So in my very late 50s, I'm thinking about my next DD. I'll probably replace the BMW in one to two years from now. By then I'll be 60, or just shy of 60. This makes me take the decision a bit more seriously. Base on my experience with the BMW, I'll own the next DD for about 10 years. That means my next DD will probably be the next-to-the-last DD I'll ever own. And the last DD I own may very well be some sort of utilitarian thing that will just get me to the soup kitchen a couple of times a week.

So what should the next DD be? I cross shop new cars and do not confine myself to a certain segment. For me it all about what cars get my attention. Here is what is on my list so far:

Higher priced

BMW 335i or 435i
2015 Ford Mustang
Lexus RC 350
Caddy CTS V-Sport
Mercedes CLA
Nissan 370Z

Lower priced

VW GTI
Civic SI or Acura ILX
Ford Focus or Fiesta ST
Mazda 3

So… What am I overlooking?

 

May I suggest the economic advantage of driving a vehicle until it drops, or it is no longer worth the cost of repairs versus a new car payment ? I.E. If one has to spend $1200 on repairs to get another year of service out of a vehicle, that is less than one would pay out in a years worth of new vehicle payments.

My opinion may be tainted by the Commonwealth of Virginia's personal property tax based on the current Blue Book value of every vehicle that one owns. It fries me that one gets to pay a tax every year that one owns a vehicle (over and over again). This is on top of the initial registration fee (tax) that one pays when they buy the vehicle.

 

Since you're a year or two out, I might think about the E400 4-matic ( V6 turbo) vs the CLA Bill.
Ingress/egress will be easier. My E really drives "small". Although the new C in the pipeline looks really good too.

 

You might also look at the new Acura TLX, which is to be released in the "spring", which I guess means soon. The scant reviews that I have seen so far have been positive. It will be available with the SH-AWD that is on the current TL and last gen RDX, which is a great system, but then I am a little biased.

 

If you go cheap, the Civic SI would mean you'd need snow tires. You'll soon be too old to change tires. Not sure about the Mazdas, I like VW's but the parts aren't cheap. They may factor in the car you are driving when you go to the soup kitchen.

I like the Ford Focus, if I were going cheap, I'd go there.

What about the new Dodge Dart? Or is it too soon to suggest a Chrysler/Fiat product?

 

Matt- You should move to Peeay. We pay 36 bucks per year for two cars, and the '68 Dodge Dart has NO ongoing fee. Is there any break on the PP tax for Classic/Antique cars that are worth really big bucks?

 

Have you found the recent M-B's to be reliable, Jerry-MA? Keeping a car for 10 years as LB does would make me think about long term parts n labor costs....compared to an Acura, for example.

 

I have 218k on my '98 ML, 196K on the '03 S430, the '01 E430 had 186K on it when I gave it to my son. Granted we put some money the E at 12 years old.
I've only had the '10 E550 for a few months and as such don't have a long track history with it yet. No issues to report on it so far other than extreme awesomeness.
Maintenance costs are probably higher on the MB but ask yourself, which would you rather drive for 10 years. somewhat obviously you know my answer.
and more importantly, which would you rather crash in? I prefer to walk away from accidents unscathed.

 

My DD is a Jeep Wrangler. I'll be 70 in a week and I love my Jeep. However, it has been lifted and has 33 tires. So getting a leg in is not as easy as it used to be. The new Cherokee, if you like Suv's is sweet. Reasonable pricing, sporty, fairly roomy and good performance numbers. It looks like an SUV is not on your list but just a thought.

 

<<See my avatar! Love my Jeep.

The day Bill buys an SUV as a DD, I will be dropping dead.