New Car Suggestions

[Evad]

So I just recently turned 22 and my parents decided to get me a new car as a gift for my birthday. Anyhow the only stipulation they put on it is that it has to be a safe car.....eg. not a Z4's or anything

I think i've narrowed it down to three choices. Do any of you have any experience or suggestions regarding any of these?


1) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
I really like this car especially how it rides, however it seems most people I see driving them are girls. I've been seeing a lot of them around lately too....perhaps too trendy of a choice?
Click

2) BMW X5 4.8is
I don't like the ride as much as the porsche, instead it reminds me much more of a Lexus RX. It's nice but it almost seems too cookie cutter in terms of appearance.
Click

3) Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
I love the look of this ride, so much like a classic Range Rover but with the class of a Mercedes. Only down side is I've had trouble with mercedes in the past.
Click

[boefixepa]

Umm.....if someone gave me one of those cars I'd turn around and sell it and then get a 5K-10K well maintain used car. So I really can't tell you which you'd like best.

However, the process should still match. List your priorities for the car. For example.

1. Safety
2. Cost for maintaince
3. Insurance (this will be big one for your age group)
4. Fuel economy
5. Apperence

Just add whatever is important to you in a car to the list. Evaluate them 1,2,3. The car with the highest average wins and you get it.

For me a car is not a big thing, but for my boss it would be like losing a child, so to each their own.

[Ima saver]

ARe you serious!! I had to pay for my first car and it was 10 years old!

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Evad

my parents decided to get me a new car as a gift for my birthday.
1) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
2) BMW X5 4.8is
3) Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG

I think you posted this to the wrong site.

[Ima saver]

I think you might be right, sweeps!!!

[Russell]

Good one Evad!

[Evad]

Originally Posted by boefixepa

1. Safety
2. Cost for maintaince
3. Insurance (this will be big one for your age group)
4. Fuel economy
5. Apperence

Just add whatever is important to you in a car to the list. Evaluate them 1,2,3. The car with the highest average wins and you get it.

Well I think they are all the same safety-wise since they are SUV's. My parents will pick up maintaince, insurance, and gas so I don't have to worry about those costs. So basically it comes down to what drives best, looks best, and carries the most clout socially.

I think i'm pretty much decided on the porsche though since what I really want is a BMW Z4 and I don't really want two cars from the same maker.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

I think you posted this to the wrong site.

LOL - it is a tad surprising to read this here, eh?

[jeffrey]

Be sure to give your parents a big, big thank you for the kindness they are showing. Here are a couple issues to consider.

1) Think beyond getting the free car and to the costs associated with them. More expensive cars are more expensive to insure and usually cost more to maintain and repair. Be sure to realise these costs since you will be be responsible for them.

2) Go to edmunds and check their <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController?tid=edmunds.h..topfeatures.smar tbuyer.2.*">true cost calculator</a>

Personally, I would get a nice reliable car that won't be expensive to maintain. If you parents have given you a certain amount, I would say that any extra money you'd like to use to take a trip and spend some time with them. My father gave me a similar offer many years ago and I asked him instead to use the money for us to spend time together and it has been a great choice I have never regretted.

Edit: Oops. missed the part about you parents picking up the extras too on the first read through. Here is the thing I think you need to be careful of. Even if the car is free and all extras paid for, make sure that you have the money personally and that is how you want to spend it to "keep up that image." It's the "looks best and image" situation that have gotten a lot of people into money problems. If you have the funds to live the lifestyle while also saving to maintain that lifestyle there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting what you want, but if the car is going to make you want to live beyond your means in other areas to keep that image, you need to think long and hard what is best.

[autoxer]

I don't think any of them would be safe for me, because I can get into trouble with 230hp. I can't imagine the trouble I would be in if I had 400-500hp on tap. If my parents were willing to spend that much on me, I would ask for something that appreciates in value, like a condo.

But given those choices, I would take the Cayenne Turbo S, based on performance. 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds in an SUV. WOW!

[Ima saver]

Yes, I would use the money as down payment on a house and buy a much cheaper car. (Please understand that I do love cars. I don't know my horsepower, but the speedometer goes up to 200 mph)

[JBinKC]

I don't know where you live but it seems to me those selections are a little ostentatious to me. In this day and age you don't want to draw attention to your vehicle unless you are driving in a very secure area. Another thing new cars depreciate at a much faster rate than older cars insurance rates are higher so their real operating costs are much higher.

If I were you I would look into a used Subaru and pocket the difference.

[VJW]

TESLA ROADSTER

* 0-60 - 4 seconds

* Top Speed – over 130 mph

* Cost to operate – One penny per mile.

#

[Crystallas]

Originally Posted by Evad

So I just recently turned 22 and my parents decided to get me a new car as a gift for my birthday. Anyhow the only stipulation they put on it is that it has to be a safe car.....eg. not a Z4's or anything

I think i've narrowed it down to three choices. Do any of you have any experience or suggestions regarding any of these?


1) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
I really like this car especially how it rides, however it seems most people I see driving them are girls. I've been seeing a lot of them around lately too....perhaps too trendy of a choice?
Click

2) BMW X5 4.8is
I don't like the ride as much as the porsche, instead it reminds me much more of a Lexus RX. It's nice but it almost seems too cookie cutter in terms of appearance.
Click

3) Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
I love the look of this ride, so much like a classic Range Rover but with the class of a Mercedes. Only down side is I've had trouble with mercedes in the past.
Click

So a 22 year old soccer mom has come to a saving money forum to ask what $50k purchase is good for the economy? Im lost. So you dont care about gas prices or supporting the US economy? I say buy a 24k gold Segway and claim bragging rights over other 22 year old soccer moms.

[Broken Arrow]

Hell yes, Tesla Roadster!

Seriously, were it up to me and these were my parents, I would flatly refuse on the matter of principle that they're *cough* erm not teaching me good financial habits.

If your parents are well off, and you want a safe car, a standard, used car from Toyota and Honda is enough to get around. A Volvo is also worth the consideration for a bit more money.

However, IF they insist that they buy me something, I would ask for cash instead, buy my own car (again, a used Honda or Toyota) and then pocket that difference. Use that cash to give my finances a healthy boost.

Yeah, I wouldn't have expected a topic like this in this forum. However, I wish you a happy birthday and congratulations your upcoming SUV. Drive safely!

[sakigt]

You dont need to save money on a car, yet youre posting in a savings advice blog.

I think youll be better off in a related forum. Like, a CAR one? lol

[abowers]

I don't think "Evad" is a 22 year old soccer mom. I think Evad is probably Dave backwards, therefore a male.

I love my new 2006 Ford Focus ZX4, but even if I had more money down the road I'd buy a Saab 9-3 or a Volvo S40 or V50. I did buy my car on my own. And did just start up with my grad school program so it wouldn't have been practical for me to spend $60,000 on a car (and probably won't ever be... I want to buy a house some day). No point in buying something performance based where I live because traffic sucks...No opportunity to use what a turbo Porsche SUV is capable of.

Regarding BMW's... I don't like their new styling with the hoods that swell out (like the Z4). I like the appearance of BMWs from a couple years ago better.

[Kirbycruiser]

I think it has to do alot with your perspective. I agree with Jeffrey. Remember to thank your parents. Keep in mind the lifestyle YOU will be able to support. Please, Please, Please don't drive around like a pompas jerk just because your parents have money. Good Luck.

[Ima saver]

I love my car!!!

[Evad]

I got the porsche....ended up getting a good deal since we got the dealer to knock off a good bit.....it ended up being a bit under 130k.