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get the car you want - don't worry about cost (especially if your parents are paying) and enjoy it. this'll probably the only vehicle where you won't have to pay for it. keep in mind, though, that you'll be paying for insurance and maintenance/upkeep.

my vote is for the BMW. i would never say no to a BMW.
 
I had a supercharged RX7 in high school which I payed for by working. While I loved that car and it got me in to alot of fun (read trouble with the cops), I think I've moved on from that phase of life... you know all the varsity jacket wearing, abercrombie and fitch, insecure/ hypermasculine overcompensation that seems to be prevelent among high-school boys. I'm much calmer now.
I think before I speak, I'm a much more reserved person, I enjoy spending the night at the art gallery or reading war and peace just as much as, if not more than bar hopping/ clubbing with friends. I suppose this thing called education had more of an effect on me than I realized. Anyways, a car that's a bit calmer, a bit more understated than a super-charged '95 RX7 with a candy apple red paint, gun metal rims, and a huge body kit would be nice.... lol
I think the BMW or the lexus would be a good call.

I think that's one reason why I don't like the mini-cooper, it's very loud in a artsy fartsy kind of way
 
An "entry level luxury car" is a contradiction in terms.

In two years, buy a real luxury model used from 2005-2006 for the same price you would for one of these pretenders.

A8, S500, 750i, etc, etc. That's a luxury car.
 
There is the '08 Cadillac CTS coming this fall. But, you can't go wrong with a BMW. You know when you buy German cars you're going to pay a lot to keep it maintained so that shouldn't come into play against another German car. Anyway, as I said you can't go wrong with a BMW. Especially for the driving experience. My dad had a 2002 BMW 330xi. It was really fun to drive. Although the I6 had 225 HP, it felt like it had 260 HP+. My dad is looking into buying the 335 and hoping that BMW adds xDrive to it because AWD is a must in the snow. There are reports that the Twin Turbo'd I6 is underrated. Saying it could produce somewhere around 350 HP. If sadly BMW doesn't add xDrive to the 335, I guess there is the 230 HP 328xi. We're also going to check out the new CTS as well as that has AWD available on both the 258 HP and 300 HP model. Although I think we would take a hit on the driving experience with the CTS. But, who knows until we test drive it.

PS: IMHO, luxury and FWD don't mix. The power is going to the wrong wheels and having anything near 300 HP is generally bad for FWD with the torque steer. It will be RWD and AWD for me when it is time for me to shop for a luxury vehicle.

PSS: I would take a Corvette over an Elise anytime now that the 'Vettes handling is being tuned at Nurburgring.
 
I agree with the person suggesting you buy a higher end used luxury car. By 2008, 30k can but you plenty more of '04-'05 luxury goodness.
 
With fuel prices souring out of control, I think a Toyota Hybrid is a more sensible solution. I own one. Gives me roughly 1000km to the tank.

Oh for the day we have electric cars that charge in minutes and can do 1000km to the charge too.

Bring on Nuclear Power and save the planet in the process.
 
I didn't really have time to read the whole thread, so I don't know if what I have said has been mentioned... But have you considered the Cadillac CTS? I know it's a Cadillac, but GM's newer cars are actually very good and compare quite well to the competition.

If not American, I would look at the Audi A4, another nice car, although if you can, you probably would want to wait for the new one to become available. Then again, the Lexus IS250 is a nice car as well... :/

They're all good choices...

...although you might want to save that money for later too...

Sorry for not being very helpful...
 
Wait, wait, wait, this thread is a year old? Why it was brought up again, I have no idea.


Im perplexed by this matter too.

I wanna know what car he is going to get soon! (And why he started this thread when he had so much time....)
 
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I would go for an audi TT, or a mini s....
 
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