under $20k but the newer body styles are not far off....again you're looking at base FWD models with no tech package

- 2006ish Lexus GS300: all kinds of comfortable with subtle styling

- IS 250/350: if rear leg room or space is not a factor this would be worth considering

- Mercedes Benz C300: In my opinion, one of the better "cheap" German luxury vehicles. Good styling (if you opt for the "sport" and not the hideous "luxury"), RWD or AWD, and a host of pretty cool options. Fairly lengthy factory warranties (4 years or 50,000 miles) so you may even snag one still covered. I've driven a few and they are quite nice; much better than a non-sport package equipped BMW 3 series.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

Not a fan of ANY TSX, they look cheap.

Don't like the IS250/350 either, I see a bunch of paint flaws that show up quite quickly on those cars.

I may look into the C300's.

Re: 2005+ Reliable Mid-Full Size "Luxury" Car Opinions
 

I've always liked Infiniti M35/45s...something about that body just looks good to me. Only catch with them is they have some oil consumption issue on some cars.