PoliticalAid007

I was clued into this site by my buddy, Politics2u. I have been reading the posts for awhile. Nice site. Okay, yes I work in Politics, no, I am not a Politician. I give Political Advice at the State Legislative Level. Thus, I stay in the background; a very nice place to be in the cut throat world of politics. As to which party I belong, it is a secret, hence the 007 on the end of the name. I do not want to offend anyone on this board.

Okay, now here is the deal. I need a new car. I need a car that is cool, sporty, has four doors, and offers prestige, or some form of prestige. I am not trying to be arrogant here, the profession is what it is. I have looked at and test drove the following cars: Acura TL, RL. Infiniti M35 and M45, Lexus GS30, GS400, Audi A6, BMW 530i. Well, I have narrowed the choice to two: Believe it or not, I am either going with an Acura TL or a BMW 530i. Acura TL would be: Automatic, Navigation and all the standard goods that come with the Acura TL. BMW 530i would be: Automatic, Sport Package, Premium Package, Navigation, and all the standard goods that come with the BMW. The BMW is well a BMW and it's drive, handling and prestige are incredible. The Acura TL is a sporty sedan, with cool looks, good handling, great handling for a FWD, and offers some prestige, and great value.

As for the other choices. I did not like the RL, it looks too much like an Accord, and for a car over $40,000 that should not be the case. Plus, the inside room is about the size of the TL. The AWD, however, is awesome. But, the RL is out. In regards to the Infinit M35/45, Lexu GS300/400, and Audi A6, all are great cars. My favorite two out of the group are the Infiniti M35/M45 and the Audi A6. However, I am passing on all these cars, because if I spend that much money, I will spend the extra $3,000 to $10,000 for the 530i BMW, which brings me back to my two choices and dilemma; the 530i for $56,000 out the door, or the TL for $35,000 out the door. Both prices include all fees and a California Sales Tax of 7.97%.

So, what do you guys think? $56, 000 out the door for 2006 530i, auto, sport package, premium package, navigation. $35,000 out the door for a 2006 TL with Navigation. It is a $20,500 initial difference; quite a bit of change. In say three years time, what do you think the actual cost difference would be? I have ran some numbers, I am not sure if my logic is correct, maybe someone can check. Remember, I give political advice, others do the finances.

BMW 530i Price $56,000 out the door
Down 38,000
Finance 18,000
Loan/60 months/4.5% 335 payment
Total payments paid at 36 months 12080
After 36 months owed 7688

Sell Price (Kbb used as reference for future value 31800 (Assume 36,000 to 41,000 miles on car, 36 months old)
owed 7688
Maintenance Costs (From Edmunds.com) 0
BMW has Free Maintenance for 50,000/48months)
Equity 24,112 (Sell price $31800-$7688 owed)

Sub Total Owenship Costs

Down Payment 38,000
Total Payments at 36 months 12080
sub total at 36 months 50080 (Down Payment +Total Payments at 36 months)
Equity after selling at 36 months 24112
TOTAL COSTS OF BMW OVER 36 MONTHS $25968 (Sub Total at 36 months -Equity at 36 months)
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________
Acura TL Price $35,000 Out the Door
Down 17,000
Finance 18,000
Loan/60 months/4.5% 335 payment
Total payments paid at 36 months 12080
After 36 months owed 7688


Sell Price( KBB used as reference for future value $23,000 (Assume 36,000 to 41,000 miles, car 36 months old)
owed 7688
Maintenance Costs (From Edmunds.com) 1700
Equity $13612 (Sell Price - Owed-Maintenance Costs for 36 months)

Sub Total Ownership Costs
Down Payment $17000
Total Payments for 36 months 12080
Sub Total at 36 months 29080
Equity after selling at 36 months 13612 (Sell Price 23,000 -$7688 owed - $1700 Maintenance Costs)
TOTAL COSTS OF TL OVER 36 MONTHS $15468 (Sub Total at 36 months - Equity at 36 months.

WHEW! I hope I have done this correctly. So, after three years at these rates and assumptions (and they are conservative), the 2006 BMW 530i will have cost $10,500 more than the 2006 Acura TL at 36 months, even though it sold for $20,500 more. Well, if this is the case, I would spring for the BMW 530i for the same reasons I listed above as to why I would spring for the BMW over the other great cars I test drove.

Does any of this make sense? I welcome all opinions. Oh, by the way, I DO NOT WANT TO LEASE. I do not feel comfortable with a Lease, and in reality it is pretty much a wash anyway. Again, all opinions welcome. Thank you.

ericdbs

welcome to the forum...okay my 2cents..prestige and kewl factor ..hands down the bmw...im always complimented on my car...and stared at by the other compitition..you obviously can afford the bmw...if you are here in socal..then you know that there are as many acura tl as honda accords..continue your research.. im sure you will make the right choice.. i never regret my choice with the 5 or owning a bmw xcept not owning one a long time ago...anyways hope to see you back in the forum as Aowner...ericd

Peter530i

it depends on what you want.
accura is sure a nice car to drive to work, but it has no spirit, it is just a piece of ordinary vehicle, and also money wise the price decreases rapidly compared to BMW

BMW is simply ultimate driving machine, it is not a car

it is like wearing clothes from chines market or wearing designer brand clothes, both works but.....I'm sure you know what I mean

my530i

P...007,
I was just like you when I started shopping for a car. My choices are TL, G35, ES330, GS430, LS430 and absolutely NO BMW. No way.
After test drove LS430 in a neighbor city, we were back to our town. Drove by BMW dealer, but somehow, I said let's test drive a 530i just for fun. I was then hooked. It's now my current car and I still love driving it everyday although I'm going to upgrade to 550i soon.
If you cannot afford BMW 530i, then just forget it. But if you can, don't compare with any other car. I'm sure 100% that you're going to enjoy the driving.
Acura has a bad reputation on interior material quality - they're super cheap and same as Infinity. It'll break quickly after 20K miles.

JDN

If you want to achieve your goal, you have answered your own question -- get the Bimmer.

The Kloser

I was also had your dilema awhile back, but I got the 5.
So I'm gonna tell you there is no comparison and you should get the 5.

The Acura is probably a better buy , but then if your looking at better buys you should get the least expensive Civic .

Now if you want to live alittle and enjoy the ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE...

Get the 5
Good luck in your decision making.

Freewilly

Both TL and 530i are great cars in it's own class. But they are not in the same class.
If you look for something more valuable, get a TL. But something to show your success, get a 530i.

530iii

Get the TL AND an ED 330i! J/K

wmbiii

Hey I am in your biz but at federal level. Trust me you want a BMW. Once you go BMW you can't even imagine a car from anywhere else. We are a cult of people tbat love to feel what driving is all about. Enough said. Spend the extra cash and feel confident you made the rigtht choice. Frankly there is nothing else out there that does what a BMW does. I'm 40, been through 3 versions and never going anywhere else. email me on my profile with questions. BB

xexyus

This is very easy to answer.

You have to ask yourself, if you were to buy a suit what would it be?

A versace couture suit? Or a standard suit from Macy's?

Both get the job done but whats the difference here?