BertL

^ +1 agreed.

07grIS350

Another BMW owner/lessee doing his best to reduce Toyota/Lexus sales and proud of it...

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

OK guys lets make this thread less personal please...

Blackraven

Hehe though in fairness, one of his recommendations was a Camry 2.5 liter so it's still alright

SteVTEC

I'm proud that I saved my parents thousands of dollars by recommending that they not buy a hybrid that never would have paid off for them when they're strictly bottom line total cost of ownership shoppers. Don't see what the problem is. Like I mentioned they're retired. They're not slogging it out in constant stop and go rush hour traffic sitting for hours every week like so many do. If that were the case, I'd have told them to get a hybrid since that's where those work the very best

As for my coworker, I'm not sure how serious she ever was about hybrids, but she's definitely wanted a convertible for years just like I did. I'd have been happy to recommend a Lexus IS-C, but I can't vouch for how well those work as daily driven kid hauling grocery run weekend trip makers since I don't own one. I can only vouch for the Bimmer, and it's most excellent for that.

SteVTEC

I've driven CVT cars and don't care for them. I'm old fashioned. I love the sound and feel of engines winding up through the gears.

Like I mentioned, it illustrates that a lot of the people buying hybrids are first time hybrid buyers, and that many of them won't be buying another based on current trends. If you're responsible for hybrid sales, it's a worrying trend that you're going to want to get to the bottom of, because eventually you'll run out of 'first time' hybrid buyers and will need to find ways to get repeat buyers if you want to hold onto your business. Record current hybrid sales plus poor repeat hybrid sales are not mutually exclusive events.

So you're saying that if someone has always wanted a convertible and has dreamed of owning one for years that they should not get one for fears that it might break sometime down the road? Ok, but that's a little boring. And I think you're being a little demeaning towards my co-worker. She's a "big girl" engineering project manager whom I think it quite capable of making decisions for herself. Don't think she'll be running into any repair cost issues on a 36 month lease, or even out to 6yrs/100k if they decide to flip it to a CPO when the lease is up. The BMW hard tops have proven to be a pretty solid design, and if you're thinking about long-term ownership there's plenty of solid DIY care documentation posted online.

RX_330

I went from a 2002 Mercedes ML320 (18mpg avg) to my 2008 Camry Hybrid (36mpg avg). My savings in fuel costs has already paid for the price difference to step up into a newer vehicle. In 2010 I paid $16k for my Camry with 48k miles. Two years later and at 75k miles I could still just as easily get $16k for it. How about adding no loss in depreciation to my savings.

SteVTEC

You're comparing apples to oranges there, so I'm not sure what your point is. That Camry certainly wasn't anywhere close to $16k brand new either, and eventually its street price will drop especially once you're past 100k miles.

2008GSh

I said none of that... Just though it was ironic... Oh and studies show that most convertible buyers do not buy a second one.

RX_330

Wasn't making a comparison really. Just a personal anecdote of how one can still reap great benefits from purchasing a hybrid. Nobody is forcing you to buy brand new.

LexFather

Sure it does

I love people saying "wow thats a hybrid" and the compliments I get are quite amazing and often. Stupid dumb hybrid

mmarshall

Is that you in the light blue T-Shirt and sunglasses, Mike? Looks like a guy about your size.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Changed wheels again? car is looking good!

ECL

I get mileage close to that in town with my eighteen plus year old SC400, 23-24 MPG with usual driving, 27 plus with very conservative technique.

ECL

I bought my SC400 new in February, 1994, for $44,000. Assuming it still has some value for resale today, that works out to $180 a month for depreciation. Repairs include a power window regulator, a water pump, an alternator, and a bunch of tires and batteries. Not too bad for a luxury sport coupe. I only hope my next Lexus is that reliable.