The Hardest Game Ever

"Nerd-Vol" (Nerd-Vol) 02/10/2015 at 11:38 • Filed to: Cars, Challenge, BMW, Audi

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I work in auto sales. I am a car enthusiast. My buddy and coworker is also a car enthusiast. What do we talk about during downtime at work? Buying cars.

We typically give each other hypothetical buying situations and discuss our choices.

Yesterday my buddy dropped the bomb.

Here are the rules:

1. You have $35,000 to spend, this includes destination charge. It does not include tax, title, and dealer fees. Example: Car x is $34,950 after destination charge, it is good to the rules, even though the total cost will exceed $35,000 when you include taxes.

2. This will be your ONLY car. This means it must be practical.

3. The car must be NEW. Used cars break any hypothetical.

4. Rebates are not considered. Jerk move, but this challenge is supposed to be difficult. You pay MSRP.

5. Here is the biggie, it must be a LUXURY MARQUE. We are talking BMW, Merc, Audi, Lexus, Caddy, etc.

The challenge is, realizing that you have to give up a lot of luxury features to get the car to fit the rules. Do you want a nice interior? Give up size and go with an A3. Want a prestigous badge and model? Enjoy your BMW 32oi with leatherette. In this game you have to make sacrafices.

So post your choices, and give a little insight towards your pick.

Here are my picks:

1. 320i manual. I know it is the smallest engine you can get in the car, but I need a real set of back seats, plus the vehicle will still be a fun driver.

2. 228 manual. Here I give up size for performance.

3. Buick Regal AWD. I went rouge on this one. My buddy protested, but it is a powerful vehicle for not much money. However, is it fun to drive? Does it have any prestige? My friend also argues that Buick isn't really a luxury brand in the same category as BMW, Lexus, Audi, and so on. I cheated with this pick.

photo taken from Wikipedia

For Sweden > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 11:48

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Number 5 makes this a horrible situation. That said, BMW 320i, unless I can somehow negotiate an Acura TLX V6 AWD down to the price point.

Vimto > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 11:49

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Acura TLX, $32,365 including destination. (I wanted a Linoln MKZ, but its just over $35k)

Flat Six > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 11:51

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Actually not that hard! I would get a RWD BMW X1. Of course I really want the 228, but since it is my only car I need back seats and a hatchback. The X1 is pretty dorky, but it is great fun to drive (basically a slightly tall 3 series), and practical enough. I had one as a loaner for a week and enjoyed it. There would even be money leftover for an option or two.

Nerd-Vol > Vimto 02/10/2015 at 11:52

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Smart buy right there. I am just a sucker for RWD or AWD. I like FWD, but if only have one car to choose from I would prefer the rear wheels be motivated.

Nerd-Vol > Flat Six 02/10/2015 at 11:55

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That was my friend's pick. We both are dog owners, so a hatch would be ideal. I simply prefer cars over crossovers, so my hypothetical involves covering the rear seats in blankets for the dog.

Nerd-Vol > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 12:01

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A sneaky pick is the Infiniti Q40. Good power, RWD, good equipment. It's just a bit outdated.

Flat Six > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 12:01

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I would prefer a real wagon but that is sadly out of budget here. The good thing is modern crossovers like the X1 are cars in disguise. Life with dogs is so much better with a liftgate. My friend has an M3 coupe and two big dogs - his interior is all scratched up and nasty.

mcseanerson > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 12:25

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GLA 4MATIC in brown with sport package. Oh yeah, and Euro delivery for 7% off for a total of $34,684.

Nerd-Vol > mcseanerson 02/10/2015 at 12:30

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Very clever exploitation of the rules. I may call this a breach of the rebate rule. But very clever.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > For Sweden 02/10/2015 at 13:13

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You cannot. Absolute bottom on those (and I means really whoring it out) is $39990.

mcseanerson > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 13:13

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To be technical it's a discount, not a rebate. That said though I could live without the sport package and it would still come in under $35k

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Nerd-Vol 02/10/2015 at 14:47

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Inifniti Q40 I think. Decent power, appointments and practicality.