Doug is literally giving the best advice possible here , always be informed know what you’re buying!

Many people forget, that even affordable, an used luxury car...still got a luxury maintenance price.

Most wise words Doug ever articulated “ You don’t wanna bankrupt yourself to buy a car, no car ever worth it”

As former Lamborghini factory rep, I totally agree with doug!! I saw so many people getting into used gallardo, and getting screwed (not because the car is not good) but because the could not even afford a tire change :)

I love the ongoing rivalry between Scotty and Doug, it's hilarious

"eastern european doug isn't real, he can't hurt you" slav squat doug:

I love how doug won’t even say scotty name. It’s nice to not be yelled at by your screen for an informative video. Doug breaks it down, he says everything calmly and breaks it down for multiple people who may have differing financial positions, and he even offers alternatives. He doesn’t just barrage you with insults if you pick anything not a Toyota

"Save money" and "be an informed consumer" is advice that extends well beyond cars. The reason so many mechanics and other people just give a flat "no, don't do this" is because they know most people aren't capable of taking that advice. Telling people that they shouldn't buy something protects them from themselves more than telling them that they need to save a pile of maintenance cash and spend hours online doing research in order to do it right. The constant desire for to have an "easy button" is the undoing of many, many people.

"There's a difference between buying and owning." Doug is absolutely spot on. I was very stressed about the financial unknowns of buying my dream car and having to deal with any future repairs. But I saved up money and put it into a savings account dedicated to the worst case scenario for my car purchase. After that, I was much more happier for buying my dream car. If you are a "car guy" then you have to buy that reasonable dream car since life is so short. I have another car that is my reliable daily driver. So as long as you can afford "OWNING" the car, then why not? Thanks Doug for reassuring me on my purchase.

I think this is one of the best videos Doug has ever made with a low practical perspective for car enthusiasts. Nothing is more important than being able to afford to maintain your car after buying a car. I have seen this far too many times as an enthusiastic contributor to a European BMW forum over the course of 20 years. People buy reasonably fine M3s and M5s at acceptable prices, but can not afford to maintain their cars. This is sad and some even get into financial trouble for the same reason. As Doug points out, do the necessary research (model, engine, drivetrain, common problems, etc.) and set aside enough money for maintenance and repairs before you buy the car - not after.

This goes hand in hand with modifying a car. You can’t just expect to add power beyond factory specs and expect dealers to cover it under warranty.

Hey Doug! I wanted to tell you in a way your videos mean a lot to me. I’m nearly 19 years old my life is stuck in a really complicated place,but cars have been my first hobbie since I was five years old.your videos offer me escape from that crazy stress so I can watch a quirky car lover like me talk about the almost exact cars I enjoy. I really appreciate your work and I hope you stick around long time because people need to realize people like you and other car KZfaq people are the future of the car world not motor trend not Car & Driver. I really just want you to know your videos mean a lot to me and have been there for me in stressful parts of my life.I hope you see this but if you don’t but hey Cheers :)

"a few youtube car mechanics who're really into reliability... and toyotas..." wait are there *multiple* scotty kilmers? are they clones? this new lore is terrifying

This is great, nuanced advice. Most car enthusiasts know that this decision can bite you in the but some enthusiasts just generalize about 1000s of very different cars, and it's not that simple

I think this was extremely solid advice, I agree with all of it. I'm perfectly happy with the Japanese cars I've owned, but life is too short to drive a car you don't like.

Great video Doug. I made this mistake about 15 years ago and thought I could afford to "own" a used Porsche until it came time to replace some leaking engine seals and the bill totaled north of $13,000. Hard lesson to learn, but your points are absolutely spot on. I want a used Audi RS6 Avant, but am waiting until I have at least $15-$20k set aside for maintenance/repairs.

“after failing to meet its reserve with our biggest competitor.” DAMN the shade thrown at BringaTrailer😂

Doug, the Countach actually runs better when it's run daily. They break down more when they sit like a garage queen, like most cars.

This is a super important video that I think a lot of younger people should see. Speaking from experience, it took me two years to find an old, manual, RWD BMW (I eventually bought a 2002 E39 525i 5MT), but the process of finding it took nearly two years. I spent countless hours searching different websites, reading forums, watching repair DIY videos, and learning the nuances of different engines and model years. Then, like Doug mentioned, there's saving the money to actually MAINTAIN the car. In the 11 months that I've had it, it's been nearly flawless, but that's only because it took so long for me to find the right example. I hope my experience serves as an example to other young people that you don't have to be stuck with a Toyota Camry or a Honda CRV if you don't want to, but you need to be willing to put in the extra time and effort if you end up going the other route.

Doug literally giving you a life lesson. Every major decisions in life is “it depends”. Everything you do in life is gonna have pros and cons. You need to be WELL informed so you can weight the pros and cons as much as you can.

Premium cars, premium problems 🙂 Another thing: I am always amused when Doug says to check out carsandbids, he almost flies of the screen with enthusiasm 😀

I love how he was kind of throwing shade at Scotty Kilmer 😂💀

Great advice. I love that Doug still understands the average Joe. I’d love to have a nice used 911 or Cayman, but I worry I couldn’t afford the maintenance and repairs. I drove my first 911 a couple months ago, a nice used one, older and but only about 40,000 miles. But as much as it appealed to me I just don’t believe I can “own” the car as Doug said. I don’t have the money to put away to keep the car up the way it needs, so I’m holding off. Maybe I’ll never have one, but I can keep dreaming.

I got the best of both worlds with a Lexus LS and a Honda S2000 (bought when they still where affordable) which are both tremendously reliable and this is 100% the truth. I wanted to buy a Mercedes S or high E Class but after the research i settled for the LS and i truly love that car.

This is a great bit of advice. I used the same line of logic when I bought My Jaguar XFR, I wanted a supercharged Jag, I researched a long time, found a couple years range where I could afford the parts and they had stronger reliability (AJV8). And pulled the trigger. I also prepared myself to do a lot of the work by having the right tools to do most of the maintenance, being resourceful in finding parts, and critically, having a backup vehicle to drive when I need to make repairs to the Jag. I have to say, its been a fantastic ownership experience, and I really have enjoyed it! It's also pushed me to learn things about the auto industry that I didn't know before and I've grown thanks to those experiences too! RESEARCH is key!

I didn't think I'd ever get to own my dream car: A Maserati GranTurismo. Then in more recent years I noticed the depreciation, and started having second thoughts. I started doing my research and I noticed that the earlier models had variator issues as one of their more common problems. As such I did more research and I found out that the face-lifted cars had most of the common issues of the earlier models fixed. I could have bought a 2008 car and paid only around $30k, but in all possibility could have been saddled with monumental repair costs, but I chose to wait and wound up purchasing a 2014 GranTurismo Sport. It cost more than I initially wanted to pay, but aside from basic maintenance and a few minor repairs, she's been largely trouble-free. One other thing Doug didn't mention explicitly in this video: Insurance. Performance/luxury cars are usually rather pricey to insure compared to a regular brand. Consider how much you plan to drive it and insure it accordingly. Daily-driving my Maserati would cost a fortune in fuel (Premium) and insurance, but because I only drive it once or twice a week I pay a lot less on both fronts. I insure it as a pleasure craft and drive it infrequently, and the cost savings are enormous.

When I was looking for my first car about a year ago, I wanted something rear-wheel-drive with a manual gearbox and at least 200 HP, but under 10K US. That pretty much left me with an SN95 Mustang GT or an old BMW. I, kind of foolishly, went with the old BMW. I bought an E90 328i under the impression that, because it's naturally aspirated and the N52 has a better reputation for reliability among other BMWs, that it would be ok to own on a paycheck-to-paycheck budget. Long story short, I have put about 3K US into it in maintenance over the year I've owned it (drove it 15K miles), when the car initially cost me 9K. I am currently waiting on a set of spark plugs and coils to arrive so I can change them myself, cause my local shop wanted $700 to change them (NOT A DEALER). Don't get me wrong, I love my boi, but he is stealing pretty much every cent I make just so that he can continue functioning. No matter what level you enter this old luxury car game in, it's gonna be a ballache sometimes. You just gotta prepare for it, and like Doug said, have like 2K set aside at all times for repairs. It will bite you eventually.

I've been watching Doug's videos since 2017(subscribed around 2019), and I gotta say, these advisory videos are my absolute favorite!

I bought a super cheap e63 AMG wagon right around the same time Doug got his, except mine had 108K miles on it. Ooh boy did I spend a TON on maintenance for all the items that car needed around the 100 that the previous owner obviously saw and opted not to do. Learned the hard way that price goes down, but maintenance costs don’t depreciate

Thought I would share some thoughts on my experience below: I bought a 2013 CLS550 with the biturbo V8 in late 2021. Had 125,000 miles, but drove better and was in much better cosmetic condition than all the lower mile (and higher priced) examples. Also had impeccable service records at the Mercedes dealer from its 1 owner. It has been an excellent ownership experience thus far, with lower than expected maintainence costs. This car has been MUCH more trouble free than my Lexus LS460L I had before the CLS. The car drives like a dream and puts tons of power down very well. The low RPM twin turbo power even thoroughly wowed a Hellcat owner who took a spin in it. I have owned several newer Lexus cars and other luxury cars from several other brands, but the Mercedes is so different in a truly wonderful way. I love the CLS 4 door coupe bodystyle so much, especially the fold down rear seats, providing extra cargo space for the already large trunk. I'll be getting a 5.5l biturbo CLS63 in a few months, very excited! Moral of the story, do your homework and don't be afraid to go for a higher mileage German car as long as it doesn't have too many owners and a good service history. The Mercedes engines and transmissions are known for running forever if well maintained. Always get a pre purchase inspection if in doubt! Thanks for reading!

Well my version is that I bought a 2006 Volvo S60 with 174,000kms in 2018. I loved the car. Had some nice extra options like the sport seats, beige interior with wood trim, beautiful full leather, and so on. Torquey 208HP rated from factory. Enough to get around competently. Very solid car, and every feature it had, I appreciated over a typical cheaper car. Guys would often ask me about my Volvo, expecting me to report costs and issues, but I was happy to report it was absolutely reliable in the time I had it, and the few repairs I did were mostly optional, staying on top of it sort of things. I was happy to maintain my car. Miss it. Looking to get a new 3rd gen S60.

I totally agree with Dough`s advice here! The mileage and service history are also very important factors of "know what you buy". I want to share my experience: I have for the last three years been the happy owner of a Mercedes W220; a car with a quite bad reputation when it comes to quality and maintenance costs. But the car is absolutely fantastic, consider it`s age (22 years). But again: "You have to know what you buy". The V6 engine is not taking up as much space in the engine compartment as the V8 engine, and is therefore quite easy to maintain yourself. The Airmatic system is known for its unreliability. But the parts have much more reasonable priced during the last years, and are also easy to maintain and replace if necessary, yourself (but without a lot of money to spare, you should know to avoid the ABC-system). The 320 engine is very reliable, and so is the gearbox and the driveline. The comfort and appearance of the Mercedes W220 is, in my opinion, both timeless and beautiful. And the comfort is remarkable! For 100 000 Norwegian Crowns (7000-8000 dollars) you can get a perfectly maintained W220 with minimal rust and low mileage. And the prices for well maintained W220`s are now rising in Norway. I would rather prefer such a cheap luxury car than any newer Toyota or another cheap (and boring) "ordinary" car!

I recently bought an Acura TL, 3rd gen, (2008, 110k miles) for a steal, right before used cars skyrocketed. I love it. It's In great condition, and pretty darn quick, believe it or not. Almost perfect black interior, heated seats, heated mirrors, seat memory positions, navigation, backup camera even though it's outdated it's way better than nothing. Yeah I recommend it especially if it's from a manufacturer like Toyota or Honda with their luxury division

A great quote I heard one time is “a car depreciates but the maintenance never does.” Basically if you buy a car that was 80k back then and is 15k now. That car is still gonna cost like an 80k car in repairs. That mindset will save you a headache and help you make a better purchase.

Loving these advice videos from Doug... keep em coming!!! The finance video helped me finance my 2017 Volkswagen alltrack

Not sure everyone is ready for such practical advice Doug ... the emotional, what they want everyone else to think of them feelings are so strong for some. Thanks Doug.

You could go for reliable old luxury cars which have already depreciated and have proved their reliability such as the LS430

Doug Slav squatting in the thumbnail brings me joy

9-10 yrs ago, I was looking at used performance cars. Everything from an MX-5 to a Porsche to a Ferrari/Lambo. I did much research and decided I wanted a lot of sport with enough GT for week long trips for 2. After a long time, I finally decided on a new, factory ordered Corvette Z06. I've had it for 10 years and I still love this car. It's cost me peanuts to own compared to cars of similar levels of performance/features. And because it was the last year of production, I got a very good deal. Probably one of my best car buying decisions ever. Doing your homework is absolutely key!

Absolutely great advice! Very direct. Have 87 Supra and maintenance is actually very expensive but the car is perfect because it was taken care of. Car not worth much compared to costs but it is what I love. Doug is spot on here!

Many older Mercedes models are pretty reliable and not as expensive to own as you can imagine. I have owned 3 old Mercedes myself for years and there have been only minor issuer so far

Doug, your timing on this video could not be better for me. Thank you.

For any of my tuner boys down here looking to get into a used luxury car specially something a little modern, the lexus IS 2nd gen and even 3rd gen ones are amazing cars to own. These cars are the definition of getting the bang for your buck ! Not to mention the amazing reliability it has, aftermarket support, and they wont break your wallet in the process.

I wholeheartedly agree. As my first car, I bought a 2005 E320 4Matic, which I then converted to CNG (Because economy). I knew it would be risky, and I have already replaced the SBC unit (cost me $350), but luckily, parts for these models are somewhat easy to source, given that you have a few connections here and there. This applies to all cars, whether new or old. If parts are easily sourced and labor does not cost a lot of money, then the car in question is worth it.

Very good information Doug, I did my research and bought a 3 year old, low mileage, and single owner A6, making me a happy driver of a luxury German car for my first time. 😀

Back in 2020 I was looking around for a newer performance oriented car and picked up a Jaguar XF with the supercharged V8 with 75K miles for about $12K. It had more power and torque than the 2013-2014 Mustang GTs I was looking at and it was $10K less. I did some research on the problems and found that overall it was one of the more reliable Jaguars out there. Even the Car Wizard recommended that model. I figured that I'd get the Jag over the Mustang and just use the 10K difference I had in my budget for any repairs I had over the years. So far I've spent only $250 on non maintenance items repairing a rear pinion seal that was leaking before I got it. I did go a little overzealous on preventative maintenance though changing out the brakes and rotors, transmission oil, supercharger oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc. and that totaled up to about $1500. So far though I am very happy with it and it's a joy to drive long-distance like the trips I take from KC to Denver five times a year.

Love your videos, super informative and I have been watching Cars and Bids over the last few months. Lots of cool stuff on there, when my wife learns to drive I'm going to be looking there for a small vehicle.

Great informative video, good explanations and just spot on

'"KZfaq car mechanics (...), who really focus on reliability and like Toyota's" Doug firing shots directy at Scotty Kilmer

1:55 I see the Scotty Kilmer mention lmao

I managed to get a 11 A4 Avant a few years ago for a fantastic price. I knew about the engine troubles and confirmed with Audi that it still had the extended warranty to fix the engine. That made the major concern with the car moot since it was going to be covered. I knew I was going to need ~2k for tires and the major service to get it back to even. I factored all of that into buying it. Once I got everything back sorted, this thing has been beyond reliable and repairs haven't been too bad. I've got a great local shop that is almost always 1/3 the cost of the dealer. Doug is spot on, know what you are getting into before you buy. Good advice for anything, really.

Some brilliant points raised here, especially toward the end regarding researching before you buy!

A starter vehicle that I suggest is the Acura TL especially the 2012 on newer models. They even come with all-wheel drive and beat some of the best cars

You're spot on with this video man! I've got 2 cheap luxury cars, a Porsche Boxster S 986 2003 and a BMW 750i e65 2005. Got a great price on both of them. However, I did exactly what you mention in the video, research the car, the engine, the gearbox , research model years and research individual cars. Maintenance records, previous owners etc etc. And as you say, I do keep some money aside if shit hits the fan. I hate depreciation when I buy cars and I love luxury fun vehicles with large engines so I believe for me it's a great deal. My friend is the total opposite of me and just wants to drive a new car all the time. Last year he sold his 1.5 year old Mercedes a250 and lost about $17 000. And me, I own 5 old vehicles with little to no problems and have probably spent less that $2.5 grand on repairs and maintance in the last 1.5 years. I'm happy at least 🙂

I’ve been looking at buying a used s550 from the 2014-2018 era. I think it’s the w222 body. At 35 grand I believe I can get an extended warranty from my local credit union which should ease some tension. I’ve went down this road with an a8 that had a rebuilt title which was fairly reliable overall.

A random Facebook group helped me with future Cadillac purchases what to get what to avoid etc. wonderful resource 😊👍🏻

I bought a 2015 Audi A6 3.0T three years ago. It is the first German car I’ve owned. I got the $3.7K 5-year warranty because I needed the piece of mind. Turns out that this car is pretty reliable. I did have a water pump go out but that’s it so far. I love my A6 and I think I’ll keep it even after the warranty runs out.

I only buy a used luxury car from a former Mercedes Benz technician who opened his own private shop. I don't have to do research on the model and knowing the car has been examined and repaired before being sold is reassuring. I've bought a 2005 SL and a 2007 ML and they are as fine tuned and operate as Rolex watch. I only spend a couple of hundred dollars every few months for routine service from his shop.

Completely agree. One thing you didn’t mention is depending on the car, if you also do that expensive preventative maintenance/address those known issues, it will help you at resale making the depreciation even less sometimes will appreciate doing a lot of extra work on an f355 during the next engine out is a great example

This is why I want an old school Luxury car. Looking into getting a mid 90s town car with low miles, not older than the 97 model year. Great to drive and not really that expensive to maintain!

Really solid and honest advice. Thanks, Doug!

Wait, Doug. Are you telling me that when I was 18, I shouldn't have spent all my savings on a 79 Triumph TR7 for a daily driver? That's ridiculous, there's no way it would end up sitting parked in shed for over a decade because I can't afford to keep it running.

Great video Doug!

I agree with that was outlined in terms of cost of owning/maintaining in addition to understanding what you are buying. What I think people should also consider is the availability of the car. What I mean by availability is not having access to your car because it is at shop or having to wait days for parts. The availability component can be adresses if you have access to another car. Just things to consider. Good video!

Glad you made this video. My next dream car is a 997 C2S and I've done countless research on the 3.6 vs 3.8, major failing points, cost of ownership, etc. I think the only thing I didn't factor in is "if" something else goes wrong. Setting aside something for if something happens is going to be my new goal. I'm glad Doug thinks we can all get our dream cars though! 😃

I bought a Lexus LS400 from 2000 a month ago. So for my experience has been tremendous. I think it's all down to the previous owner. I bought the car from an enthousiast who took care of it like it was his child for 20 years. With that level of attention and care, there is little room for surprises. Still, maintance and gas are extremely expensive here in The Netherlands... Still it's an amazing car which I plan to drive for many years to come!

2009 Mercedes SL65. 39k miles. No issues. Purchased 3 years ago $49k. Same car bid to $72k on Bring A Trailer 2 weeks ago. After 13 years, all the depreciation was cut from the $198k MSRP but now it's appreciating. Who knew V12 roadsters would be a thing, lol. I live my car guy life by Doug's advice. Just have to know the specific car intimately and choose shrewdly.

Also, determine what you are willing to go through even if you know what to expect. A less expensive example when I bought my 2001 F250, 7.3L diesel in 2011. It had 75K miles and wasn't necessarily cheap. I knew I wasn't going to find another one with so few miles very easily. I also knew the transmission was going to fail, all 2001 7.3L diesel transmissions fail unless you preemptively get it fixed by getting the "mechanical diode" removed. I was going to get it fixed, but it failed quickly and I had to repair it. I didn't get upset and was prepared to fix it. The truck now has 140K miles on it and still going great!

Bought a 03 bmw last may for only 2500 from the picture perfect seller: old couple that bought it new & kept perfect maintenance. Only 120k miles. Goin on a year here soon & it’s been a complete dream I’m in love can’t believe how lucky I got practically stole it

I’m surprised Doug didn’t mention #3. You absolutely must have a trusting relationship with a mechanic that will work on the car. If you have a great Bentley but no trusted mechanic within 100 miles that works on Bentleys, your savings and your research won’t make up for how much stress and struggle even minor issues could create.

I think a great segment for Doug would be to make video every couple of weeks where he talks about 5 particular used cars, well known problems, value, etc. and go by suggestions from his audience. things like a 2014 M6, a 2015 S Class, Ferrari 360, etc

I've owned many - more tips: -Assess your tolerance for breakdowns/shop trips within your daily life, work schedule etc. If a breakdown would seriously disrupt your life/job/income/kids etc. then don't even consider this. Why invite more trouble than you can tolerate? -do you have either a back-up car (best option) or access to reliable public transportation to get to work, the shop, etc? A back-up car gives you the time to carefully research repair options, possibly do it yourself etc. Needing it fixed fast will cost more. -Assess your interest in researching the constant issues & problems that occur. If you don't enjoy this aspect and just want to drop it at the shop, it will cost you more and may not be practical as many problems aren't simple and require research. Some problems can be cheaply fixed at home or benefit from you arriving at the shop well-informed. -Do you have a nearby shop that is willing to work on the car and involve you in the process by keeping you informed, discussing options with you, giving you tips for maintaining it, etc (because you will be well-informed from doing research and some DIY fixes)? -Will your spouse or partner be tolerant of car trouble and you not having the car available to use? You have to regard the car as a hobby not just transportation. -Be financially comfortable enough that a bill of several thousand dollars at any time will not be a problem for you. -Hopefully you are already putting money towards a 401k or IRA etc before putting all your money into cars.

The Slavic thumbnail is pure gold👌

Short answer: if it's not British yes. Long answer: this

this is fantastic advice for buying ANY used car, especially for younger people buying their first car on a limited budget. As someone still in highschool with very little money, I wish i would have researched more about my first car after having to pay for a power steering failure, that i later learned is notorious on the model year.

One of the best videos I have ever seen that explains this age old question in the clearest way possible. Absolutely spot on.

Recently bought a "spotless" 04 Jag XJR (80K miles) with stack of service records for $10K. Even with Jag maintenance costs, this is a good deal no matter how you slice it.

You just have to decide how you want to lose money. Repairs or depreciation. Sometimes people do get lucky though. Knew someone that had an e63 645i, notoriously unreliable and yet had no significant repairs in almost 10 years. It happens.

Super informative and great advice

Love the passion and very good points made.

Doug: “used luxury cars are a gamble!” Me: *laughs in old Lexus* ;))

Buying a BMW from a buy here pay here lot is a great idea.

M113s are great. I bought an 03 S430 a couple years ago. Just crossed 200k and it’s still going strong. Yea I had to replace all of the air struts, the battery died on me once, and the idler pulley gave up on me in the In n Out drive thru but it’s been a pretty reliable. I definitely wouldn’t trust a twin turbo V8 7 series though

One of the more sensible videos you have made to date. Thank you Doug

The gopnik thumbnail made me laugh very hard. Put a rug under your chair and these garage videos will sound a million times better.

I'll never forget when I overheard my Aunt and her husband talking about purchasing an Audi A8. I stated, "Aunty I know that you can afford that car without any issues". She stated, "Affording it is not a problem for us. Factoring in the cost of long term maintenance over ten years is the problem." They like to keep cars for many years. She had done her research and was aware over the over engineering some European car makers do to their vehicles. The Volvo V70 T5 that they have is still running with 300k plus miles and they are very happy.

Your mannerisms are admirable. You're so humble, with such a forthcoming and honest approach to the video as a prefix. Yet so gentley flexing the GT in the background. Lol

I think I really lucked out on my dream car an 06 E46 M3. It had 2 previous owners. 1. The original old man that leased it new and barely drove it. 2. The young guy that got it CPO and spent a lot on it and did all the maintenance after the warranty was over. Now that I have owned the car longer than the first 2 owners and its very reliable. I do almost all my own work except for the bearing shells at 100k as I wanted a professional that has done this job many times before. Its a really good platform with lots of support from other enthusiasts. I set aside money for parts and keep the car stock. Has been a very very easy car to live with and its a lot of fun to drive.

One consideration is: will this be your only car, and do you need high availability from it? Even if the maintenance cost is lower in a used luxury/performance car than the depreciation hit in a new boring/appliance car, if you only have one car, and need it to get to work, the former still might not be the best option, especially if it will need frequent repairs. You don’t want a car that’s having trouble at 7:30 in the morning when you need to get to work.

Life is too short to drive boring cars

Thanks Doug! This helped me out a lot.

I bought a Maserati Ghibli for $19,000 two years ago after watching Doug's video. Knew what I was getting into beforehand, like $300 oil changes, $3000 in brakes, etc. I expected to do some of the work myself, and identified an independent shop to help with other stuff. Working out so far as I expected these things walking in.

I did it for MANY years without a single breakdown until I could afford newer luxury cars and the maintenance that came with them. It just comes down to a comprehensive inspection, getting it for the right price and a little bit of luck. But as Ed Bolian likes to say, you’re really just playing Russian roulette with the maintenance.

I did a video on this on my channel with JayEmm on Cars and he introduced me to his cheap 760Li. The thing is the marketplace makes it so tempting, but maintainence and tax (here in the UK) just makes it a terrifying prospect. Probably 8/10 cars I see with the air suspension have failed here also. If you can stomach the bills though, its certainly going to save you money over leasing or buying something new in the same class. Totally agree with many of your statements here!

In 2012 I was handed down a 15 year old Volvo. It lasted me 5 years as a nice daily, but it gradually developed more problems than was economical to fix. I then traded it for next to nothing on a near-new car and I've never looked back. Depreciation is okay, stressful breakdowns and expensive repairs are not.

In 2004 I had bought an awesome and beautiful 1990 E32 BMW 750iL 12-cylinder, white with soft black leather, with 110,000 miles, from a friend who’d bought it at an auction in Denver CO for only $3,000. I loved it. The original sticker price was $100,000 - ie $97,000 in depreciation, so I reckoned that even if I ended up spending $20,000+ on repairs and maintenance costs over the years it would still be a good daily driver. I didn’t want to take it in for servicing and repairs at very expensive BMW Main Dealers, so instead I found some cheaper friendly local mechanics. Unfortunately the big problem was that it was constantly breaking down and constantly in the repair shop which became so extremely frustrating that I eventually sold it in 2017 when I saw it was beginning to rust. Doug, you make excellent points here, but I think you could’ve also added: Auction buys often have big hidden problems, find a good independent mechanic and don’t make it your daily driver. You’re definitely right that you must have a lot of money to buy an older expensive car which could turn out to be a shocking money-pit. Things that Scotty Kilmer says. I bought a used 1992 Lexus LS400 with 125,000 miles which was totally fantastically reliable, and also quite fun to drive when I put it in 3rd Gear with the Power button on in town use. I always took it in to the amazing Lexus Main Dealer for services.

I always hear about people talking about depreciation and how buying new cars is a bad financial decision... One aspect people never seem to talk about is how depreciation is an unrealized loss unless you sell the car. If you buy a Hellcat this year knowing next year is the final model year for them and plan to keep it as a toy for a very long time then depreciation doesn't matter.

Depends on the car. Some of them can be reliable. Well the maintainance is still more expensive and if something goes wrong it can be really expensive. But if you are prepared for this go for it. SL 55 AMG for example. An amazing car and reliable. Just make sure to service the AMG ride control. Exchange the fluid regulary. Life is too short for boring cars in my opinion.

I don't have a luxury car but you are right about everything when I chose my F30 BMW after searching in forums and videos, etc. I saw that 335i (N55) is the best choice and really saved me from serious problems I could have with F30 328i (N20) So for all of you do your research on the car you are looking for, see what problems there may be, which model or engine is the best which year is the best and so on and so forth!!!

I bought a 986 Porsche Boxster, and did and experienced exactly what Doug talks about. Did a few months of research to make sure I knew what I was looking at, and bought the one that was right for me. However, I failed to really properly save for the expenses as much as I should have, and got bit a couple times, lol. But, lessons learned! I love my Boxster, and now am building the proper savings to be prepared for if something happens.