Used Exotics Going For Honda Accord Money

As brokers and bankers fall from the credit tightrope, they’ll have to downsize the excesses in their lives. Does this mean they’ll ditch their vain lifestyles to boot? If we’re talking about luxury cars, the answer is no.

A new Popular Mechanics article proves the point by finding 10 exotic used cars for the price of a new Honda Accord, which ranges from $21,000-$30,000. Keep in mind that some of the cars on this list are really old — the Bentley is nearing two decades. Exotic cars also typically have spotty reliability that could result in expensive maintenance bills.

The best bet on the list is the 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG. At less than $35,000, this high-performance E-Class is comparable in price to a high-end Accord. Consumer Reports gives the 2004 E-Class an “average” reliability rating, which is great considering the atrocious reliability of the Land Rover and BMW 7 Series that also made the list.

Popular Mechanics says they found an E55 AMG in excellent shape for $33,995 with 42,600 miles in Florida. On Cars.com’s used car listings, we found the same car for $31,450 with 40,756 miles in Texas. That would be right in line with a top-of-the-line Accord after a destination charge. We also found quite a few Porsche 911s from 2001 to 2004 for less than $35,000 and a 2001 for $22,500 with just over 100,000 miles.

Popular Mechanics' full list is below.

Comments

Not exactly an exotic, but definitely a sweet car, we recently purchased a lightly used '05 Audi TT Quattro 225 Coupe for about 1/2 price. Truly a sweet, sophisticated car. At a bargain basement price.

bwbacon:

Just remeber, your repair and maintenance costs of that vehicle will not be bargain basement!

If an '05 Elise is anything like an '02 Esprit it will be in the shop all the top. That can be fun though because you get to sit in the new Lamborghinis and make engine noises while playing with the shifter(s)... and sometimes they have cannoli.

There are a lot more cars that could be on this list; any of Cadillac's V cars, for example. Motive magazine put together a similar list full of 2007 models.
http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/lists/Motive_List_The_Great_Depreciation_-_Fifteen_of_the_Best_Used-Car_Deals_Out_There.shtml
(I hope it's okay to post the link)

I'd much rather have an Accord off the showroom floor with zero miles, today's safety accouterments, comprehensive warranty, and dealership support for the money.

Moreover, I would rather have a 2003 Ford Explorer with 62,500 miles than a 2003 Range Rover with 62,500 miles.

the Elise's are nothing like the Esprit. for one they have the 1.8L thats in the Toyota Celica. plus they are far less refine but a whole lot funner to drive. Where I work the only time i see an Elise in is when its for an oil change or the owner wants the AC removed.

I'd take the Maserati in a heartbeat. Reasonably priced, reasonable mileage. And it looks and sounds fantastic.

@Lil'Tom

Elise/Exige are very reliable cars. I know a guy that turbocharged Exige and race it very often. The thing does not brake down. Also, other people from the Lotus club where I live do not complain about Elise/Exige. On the other hand my friend's BMW M3 and current Audi S4/Porsche 911TT are in the shop so often that it is down right annoying.

I was looking for Exige S and hold of on purchase since the price is dropping fast. At the same time I find loads of 911 C4S/S/regular (and even 2005 911 goes under $40k these days). Couple months ago I was not sure that I can live with Exige and almost pulled the trigger on 911 C4S (good I did not do that). But if you buy Porsche as JP said you will be paying much more and car will not look bargain at all.

Fixing Porsche (or any German car) is very very expensive and the car(s) are not reliable. On the other side you can buy Cayman S with warranty but performance wise the car is not that impressive.

Hi...
I was looking for Exige S and hold of on purchase since the price is dropping fast. At the same time I find loads of 911 C4S/S/regular (and even 2005 911 goes under $40k these days). Couple months ago I was not sure that I can live with Exige and almost pulled the trigger on 911 C4S (good I did not do that). But if you buy Porsche as JP said you will be paying much more and car will not look bargain at all.

With any exotic car you purchase, please just remember and factor in the repair cost. Many times over we look at these exotic cars and dont stop figure our the repair cost. Sometimes the repair costs amounts up more than the vehicle itself.

JP - yes we understood the maintenance and repair costs going into this purchase. The TT that we purchased was dealer certified pre-owned and still under warranty. But it is understood that the repair costs will not be Accord-like.

Sweet car!!Reasonably priced, reasonable mileage but i feel the repair costs amounts up more than the vehicle itself.