All of these cars are 4 doors that have ABS, Leather, Dual Airbags and service records.

Option 1
1996 Japanese Car
Cost new $53,000
V8
275 hp
292 lbs/ft
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
20 MPG
Curb weight 4,000
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 200 in.

Option 2
1996 German Car
Cost new $26,500
V6
175 hp
175 lbs/ft
5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
23 MPG
Curb weight 3,000
Wheelbase 103 in.
Length 180 in.

Option 3
1998 American Car
Cost new $42,000
V8
275 hp
275 lbs/ft
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
22 MPG
Curb weight 4,000
Wheelbase 113 in.
Length 201 in.


Which would you choose and why?

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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

Gads. With my current finances, none of what you've listed. When things get a little better, I'd go japanese for it's (supposed) better reliability. If things get way, way better, then I'd go german, but only as long as it has a warrenty. I've had my fill of american cars for a long while.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Assuming you'll be scrutinizing the condition of each and doing a PPI.....and they all come back with a clean bill of health (also assuming similar mileages)

I'd probably take Option 1....I'm guessing a Lexus LS400 or Infinity Q45.

It's a nicer car than the Vee-Dubb / Audi / 3-series Bimmer and way nicer than the Cadillac Northstar

I'm trying to negate any brand biases by being general. This is a hypothetical situation and all other variables are the same.

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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

They cost the same.

__________________
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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

I'd go for the Japanes car. Sounds like either an LS400 or a Q45. Thought not a huge fan (not a fan at all actually) of the LS400, I am a BIG fan of the 1st Gen Q45. In fact I think it vastly superior in many respects to my 400e (own both a 92 400e and 92 Q45). Sure the interiors wear out faster, but the electrical and mechanical bits seem to be much more durable.

Option 2 sounds like a VW Passat - VW ugh! Don't think a VW of that vintage is special enough to put up with the quirks.

Option 3, unfortunately for me is not an option! Lame styling, lame drivablity/handling.

Also, the depreciation issue is not necessarily true if one chose a Lexus. IMHO I think they are NOT a value in the used car market.

Sometimes depreciation is good if you are buying a 5-7year old car that has depreciated significantly the first few years and then leveled off.

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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

For me, I wouldn't care about depreciation because I see my choice as a long term one. Option 2 and 3, for me are definitely NOT long term.

Also, this would not neccessarily be true if one chose a Lexus.

A 5-7 year old used car is only as good as the brands reliability records have been proven over time. You said the price would be the same for the three different choices? German quality is usually better, more reliable, and more expensive than Japanese or American, so that's like comparing apples to oranges. I, in my opinion would rather drive an older MB than a newer Japanese or American used car with the prices being equal. A friend of mine who just purchased a new Volvo was talking to another friend of his that said,"I can buy 2 new Taurus's for what you paid for that Volvo". My friend replied," That's true, but you'll be driving a Taurus and I'll be driving Volvo! Not only is it one of the safest, best designed cars in the world, we'll see if your SECOND Taurus is still on the road when my Volvo wears out". Good point!

__________________
"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

PaulC seems really concerned with titles so I will explain further.

The first car is an Infiniti Q45, the second an Audi A4, and the third a Cadillac Seville SLS. All of these cars can be bought today for around $12,000. I'm wondering if the Infiniti is better because it has the most power and cost the most new. Or perhaps the Audi A4 is better because is has high resale value, 5-speed auto and better gas mileage. Then there is the Cadillac Seville that is two years newer and has power and good gas mileage.

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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

You sure about that one? Maybe compared to the other 2 cars though. But I always heard Audis can be a used car bargain because they depreciate so fast. (try trading one in sometime like I did )

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Yes, especially after your detailed answer. Good info.

__________________
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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

Looks like my point "zoooomed over" his head! Hasn't been the first, won't be the last.

__________________
"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

Looks like the majority like the Audi A4

__________________
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1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual