Which Used Prestige Car Budget $25k ?

kma on 10/01/2016 - 04:28
Last edited 10/01/2016 - 12:41 by 1 other user

Hello all,
One more which-car-should-I-buy thread; I'll try to be very specific with what I want, and based on your experiences please let me know what you think.
We are a couple in our late 20s with a year old kid.

Budget: 25k
Category : used, prestige
Minimum manufacture year: 2010

Option 1:
Lexus IS250 Prestige 2010- 2012
Pro: decent looking reliable and good sized
Cons: Prestige model is the one with basic trim level( cloth, no sunroof). Interior looks a bit dated. Older shape

Option 2:
Lexus CT200H X, Luxury or F Sports 2010 - 2012
Pros: Current shape, modern interior,superior trim levels(leather seats & sunroof etc)
Cons:may be a bit smaller?

Option 3:
BMW 320i / 320d / 323i 2010- 2011
Pros: beautiful interior
Cons: older shape, might not be as reliable as Lexus

Option 4:
Audi A4 2011 - 2013
Pros: great looking car, nice interior, very much similar to current shape
Cons: looks a bit tight on space from inside, depreciation / reliability?

Option 5:
Mercedes-Benz C200 2010 - 2011
Pros : Mercedes badge
Cons: Don't like the interior, old shape, expensive to maintain, depreciation / reliability?

Your responses / suggestions are appreciated.

Edit: I know many of you will try and sell me Hondas, Hyundais and Toyotas and tell me how these listed cars are not even close to Prestige and i have no ideas about cars blah blah,but consider this:

1) I only keep a car for about a year or there abouts so not looking for a long term buy. I'm asking for your opinion so that I don't lose heaps in that year and enjoy a little bit if I can.

2) I have never had any of these brands. The only cars that I owned were really 3 Toyotas,one Honda, two Mazda and a crappy old Hyundai. So I know what it feels to have them. I want to get this out of my system and try any of the listed brands.

Now please help me considering all this.

Thank you

Poll Options

  • 1
    Lexus CT200h
  • 4
    Lexus IS250
  • 4
    Bmw 3 series
  • 16
    Audi A4
  • 3
    Mercedes C class
  • 0
    VW CC
  • 6
    None of above & I'm writing my preference in the comments
Automotive

Comments

  • Gershom on 10/01/2016 - 09:07
    +1

    Prestige = waste of money. Audi = VW, Lexus = Toyota, all the models you list will cripple you with maintenance costs. Google up service costs for them, then buy a Toyota.

    • SlickMick on 10/01/2016 - 21:29
      +1

      service at dealer = questionably more money than sense
      320d doesn't even require a service per year (depending on km done). Up front cost has been only expensive thing with ours.

      all cars are a waste of money. some people are willing to waste more for the benefits of a more expensive car.

      personally, I'd go for cheapest reliable way of getting around. Obviously many wouldn't agree - my wife included.

  • Allan on 10/01/2016 - 10:09
    +2

    I would avoid the Europeans unless you know an independent mechanic and know the history of maintenance of the cars. The Lexus are generally more reliable.

    The IS250 has a bit cramp rear foot space and really is no better than a Mazda 6 or Honda Accord. The CT200H is more like an upscale Corolla with the added leather and better interior but driving wise is very similar. IMO if I had to choose out of all of them I would go with the IS250 for the extra bit of space but would go the CT200H if that wasn't a priority. Otherwise do check out other higher spec "less prestige" cars. You'll get more for money, less kms and newer models.

    • kma on 10/01/2016 - 11:43

      Thank you Allan. Why would you go CT200H?

      • Allan on 10/01/2016 - 11:58
        +1

        The CT200H has a combination of luxury and hatchback which at the time I was looking for. The interior is a nicer place to be in than your regular Corolla. Space wise whilst is probably enough for your family it wasn't right for our family. Lexus are also generally more reliable and I haven't had bad experiences between me and my family with owning one. However it's not a fast car but good enough for commuting. Fuel economy was a plus. Honestly you will need to give it a whirl considering you're after a step up from the past cars you've owned and Lexus is a nicer upgrade.

        • kma on 10/01/2016 - 12:11

          Great, thank you. I liked the interior, it seems like a nice place to be in. Boot space isnt a priority but general sitting area front and back obviously is, the more the better. I have to sit in both IS and CT next to each other to find out if one feels bigger inside than the other? Or IS is clearly bigger with leg room?

  • airzone on 10/01/2016 - 10:24
    +1

    I will sell you my prestige edition kia rio for the budget price of $24,999.95.

    • Marcsie on 10/01/2016 - 10:44

      That's cheap, Kia ? Never heard it, lol

    • User178200 on 26/01/2016 - 16:22

      kek

  • Marcsie on 10/01/2016 - 10:43
    +1

    Stay away from European cars,I would buy Lexus :)

  • enzioFirenze on 10/01/2016 - 10:50
    +1

    Lexus all the way!

  • oscargamer on 10/01/2016 - 10:51
    +9

    Don't want to be too rude, but none of the cars you have mentioned are anything more than poverty pack cars.

    I have no idea what you are trying to achieve, perhaps some bragging rights over people who know absolutely nothing about cars?

    If you genuinely want a GOOD car from a company that has a good rep and get a "oooo, you've got a xxxxxx" you need to do some proper research and lower the year model or increase your budget.

    Genuinely good prestige cars do not come cheap. Think merc S class. C class are a disgrace. Lexus….. not even close. BMW 3 class…don't, unless it's the M3. Audi A4…..ha,just ha.

    • kma on 10/01/2016 - 11:41

      I have just Edited my post to answer this. Thank you for taking your time to write all that

    • 2jzzzz on 10/01/2016 - 11:52

      Can't upvote this enough. These cars mean you're paying premium for a badge. It's like a Chev badge on a Commodore. Those cars are not why the brand is considered good and 'premium'.

      What about a fake Bentley Chrysler 300C, not so reliable though."

      Or a VW Passat. Or the Holden Statesmen?

      • kma on 10/01/2016 - 12:15

        Not a big fan of Holdens or Chryslers. VW Can be one in list if members here think it's good enough and the badge is premium enough.
        I'm not sure if I can be any more clear that I want a premium badge. Call it "banging rights over people who know nothing about cars" or internal satisfaction.

      • Randxyz123 on 10/01/2016 - 15:08
        +1

        It's like a Chev badge on a Commodore.

        Sorry but a Chev badge on a Commodore makes you look like a twat. It doesn't make the car more upmarket.

        What about a fake Bentley Chrysler 300C

        The Chrysler 300C looks nothing like a Bentley and drives nothing like a Bentley

        Or the Holden Statesmen?

        Old, likely to be badly maintained by some private car(upmarket taxi) company it's also a Holden which = crap

        VW Passat is nice I'd go for the CC if you got one though due to the extra space and slightly better featured.

        Out of the cars you mentioned the smart choice would be the Lexus but I'd go for either the 325i or the 330i NOT a 320i /d

        Can you push to this? http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-330d-2009/SSE…

    • SlickMick on 10/01/2016 - 21:35

      lol so you don't like op to use the word "prestige" the context he choses. He's clearly looked into values and seems to have a pretty good idea what he can get for the price he wants to pay.

      Having driven several small sedans, I think prestige is a pretty reasonable word to differentiate what you get in a 320d compared to say an astra.

  • BigTed on 10/01/2016 - 12:29
    +1

    I have been doing my own search and have pretty similar parameters to yours. In fact, my saved cars list has each of your models on there - plus one.
    I have a slight leaning towards the Volkswagen CC - but still haven't made up my mind yet so I'll be interested in what people here say.
    Maybe put in a poll?

    • kma on 10/01/2016 - 12:30

      Cc are beautiful cars! And they are big too.

    • kma on 10/01/2016 - 12:36

      Are you looking for long term or 1 - 2 years?

      • BigTed on 10/01/2016 - 12:42

        Longer term than 1-2…

  • Islund on 10/01/2016 - 13:51

    VW Passat wagon - 2L petroll . Drive one if you can find one and you will see why I recommend that.

  • twodollah on 10/01/2016 - 16:08
    +1

    It depends what you want, OP. From your list of cars I rate the Lexus IS250 and 320d and the A4 if you get the Quattro with the dual clutch tranny. They should drive a bit better than the rest.

    I also disagree with some of the comments saying that anything beneath a S class or M3 is 'poverty pack'. With the massive depreciation the German brands take in the first 3 to 4 years of ownership, they offer decent value for money when purchased second hand.

    If you can stretch your budget, the in-line 6 engine in the E90/92 series of BMWs is excellent and reliable. Have a look at 325i, 335i, 330d.

    • kma on 10/01/2016 - 16:26

      Completely agree with you. I have detailed my reasons and circumstances even then Instead of giving a positive input , some just chose to ignore.
      Thank you for understanding and replying.

  • kma on 10/01/2016 - 18:01

    Poll results are interesting. No one said anything about Audi yet mist votes?

  • oscargamer on 11/01/2016 - 08:35

    Jag xf 3.0 diesel. Not the 2.2.

    • kma on 11/01/2016 - 21:54

      Have you used it yourself? What makes it better than others?

      • oscargamer on 11/01/2016 - 22:20

        Stunning engine in great body. Yes, have owned one.

        • kma on 11/01/2016 - 23:29

          I've check on car sales.. none under 25k?

  • maybeamacy on 12/01/2016 - 01:11
    +2

    Go for a 335i probably just as unreliable as a A4 1.8T Multitronic but heaps more fun, the repairs will actually be worth it (serious) while when you're dropping 6k on the DSG/CVT on the Audi you'll be like why? The 3.0 TDI engine in the Audi is pretty mint though.

    Lexus interior quality is the best out of all the cars listed - feel, touch and smell the leather alone. Feel the headlining, plastics, etc. when comparing each car.

    BMW's will probably have the most age worn interior - look at the soft touch plastics around the steering wheel/radio - these are probably flaked off by now, same as the start/stop button on the Audi.

    Prefacelift W204's C200's look quite old - not a fan of the centre console design of the pre-facelift either and the 5 speed gearbox kind of judders as well going from 1st to second.

    IS250's probably has the smoothest ride of the lot - consider a 325i as well, probably comparable in smoothness with it's straight 6. CT200h feels a bit cheap on the inside.

    The 320i - the 4 pot is known to oil leak like crazy, would not touch. BMW N52 straight 6's are quite good but the 323i doesn't even have navigation so the centre console looks bare again. 325i has business navigation which looks a tad cheap - 335i has the full pro nav.

    BMW has the best navigation system as well, CIC came out in 2009+ so aim for that model year. The CCC nav before it was horrible.

    • kma on 12/01/2016 - 01:19

      Thank you maybeamcy! This is the most detailed analysis of all. Thank you once again, truly gives me a good idea on what to look for. I'm getting inclined towards IS250 probably around 2010 - 2011 model as that falls under my budget line. I really like the way it looks from outside however I was a bit concerned ( no I haven't actually felt and driven one, only looked from outside / photos) about the way interior looms ( dated) but I guess I might be different when I sit in one.

      Can I ask what is your source for all this?

      • maybeamacy on 13/01/2016 - 00:05
        +1

        E90post is a good resource, lexusownersclub etc. Most forums will have good info about specific problems. The IS250 without nav looks bad inside but with nav it looks okay imo.

  • oscargamer on 13/01/2016 - 14:29
    +1

    kma - you really need to change the title of your thread to remove all reference to 'prestige'

    what it sounds like you want is a 5-6 year old car with a euro badge, that's out of warranty, with likely large ongoing upkeep bills, that's 10-15 year old technology and has already been enjoyed as a poverty pack by the previous owner/s

    if you have $25k to spend and want a very good car, that you will have fun in, that won't cost you a fortune and will raise a smile on your face every time you drive it, get a 2014 Mazda SP25 - you'll have money left in the bank to buy any badges you want and the glue to stick them onto it also……

    • kma on 13/01/2016 - 22:33
      +1

      Thank you for opening my eyes

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join