What can you buy for around $35k-$45k?

20120 Views 46 Replies 19 Participants Last post by brianch, Nov 7, 2013

cordovan

Discussion Starter · Mar 7, 2013

I just priced out the CLA 4Matic to about $44,000 USD. Most would say "WELL WHY BUY A CLA? THAT PUTS IT IN THE WAY OF MANY OTHER CARS?!"

So let's take a look

New Cars Priced $35k-$45k in the US Market

Acura TL
Base MSRP: $35,605 - $45,085
Invoice: $33,132 - $41,825

Audi A5
Base MSRP: $37,850 - $45,450
Invoice: $35,201 - $42,269

Audi A6
Base MSRP: $42,200 - $50,400
Invoice: $39,246 - $46,872

Audi Q5
Base MSRP: $35,900 - $43,900
Invoice: $33,388 - $40,82

Audi TT
Base MSRP: $38,650 - $56,850
Invoice: $35,945 - $52,871

BMW 3 Series Coupe & Convertible
Base MSRP: $38,700 - $60,800
Invoice: $35,605 - $55,935

Buick Enclave
Base MSRP: $38,445 - $47,625
Invoice: $36,523 - $45,244

Cadillac CTS Sedan and CTS Coupe
Base MSRP: $39,095 - $50,190 (sedan)
Invoice: $36,945 - $47,430

Base MSRP: $38,905 - $50,050 (coupe)
Invoice: $36,765 - $46,797

Cadillac XTS
Base MSRP: $44,075 - $60,385
Invoice: $41,651 - $57,064

Infiniti G37 Coupe
Base MSRP: $37,600 - $51,250
Invoice: $34,833 - $40,560

Lexus ES350
Base MSRP: $36,100 - $38,850
Invoice: $33,815 - $36,393

Lexus IS250
Base MSRP: $35,065 - $37,525
Invoice: $32,611 - $34,898

Lexus IS350
Base MSRP: $40,320 - $42,780
Invoice: $37,496 - $39,787

Lincoln MKS
Base MSRP: $42,810 - $49,800
Invoice: $40,241 - $46,812

Volvo S80
Base MSRP: $39,150 - $43,150
Invoice: $36,801 - $40,561

I am sure I missed a bunch of others. What else?

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41 - 47 of 47 Posts

brianch

· #41 · Jun 3, 2013

And it looks nicer

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SimpsonTide985

· #42 · Nov 3, 2013

Mike T said:
Infiniti and Lexus? I don't fit in the back of either of them (nor would I with the CLA) - plus I hate how they look and drive...I'd never buy either one.

I know you're lying (or jumping to conclusions) cuz the Lexus and Infiniti have quite the difference in rear backseat space.

I've been in both the Q50 and IS350 as well as the CLA.

The CLA is much tighter compared to the other two (but not as tight as the ATS)

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Mike T

· #43 · Nov 3, 2013

OK never mind, I guess my try-outs at the auto show never happened. Lies, all lies!

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brianch

· #44 · Nov 4, 2013

SimpsonTide985 said:
I know you're lying (or jumping to conclusions) cuz the Lexus and Infiniti have quite the difference in rear backseat space. I've been in both the Q50 and IS350 as well as the CLA.

The CLA is much tighter compared to the other two (but not as tight as the ATS)

The CLA is tighter but to be honest if you are a big guy.

Neither the Q50 or IS350 is that great. They are all midsized sedans. If you are driving 2+ people around on a regular basis a full sized might be better. Or an SUV..

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SimpsonTide985

· #45 · Nov 4, 2013 (Edited)

cfrp said:
The CLA is tighter but to be honest if you are a big guy.

Neither the Q50 or IS350 is that great. They are all midsized sedans. If you are driving 2+ people around on a regular basis a full sized might be better. Or an SUV..

Well, you're using terms like "great" like, I don't think you're looking at it the right way.

The CLA, Q50, IS350, ATS--they're all in the compact sedan segment and within that segment, you'll find an interestingly large range of backseat dimensions for each.

In my experience, the backseat space and headroom in the Q50 and BMW 3-Series are so good in their SEGMENT that to say they are "not great" is a misnomer. The Lexus IS is not quite as good as the 3-Series and the ATS is not quite as good as the Lexus IS and so on, but they're in the same class.

They're not really midsize sedans and they shouldn't be compared that way. They still meet the criteria of what might be considered compact sedans but some are on the smaller side (ATS, CLA) and some are on the larger side (3-Series, Q50). The larger sized compact sedans, IMO, have very decent room for grown adults.

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sleepyhead

· #46 · Nov 7, 2013

I'm not sure I would buy any of the other cars within that price range listed in the title. All the Germans would be really underpowered and/or barebones (remember, most of them would come with 200-220hp engines on a car larger and heavier than the CLA). The Caddy CTS would be really underpowered as well. The Lexus' just aren't very fun to drive, same with Volvo and Lincoln (and there's a stigma still to the Lincoln badge that is hard to overcome). Infiniti's suspension and chassis is too wallowy. The TT can be had for a much better deal by buying a Golf. And Acuras still feel like to me a Honda with tinsle.

If you're going to throw in the Enclave, why not an Evoque, Grand Cherokee, Land Rover, and a host of other SUVs? Sure, the Evoque would be barebones as well but at least it'd be better.

If I HAD to stay below $45k, I'd probably settle for the Grand Cherokee, Evoque, or an ATS.

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brianch

· #47 · Nov 7, 2013

SimpsonTide985 said:
Well, you're using terms like "great" like, I don't think you're looking at it the right way.

The CLA, Q50, IS350, ATS--they're all in the compact sedan segment and within that segment, you'll find an interestingly large range of backseat dimensions for each.

In my experience, the backseat space and headroom in the Q50 and BMW 3-Series are so good in their SEGMENT that to say they are "not great" is a misnomer. The Lexus IS is not quite as good as the 3-Series and the ATS is not quite as good as the Lexus IS and so on, but they're in the same class.

They're not really midsize sedans and they shouldn't be compared that way. They still meet the criteria of what might be considered compact sedans but some are on the smaller side (ATS, CLA) and some are on the larger side (3-Series, Q50). The larger sized compact sedans, IMO, have very decent room for grown adults.

I agree. I was referring to people who complain about the backseat room in the compact segment and then refer to the midsize sedans as the superior option

In this compact segment none of the options are going to be AMAZING. Some are better than others.

The CLA is probably on the lower side in terms of back seat space. The Q50 is better. I've sat in the back of an IS250 for a 2 day roadtrip before. I did not enjoy it at all. Gets tight back there. Especially if the driver is tall.

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