Car gurus answer me this question PLEASE
 

I have been looking at used vehicles. I am trying to stay under $15K and around 100K miles.
I have noticed that I can get Mercedes and BMW at the same or better price points than any American made vehicles.
Why is it that those "higher end" cars have IMO better price on used cars than the American made autos?

I have looked the prices of various common parts that would have to be replaced such as alternators, water pumps, etc. They are very comparable.

I've found that complete opposite is true. American cars lose their value and drop like a rock, while foreign vehicles retain theirs. So I have no idea what you are talking about. A foreign vehicle 5 years old, same mileage should be worth way more than a Ford or Chevy etc on average.

Now with trucks or something, I have no idea.

I have been searching, just looking around, with Autotrader within 300 miles. The vehicle needs to be AWD or 4 wheel drive. I have found that the BMW with the XDrive or the Benz with 4Matic can be attained for the same or less money, $13K to $16K with comparable mileage of the SUV market that would fit in my parameters.
So I have been thinking that I might get a BMW or Mercedes instead of an Equinox, Armada, etc.

Enjoy being in a great market for buying a used car?

I think a lot of the foreign cars are expensive to have serviced. Friend of mine had a Mercedes and a oil change was over $200.

I started out wanting a 4 door GMC 4x4 truck or Tahoe or Yukon, for $15K they have 200K+ miles. I am not going to do that.
I don't want a Hyundai or Kia SUV.
The main things for me is to be able to seat 4 or 5 people while having AWD or 4x4.
I don't mind the idea of a car. It would be awesome to get a Mercedes or BMW. I am just not familiar with them at all so I wanted some info from those that are in that profession.

I can and will change my own oil and do most, common, repairs. I think a lot of garages see those names and adjust their prices.

I also found that around 2014 there are several models of vehicles that the transmissions can't be serviced.

I'm not a real fan of GMC vehicles in particular and I am probably in the minority, but I think nearly every Mercedes is ugly.

A nice BMW will be a good get if you can handle doing your own repairs.

I've always been into Fords and Subarus. I had an 87 T-TOP GT and a 90 GT hatch. I currently have a 93 F150 in phenomenal shape, both body and mechanically.

I've also had a 97 Legacy Wagon, a 97 Impreza RS coupe, a ****ING BUILT 02 WRX that I STI swapped, and currently an 04 Forester XT that I'm moving parts from the built WRX after I was t-boned and it totaled. A slammed and built wagon.

Anyway, for 15k you can get quite a bit as far as used cars go. What are you looking for? Sporty, grocery getter, dump run truck? I'm somewhat active in a Subaru community and 15k will get you STIs with under 120k miles, which for a Subaru is nothing. Hell, I paid $4100 for my pickup and it has a sub 1000 mile 302 in it. New fuel lines, brakes and lines, new almost anything repair parts-wise.

Subarus are easy as **** to work on, minus the spark plugs lol.. Imagine 4 plugs taking nearly an hour because of proximity to frame rail. I don't know what it costs to have them serviced though..

The C-Class and E-350 are pretty sharp. I also like the 535i that I have seen.

100% correct. With the exception of 82-95 pickups, Chevys are ugly. European cars are a nightmare to work on and absurdly expensive to repair or have repaired

No offense but those Forresters are UGLY. I wouldn't feel comfortable with the Legacy or Impreza let alone a WRX unless I bought them new. Those things are fun to drive and I see how people drive them. I would feel like I was buying something that had been rode hard and put up wet.

Im in the same boat as you man! I don't know why luxury cars lose value so quickly but I will say if something breaks you're kinda ****ed if you're paying 15k alot of parts can cost newr 1k.

That's why I've been looking at Kias. That 100k warranty is great plus what you save on gas will damn near pay for the car.

I have price matched several parts, that I could change easily, alternators, etc. They are $20 to $50 higher than the same year of a GMC/Chevrolet. That is not that much difference.

Fair enough. That's always something to take into consideration. I was always sure to buy (mostly) stock and from older folk.

Them older Foresters are an acquired taste. I love boxy vehicles

I currently have a 97 GMC short bed regular cab 4x2. I can do anything to that truck. Those Chevy/GMC trucks are the most popular trucks short of the 69-72.

I did like the Crosstek until I seen it from the side. Do not want a wagon at all. Not a soccer mom vehicle looking fan either.

Oh, I generally buy maintenance parts from the dealership... Even stupid shit like coolant and wiper blades. If it's not performance, it's from the manufacturer. Always been a stickler for that

If I could figure out how to post a pic I'd show you my wagon in process. This thing snapped necks when it was just lowered. My STI was t-boned and then the auto trans went out in the Forester. It gave me the excuse to do the swap from Auto to 6 speed and from the stock TD04 turbo to a front mount and GT 3076-R. Again, those things are acquired tastes, so I get it

If you're taking it to a dealer, yes they can get stupid expensive to maintain. If you're shopping around and do your own repairs, it's very manageable.

I like a proper Euro as I think overall they are more well put together and designed than American counterparts.

I hadn't seen his post about doing routine maintenance when I posted that. I thought he was talking about taking whatever his car would be into the dealership. I just remember an early 90s Jag my uncle had that he had to pull the engine to do the distributor or some shit? Maybe AC evap canister to change water neck? Perhaps I shouldn't have made a broad statement on such limited experience.

I'll eat my crow

Jags were something special. Still are, IMO.

Definitely another class than a BMW and not in a good way.

Your numbers are out of line for GMC pickups. I traded my 2012 GMC 1500 with 85K for $16K. SLT 4 Door 4X4. Outfit sold it for $19K. No way a 200K vehicle should be $15K. Maybe if you're looking at a Yukon Denali or something.

Jaguar is a Ford. I do not like Fords.

Ford owned them for like....a couple of years and that ended with the recession.

I have owned a BMW and a Mercedes. Both bought around 20-30K on the clock. Once each got around 100,000 miles they cost 1 grand every few months when small things went wrong. So if you are thinking one of those at 100,000 miles seems like a deal, keep a few grand for repairs and rental cars handy.

Hey Busby would you be interested in going half on a bus and we bring back the "bang bus" for supplemental income?

A mobile strip club going to Arrowhead could fetch some good money.

Well I looked at this one it is older than I would like.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Did not know that had changed.

Did you do the repairs yourself? Did you take it to a dealership?

I think some Indian company owns the brand now.

Tata Motors which also owns Range Rover these days. I hear both are not as horribly unreliable as they used to be but not exactly setting the benchmark either. The legendarily shitty Jaguars were pre Ford with Lucas electrical components, a/k/a the prince of darkness.

That has 130 K Miles.

I've thought about a Rover, but it'll be hard to talk me out of my CX-5.

Never buy a cheap car that was expensive when it was new.

Heh. Never thought about it that way, but that is actually pretty decent advice.

If you want a luxury brand go Asian (Infiniti, Lexus, Acura). I've had a G37 for 6 years and I've had absolutely no problems with it.

If you buy a Mercedes or BMW your wallet will take a pounding (unless you can do your own repairs).

Not true...just join a forum that has a model specific section...like BMW then find M3.

There will be loads of information about what and when things need to be replaced and projected costs...from actual owners/mechanics.

I bought a vintage Porsche...but waited until I found an owner that had just spent $6-7k on all the "wear and tear" points...7 years later, it has been a relativity hassle free car.

You have the internet...use it.

I'll add that the "enthusiast" models (AMG, M and others) tend to have more meticulous owners...that keep documentation of repairs. Those models are also utilizing their brands racing engineering....which tends to be more robust.

I'll never buy consumer grade cars again...they were expensive for a reason BUT if you do research, you'll find someone that has restored one and became bored....looking for a new project.

BMW, Mercedes and Porsches last a LONG time if they are properly taken care of...you just have to know when (in the maintenance cycle) to buy them.

You're not going to get a discount buying those...well except for probably Infiniti because they're ugly cars.

When you factor in maintenance costs he will (in comparison to the european luxury models).

Eh, depends on the part. The cost to repair and own is simply higher. BMW is, iirc, the most frequently traded in cars so the market gets a little flooded with the 3-series etc. They're also considered as a sporty car and get driven as such.

I wouldn't do it, man. I wouldn't purchase a pre-owned benz or BMW with 100K. You're just begging for trouble. There's going to be parts/costs that you're unaware of that WILL rape you. I got a buddy who runs a BMW/Porsche wrecking yard and he makes a killing stripping and selling parts off these cars because they're simply too expensive new.

No offense, but i don't believe you've done enough real research on your cost comparison. For example, a new water pump on a 3-Series is upwards of $400 because it's an electric water pump. On these domestic brands with mechanical water pumps, those pumps are $150 or less. That i know for a fact, as at one time i considered buying a cheap german sport coupe as well.

Here, look: 2014 BMW 328i A/C Compressor from NAPA, is $680 new. https://www.napaonline.com/en/search...Qualified=true

2014 Honda Civic A/C Compressor: $370.99 new https://www.napaonline.com/en/search...Qualified=true

Don't kid yourself. It's more expensive. Don't try to convince yourself otherwise because you WILL pay for it one way or another. I know those German cars are sexy, but be honest with the evaluation here and don't look the other way because you want the sexier car.

Things that people dont consider but chip away: Tire size. Those 18", wide, low profile tires cost considerably more than a standard 17x7 or whatever they're running on basic passenger cars.

Spark plugs. Minor, sure, but it costs more to buy 6 or 8 plugs and wires, vs 4.

Fuel. Do you HAVE to run 91 octane now, instead of the 87 on a standard passenger car? That shit add up.

Oil capacity. Does it cost 5-6 qts to do an oil change or 3-4 qts? My little Nissan Sentra takes 2.7qts of oil to do an oil change. A 2014 Benz C-Class takes 6.5qts. And the filter likely costs more.

It costs me $17 to do an oil change on my little Nissan commuter. It costs over $60 to do on my LS1. Things to consider is all...

I must be in the minority as well, because I agree with this.

Right but it is 12 years old and not exactly clean either.

Agreed. But that’s different than 200K

Your sentiment is correct though. Pickups are crazy overpriced.

I haven't looked at all the parts but the FEW Benz and BMW parts comparison I have done have been comparable. I do not use NAPA as they are the highest parts distributor out there. I also don't buy NEW parts. I buy the remanufactured parts that have a 5 year warranty through O'Riellys.

You guys are also part of the research process. There are a lot of people on here that give good feed back about personal experiences as well as friends experiences.

I probably didn't do a good enough job in being very clear.
I have been trying to find a '13 to '16 model GMC/Chevy 4 door 4x4 or AWD pickup or Tahoe/Yukon that is in my price range and the only way to accomplish that is with those 200k kind of miles. I figured out pretty quickly that things have changed drastically since I purchased my last vehicle. I have had this current p/u for 14 years.
So with sticker shock I have been looking at alternatives.

hell, I remember about 9 years ago or so, I 'thought' I wanted a truck. Started looking, and was absolutely stunned at used prices on them given the mileage.

needless to so, I changed my tune quickly. Granted, I didn't 'need' a truck for work or hauling anything, I just like trucks. So it would've been soley a 'want' purchase for me at that point. I can't even imagine what the used market is on them now. I suspect as bad, or worse than it was back then.

Depends. Some of the luxury vehicles aren't great.

Like I know Acura has had some real turds over the last few years. Doing a timing belt/water pump maintenance is a real pain in the ****ing dick, and is stupid expensive to have a shop do it for you.

I see now.

Those 07-13 GMCs are good rigs that will run forever if you can find one that has been taken care of.

If it matters the wife drives a Traverse that is awd and it was comparably cheap next to a Tahoe. Been a good rig for us. It did OK on ice and snow but I’m going to guess if you bogged it in mud it wouldn’t perform nearly like a Tahoe or pickup.

One car that I wish they still made is a Trail Blazer. It was a full framed 4x4 on the Colorado platform and it would get it. Way better than these car based crossovers. We have an 08 and it’s been bullet proof for a decade. Might be something to look at if you can find a low mileage rig.

I hate looking for cars.

We should have an Automotive sub-forum.

I wouldn't buy a BMW unless it had over 130K and maintenance records.

The reasoning being about the 90k to 120k is when things need to be replaced.

Find an individual owner that has already footed the heavy maintenance expenses...you'll be set for another 80k and the car has already depreciated.

Like I said...find a forum and create a check list of maintenance cycles. Water pump/timing belt...clutch, rod bearings, head gasket.

I had a BMW that had 190k but the owner had done all the repairs prior. Drove it for 5 years with little expense then sold it at a minimal loss.

If you blindly buy one at the end of the maintenance cycle...they can be very expensive.

I discovered that years ago when I had to replace the alternator in a Pontiac van. The damn replacement was made in France and cost me $180. This was probably 12-15 years ago so I'm sure they're probalby over $200 now. Maybe I'm just getting old but I remember things like alternators costing about $40.

This all day long. I replaced my truck last year un-expectantly. Used trucks with 60K on the clock were to pricey IMO. So I bought new.
When a new truck cost as much as my first house they are overpriced.

Get a VW, BMW, or Toyota. Or a KIA.

All "foreign"

I wish Cooper was here to lend us his professional opinion

Might want to check labor on repairs that you can't do yourself. Not everyone will do labor on Mercedes and BMW. Specialty shops are high.

And a lot of times they require specialty tools

Hang on, I'll Google up some opinions for you.

stay away from Mercedes and bmw, unless you have lotsa money for parts later.
stick with something easy to get parts and service, f course im not in a big city so those 2 kinds are oddballs out here.

That's where I'm at. I traded my pickup in December (expectedly). I pushed the numbers out on comparable 15-17 low mileage pickups compared to 18s with decent incentives. They came out to precisely the same dollar per mile as new ones. So I was ready and prepared to pull the trigger.

Then I found a 15 with 8500 miles (LOL) and that ended up being a cheaper mile.

What I have decided on is to get as low mileage machine as I can and run it to 85-90K and get rid of it. It seems that the <100K machines are overpriced, especially after I've beat it down dirt roads. So I guess I'll take advantage of that.