[bzbatl]

Wife wants a used luxury sedan (might need a 4-door soon). We test drove dozens at CarMax, and are now having trouble sorting out the following. They are ranked by how much the wife likes them, based on exterior aesthetics (it's so cute!), the interior ("classy" feel) and the test drive (smoothness, cabin noise).

1. Mercedes-Benz C240
2. BMW 325i (although this has moved to #1 just today... but it might just be a phase)
3. Acura TL
4. Lexus ES3(30?)
5. Lexus IS300

I, personally, am pulling for the Acura TL, even though it's the most expensive of the bunch. However, I am torn as the honey like the MB and BMW so much... but I really don't know anything about either (I'm a good ole American driver).

Anyone have the MB C class or good stories about the BMW 3 series?

I know enough about the Jap cars, stepdad works at Lexus and good friend owns the TL. But, opinions are welcome.

 

[dreesemonkey]

My friend is leasing a '06 TL, the only option he has is Nav. Phenominal car, I can't see why anyone would need something more than that. The only thing I dont' like about it is that it's fwd, but damn it's just so smooth and classy otherwise.

I find it hard to believe it's the most expensive out of all those, but if it makes you feel better pretty much everything is standard on the car, I think the only options are the nav and the transmission (he has the 6spd, I'd probably go with the auto, 6spd just doesn't make that much sense to me on a big FWD like that)

 

[bzbatl]

Believe it! They're all in the 20-30k range, depending on year/mileage, but comparable TLs to the rest are 2-3k more than the rest.

I think it has the highest MSRP, new, of the bunch.

 

[Mucho Gonzales]

what about a Caddy? CTS maybe?

just throwing that out there...

 

[bzbatl]

Hah - I threw that suggestion in there - she says she isn't an old man.

I'd drive it. But then again, I yell at kids to get off my damn lawn.

 

[jluu6r]

Infinity G35 sedan

 

[ArcanaSV]

the TL gets my vote

 

[Krazy Hawaiian]

what about a Caddy? CTS maybe?

just throwing that out there...

Thats what Id go for. The new one has the LS2 or possibly next year it gets it.

or a M5 BMW or CLK/SLK then again all are way more $ than the ones your looking at. Those are just sedans to me, when I thunk "luxury" I think big bux not middle of the road....

 

[Rascus]

Have you looked at the 300M? I just rented one of these this weekend. Very nice car, lots of options you don't really need, lots of power.

 

[Krazy Hawaiian]

^^^ Id NEVER by a Chrysler, besides not liking them I just read in the newspaper that of all the "Lemon Law" cases Chrysler had nearly 2x the amount of any other brand! Toyota and Honda were at the bottom of the list.

 

[madman748]

BMW. I'm bias though. I've an '03 330i.

Hah - I threw that suggestion in there - she says she isn't an old man.

My fiancee has an '05 CTS-V and that thing is wicked fast. And has an awesome exhaust note.

 

[Rascus]

Out of the choices you listed I'd go with the TL. The Lexus's are a dime a dozen. I do like the Infitiy choice, sweet cars.

 

[AnKleBiTer]

LOL Go for the gusto. Get the benz!! It's classy.

 

[bzbatl]

Yeah, that's why I said "luxury". But then, if I were going to spend $40-50k on a new vehicle - it'd be a 2007 Tahoe and a MV Agusta to sit in the garage! :lol

We're about to buy a house and (hopefully) a bike for wifey... so lookin in the 25k range or so. We might be needing the four door (yes, the thought of me reproducing is scary, I know) so we're being prepared . But she doesn't want a Corolla or a Camry or (ugh) Malibu or whatever... she likes the little "cute" sedans that are built off the coupe's chassy (the ones I listed).

Not a fan of Infinity. Wife isn't either. Lexus is fairly low on my list as well.

As far as the dime a dozen - Acuras are too! :lol I really like the TL, though.

The Benz has the nicest interior of the choices and as smooth a ride as the TL. The TL just has the super reliability of a Honda behind it.

But that 3 series is a fun friggin car to drive, when I HAVE to drive the little guy...

ARGH decisions - it's too hard to weigh these all equally!

 

[Chomp On This]

The TL (new, and by association, used) cannot be the most expensive if you are looking at same year/features. New they are cheaper than the BM or MB.

I have an affinity for BMWs so I'm slightly. However my pops had a last gen 3.2 CL Type-S, and currently has a 2001 TL. I reall ylike the new TL, and except for the FWD it has the best bang for the buck by far (270 hp).

The only foreseable problems with the MB or the BMW is the long term maintainence costs. They are German, and they do break on occasion and it can cost you.

It depeneds if you want FWD or RWD.

Similarily you could look at Audi's from the same years, they should be similar in price, performance, and they're AWD. They might actually be a bit cheaper. If your looking at 97+ look for a 1.8T w/ AWD becuase you can get a bunch of extra horses (they're 150 stock I believe, with a chip you can get to 200, and they can handle 300+ with stock internals). But again, if they break, could be expensive.

Also, I have no idea what year your talking about

 

[Krazy Hawaiian]

Maintaince on a BMW or MB is the worst. Only car worse is a Ferarri. A Plug wire (1) cost 250+ Distributor caps (needs 2) are almost 400 Installation is extra.

Changing spark plugs is a 2 day job on the sideways V8's I used to take care of a 308GTB (Magnum PI type Ferarri) Georgeous car but keeping it up costs almost as much as a new one.... just changing the oil takes nearly all day. Holds 12 qts (dry sump) filter is almost impossible to get off and costs 99 bucks!!

 

[ddevil0013]

yea i was going to recommend audi as well, either a4 or a6. very classy, excellent interior, plenty power, quattro available, sexy looks. what more could you want? lol

 

[gixxer27519]

TL gets a vote from me.

 

[bzbatl]

Maintaince on a BMW or MB is the worst.

Worse than a Ducati? :lao

I popped the hood on the Benz - I can probably get to most of it. It's just a little 1.8L 4 banger, not much to it. Parts cost might be an issue, though.

But then again, have you tried working on a friggin Honda? :finger

But anyway, I'm ok with maintenance costs - what I'm worried about is stuff breaking, lemons, whatever. I heard HORRIBLE things about Ducs from people, but turned out a lot of it was bunk, it was just the maintenance cost was excessive... the bikes don't just blow up like people were telling me.

I'm hearing a lot of the same stories about Mercedes... but no one I know has any first hand knowledge of a current (last 5-10 years) MB. Just like the Ducatis - no one I knew other than my father-in-law, who's had great luck with his 916, had any first hand experience with Ducs or current gen.

 

[MAD_CAT]

I have had my 1999 TL for 8 yrs now. Still drives like the day we got it. Comfortable and reliable as well. I could get a new car, but there is no reason why since my car is in such good condition.

I suggest the TL.