A tanking economy doesn't have to be all bad news and nooses. Just look at fuel prices, which have come crashing down from unprecedented heights down to levels some younger drivers have never seen at the pump. For the ever-dwindling segment of the population still afloat, a deep recession may be the best time to indulge in a few luxuries that were just out of reach in the past.
In some cases, lightly used luxury rides like Range Rovers, Porsche Caymans, or Cadillac CTS-Vs can be had for Honda Accord prices; dollar amounts that far outstrip normal depreciation. Just be prepared to feel the wrath of your fellow motorists — nowadays, a luxury car can be a rolling target for loose-nut road-ragers with Buy American bumper stickers on their pickups.
Below is our list of top deals. We ignored the obvious stuff like ten-cent Tauruses and went for a set that's more aspirational. Remember, our nation's cup may be mostly empty, but at the same time it's a little bit full.
The problem is most other people can't. Although these prices are jaw-dropping, nobody has the buying power (which is why they are so damn cheap in the first place) so it's a wash.
Quote, originally posted by Rukh »
Listen up, buddy, I've had both - I eat plain bagels with cream cheese all the time, and I know people who've brought me onion bagels to try. I've toasted them both. I've even had poppy seed bagels and bagels and lox with capers. I'll pit your onion bagel against my plain bagel with cream cheese any time anywhere, just meet me halfway.
For the most part. If memory serves, it's also the cucumber capital of Japan. Hence the home-market ads for the FT-86 featuring Takeichi-kun, the cartoon cucumber whose meteoric rise through the underground drift world has shamed him in the eyes of his school-master.
Sure you can buy one for 30k. But can you afford to maintain the 50k sports car?
That was my first thought reading the list.
The CTS-V is pretty attractive, though.
Quote, originally posted by nest »
People here have such a hard-on for sportscars and are so eager to out do each other as far is who is the most authentic enthusiast with the biggest nuts that they lose sight of reality.
Where is SAAB on that list? The 9-3 and 9-5 pretty much lose 98-percent of their values as soon as the front wheels cross the crub out of the dealership.
Quote, originally posted by stockford »
BTW, my last name is Careless, no joke. Careless. Not the best name when you're trying to get insurance.
Where is SAAB on that list? The 9-3 and 9-5 pretty much lose 98-percent of their values as soon as the front wheels cross the crub out of the dealership.
x2. In the sedan category, they have to be near the top for high depreciation and great used deals.
speaking of depreciation, there is an 07 RS4 for sale in MD for $36K, what is that a 44% depreciation, and it only has 10k miles on it. What a steal!
"I am the carchitect. You are here because the The Big Three are about to be destroyed. Rest assured this is the sixth time we have destroyed them. As the ZR-1, you are an anomaly. Ergo you must chose 16 Miatas and 7 E30s to rebuild your ability to produce record track times at the ring. Through one door lies a government bailout and the salvation of your kind, through the other the MkIV forums."
LR LR3 is my next purchase, I almost picked up an 06 with 25k miles for under $20k - like $18k OTD. Only problem was it was a V6 which isn't bad but the 4.4 V8 gets virually the same gas mileage.
A Z4 M Coupe is very tempting as well - it'll be my next Bimmer purchase, my budget is mid to upper $20's - so probably sometime next year at this pace.
What's interesting is dealers and owners are willing to make a deal even at these prices, expecially SUV's. If you are able to buy they'll drop these prices even more.
I keep using a new GTI price as a benchmark - I could buy a new GTI (not a chance) or an A8, or Land Rover, or a variety of Benz's, M cars, like a kid in a candy store -
LR3 and M Coupe new over $100k - my price point is under $50k for both/
What's interesting is the old E30's in my garage are still holding up price-wise.
It's on Autotrader and is located in Tacoma Park, the ad looks legit. Look it up and give a call, it has a (301) number listed on the ad.
"I am the carchitect. You are here because the The Big Three are about to be destroyed. Rest assured this is the sixth time we have destroyed them. As the ZR-1, you are an anomaly. Ergo you must chose 16 Miatas and 7 E30s to rebuild your ability to produce record track times at the ring. Through one door lies a government bailout and the salvation of your kind, through the other the MkIV forums."
The only caveat is these are used cars. So you could technically afford the car, but youre ins premium is probably gonna be higher on a used cayman than on a new R32.
Also, youre finance rate usually doesnt hold a candle to what youd get on a new car.
that being said, i was looking for a CC in january, but looking more towards a nice CPO E-class instead.
I think not only the economy plays a factor but a lot of the company's made a ton of these cars. Like the 996 TT, they made one for basically everyone who wanted one or could afford it. The price is average, I am sure it can be bought for in the mid to low $50k's on an 03 non X50 with lower miles. The 95-98 911's and 87-89 911's still show strength in value retention, softening but there aren't many nice ones around.
The RS4 IMO will be a huge hit, the Auctions are showing low $40's for these almost into the $30's for 07's. Some dealers around here still feel after 5 months sitting on an 07 RS'4 they can get $65k for it HAHA! A few dealers were getting rid of new 08's for around $59k from a $73k msrp price.
I hate to say this but some of these cars were over priced to begin with, at least 20% worst probably being the Land Rovers and Porsche Cayman/S. I am ready to see what happens after January
Given the economic climate, you could make this list virtually endless. Saabs are a good depreciation candidate and there are many others. We couldn't list everyone so we went for three in a few key segments. The focus was aspirational cars - cars that you'd be surprised are within your reach.
We stayed clear of the non-aspirational car territory. Cars like the Civic and even the Jetta GLI are more insulated given there's still more demand for those. To be sure, a 1-2 year old car on the used market is almost always a great deal as these are two of the worst years for depreciation. No, you can't get as good of an APR, but that said, many of these do qualify for Certified Pre-Owned programs that will move the manufacturer warranty out to like 100k miles in many cases. If I were doing a Cayman right now (and likely would be if I didn't have two kids), I'd try to get one under Porsche's CPO program. That's a bit of a premium, but it's worth every penny.
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