[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Here you can get an almost mint/showroom condition car in the pre-owned market with most of bells & whistles of a new car. The cars which come off of 2/3 year leases are pretty well maintained & have spare warranty on them.

I have a few friends who have Audis and BMWs on lease. They are blissfully unaware that BMW recommends 91AKI, with minimum being 89. Same goes for Audi. These guys are least bothered about getting the right fuel for their cars because they are going to turn in their vehicles at the end of the lease. That is why I am wary of any vehicles coming off the lease, that require premium fuel.

Originally Posted by gatham.psb

Sold my BRZ and got a 2015 STI. Heart over mind decision, couldn't live with the auto transmission on BRZ anymore, moreover wanted to buy a sedan which i plan to keep for a while.

Awesome! Looks stunning in blue! Congratulations!

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by amitoj

I have a few friends who have Audis and BMWs on lease. They are blissfully unaware that BMW recommends 91AKI, with minimum being 89. Same goes for Audi. These guys are least bothered about getting the right fuel for their cars because they are going to turn in their vehicles at the end of the lease. That is why I am wary of any vehicles coming off the lease, that require premium fuel.

That's a good point. However based on what I have read so far -

- most of the modern day engines compensate for lower octane fuels

- In most cars the premium fuel recommendation is to meet either a higher mpg or Bhp figures. So in absence of premium they simply dont provide as much Bhp or mpg

- Unless the used fuel is of poor quality just using lower octane fuel has no adverse effect on engine.

- I also remember reading that Octane value reduces over a period of time in fuel

Having said that buying used does have its risks but in most cases the cost benefit pays off for the risk

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Having said that buying used does have its risks but in most cases the cost benefit pays off for the risk

Maybe if you are buying a run of the mill car.
But I'd be more comfortable buying a performance car from a private party than a dealer. You can get a better sense of how well the car was cared for.
Lease returned vehicles would not be too high on my list mainly because more often than not, they are hardly ever taken good care of.

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Maybe if you are buying a run of the mill car.

Depends on what you call a run of the mill, I bought mine as CPO from an Acura dealer

But yes, I agree, its a matter of personal preference & not everyone is comfortable buying used & even in used between dealer vs private party.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Depends on what you call a run of the mill, I bought mine as CPO from an Acura dealer

Actually, come to think of it, no car is a run of the mill car right out of the factory. It is how it is treated once it leaves the showroom that defines the car. A well cared for and pampered Corolla can easily outshine a Lexus that was used merely as an A to B commuter.
Every time i looked at a used car at a dealer lot, just the amount of swirl marks made me wince in pain for the car. Some of them were so bad I didnt even need sunlight to see them!!
Bottomline: The cost benefit of buying a used car is directly proportional to what your expectations are from the state of the car.

EDIT: It is high time we had a North East US meet :

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by amitoj

just the amount of swirl marks made me wince in pain for the car. Some of them were so bad I didnt even need sunlight to see them!!
EDIT: It is high time we had a North East US meet :

Haha yeah, if you are that anal about swirl marks.

Yeah lets plan it this spring/summer.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Haha yeah, if you are that anal about swirl marks.

It is just one of those things that once seen, can not be unseen!!

[maddy42]

Originally Posted by gatham.psb

An update:

Sold my BRZ and got a 2015 STI. Heart over mind decision, couldn't live with the auto transmission on BRZ anymore, moreover wanted to buy a sedan which i plan to keep for a while.

Congrats and happy driving! Could you post some details on your car and pictures please. This will always be on a lot of boys dreams.

Maddy

[gatham.psb]

Originally Posted by maddy42

Congrats and happy driving! Could you post some details on your car and pictures please. This will always be on a lot of boys dreams.

Maddy

Added pic to my gallery. Been busy with work so have not been able to go to good places and take better pics.

[deltheking]

Buying used cars is much much safer in the US than India. You have the Carfax here - so you know the history of the vehicle. Again , it's not 100% but it's a valuable tool. And if you want peace of mind - you can go the certified preowned route. You can also check out the dealers reviews online. And you can get the car checked by a certified mechanic before buying if you want to.

I would not hesitate to buy a used luxury car especially as the depreciation hit on some of the high end luxury cars is enormous.

[amitoj]

The hatch market is going to explode soon with some really nice cars here! I am hearing about Focus RS, Civic Type R and VW Golf R400 lining up to enter the NA market!!

[ToroRosso]

Originally Posted by amitoj

The hatch market is going to explode soon

You still havent given up, havent You .

I am soon going to be in the Market, my SHO lease is going to end.

You have done a lot of research right? Whats the best used option for <$20K.

Main Criteria
Stick, >250 bhp, handling and has to be a sedan.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by ToroRosso

You still havent given up, havent You .

I am soon going to be in the Market, my SHO lease is going to end.

You have done a lot of research right? Whats the best used option for <$20K.

Main Criteria
Stick, >250 bhp, handling and has to be a sedan.

Never give up!

You would probably want something that is as good as, if not better than, the SHO. Maybe Subaru WRX? It doesn't really meet the 250 bhp criteria but i doubt you would complain. You should be able to get a decent BMW 3 series as well.

[ToroRosso]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Never give up!

You would probably want something that is as good as, if not better than, the SHO.

Absolutely - SHO really spoiled me, I am in absolute love with him.

Have you driven the TL 3.7 SH-AWD. I am also thinking about picking up a CPO TL SH AWD. Its too early , but still

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by ToroRosso

Absolutely - SHO really spoiled me, I am in absolute love with him.

Have you driven the TL 3.7 SH-AWD. I am also thinking about picking up a CPO TL SH AWD. Its too early , but still

No I have not driven that. My search was limited to hatchbacks mostly. Somehow I just can't get myself to like that nose, no matter what is behind it.