Audi or Mercedes Benz?

funKYcat75

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If we want to be TRULY logical, invest that $400/monthly car payment for a few years, let it grow. Maybe put it in real estate. After five years, buy a BETTER car outright, use the savings on interest to get a massive dick implant, then drive around town with your donger hanging over the car door for everyone to see..

Buffett would agree, I'm sure of it.
That's Chapter 5 of that Dave Ramsey book
 

Cattoyz

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If we want to be TRULY logical, invest that $400/monthly car payment for a few years, let it grow. Maybe put it in real estate. After five years, buy a BETTER car outright, use the savings on interest to get a massive dick implant, then drive around town with your donger hanging over the car door for everyone to see..

Buffett would agree, I'm sure of it.
$400 a month for a few years won't buy much of a Mercedes or Audi.
 

LineSkiCat14

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@Cattoyz Well, you could put in a larger down payment, shorten the loan terms, save interest..
But yeah, that might only get an extra inch or two.. I'm looking for 18-20 inches, at least.. and not on my rims! AMIRITE!?
 

LineSkiCat14

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Let's stop talking about weiners.. What children!

That new Jaguar XE looks pretty nice and comparable to a 3-series. Has Jaguar fixed it's reliability issues at all?
 

slick rick.ksr

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Son had a Mercedes that cost about 11 grand to fix the engine. Turns out they'do had a lot of repairs on that specific model of engine but didnot do a recall.
,wouldn't even think of an MB
 

Kooky Kats

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That's Chapter 5 of that Dave Ramsey book
Dave also had a chapter about the aggressive secret envelope system. You pay down every debt, then eat dog food, utilize off-grid power and cistern water -until you can buy a 7-series Bimmer cash.

When kids are done with their chores of hoeing and harvesting the backyard crops - they can participate in meals and bathing.
 

dgtatu01

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Just read an article that the top 5 vehicles for folks making over $200,000/year were F-150's, Civics, Grand Cherokees, and other standard issue rides, which confirms my thoughts that most people with real money wouldn't waste it on a logo on their car. Anyway have fun with $150 oil changes and repairs that are 2x-4x the cost of normal cars with absolutely no gain in reliability.
 

DSmith21

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Just read an article that the top 5 vehicles for folks making over $200,000/year were F-150's, Civics, Grand Cherokees, and other standard issue rides, which confirms my thoughts that most people with real money wouldn't waste it on a logo on their car. Anyway have fun with $150 oil changes and repairs that are 2x-4x the cost of normal cars with absolutely no gain in reliability.

Is this the article that you are quoting? I have no problem with people buying nice cars if you can afford it. However, they would be financially foolish if they plan on driving it for less than 5-10 years.

"The top 10 cars for $250,000-plus households include the Mercedes E-class, the Lexus RX 350 and the BMW 5 series and 3 series. Following those top four were three Hondas, a Toyota, an Acura and a Volkswagen."

http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/cars-wealthy-people-drive
 

cole854

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I work for Lexus so I'm a bit biased but I drive a 20 year old BMW daily that I absolutely love so I can give you a good comparison.

Had two 5-series for approx 18 years....when it came time for a newbie 1 1/2 yrs ago...chose Audi over BMW....Lexus didn't even make the final road test. Not saying they aren't great cars, though.
 

LineSkiCat14

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Is it possible that people who buy 3-series and A4's really can't afford them and aren't making a sound financial decision.. while the people who can afford these cars (per the link above) understand the concept of money, and will drive a perfectly fine $25k car to use that money for better, possibly more lucrative things?
 

LineSkiCat14

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Also, and this kind of negates my conservative approach to money..

But how can someone currently drive a car that was made in the '90s? I'm sure they run OK and are fun rides.. but you know it looks dated, the interior is crap, you're stuck with a Cd player and a tape deck, crap gas mileage.. Isn't the whole point of a luxury vehicle so that it looks great inside and outside? What's the point of a 1997 BMW?
 
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dgtatu01

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Is this the article that you are quoting? I have no problem with people buying nice cars if you can afford it. However, they would be financially foolish if they plan on driving it for less than 5-10 years.

"The top 10 cars for $250,000-plus households include the Mercedes E-class, the Lexus RX 350 and the BMW 5 series and 3 series. Following those top four were three Hondas, a Toyota, an Acura and a Volkswagen."

http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/cars-wealthy-people-drive
I'm not sure, but for the price of a nicely equipped Audi or Mercedes you can get a Ford F-150 fully equipped and pay for the gas. That truck will last 200,000-300,000 miles and be much cheaper to service and much more handy for your life. If you don't want a truck you can grab a fully equipped Honda Accord or Mazda 6 for about 1/2 the price and have a vehicle with all the options that drives just as sportily as either a Mercedes or an Audi. If you want a brand name fancy something buy a used Rolex watch. You can wear it for the rest of your life, the same people will be impressed, and you can sell it every single day for the rest of your life for about what you paid for it. You will also need cash for the watch. This a good thing because it lets you know you can or cannot afford it. The current state of car buying sends no such signals as all dealers will let you borrow up to your eyeballs in debt.
 

DSmith21

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I'm not sure, but for the price of a nicely equipped Audi or Mercedes you can get a Ford F-150 fully equipped and pay for the gas. That truck will last 200,000-300,000 miles and be much cheaper to service and much more handy for your life. If you don't want a truck you can grab a fully equipped Honda Accord or Mazda 6 for about 1/2 the price and have a vehicle with all the options that drives just as sportily as either a Mercedes or an Audi. If you want a brand name fancy something buy a used Rolex watch. You can wear it for the rest of your life, the same people will be impressed, and you can sell it every single day for the rest of your life for about what you paid for it. You will also need cash for the watch. This a good thing because it lets you know you can or cannot afford it. The current state of car buying sends no such signals as all dealers will let you borrow up to your eyeballs in debt.

You can keep your F-150, its a pickup truck and we are talking about cars here. A Honda Accord does not dive anything like like an Audi A6/A7/A8 nor are the interiors equal. Really, its not even close. I didn't buy my car to impress anybody, it is for my personal driving enjoyment. If all you want is cheap transportation, then buy your F-150 or Mazda.
 

maneal4

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Also, and this kind of negates my conservative approach to money..

But how can someone currently drive a car that was made in the '90s? I'm sure they run OK and are fun rides.. but you know it looks dated, the interior is crap, you're stuck with a Cd player and a tape deck, crap gas mileage.. Isn't the whole point of a luxury vehicle so that it looks great inside and outside? What's the point of a 1997 BMW?

I'll admit I'm weird and my car is "dated", all I was trying to say is I have some experience in this area and imo a Lexus is worth looking at. Also uko has great taste in cars so I'm not sure what those gyro guys have against him
 

Dore95

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I have a BMW 5 Series. I'm on my second and bought both new. I drive about 25k per year and kept my first one for five years. My second has about 70k miles. I never had any real trouble with either one. I've never had a Mercedes but the BMW is far superior to the Audis I have had.

The repairs do get expensive after a certain point (100k miles and up) but that is when I would want a new car. I I live in South Florida where every other car seems to be a BMW. Those of you criticizing others for driving luxury cars should see the Maseratis, Ferraris, Bentleys, etc. down here. I bet you would have a great time making fun of their drivers as they pass you in your Honda Civics and Ford pickup trucks.
 
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Ron Mehico

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I'm not sure, but for the price of a nicely equipped Audi or Mercedes you can get a Ford F-150 fully equipped and pay for the gas. That truck will last 200,000-300,000 miles and be much cheaper to service and much more handy for your life. If you don't want a truck you can grab a fully equipped Honda Accord or Mazda 6 for about 1/2 the price and have a vehicle with all the options that drives just as sportily as either a Mercedes or an Audi. If you want a brand name fancy something buy a used Rolex watch. You can wear it for the rest of your life, the same people will be impressed, and you can sell it every single day for the rest of your life for about what you paid for it. You will also need cash for the watch. This a good thing because it lets you know you can or cannot afford it. The current state of car buying sends no such signals as all dealers will let you borrow up to your eyeballs in debt.


This is just one of those all time terrible posts, like to the point I've read it a couple times and chuckled. We get it, you don't like cars. To each their own.
 
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Lightbringer123

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<---- Automotive technician and german car enthusiast here...

From what you've said itt you need to go drive a Lexus, probably a Gs350. It's as luxurious as anything coming out of germany and you get the quality and reliability of Toyota. PM me for specifics, admittedly I work for Lexus so I'm a bit biased but I drive a 20 year old BMW daily that I absolutely love so I can give you a good comparison.

I'm quite a bit into cars as well but whenever I see a Lexus it just goes BLEH!! Unless I ever see a LFA lol, I've always thought Lexus just happens to be an overpriced Toyota...
 

Kooky Kats

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Had two 5-series for approx 18 years....when it came time for a newbie 1 1/2 yrs ago...chose Audi over BMW....Lexus didn't even make the final road test. Not saying they aren't great cars, though.
When BMW bailed on the inline 6 for a turbo 4 cylinder, the 5 series lost a bit of its luster. I have the 138i with the old 5-series engine in a roller skate. Fun drivin car.
 

Rex Kwon Do

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I don't think the current (new) Lexus lineup is bland at all. They may not drivers' cars particularly, but most of their F-Sport trimmed cars look the part at least. Also maintenance is going to be lower than the Germans without question. Sounds right up the OP's alley frankly.

Kooky, pretty much all makes have moved into 4cyl for the base models in their midsize lines. It does suck. I bet your 138 is a fun little whip #savethemanuals

 
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RacerX.ksr

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When BMW bailed on the inline 6 for a turbo 4 cylinder, the 5 series lost a bit of its luster. I have the 138i with the old 5-series engine in a roller skate. Fun drivin car.
My wife has a 135i as well. Fun car to drive. Hers has the M package which I think means they put M's in various places on the car..
 
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Rex Kwon Do

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[laughing]....laying it on folks pretty thick, Zuisudra. Dare I ask what kind of whip you (or your chauffeur) carts around in these days?
 

AlbanyWildCat

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Also, and this kind of negates my conservative approach to money..

But how can someone currently drive a car that was made in the '90s? I'm sure they run OK and are fun rides.. but you know it looks dated, the interior is crap, you're stuck with a Cd player and a tape deck, crap gas mileage.. Isn't the whole point of a luxury vehicle so that it looks great inside and outside? What's the point of a 1997 BMW?

I drive a 2004 BMW coupe and it still looks awesome. Received a huge bonus from work, dropped it on the car, been driving it ever since. Only 85K miles and am sure I can get another 10 years out of it.

Yeah, I can afford a nice new car, but what's the point when the car I have still drives perfectly fine (I do have a BMW mechanic who is also my cousin) and haven't had a payment the last 12+ years. And anyone thinking they are cooler because of what they drive is a tool (including myself back in 2004).

Cars are a money pit.
 

LineSkiCat14

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2004 isn't bad.. Still, kind of on the older side. Interior (what you have to deal with everyday, unlike the exteroir which is for the sloots) is gonna be dated.

Having the mechanic helps. But i cant imagine that car is turning any heads. Which, maybe it shouldn't. Might not matter.
 

AlbanyWildCat

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2004 isn't bad.. Still, kind of on the older side. Interior (what you have to deal with everyday, unlike the exteroir which is for the sloots) is gonna be dated.

Having the mechanic helps. But i cant imagine that car is turning any heads. Which, maybe it shouldn't. Might not matter.

I had the CD player swapped out for a BT receiver and had all the speakers upgraded.
The leather interior has been taken cared of and still very comfortable.

And after a good cleaning and wax, she still turns my head...and that is all the matters. When it comes time to buy a new car, as other have said, I plan ot buy a nicely used 5-series and drive that also into the ground.
 
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Kooky Kats

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My wife has a 135i as well. Fun car to drive. Hers has the M package which I think means they put M's in various places on the car..
The 1M is one of the most sought after BMWs. Bar none.



Or do you have an M package on a 138i?
 

RacerX.ksr

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It's a 135i with some M styling cues mostly. Top speed is increased to 155mph, suspension is tighter. The M1 is a hot-rodded version of her car from the factory. Are you sure you're not talking about a 128i. I haven't heard of a 138. I thought you just fat fingered the eight. 128i is a non-turbo car.
 
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Rented an E-Class for the Autobahn when I was in Germany last summer. Didn't blow me away - had it up to 110-120 mph, but not what I was expecting. Good looking car - interior was solid - but again, nothing that made me want to drop $50K on a car.

I've been getting a lot of German cars when I rent domestically lately (not sure why - I am just renting the standard issue at Avis), and I'd argue the most fun car to drive thus far was the Jaguar XJ. Interior was nothing special, but the performance was awesome.
 
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Supreme Lord Z

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Hard not to blush reading these 1 series BMW posts. The poors are so cute when they try to talk money.

I was at the bus stop and they had this huge box of milk duds in the vending machine but it was $2.50. Much more than the other $1 selections. But I thought 'hey, you only live once' and I splurged!

A one series BMW is admitting you are too poor to afford an actually decent version of a BMW (5 series, minimum) so you are settling for some generic stripped down knock off little toy *** brand just to say you own a Beemer. You know they just say "hey, I own a BMW" then the person asks "what series" then as soon as the "1' comes out of their mouth in response the other person turns away in embarrassment.
 
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