I was shopping for one for my wife a few months ago, and all my research said get the 2003 first, then the 2002. There's more '02s out there though. My other suggestion would be to pay for the Starmark for up 100k miles.

If you're going for an older model, then Zeitgeist is right - 1995 was a really good year. Price on an '02 will be $23-$27k with much depreciation to quickly follow. A good '95 will be $5-7k with much less depreciation and (since I drive a '95 I can tell you this for certain), the 1995 cars easily feel like they were built in 2000. All the comforts and ride you'd expect from a much newer car. If you go the 1995 route, get the best damn one you can find. It'll be worth it.

In the end, my wife chose an LX470. Oh well, I ended up buying a wagon anyway.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600