My first luxury car - help!

[Jaybird63784]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on this site, I joined because I need suggestions. I just got a new job, and part of the benefits include a $1000/month car allowance. I currently drive a 2002 Toyota Tacoma that I have owned/loved since high school, but the company I will be working for is very concerned about the image its workers display and told me to look into getting a luxury car.

I started looking around yesterday, and am pretty clueless about cars, so I decided to join here. So far, I'm leaning towards the Audi S5, I've heard only good things about Audi's and the S5 is the best looking one, IMO. But again, I can't stress how clueless I am about cars, so anything you guys can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

What would you get? I'm also considering Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, or Acura. Any suggestions are welcome, and also I wonder if I should buy or lease?

Thank you

[MagicRat]

Welcome to AF

That is a generous car allowance for someone out of school so soon.

How secure is your new job? You don't want to be on the hook for an expensive car for years to come if they might fire you soon after hiring. To that end, consider a very short term lease, or a month-by-month rental until you are more secure in your new job.

If you are going for a lease, simply lease the car you like best. Aim to have the lease expire close to when the warranty expires. Pay attention to the individual deal you get, and the maximum mileage you are expecting to drive during the lease period. If you go too far over mileage, the penalty can get expensive, so you may find it's better to buy-out the car at the end of the lease.

If you are keeping the car for a long time, stay away from Audi, (and to a lesser extent, BMW and Mercedes.) These are all very nice cars to drive, but they are expensive to fix and maintain after the warranty expires. Acura cars are nice but lack the V8 power, size and prestige of the other makes. So, IMO if you are keeping the car, consider Lexus.

Personally, I think you should also consider Cadillac. They make some awesome cars these days, not at all like the oldster-mobiles of yesterday.

[Shpuker]

Gah, why does everybody always forget Infiniti? lol An M56 or a G37 coupe would probably leave quite thee impression.

Grats on landing that job by the way

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Jaybird63784

Hey everyone, this is my first post on this site, I joined because I need suggestions. I just got a new job, and part of the benefits include a $1000/month car allowance. I currently drive a 2002 Toyota Tacoma that I have owned/loved since high school, but the company I will be working for is very concerned about the image its workers display and told me to look into getting a luxury car.

I started looking around yesterday, and am pretty clueless about cars, so I decided to join here. So far, I'm leaning towards the Audi S5, I've heard only good things about Audi's and the S5 is the best looking one, IMO. But again, I can't stress how clueless I am about cars, so anything you guys can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

What would you get? I'm also considering Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, or Acura. Any suggestions are welcome, and also I wonder if I should buy or lease?

Thank you

bmw or the mercedes if i was to pick. but i stick with the older cars.

good luck.....

scrapper...