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Because most people buy the ES and RX. That is where the overlap between Acura and Lexus ends. Lexus goes much higher with the GS, and LS. Not to mention the LF-A.....

I think once you get up to those price levels, more people are looking at Mercedes, Audi, and BMW in the high end "luxury" level. Again this is just an observational opinion
 
Because most people buy the ES and RX. That is where the overlap between Acura and Lexus ends. Lexus goes much higher with the GS, and LS. Not to mention the LF-A.....

Ah, I see what you're saying now.

What I was trying to convey is the brand perception for me is that they are roughly equal, luxury wise. My "across the board" comment probably through things off.

Speaking of all this, when is Acura going to get around to making the NSX again?
 
I think once you get up to those price levels, more people are looking at Mercedes, Audi, and BMW in the high end "luxury" level. Again this is just an observational opinion

No doubt that is where the customers go when they go higher up in the price range, but it doesn't mean Lexus doesn't have competitive options. The GS and LS are very competitive with the 7, S, and A8. But, the prestige/image are with the Germans.
 
I think once you get up to those price levels, more people are looking at Mercedes, Audi, and BMW in the high end "luxury" level. Again this is just an observational opinion

I agree. Not saying one is better than the other or anything, just that I agree about the perception.

I had a 2002 325i that I cruised around in for a bit, and people were like "dude you drive a BMW" and I'm thinking in my head (yeah I paid like $13,000 for this).

All interesting. For me, it's all about the logo. The trademark L just doesn't scream luxury like the BMW, or Mercedes symbol. Audi kind of doesn't either.
 
Speaking of all this, when is Acura going to get around to making the NSX again?

Who knows. There have been spy shots of it, but Honda is staying mum on it. I think the NSX has seen more, " Cancelled!", " ALIVE!!!", " Cancelled!", " Alive", etc reports than the Zeta platform was getting for GM fans.
 
All interesting. For me, it's all about the logo. The trademark L just doesn't scream luxury like the BMW, or Mercedes symbol. Audi kind of doesn't either.

Within the last 2 years I think Audi has really upped their game in the luxury car brand. I see more A4's & A6's then I see 3 series, 5 series or MB
 
Well, since they are planning on building it in Ohio, I'll let you guys know when they start working on the factory :p

I doubt they will build an assembly plant for a low volume product..... It will probably be built in Japan or in one of their two Ohio plants.

Doesn't matter to me though. If I was buying a Japanese supercar, it would be Godzilla over the LF-A and the so far vaporware NSX.

Within the last 2 years I think Audi has really upped their game in the luxury car brand. I see more A4's & A6's then I see 3 series, 5 series or MB

Agreed. As a great man once said, the jerks have moved from BMW to Audi. :p
 
Not related to those specific cars, but don't get financing from the dealer unless you like being ripped off.
 
Do an amortization of their offer, then compare it with one from a traditional lender.

They are in business to take money, your money.

Just like dealer-added options, undercoating, extended warranty, etc.

So is a bank. I understand I need to look at what they offer compared to an outside source, but when you are talking about about 3% or 5%, it doesn't change my monthly payments much at all - I've done the math.
 
So is a bank. I understand I need to look at what they offer compared to an outside source, but when you are talking about about 3% or 5%, it doesn't change my monthly payments much at all - I've done the math.

The difference between 3% and 5% (which are both high numbers for a new car) is small, but why give away money you don't have to?

I just bought a new Acura, the dealer was offering 1.99 through Acura's financing, my credit union offered 1.89. The difference there is pennies each month, but I went with my credit union.

Since credit unions aren't in it to make money for some rich ****s on Wall Street, they were able to beat Acura's rate. By comparison, some of the big banks I looked at were in the 2-3% range for the same loan.
 
Of course. Except that when you get financing from a dealer, it's what the bank wants plus up to a few percent on top of that for the dealer. If you don't believe me, you have no idea how car dealers operate.
 
Except the reality is that sometimes the dealers offer better financing than even credit unions, especially now. Pretty much all/most manufacturers are doing 0.9% for 60 months or better.

My credit union's current best rate on a new car is 2.24%, the dealer gave us 0% financing for 60 months with no early payoff penalty. For the record I also got the car for $500 less than dealer invoice.

And we locked in the price of the car before I told them I would even finance with them, not that it mattered at 0% since they weren't going to make up any of the negotiated vehicle discount on the rate.

Often if they know you are going to finance with them, they will give you a better price on the car knowing they will make it back on the financing. The trick is to lock down the price of the car before even discussing it. If they know you aren't financing through them, they often won't come down on the vehicle price as much.

Bottom line--get the car to the price you want, then finance with whoever has the better rate. Sometimes it's the dealer, sometimes it's the credit union.

EDIT: I suspect bizzle hasn't bought a new car in nearly a decade, because 0% and similar offers have been commonplace for close to a decade now as the economy has been perpetually in the crapper.
 
The difference between 3% and 5% (which are both high numbers for a new car) is small, but why give away money you don't have to?

I just bought a new Acura, the dealer was offering 1.99 through Acura's financing, my credit union offered 1.89. The difference there is pennies each month, but I went with my credit union.

Since credit unions aren't in it to make money for some rich ****s on Wall Street, they were able to beat Acura's rate. By comparison, some of the big banks I looked at were in the 2-3% range for the same loan.

Also depends on the compound period. If that same interest rate is compounded quarterly or monthly, you'll be paying a higher effective interest rate.
 
Bottom line--get the car to the price you want, then finance with whoever has the better rate. Sometimes it's the dealer, sometimes it's the credit union.

EDIT: I suspect bizzle hasn't bought a new car in nearly a decade, because 0% and similar offers have been commonplace for close to a decade now as the economy has been perpetually in the crapper.

Thanks for the advice
 
Except the reality is that sometimes the dealers offer better financing than even credit unions, especially now. Pretty much all/most manufacturers are doing 0.9% for 60 months or better.

My credit union's current best rate on a new car is 2.24%, the dealer gave us 0% financing for 60 months with no early payoff penalty. For the record I also got the car for $500 less than dealer invoice.

And we locked in the price of the car before I told them I would even finance with them, not that it mattered at 0% since they weren't going to make up any of the negotiated vehicle discount on the rate.

Often if they know you are going to finance with them, they will give you a better price on the car knowing they will make it back on the financing. The trick is to lock down the price of the car before even discussing it. If they know you aren't financing through them, they often won't come down on the vehicle price as much.

Bottom line--get the car to the price you want, then finance with whoever has the better rate. Sometimes it's the dealer, sometimes it's the credit union.

EDIT: I suspect bizzle hasn't bought a new car in nearly a decade, because 0% and similar offers have been commonplace for close to a decade now as the economy has been perpetually in the crapper.

I have. Just the dealers around my area, and other areas are con artists and lie about what you were approved for. With excellent credit I was given a rate from a Honda dealer of 7.4%. I ended up writing a check for the full price instead of financing part just to build my credit further because at that rate it wasn't worth it.

Of course every situation is different. In most experiences I've had, as well as friends and family, dealer financing was horrible. The point of my post was buyer beware and see what other options are available because most people do not realize you can get financing elsewhere and end up over paying.
 
I have. Just the dealers around my area, and other areas are con artists and lie about what you were approved for. With excellent credit I was given a rate from a Honda dealer of 7.4%. I ended up writing a check for the full price instead of financing part just to build my credit further because at that rate it wasn't worth it.

Of course every situation is different. In most experiences I've had, as well as friends and family, dealer financing was horrible. The point of my post was buyer beware and see what other options are available because most people do not realize you can get financing elsewhere and end up over paying.

You don't have excellent credit then if they said 7.4%. Even with no credit history when I purchased my first BMW it was 4%. I would check your credit report promptly.
 
You don't have excellent credit then if they said 7.4%. Even with no credit history when I purchased my first BMW it was 4%. I would check your credit report promptly.

Here we go. I check it weekly.
 
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