Buying replacement car, here's my final 4.

"maristgrad" (maristgrad) 12/08/2016 at 18:12 • Filed to: None

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It’s kinda stressful buying a car when you aren’t sure of what to buy. I’ve always known exactly what car I would buy next given the opportunity but I’m currently at a lost of what to buy with so many options. I want a comfortable car, preferably with ventilated seats for long summer drives but I also want a stealth wealth kind of car so as much as I want a panamera I don’t want to be overly flashy. I simply want comfort, safety and power. I also prefer a car since I already have the Rover. Here’s my final 4, I realized it’s pretty hard finding a stealth car with ventilated seats, so I tried to balance my picks outs with the features I really wanted versus how many people are going to randomly ask me uncomfortable personal questions about my finances.

2010 Acura TL w/ technology Package.

This car checks all the boxes and is future proof for the next 3 years at least

2008 BMW 750li

I used to own one of these and absolutely loved everything about it except the maintenance costs. I’m very interested in getting either the same 08 or the refreshed 09 but it feels a bit too flashy.

2008 Mercedes CLS

Absolutely love this car, I survived rolling one in stormy weather, unscathed so that obviously earns it extra points. It has everything I want but also feels too flashy and makes me uncomfortable driving it anywhere. I seriously get sick of people telling me how nice the car is over and over and over again. I stop posting pictures of my cars for that reason, it’s bad enough everyone in my neighborhood knows what I’m driving. I don’t mind talking about cars but I’m done with show and tell.

2008 Infini M35

I love how comfortable and how refined the interiors are. My friend swears by his f45 and m35, I don’t feel that the m35 has aged well on the exterior, the interiors are amazing however and if it had ventilated seats I probably would’ve bought one already. This is as stealth as it gets

Those are my final 4 but let me know what your favorite highway cruiser for under $15k is,  thanks!

S65 > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:20

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Makes me wondeer how much old Infiniti M45s are worth...

Matt Nichelson > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:24

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Say no to the chrome beak.

If you don’t like people saying you have a nice car, then don’t get a luxury car. Personally, I would go with the Infiniti.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:26

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Buy the TL; it’ll be the most reliable of the bunch

interstate366, now In The Industry > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:29

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TL or M35.

Amoore100 > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:32

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I’d say M45. The Germans will be maintenance nightmares and attention whores and the TL is before they figured out how to make the beak decent.

I like the 2012+ cars though.

ToyotaFamily > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:36

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Did you consider a Lexus LS?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:40

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Definitely look into a LS430. 5k under your price range and you have a nice, nice car. If you’re set on one of these then the M45 is the way to go. A M35 has been amazingly reliable for our neighbors.

Steve in Manhattan > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:41

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I’d say look at the big Lexus - hybrid or gasoline - supremely comfortable and dead reliable. Car service here picked me up a couple times in that car, and it’s the best.

LongbowMkII > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:45

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What about a 300c? Not really stealth, but less visible than a cls

Phatboyphil > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:45

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Integra!

LongbowMkII > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:51

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Oh and if you like acuras, don’t forget the RL.

RacinBob > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:57

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I would look at an 2009/2010 Acura RL. There seems to be a fair amount of them with about 70,000 miles for about $15,000

RacinBob > interstate366, now In The Industry 12/08/2016 at 18:58

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Ditto the M35. We have a friend that has a ‘10 and it has been excellent.

Spridget > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 18:58

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OPPOsaurus WRX > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 19:03

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Allroad’s can be had for under $15k

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 19:03

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For me, because I would also factor in reliability and operating costs, the TL would be my first choice, the M35 second, the Mercedes 3rd and the BMW in a distant last place because not only will it probably be the most expensive to keep on the road, it’s also the least appealing in terms of looks.

maristgrad > Spridget 12/08/2016 at 19:05

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The original ride of stealth wealth

jkm7680 > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 19:12

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Do NOT buy a cheap 7-Series of that generation under any circumstance. I’ll bet it’s been poorly maintained and repossessed at least three times. They tend to be bought by people that can’t afford to maintain them, yet continue to drive them.

Spridget > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 19:56

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Yep, exactly why I picked it.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 22:02

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E65 of course, since you are familiar with the maintenance commitment

Just my *guaranteed* unbiased 02 cents as an incurable propellerhead

Keep us updated and

Best wishes!

Tazio, Count Fouroff > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 22:04

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PS meant to add, true may feel flashy but being several years and a body-style back does lower kinda lower its profile

Vicente Esteve > maristgrad 12/08/2016 at 22:19

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I don’t know if they are that cheap but a 2012 onward Passat with the VR6 is a 280 hp dual clutch unassuming sedan that can be tuned to 300 easily.

VR6s are one of the most reliable VAG engines, and the sound they make is unbelievable. It doesn’t get any more low-key than this.

Audistein > maristgrad 12/09/2016 at 01:15

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If you get a TL, try to look for an SH-AWD. Has a slightly bigger motor, better brakes, better suspension, and most of all torque-vectoring AWD. The SH-AWD will drive far, far better than then FWD TL. Will probably drive better than anything else on your list actually.

There’s also the 2006-2012 Acura RL. I literally don’t know anything at all about it, but it might be even more comfortable than the TL.

I would stay away from the old 7 Series; those are known for being especially unreliable. Maybe a Lexus LS though? 2006+ Lexus GS had optional cooled seats too.

Also what about a 2008-2012 Hyundai Genesis? You could get either a 3.8 (333 hp) or a 4.6 (390 hp and a lot of torque) depending on the year/milage. Can be had with ventilated seats. I don’t know much about them but they seem like a fantastic value.

Toyota Avalon V6 seems to tick all your boxes but might even be a little too stealth. Decent power and ventilated seats with tons of comfort.

maristgrad > Audistein 12/09/2016 at 03:40

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I actually really like Toyota Avalons and totally forgot about the Lexus LS, but most of all thanks for the TL advice, I didn’t know the sh-awd had all those extra goodies I’m definitely going to look into that.

maristgrad > Tazio, Count Fouroff 12/09/2016 at 03:44

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That are my feelings exactly, I also feel the older body style lowers the profile a bit

TheBlacktopExperiment > Matt Nichelson 12/09/2016 at 22:42

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Yea I stay away from Acura just from the ugly front (I think it’s ugly. Chrome beak and jagged edges).

TheBlacktopExperiment > maristgrad 12/09/2016 at 22:46

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No love for Cadillac? I was debating whether to get a Cadillac as my next car years from now. Would have to be minimum 3.6 V6 (320 hp) or the twin turbo “V”. It would be about 3 or 4 years old. Like an ATS. I drove an ATS-V a few months back and holy shit that thing is fast. One second turbo lag pause and then it flies up to 100 mph with ease. I still don’t like how short and high the trunks are though... not sure I could live with that.

Is there anything wrong with a 2013-2016 Cadillac (ATS or CTS)?