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should i buy "used luxury vehicle" or "cheap new vehicle"?

My lease is ending in two month. So, i've been looking around for next vehicle. This time, i'm planning to purchase the vehicle... and here's my dilemma... i'm married with 2yr son... so safety is very important but due to high gas price, i'm giving up suv. I'm pretty serious about buying '06 Infiniti M35X... 20k~30k miles... and i think i can get it under $30K (after tax & fees). When i got inside, i was so impressed (this car made lexus ES & bmw 5's feel like honda civic). Basically my mind was set until one of my friend said... why are you paying almost 30K on a used car? and said that i can buy new accord, camry or altima for that amount...maybe less. I know he has point there... those are nice cars... but i just can't get over infiniti. I believe there are two things i have to try my best not to down grade in life... cars & house. What do you think? am i making a mistake here?

Public Comments

1. Buy what you want to, if you dont you wont be happy...
2. since your son is involved i would get the new vehicle because it seems to be safer!
3. I agree buy what you want or you won't be happy. I'm facing the same problem my cars are the Cadillac CTS used for approx. $20,000 or a new Nissan Altima for the same price. I like them both but have been wanting the CTS for three years!! I know if I buy the Altima I'm going to end up trading it in in less than a year for the CTS....
4. I think a used luxury car is a better investment. Depreciation has already happened and the car will outlast the standard car.Lexus and Infinity is the best choice (European cars tend to be high maintainence past 30K mi.)and low mileage is the key. Shop rental car returns and classified adds. Usually a private sale avoids sales tax in some states. The true cost of a car is the difference you paid and the price you sell it for when the time comes.
5. If you're looking to buy a good, but relatively new Infiniti, I would get the 2003-4 M45. It's fast, luxurious, and looks both good and unique. Best of all, they usually run anywhere from 18k to 25k. Other good value cars are the G35 sedan, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Camry. But you still might find an M35 for less than 25k if you look hard enough.
6. it sounds as though you have the means to own the Infiniti. I have had the opportunity to sit and drive in one of these vehicles and I best described it as "the rocketship" The refinement, the handling, comfort and styling is unparalleled, and if I had to choose, it would be the Infiniti. You can't take the money with you, so enjoy it while you can and drive what you want. You go around once. Jealous
7. Have you considered a new 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE? They are extremely safe and reliable (6 airbags, electronic stability control, ABS, traction control, 4 and 5 star crash test ratings, many nice standard options, etc.). As a matter of fact, Consumer Reports just rated them a Top Pick for 2008 in their class in the April 2008 issue. The gas mileage is approximately 27 city / 33 highway. I have one myself, and on a 75 mile roundtrip commute (mostly highway / some city), I average 35 miles per gallon. I have the power sunroof, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, power locks/windows/doors, etc. I think there might be a factory rebate going on right now. It was $1500-2000 off the price of a new one. Out the door and after rebate, I paid $16,500 for mine. Good Luck!
8. Comes down to 2 basic schools of thought, those who think that new is always better because it has warranty. However there is also the money you lose the minute you drive off the lot in a new car. For me the Infinity is the way to go.
9. Go for a new car. You are not downgrading if you don't already have a luxury car. If you can afford it new, then you shouldn't get it. Parts and repair will be expensive anyway.
10. I would do the Infiniti. Because if you get an Accord, Altima or Camry, you have just that.... An Accord, Altima or Camry. They will crank out a combined 1,000,000 of them stateside. In a crowded parking lot, I bet there will be 10-15 Accords, Altimas and Camrys, but not a single M35x. With the Infiniti you are getting a premium luxury car that has AWD and all of the latest safety features. It is nicer inside, and will out run and out handle the other vehicles easily. They have proven to be reliable, and the M35 was one of the highest rated vehicles Consumer Reports had ever tested. If you want a unique car, and one that makes you smile when you sit in a nice leather seat and look at real wood trim (as opposed to a lot of plastic), I would do the Infiniti. The Accord, Camry and Altima are good vehicles, even class leaders. But the Infiniti is a step above. I drive an LS400 now, and the M35 is on my short list of vehicles. I hope it will be a few years away though...