$30k - maximize my dollar

[mofomikes]

okay, im shopping around for a set of wheels
I really like the 05 v6 mustang coupe w/ leather and fits snugly under my hard cap of $30k.  I know I can save a ton or maximize my dollar by buying a 1-2 year old used (off lease/demo) car, but some of these deals seem too good to be true (www.trader.ca).

ie. doing a search for a vehicle from a price range of 25000$-30000$, i pull up a 2003 caddy cts with 60k on it for 30$k

is depreciation that fast on new vehicles?  if so.  in ur opinion what could i be getting (along the lines of a quasi practical sporty coupe) to maximize 30$k by going used?

[tpl]

A CPO bmw 325 coupe maybe.  Maybe, maybe not at $30k  BMW are having a "sale" of cpo cars this week so maybe you could get a 3yr old one with a 3 yr Mfrs arranty if that would suit.

The pessimistic view on car depreciation is 50% after 3 years of which the first 20% is in the first 1/2 hour as you drive your new car home.
The optimistic view is maybe 40% after 3 years depending on make and model.  Sometimes a given model will only depreciate 30% over 3 years.

and then of course there are cars with 100% depreciation...see the thread of a few weeks back on the GM cavalier/sunfire line!

[wing]

Mofo, YES the depreciation is that large especially on domestic vehicles.  The Caddy especially  I was looking at an '03 FULLY Loaded and it was $29k with only 19,000 km on it!  The car was pretty much new.

If you want to maximize your dollar I would highly suggest getting a 1-2 year old car.  The only issue is how you are paying.  Buying used usually means a higher interest rate which may not save you money if you plan to finance over a long period of time.  If you have cash your set!

The other great way is to do a lease takeover, check out http://www.aadaleasing.ca/  or www.leasebusters.ca  I find this a great way to get a new car, but you have to be carefull some of the cars are being offloaded due to high payments that are beyond what you can get a new one for.
Looking for large incentives, short terms and large downpayments.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

In fact, here's Jamesbe's write-up on that CTS:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/discus/messages/67/28046.html?1110183954
(note there are 2 pgs to the tread - click 'Next' on upper right)

Enjoy!

[barrie1]

I agree Enjoy the Read as it is a great car.

[tpl]

I would have to admit that it would be on my list as the only American car I might possibly buy... but not in that colour!

Now if the rest of GM would make cars like the CTS/STS they'd make a profit.

[mofomikes]

the cts still seems like a good buy. might not be as reliable as a 04 accord or other imports at that class. but you certainly get alot of extra interiror options.

[ktm525]

Buy a bus pass and invest the $30k into a basket of oil and gas stocks. A few majors, a few juniors, maybe a few trusts. Then next year you can maximize your $36k.

[barrie1]

I strongley suspect this car is much better built then 99% of all of the imports. Not just near as good. These are a world class car which is more then the other brands are.

[ovr50]

Here's some more trivia:  

* new C&D has a review of 6 $30K (US) family sedans - order of finish worst to first was 6. KIA Amanti, 5. Buick Lacrosse (Allure in Canada, n'est pas), 4. Ford 500 Ltd, 3. Nissan Maxima 3.5SE, 2. Chrysler 300 Touring (not the Hemi) and in #1. Toyota Avalon Touring Sedan. Having seen a couple of Avalons at the local Toy. store, it is a very good looking car and much improved over previous Avalons (the older, plainer Avalons actually rivalled Buicks as the old person's car).  

* Michael Schmucher has bought a new house on Lake Como in Italy - a paltry $22 million US and you can't get to it by road, only by boat or helicopter.  

* Bentley will build a uni-body sport-ute!!!!

* the Chevy name "Blazer" is now dead, gone, kaput. Been around since the Nixon was President. C_P says "yah".

* IMO the new Tribeca from Subie is looking like a better crossover all the time. It's actually growing on me, but still, that front end?? I have yet to see one in the real.  

* Love the new print adv for Toyota Tacoma truck with the big dog shaking off water in the crew seats of the Tacoma with the line - "A roomy cab. Because real dogs don't fit in handbags". Cool.  

Enough yet??

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Finally, Toyota's advertising and their trucks more and sharpened their pencils a bit.

I'm trying to get a die-hard Chevy fan to trade his S-10 extended (nicely modded red truck with flames, rims, et all) for a new Tacoma Double-Cab V6 6-spd manual. The new Colorado isn't available in a crew with manual in the larger I-5.  

He agreed to a test drive, which is all I asked for. I don't think he could bring himself to buy a Toyota tho.

[wing]

A lot of people don't like the Toyota's because of their cramped interior space.  The Nissans have a larger and more comfy interior.

[Bullet Blue]

Cadillac CTS would be one of the few domestic cars that I would ever consider buying. It really is a great used car buy, especially if you can find one with a 5 speed manual. The styling is an aquired taste, but like I said, the car is worth it.  

Speaking of which, Jamesbe, when's your next review gonna be?

[barrie1]

Sir it sounds like your friend is enjoying his truck and it is probably serving him very well. He has done some personal custom work on it and most likely enjoys the vehicle very much. Its not easy to sell something you have spent so much time and money on to make it your way.

[wing]

Bullit, eventually.... probably a rainy day one.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Barrie, his "Big Red" is awesome. I told him to keep it!

But it's him who wants a crew cab now. And GM doesn't offer a compact crew with a larger engine in manual.

He's a smaller guy - 5'7-8" or so. Interior space shouldn't be an issue. Power and looks are more important to him.

[barrie1]

It would be nice if they brought out the Colarado with a V8 in it to me its a logical choice.They are back to the small blocks again so build me a SS Colorado with 400HP. I think they would sell lots of them. I am sure your friend will kick his own butt if he lets his current truck go.

[habsolutely]

Re: Gas - How does anyone afford to put gas in a V-8, especially a truck or gigantic SUV? I'm baffled at how people can pull up the the pump and put $100 of gas in. That's insane. How do those vehicles sell?? Who buys them?

[mrthompson]

[froggy]

Hey MrThompson, do you have all those Simpsons images on your Hard Drive or do you get them from a website?