Help me justify a $50,000 car

[rdowns]

My lease is just about up and it's time for a new car. Been driving Acura's (CL 2.2, CL 3.0, TL Type S) for my last 3 cars and I love them. Was just going to get a new TL but saw the new RL when I was in for an oil change last week. Went back to drive it and it is just spectacular. While I can easily afford the lease, I have a problem with a $750+ car payment. Should I go for it?

[musicpyrite]

I'd sleep on it a couple of days or weeks, don't buy a car that expensive on an impulse.


But then again, if your making 150,000+ a year, I'd say go for it!

[Sun Baked]

Sorry cannot help you justify the lease of a car, or any car.

However there are some nice $40-50 cars that dropped like a rock.

Heck even a nice Mercedes 500 S-Class can be had for $20k, if you don't mind the last body style.

[Xtremehkr]

It is the RL. I am going to do it as soon as I can. If it were any other car I would be slightly dubious, but apart from it missing the Legend name (as it used to have) it is probably the best car you can get for that amount of money.

I think that if you wrote a detailed report with pictures after purchasing it would definately be justified.

[pseudobrit]

I have a problem with a $750+ car payment.

I can't justify buying (or leasing) a $50,000 car if you'd have problems with that payment. If you can truly afford a $50k car, you should laugh at $900/mo. car payments. If they make you nervous, go down a notch or two.

Remember: the best car in the world is the one that's paid for.

[jackieonasses]

Remember: the best car in the world is the one that's paid for. that is the truest statement ever.

[jimjiminyjim]

I'm here to dissuade you from buying a $50,000 car. Live simply and share the wealth. There are plenty of causes that could use the extra $250 a month, and ones you believe in to boot.

[MacAztec]

An Acura for $50,000? Wow!

Go take a look on eBay motors (great deals on great cars) for a BMW or something. I would get a BMW 540i, I think it can be had for way under $50,000 (on eBay). If you look around, you might be able to get an M5 for that price.

[7on]

I say get a car under $1,000. Mighty fine, mighty fine.

[MacAztec]

Here is a FULLY LOADED Acura RL on eBay, went for 47,500.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2495625269&category=5334)

Here are some other cars I would look at

BMW 745 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4500342731&category=6009)

BMW 645Ci (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2498250922&category=6129)

BMW 545 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2494735240&category=6008)

[blackfox]

rdowns, If you are planning on spending that kind of money, I would advocate shopping around. The RL has some decent competition from Audi (A6, S4), Lexus (GS), Infiniti (G45), BMW (5-series) and Mercedes (E-class). They are all fine machines and worth a test drive for comparison's sake.

That said, you obviously love Acura and enjoyed the RL immensely. If you can afford to purchase it but have reservations based on principle (how I took your comments), I would say go for it. You only live once.

Again, I would implore you to do some comparative shopping first, with the above models and some other of their (cheaper) offerings. At the very least it could be a lot of fun.

Good luck.

[Sun Baked]

I thought he said he can afford the lease, but not a $50k purchase (or didn't like the idea of it's big payment.)

[QCassidy352]

An Acura for $50,000? Wow!

Go take a look on eBay motors (great deals on great cars) for a BMW or something. I would get a BMW 540i, I think it can be had for way under $50,000 (on eBay). If you look around, you might be able to get an M5 for that price.

Acuras (and hondas for that matter) are among the best built cars on the road, as good as BMWs, really.

[iJon]

The RL is amazing. With the 300HP AWD it just looks awesome. Although my old TL Type S was extremely fast. Too fast for a teenager, get me arrested or dead eventually. They are nice but I still love the TL. If I were you I would go with a used 2004 TL once the 2005's come out. Reason being the 2005 RL is in limited quanities right now and I doubt you will be able to haggle with the salesman cause there is probably someone in line waiting to pay MSRP for it.

iJon

[MacAztec]

Acuras (and hondas for that matter) are among the best built cars on the road, as good as BMWs, really.

I'm sure they are, but still, when I am driving, I notice nice cars. What I'm saying is, when I see an Acura on the road, I don't think "damn thats a nice car".

But when I see a BMW, Mercedes, Audi on the road, I think "DAMN, THATS a NICE CAR"

[Xtremehkr]

To me the RL is still the Legend. I owned a 1st gen Legend and am currently driving a 2nd gen one. I don't like the third gen much but they are definately back on track with this latest one. Even though I tend not to buy new cars, a 2 year old Acura is virtually indistinguishable, if it really isn't a problem for you than I would go for it. I am cheap too, which doesn't help. Maybe 'frugal' is a better description, I do pay more for quality products like Apple and Acura.

What I would do though is put down a substantial deposit. There is really no point in paying all of that interest if you can avoid it.

I have friends who drive BMWs, one with a Lincoln LS (V8) (he averages 13.6 mpg!) and various others with Audis (nicely dressed VWs) and Mercedes (rapidly declining reliability and quality) and they are not head and shoulders beyond Japanese auto makers anymore.

The Acura TL beats all but the M3 when considering the 3 series. But it really needs AWD, or at least RWD. The TL was second only to the 3 series in its class and the 3 series has so many more variations than the TL does.

My friend paid close to $50,000 for his fully loaded 330Ci and did not get SH-AWD, 300hp, 260 lbs of torque, the fuel economy or a host of other features that you would with an RL.

When comparing the RL to the 5 series BMW, I would say that Acura are almost there when it comes to being on par or beyond them.

I like BMW though, hopefully this will spur them to be more competitive, or at least bring the price down some.

[Sun Baked]

I have friends who drive BMWs, one with a Lincoln LS (V8) (he averages 13.6 mpg!) and various others with Audis (nicely dressed VWs) and Mercedes (rapidly declining reliability and quality) and they are not head and shoulders beyond Japanese auto makers anymore.Really sucks that some of the Lincoln LSs dropped like a rock, and can had for $15.5-17.5k -- and they really aren't all that old, and basically the Jaguar S-Type with a fewer HP and new sheetmetal.

Basically a really decent used car, if you don't mind driving a US nameplate Ford.

But it is odd that some Lincolns and Mercurys drop below the basic Ford used car prices.

[makisushi]

This is what I ask myself when making major purposes:

If you want it, buy it.
If you are worried about paying for it, don't buy it.

[Xtremehkr]

Really sucks that some of the Lincoln LSs dropped like a rock, and can had for $15.5-17.5k -- and they really aren't all that old, and basically the Jaguar S-Type with a fewer HP and new sheetmetal.

Basically a really decent used car, if you don't mind driving a US nameplate Ford.

But it is odd that some Lincolns and Mercurys drop below the basic Ford used car prices.

Oh, I like his car, he got an '02 for $26,000. Down from about $49,000 brand new with all of the options that it had. Which is terrible really, considering that it is nice looking and has a lot of features. But the two things I really don't like about it are the mileage it gets and the ride, the suspension is subpar for that price. Hopefully it is more mechanically sound than your average Ford is though.

What else doesn Lincoln have to offer?

The Aviator, a $50,000 Ford Explorer.

The Navigator, a $50,000+ Ford Expedition.

Coming soon from Lincoln, the Lincoln Zeppelin, a $100,000 Ford Excursion.

[nospleen]

I am the Service Manager at an Acura dealer. All I can say is that the new RL is unbelievable. It is a little smaller than I thought it would be, but otherwise it is perfect. It does not even have a key. It has a remote that you carry with you and when you put your hand on the door handle, it unlocks. When you get in the car, as long as the remote is with you, you just turn the nub (where the key usually goes) and it starts right up. Also, if you leave the remote in your jacket and shut the trunk, the trunk opens back up. :D I say just do it!

[Archaeopteryx]

If you have to Justify it, you probably shouldnt buy it :-/

[Dave@UW]

The RL is amazing. Get it. My dad almost got a TL (ended up getting an Infiniti because of the RWD), and Acuras are amazing cars. The new AWD system in it sounds great, and just the fact that it's a honda means it'll last longer than you'll need it to with no problems. So yeah, get it, or better yet, get it and send it to me!

[iJon]

I am the Service Manager at an Acura dealer. All I can say is that the new RL is unbelievable. It is a little smaller than I thought it would be, but otherwise it is perfect. It does not even have a key. It has a remote that you carry with you and when you put your hand on the door handle, it unlocks. When you get in the car, as long as the remote is with you, you just turn the nub (where the key usually goes) and it starts right up. Also, if you leave the remote in your jacket and shut the trunk, the trunk opens back up. :D I say just do it!
Badass, I didn't know about the remote feature. I still get mad at my mom for getting the Caddy Deville over the RL (or any Acrua for that matter) a couple of weeks ago. Yeah the caddy is nice and fast as hell but I still love those TL's and new RL.

iJon

[Sun Baked]

Badass, I didn't know about the remote feature. I still get mad at my mom for getting the Caddy Deville over the RL (or any Acrua for that matter) a couple of weeks ago. Yeah the caddy is nice and fast as hell but I still love those TL's and new RL.

iJonSmart move from a parent, get a frumpy old fart car when the kids start driving.

[justjess22]

My lease is just about up and it's time for a new car. Been driving Acura's (CL 2.2, CL 3.0, TL Type S) for my last 3 cars and I love them. Was just going to get a new TL but saw the new RL when I was in for an oil change last week. Went back to drive it and it is just spectacular. While I can easily afford the lease, I have a problem with a $750+ car payment. Should I go for it?


My husband and I started leasing a 325i BMW convertible in April. This car has the premium package on it, a value of $50,000. Our lease payment is only $550/month for 3 years. We did put down $2000.
Have you considered a BMR?

[Abstract]

My lease is just about up and it's time for a new car. Been driving Acura's (CL 2.2, CL 3.0, TL Type S) for my last 3 cars and I love them. Was just going to get a new TL but saw the new RL when I was in for an oil change last week. Went back to drive it and it is just spectacular. While I can easily afford the lease, I have a problem with a $750+ car payment. Should I go for it?

I don't really understand the original post at all!

You're saying that you can afford the lease, no problems, but you don't like the $750 payment? This is the major deterrent?

And while it sounds like a bogus fee that they pulled out of their a$$ to charge you more $$$, that cost shouldn't be a deterrent if you're looking at an expensive car, anyway. If you were looking at a Honda Civic, then yes, the $750 dollars seems a bit dumb.

Or maybe your problem is that you don't want to pay a bullspit fee of $750 when you don't even know what it's for. Are you turned off from buying/leasing the car because of the principle of paying that fee?

Anyway, I love Acura and Honda. They're like Apple to me. WHen I get older, I'll aim towards getting an Acura. :)

[Moxiemike]

Do yourself a favor: invest in real estate instead. Get something that can accrue and achieve equity. A Car, especially a $50,000 one won't do that. I almost wish I hadn't spent $26K on a car, because I could be using part of that monthly payment to buy more real estate (stuff is cheap where i'm at) and making more money.

That's my .02. Take from it what you must. :)

[Xtremehkr]

It's just too bad that you can't get the Japanese Domestic Version (http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=287177) of the RL, they still call it the Legend there as well.

Still, if you want a little more from the car, you can always add the A SPEC (http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=296288) package to it.

[iJon]

Smart move from a parent, get a frumpy old fart car when the kids start driving.
Last time I checked a 300HP V-8 Northstar engine was not a frumpy old fart car. It screams when I drive it, plus it's like floating in air when I drive. I go too fast without realizing it.

iJon

[yg17]

A car's a car....if you want to get from point A to B reliably, you could just as easily get a Civic instead of an RL. Granted you want something more than a Civic obviously, and I can't blame you. But if you need to justify getting a $50,000 car, then you shouldn't be getting it. Look into the Acura TSX...its a beautiful car, still an Acura and I think they're in the 25,000ish range

[gwuMACaddict]

asking us makes you sound pompous. you know what you can afford.

i say get a bike. maybe a cannondale ;) :D

[rdowns]

I thought he said he can afford the lease, but not a $50k purchase (or didn't like the idea of it's big payment.)

To clarify my statement, I can afford the payment and even the purchase. I lease cars, I won't buy them. My problem is the notion of such a big car payment. Seems every few years, I say my limit for a monthly payment is $x and I end up going higher.

I have considered others (BMW 3 and 5, Infiniti) and discounted others (Lexus, Mercedes) and still come back to Acura. My experience with them has been nothing short of phenomenal.

[salmon]

Cars are things that insert a big vacuum hose in your wallet and suck the money out as fast as you let them. Sure, they're useful, and since we in North America design our cities around them, are even necessary, but most of the stuff above the basics is just marketing selling you somethign you don't really need.

Cars should be two things: low cost to own, and good quality so they don't break down or annoy you while using. I like Toyotas for this myself. Good quality, pretty cost effective/minimally environmentally destructive and nothin' fancy.

Buy the cheapest car you'll be content with. Take the rest of the money and invest it, or do something useful with it - help a poor kid go to university, protect some land, help a charity - the rewards will be much greater. My .02, only because you asked ;)

Remember: "When you choose to do, you choose to leave other things undone. Choose wisely."

[mpw]

...

Remember: the best car in the world is the one that's paid for.

But the best handling car in the world is a rental!

[bartelby]

Here is a FULLY LOADED Acura RL on eBay, went for 47,500.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2495625269&category=5334)




That Acura has got to be the most boring looking car I've ever seen!

[Hoef]

Do yourself a favor: invest in real estate instead.

I think RDOWNS lives in NYC .... Ever heard about those RE prices?

[pseudobrit]

i say get a bike. maybe a cannondale ;) :D

How's the new R900? The Veloce groupset on that frame looks to me like a winner, and I'm seriously considering it.

I'm officially hijacking this thread and renaming it:

Help me justify a $1500 Campy bike

[brap]

That Acura has got to be the most boring looking car I've ever seen!
Yeah, I was going to mention that. Butt. Fugly.

[AmigoMac]

50K Car?... There is no way I would suggest someone to get such a car... :eek:

Back on topic: I'm looking a Cannondale too :D

[Chip NoVaMac]

To clarify my statement, I can afford the payment and even the purchase. I lease cars, I won't buy them. My problem is the notion of such a big car payment. Seems every few years, I say my limit for a monthly payment is $x and I end up going higher.

I have considered others (BMW 3 and 5, Infiniti) and discounted others (Lexus, Mercedes) and still come back to Acura. My experience with them has been nothing short of phenomenal.

All I can say is that I have seen too many friends and associates being able to "afford" a large payment for a car or whatever. Now that their jobs were sent overseas, or their company downsized - they wish they had been more conservative in their purchases. For the lucky few with new jobs, those jobs pay less. For the others it was finically difficult to get rid of their "overpriced" purchases. They had to pay penalties, or make up for being upside down.

Not trying to be a spoiler. I have just seen too much reality in the workforce to not start rethinking my own purchases.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Cars are things that insert a big vacuum hose in your wallet and suck the money out as fast as you let them. Sure, they're useful, and since we in North America design our cities around them, are even necessary, but most of the stuff above the basics is just marketing selling you somethign you don't really need.

Cars should be two things: low cost to own, and good quality so they don't break down or annoy you while using. I like Toyotas for this myself. Good quality, pretty cost effective/minimally environmentally destructive and nothin' fancy.

Buy the cheapest car you'll be content with. Take the rest of the money and invest it, or do something useful with it - help a poor kid go to university, protect some land, help a charity - the rewards will be much greater. My .02, only because you asked ;)

Remember: "When you choose to do, you choose to leave other things undone. Choose wisely."

So true. A few years back I bought a 2dr Civic. Thought I could be content with it. But the ride was just to hard for my "aging" body. Traded it in on a great deal on a Subaru Baja, that I am very content with.

[craigdawg]

Let the man buy a car in peace! :)

I think the TL is one of the best values on the market today.

$50K for a V6? I have a hard time getting past that. For a grand more (give or take) you can get the A6 4.2 V8 quattro and 50 more pound feet of torque (260 vs. 310). A nice $50K V6 would be a Boxster S.

While Acura/Honda is known for reliability, I would be disinclined to purchase the first run of a new model. Go with the TL.

[Little Endian]

Cars are like Computers they both get you from a Point A to a Point B however spending more on a Computer helps you litteraly get from Point A to Point B faster and lets you do some things impossible on a cheaper one not to mention the more you spend for a computer the longer it lasts before upgrading.

For Example: I really don't think a $50K Acura will get you around town or anywhere for that matter faster than a nicely equipped sub $25K Accord. What can you do with an Acura that costs twice as much as any Accord? Will that Acura Last twice as long as say an Accord? Probably not as maintanace matters more with longevity and reliability. I have a friend who has a 1978 Toyora Corona with 270,000 miles original Engine, AC works and body is decent so the argument that the more you spend the longer it lasts goes out the window with Cars. Don't forget Higher insurance Premiums, Taxes, Gas Costs, Maintance ect. I would'nt be suprised if an Acura in the $50K price Range could result in as much as $10,000 more over a 5 year time in maintanace and operating Costs than an Accord or Camry etc.

But then Again if your a millionaire my argument could be moot.

[howard]

i've had a dramatic change of opinion as far as cars go, I used to love them and spend time checking them out finding out what i like best. And I always wanted a good car.

No they just don't seem that important to me anymore. I'd rather spend my money on something else and just get the most reliable affordable car that can get me from point A to point B.

If you are a true car lover and its what you want go for it but otherwise whats the point?

[neut]

I'm sure they are, but still, when I am driving, I notice nice cars. What I'm saying is, when I see an Acura on the road, I don't think "damn thats a nice car".

But when I see a BMW, Mercedes, Audi on the road, I think "DAMN, THATS a NICE CAR"

:)

that's marketing at work for you...

... i guess the whole 'years and years of building excellent cars' thing helps out the big guys too. ;)

have you driven a modern Acura? i have a 97 3.0 CL. i love it! :D


rdowns- 50,000?? id go for a loaded TL instead... unless your a rich asshole. :) j/k i'd buy a Lincoln LS if i was speding that much.



peace.



peace.

[hacurio1]

That Acura has got to be the most boring looking car I've ever seen!

I agree; however, it all depends what the original poster is looking for. What is his driving style? What is he looking for in a $50,000 car? I will argue that the Acura has an excellent combination of features and performance, but it is more incline towards luxury. The number one reason why Acura is a more Luxury oriented vehicle is because a real performance car offers more than features, but a superb mechanical experience as well. Superb meaning that there is enough feedback on breaks, shifting, and a perfect balance of steering and suspension. From all the reviews I have seen and read about this Acura, it is indeed an excellent car, but it is just not as fun to drive as an Audi, or a BMW. So yeah, It comes down to what the original poster is looking for.

[apple2991]

Acuras may be reliable or you've had a good experience, whatever, but for $50,000 you would need serious beer-goggles to find that car attractive. It's the veritable bull-dog or fat friend who thinks she's hot of 50k luxury cars. Seriously, few people are going to look at that and go "WOW, that is hot!" And you may say you don't care about what other people think about how it looks, etc., but for that price a lot of what you're paying for is style--that car has none.

Remind me again why you're so relucant to get a BMW. Class, quality, and style, for the same price--maybe even less.

[Sun Baked]

rdowns- 50,000?? id go for a loaded TL instead... unless your a rich asshole. :) j/k i'd buy a Lincoln LS if i was speding that much.Fine if you want the floaty boat ride, the Jaguar S-Type is the same vehicle with a slight character change -- at nearly the same price.

Of course used, the Lincoln LS drops far faster than the Jag -- so it's an better used value, for basically the same vehicle.

If you want something smaller the X-Type drops even faster than the LS/S-type.

[Xtremehkr]

Are you looking at the '04 RL or the '05 RL when you say that it looks boring?

I completely agree with the '04 being a boring looking car, it didn't sell either, especially with the TL being so good.

The '05 RL is completely different though, much more exciting and favoring a more sporting look.

I've been told I can expect to get no more than 400,000 miles off of my Legend engine, which is basically the same engine used in the TL series, the 3.2.

I got that advice from a Acura/Honda specialty mechanics shop here in Huntington Beach. They are called Autowave (http://www.autowaveinc.com/index2.htm) and are the best mechanics I have come across. Everytime I visit for some advice or to get an oil change when I don't have time, I count the number of NSXs that are in being worked on or modified. The most I have counted at once is 7, which is a pretty good indication of how good they are.

Acuras really are cars that you can keep for 10-15 years without problems, and they are not hard to work on at all. Even the brakes are a piece of cake, I prefer to work on my own car, the money I save on labor I invest in hgh quality parts, and I have the piece of mind knowing that it was done exactly the way it was supposed to be done.

[neut]

Fine if you want the floaty boat ride, the Jaguar S-Type is the same vehicle with a slight character change -- at nearly the same price.

Of course used, the Lincoln LS drops far faster than the Jag -- so it's an better used value, for basically the same vehicle.

If you want something smaller the X-Type drops even faster than the LS/S-type.

yeah, but i don't like the style changes on the brand cross-over. the LS has a specific look i like... of course i wouldn't drive it the same as i would sport-lux, but that's not what i'd be buying it for. it just looks pimp. :)

i was actually looking at getting a used LS until my dad made me an offer i couldn't refuse on the CL.


peace.

[iJon]

I can't believe people are saying it's boring. I was driving down the road the other day and saw a new one drive by and I just starred it down, it was so gorgeous. The new head lamps, the euro body style, HID's, LED backlights, get some tinted windows for that beast and it is a gorgeous car.

iJon

[dabirdwell]

Jesus, buy a hybrid, a Segway, a wind tower to power your house, and three G5s if you have to spend all the money.

[jefhatfield]

Acuras (and hondas for that matter) are among the best built cars on the road, as good as BMWs, really.

in a sense, they are comparable

the bmw will give you better performance, but the acura will give you better dependability in the long run

you can sacrifice bells and whistles, and performance, and get a volvo...they are super sturdy and will last you 20-30 years...and you will save money due to the fact that it's kind of hard to make a volvo speed faster than other cars to the point you will get the attention of a highway patrol officer and garner speeding tickets

actually, in 23 years of driving every day, i have never seen a volvo pulled over ;)

[Chip NoVaMac]

Jesus, buy a hybrid, a Segway, a wind tower to power your house, and three G5s if you have to spend all the money.

I understand what you are saying, but that is a bit harsh. I still stand behind I hope my friendlier comment that one needs to look towards the future and not the present when looking at their "purchases"

[blackfox]

you can sacrifice bells and whistles, and performance, and get a volvo...they are super sturdy and will last you 20-30 years...and you will save money due to the fact that it's kind of hard to make a volvo speed faster than other cars to the point you will get the attention of a highway patrol officer and garner speeding tickets

actually, in 23 years of driving every day, i have never seen a volvo pulled over ;)
I have driven three Volvos, including my current car. I have never had a speeding ticket in 15 years of driving. Coincidence?

I must admit, I find that since Volvo was taken over by Ford, the design has gone south. I really liked the old boxy 240's. That said, as an off-the-cuff reference to rdowns, the exception is the S60, which I think is a pretty attractive car and has decent performance specs. Perhaps it might be worth a look. As are Saabs for that matter...these being cars in the $25-40K range.

[rdowns]

I think RDOWNS lives in NYC .... Ever heard about those RE prices?

You're not kidding. I do own a nice size condo in a gated community. Paid only $124,000 for it 11 years ago. They sell for $320,000 or so now.

[Hoef]

You're not kidding. I do own a nice size condo in a gated community. Paid only $124,000 for it 11 years ago. They sell for $320,000 or so now.

Not bad at all ... Where are you located?

[rdowns]

:)

that's marketing at work for you...

... i guess the whole 'years and years of building excellent cars' thing helps out the big guys too. ;)

have you driven a modern Acura? i have a 97 3.0 CL. i love it! :D


rdowns- 50,000?? id go for a loaded TL instead... unless your a rich asshole. :) j/k i'd buy a Lincoln LS if i was speding that much.



peace.



peace.

Rich? Nah, but I do OK. Asshole, depends who you ask. :eek:

Never, ever buy an American car. That statement comes from working for an auto extended warranty company and based on claims and actuarial data. Reliability is just not there. German cars are a little better (Mercedes, Audi and VW drag down BMW). Ask any of the 52 claims advisors in my company and they all say the same thing, buy Japanese.

[rdowns]

Acuras may be reliable or you've had a good experience, whatever, but for $50,000 you would need serious beer-goggles to find that car attractive. It's the veritable bull-dog or fat friend who thinks she's hot of 50k luxury cars. Seriously, few people are going to look at that and go "WOW, that is hot!" And you may say you don't care about what other people think about how it looks, etc., but for that price a lot of what you're paying for is style--that car has none.

Remind me again why you're so relucant to get a BMW. Class, quality, and style, for the same price--maybe even less.


I've never been a BMW fan. I have friends with 3 and 5 series (now the 6 series is gorgeous) and I don't like the feel of the drive vs. an Acura. iDrive is a good reason to stay away. I like the luxury drive and creature comforts more in the Acura.

There's a reason there are scores of different cars offered, lots of different tastes.

[rdowns]

I understand what you are saying, but that is a bit harsh. I still stand behind I hope my friendlier comment that one needs to look towards the future and not the present when looking at their "purchases"

Your earlier statement is excellent advise. If I didn't have an employment contract (I'm Director of Sales and Marketing) and know my job isn't in jeopardy of being outsourced, I wouldn't be considering taking on a $700-$800 monthly lease payment.

[rdowns]

Not bad at all ... Where are you located?

Queens county (that's inside NYC limits) just west of the Nassau (Long Island) border.

[Counterfit]

*cough* (http://roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=1589&page_number=1).


Hey, you said you wanted Japanese... :p

[anubis]

Leasing a car, next to buying "per-unit" life insurance, is the stupidest financial move you could ever make. All you end up doing your whole life is paying new car depreciation with nothing to show for it in the end. Between not being able to keep your car at the end of the lease, over-mileage surcharges, and the huge "due at lease signing" payment, car leases are massive ripoffs.

You should always buy your car. If you can't afford the payments for the car you really want, then you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your life right now. You may be trying to live outside your means.

I'd give you two options: either BUY a new car that's less expensive (and thus lower monthly payments), or buy a used car. Used cars kick ass. In most cases a 2-3 year old used car is going to be very close in condition and style to a new car, but for less than half the cost. Why do people buy new cars anyway? I think it's for the new car smell. You can get a bottle of new car smell at Autozone for $2.

[Xtremehkr]

*cough* (http://roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=1589&page_number=1).


Hey, you said you wanted Japanese... :p

I read the same article, and I couldn't help wonder why those two cars ended up in the being compared. While it is true that they are both Japanese cars, they do not really seem to be in the same catagory. Subaru is ultra competitive when it comes to price, but I am not sure that those two cars fit into a similar catagory.

Personally, I think that the TSX is a little on the pricey side, especially considering that a TL can be had for not much more. The TSX is very popular among female buyers though, locally at least.

Subaru seems to be more for sport purists as the creature comforts and overall refinement are way behind what you will get in an Acura.

[Abulia]

I have considered others (BMW 3 and 5, Infiniti) and discounted others (Lexus, Mercedes) and still come back to Acura. My experience with them has been nothing short of phenomenal.I was car shopping about six months ago and it came down to the Acura TL and the BMW Series 3 (325xi). I like the Acura's looks and its high-tech features (Bluetooth, DVD Audio, stadium seating) and there's no two ways about it: the TL is an amazing value.

Then I drove the BMW.

Oh. My. Gawd.

Everything you've seen/heard/read about BMWs is true. They are the Ultimate Driving Experience. The Acura drove like a dumptruck compared to the BMW. I had real heartache because I assumed that the BMW was out of my price league. The difference between the two cars was something like $5K when it was all said and done.

My Series 3 came to like $35K when it was all said and done. Amazing vehicle. (I buy; I don't throw away money on a lease.)

That probably didn't help your decision any. Just wanted to say that the TL is a nice car. Try the BMW. ;)

[iJon]

My family also has BMW's. They are very nice and I drove both the Acura and the BMW frequently. The only thing I loved about that BMW over the Acura was that it hugged the road so nicely.

Even their SUV's are nice. I remember we had to get the BMW repaired so they gave us a X3 to drive for the time being. With that AWD it gripped incredibly, but for an SUV I bet it's not to great off road (compared to my Jeep).

I would still want the Acura though. I think it looks nicer and stands out more unless your driving a new 6 or 7 series, but that's just me. I am by no means a car expert and my opinion is probably biased because my last two cars have been Acuras (Legend and TL Type S). You are already set on Acuras, go for the new RL if you don't mind spending the cash.

jon

[Will Curran]

Two questions: Do you have a iPod? and What do you think about a BMW.

[iJon]

Two questions: Do you have a iPod? and What do you think about a BMW.
I wouldn't consider that a buying factor. It is just as easy to hardwire an iPod to an Acura as is to do the BMW thing. I did it in my last car. You can do it in pretty much any car.

jon

[Blackstealth]

...and you will save money due to the fact that it's kind of hard to make a volvo speed faster than other cars to the point you will get the attention of a highway patrol officer and garner speeding tickets..

A while back I spent a few months driving an S60 T5, and I can confess that these days it's ridiculously easy to get a Volvo to go faster than other cars on the road - license-loosing territory appears very quickly when you put your foot down. Even the plain jane 2.0's have a decent bit of punch...

actually, in 23 years of driving every day, i have never seen a volvo pulled over

Can't say I've never seen a Volvo pulled over, but I have seen plenty of people pulled over by Volvos - V70s and XC70s are favorites with the police round these parts for motorway and traffic duties.

[virividox]

Remember: the best car in the world is the one that's paid for.

True that. forget the flash, go with what you can afford :) live within your means

[wdlove]

My family also has BMW's. They are very nice and I drove both the Acura and the BMW frequently. The only thing I loved about that BMW over the Acura was that it hugged the road so nicely.
jon

I drove a BMW once. It was a very solid card. Drove like a dream. If you have the money and desire, then its a good choice.

[jazzmfk]

Hey - just thought I'd throw a suggestion your way.

Are you looking for reliability? Status? Pure driving enjoyment? Room for a golf outing with 3 buddies and their golf bags? Roaring through the twisty bits? AC so cold you could store meat in there? Top down pleasure for a bunch of months of the year?

Your answer really matters - but here's my thought, regardless of your response: Porsche. 50K would put you in a lot of car - heck, 30K would put you in a lot of car. If you want a nice car because you want to DRIVE, there's something worthwhile at every price point. And I mean every price point - I bought a 914 for two grand. Ugly? Yup. Fast? Nope. Fun with the top down on the back roads of Western Jersey? Yup. Good for status, golf, AC, or reliability? No, none of the above. But with the roof out, tooling along at 80+MPH, looking up at the stars, it was just great.

Used 911s run from 5K for a beater to 100K+ - remember, you've got 40 years to choose from! Want status, speed, and rarity? How bout a 928GTS? Need room for those golf buddies? What about a used Cayenne? (Don't laugh - I drove a turbo last year and the grin is just beginning to fade from my face....that thing breaks a number of the laws of physics.)

My current ride is an '89 944S2. You could buy 5 of them. Or two; make one a track car and actually learn to drive cars the way they are supposed to be driven (PCA is a great club with great driver's ed events - who knew you could have so much fun in a car with your clothes on?)

My previous ride was an '88 Carerra Targa. You could only buy 2 of those, with some change. Maybe an even day/odd day sort of arrangement would suit your fancy - or maybe a coupe and a cabriolet, depending upon the weather.

I kick myself sometimes for not acting upon my lust sooner. If you want to spend 50K for a car to DRIVE, go drive some P-mobiles. There really isn't any substitute. You'll see.

MFK

[iNetwork]

My lease is just about up and it's time for a new car. Been driving Acura's (CL 2.2, CL 3.0, TL Type S) for my last 3 cars and I love them. Was just going to get a new TL but saw the new RL when I was in for an oil change last week. Went back to drive it and it is just spectacular. While I can easily afford the lease, I have a problem with a $750+ car payment. Should I go for it?

It'll only be worth it if the car is GERMAN. I did, and my next car will be german as well!

Good luck

[Dr. No]

Last time I checked a 300HP V-8 Northstar engine was not a frumpy old fart car. It screams when I drive it, plus it's like floating in air when I drive. I go too fast without realizing it.

iJon

iJon/Sun Baked:

This maybe a little off-topic, but I have never ridden in a new Caddy before. Does it have any noticeable problems- like with vibration above 60 MPH?? Tell me a little about your Cadillac experience, they sound like great cars, and I know someone who might buy one.

[jeffy.dee-lux]

Oh, I like his car, he got an '02 for $26,000. Down from about $49,000 brand new with all of the options that it had. Which is terrible really, considering that it is nice looking and has a lot of features. But the two things I really don't like about it are the mileage it gets and the ride, the suspension is subpar for that price. Hopefully it is more mechanically sound than your average Ford is though.


Ford has a pretty bad reputation as far as build quality goes. But look at the latest JD Power long term dependability surveys, and you see the ford brand is pretty much the industry average:
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0407/06/c01-199247.htm
Out of 37 brands, ford placed 16th, while Audi is at 22nd, Mercedes at 28, and Volkswagen is 33, for a few examples. Meanwhile, lincoln is 4th and mercury is 9th.



Coming soon from Lincoln, the Lincoln Zeppelin, a $100,000 Ford Excursion.

That sounds hilarious.


As for the RL? Sure 300hp is great, but its 4030lbs. December's Car and Driver had a pretty good review of it, nice driving dynamics they say, but the interior is pretty tight for such a big car. They say it doesn't have much more room than a TL or an accord. Why not get a TL?
Better yet, turn to page 111 in that same C and D. 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.2, just as quick as the RL, except 30/37mpg city/hwy, vs 18/26 for the RL. More space for front and rear occupants than the RL, AND its $18K cheaper.
Hybrid Accord. Its a sweet car.

[bartelby]

I can't believe people are saying it's boring. I was driving down the road the other day and saw a new one drive by and I just starred it down, it was so gorgeous. The new head lamps, the euro body style, HID's, LED backlights, get some tinted windows for that beast and it is a gorgeous car.

iJon

euro body style??? It's just a generic 'sucked sweet' car??? i.e. no styling!!

This is what I call styling:
Alfa Romeo (http://www.autodelta.co.uk/156GT_sidedja_bg.htm)
The engine in this car has more style than the Acura:
Autodelta Alfa Romeo 3.7lt V6 (http://www.ad.3wows.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=136)

If you want a bit of extreme Euro styling there's always the
TVR Sagaris (http://www.bilnyheter.no/SagarisRea-400.jpg)
Or any TVR for that matter.

[jefhatfield]

A while back I spent a few months driving an S60 T5, and I can confess that these days it's ridiculously easy to get a Volvo to go faster than other cars on the road - license-loosing territory appears very quickly when you put your foot down. Even the plain jane 2.0's have a decent bit of punch...



Can't say I've never seen a Volvo pulled over, but I have seen plenty of people pulled over by Volvos - V70s and XC70s are favorites with the police round these parts for motorway and traffic duties.

i have not driven in the newer ford-era volvos and maybe they are quite a bit faster...they certainly look more streamlined than the old box style volvos i grew up with...my dad had a 245, DL, and now drives a 960 and i have a DL

perhaps the volvo does not attract speed demons who would more likely buy a sports car...but the fastest drivers on the road i have seen, in my area, are people in service trucks like plumbers and construction workers, taxi drivers in crown victorias (or similar model), or large 18 wheel big rigs...and in many or most cases it could be worsened by the fact that they are driving their employer's car

[sushi]

Remember: the best car in the world is the one that's paid for.
So very true!

Sushi

[Sun Baked]

iJon/Sun Baked:

This maybe a little off-topic, but I have never ridden in a new Caddy before. Does it have any noticeable problems- like with vibration above 60 MPH?? Tell me a little about your Cadillac experience, they sound like great cars, and I know someone who might buy one.Cadillac now has a wide range of product, now that they've finally got the youth market targeted after 20 years of trying.

The CTS-V sedan should be an interesting performance vehicle -- the one with a 400HP Corvette engine shoved under the hood -- heck it's got a 6-speed manual, they haven't had one of those in like forever.

There are also the mobile status symbol SUVs, and the floating boats.

---

Don't know too much about the current quality of the Cadillac, since I went the Ford RWD V8 sedan route -- mainly due to the inexpensiveness and availability of parts, even though it's been problem free for 120k+ miles.

[hacurio1]

My family also has BMW's. They are very nice and I drove both the Acura and the BMW frequently. The only thing I loved about that BMW over the Acura was that it hugged the road so nicely.

Even their SUV's are nice. I remember we had to get the BMW repaired so they gave us a X3 to drive for the time being. With that AWD it gripped incredibly, but for an SUV I bet it's not to great off road (compared to my Jeep).

I would still want the Acura though. I think it looks nicer and stands out more unless your driving a new 6 or 7 series, but that's just me. I am by no means a car expert and my opinion is probably biased because my last two cars have been Acuras (Legend and TL Type S). You are already set on Acuras, go for the new RL if you don't mind spending the cash.

jon

Have you seen the new 3 series?

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futurevehicles/new3/images.htm

The BMW stands out way more than an Acura.

[Les Kern]

My lease...... Should I go for it?

Leasing a car is silly. Buying a 50K car is sillier. But that's only my opinion. Why not buy two 25K cars and give one to charity, or one 25K car and put 25K in the bank for your kids?
Boy I sound so green, but the fact is my own dream car is 250K.

[iJon]

iJon/Sun Baked:

This maybe a little off-topic, but I have never ridden in a new Caddy before. Does it have any noticeable problems- like with vibration above 60 MPH?? Tell me a little about your Cadillac experience, they sound like great cars, and I know someone who might buy one.
Nope, very solid car. I will punch the gas and be up to 80 in no time and it just floats along. A nice roar outside but you can hardly hear the outside, such a secure cabin. Now the DeVille is a quite large and you can't just whip it around turns and stuff, but that is a given. All I can recommend is you or they go and down and test drive one yourself, then you will know what I am talking about.

iJon

[sushi]

Leasing a car is silly.
Good way to loose your money! :D

Buying a 50K car is sillier.
Totally agree unless you are very rich or have a big income.

Sushi

[stillwater]

I test drove a '05 RL last week and I was impressed. When compared to other 50k sedans, it does offer considerable bang for the buck in terms of standard features. In fact, it only comes in one trim level, and that's loaded. The all wheel drive will be quite handy here in the northeast.

Still, if your not in a hurry, you might want to wait a few months and check out the new Infiniti M45, which is set to debut as an '06 model in the spring. It comes with a 340 hp. V8 that's a lot torque-ier than the V6 in the Acura.

I also agree with others who've said "buy Japanese". Most of the Japanese brands offer much better long term reliability than American or European cars.

Oh, and on the question of justification, the only person to whom you have to justify a purchase of this sort is yourself....Unless you're married. :)

[Xtremehkr]

Oh, and on the question of justification, the only person to whom you have to justify a purchase of this sort is yourself....Unless you're married. :)

Lol, never forget the marriage caveat.

[geeman]

Everything you've seen/heard/read about BMWs is true. They are the Ultimate Driving Experience. The Acura drove like a dumptruck compared to the BMW. I had real heartache because I assumed that the BMW was out of my price league. The difference between the two cars was something like $5K when it was all said and done.

You may find that the monthly payments on a similarly-priced Beemer are less per month due to the higher resale value of the car at the end of the lease.

Just bought a BMW 330Cd (I live in Europe where Diesel is much cheaper than gas). Lease rates were cheaper than a 325, - and even an Audi.

The 330d is great. It's got more torque than an M3, faster in-gear acceleration from 55-75 than a 911...and still gives me 45 to the gallon.

The only problem is that is sounds like a tractor first thing in the morning.... :o

[stubeeef]

If your retirement is paid for, your mortgage is in good shape, your 6 months cash stash for no job is fully funded, and you have the cash then do what you want. I am not familar with leases cause I like to own it, but do you get an equity position or something?

I am doing ok but a new car for me is 3-5yrs old. Then again I dropped 3500 on a 12"pb and emac ++ this summer, how smart is that?

[neut]

I am doing ok but a new car for me is 3-5yrs old. Then again I dropped 3500 on a 12"pb and emac ++ this summer, how smart is that?

yeah, i bought a new to me car (97 acura) and then dropped 5000 on a mini studio (g5, extra display, CDX and mixer... more to come. :D), but it's all worth it.

i like to see my money do something (like help me create music or help my daughter learn), but whatever makes one happy. those comfy leather seats do make the world go by the way side... if that's what he's looking for.


peace.