Winter beaters, luxury cars, growing old

[T_C_D]

This year I needed a winter beater for HWY driving with family and dogs. Driving 6-8000 miles over 5 months. The 335xi wasn't ideal. I started looking at mini vans. A friend of mine kept suggesting a specific car. I did a search locally and found a clean 2 owner car listed at about half of retail ($2300). Crotchety old man seller that probably turned buyers off.

First 1200 miles and I love this car for cruising. Super comfortable. Super quiet. Very spacious. 25.7 mpg for first 800 mile road trip on snow tires. It's base 2006 Cadillac DTS. Slick top, Column shifter, seats 6. Everything works. To be honest it's probably as nice a cruiser as any 2006 BMW. Certainly way less problems.

[garageboy]

We're gonna have to buy you a hat.

[dsmith]

Slick top.

[davintosh]

Nice ride.

I did a similar switch when we got back from Germany last year; after looking at several X5s and X3s, we ended up buying an '06 Lexus RX400h. I wasn't terribly excited about the idea at first, but couldn't deny that it had a nicer ride than any of the BMWs we drove, and the seats were more comfortable. It's almost exactly the same size as an X5 and can get up to highway speeds just as quickly as any of the X5 models we looked at, plus it'll get anywhere from 5-10 mpg better mileage than the BMWs. Plus my wife liked it, and she'd be the one behind the wheel mostly. Maintenance-wise, it's been a good ~18 months; other than oil changes, I had to replace the radiator a couple months in, then had to replace the tires this fall. I've got parts to replace the front struts in the garage right now, but that's pretty much it. I kinda like these Lexuses. Or Lexi?

We're gonna have to buy you a hat.

What, you got a problem with my hat?

Get off my lawn.

[Brian in TN]

Todd. You were crotchety before it was cool.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Well Todd I never knew you were older than me ..

Ironically, I have those same thoughts about obtaining a beater now that I'm experiencing a real winter. The Frontier is it right now since it's the only vehicle with "" rated tires.

[vinceg101]

I kind of like that hat...



(Coincidentally I have a few Irish caps like that one bookmarked for Christmas)

[Kyle in NO]

[Cactus]

I daily a 5 speed 4wd ranger these days. The fuel economy sucks but at least it takes 87. The utility is spot on for my needs these days. Yes I still have the ramp truck, but it doesn't hold a drift for shit compared to the ranger.

Ranger Danger.

[a]

Hey I'm 17. Until I look in the mirror. I like hats, they take the place of hair. Best thing about Camrys is minimal car crawling. Marina's has an appt at Town Fair Tire to have the winter wheels mtd tomorrow at 9 am I love being called Pops by my grandsons.

[T_C_D]

Back from dent wizard. Paint touched up. Washed. Love it!

[a]

Was it once owned by this old lady? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TWstiEFIRg

[Mike W.]

I don't know whether to praise your pragmatism or chide you for getting old before your time. In a way it doesn't matter though, you'll get bored with it and sell it before all the snow melts. Unless you put a snail on it.

[T_C_D]

I don't know whether to praise your pragmatism or chide you for getting old before your time. In a way it doesn't matter though, you'll get bored with it and sell it before all the snow melts. Unless you put a snail on it.

.

I plan to sell it in late March or early April for a tidy profit. Just like the Mini last winter.

[SeattleGuy]

You know what, when the Northstar came out in '96 my client had one and let me tell you the Seville STS was no word of a joke. Of course it sucked the headlights out of my 533 in a straight line but it was no slouch in reasonable transitions either. There is a rebel gang somewhere in Cadillac and they've always been around in some way or another. Plus you get to flip it when you're done. Bravo.
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[Justin_FL]

I always kind of thought those weren't bad looking cars. My office
building has a real estate group in the floor below and there are no less than 3 in the parking lot. Driven by little 65+ year old ladies with too much perfume and hair spray.

Considering I just partially ripped the front bumper off my E39 on a parking stop, the bad clear coat in places, perhaps a bad driveshaft (strange drive line vibration), and a few other little maintenance needs I've been thinking of a cheap sedan as a replacement for the days I don't want to drive the F150 or E28s. Love the 530i but the BMW tax isn't worth it when considering a full repaint, IMO. Probably worth more in parts than whole!

[Mike W.]

I don't know whether to praise your pragmatism or chide you for getting old before your time. In a way it doesn't matter though, you'll get bored with it and sell it before all the snow melts. Unless you put a snail on it.

.

I plan to sell it in late March or early April for a tidy profit. Just like the Mini last winter.

I noticed no disclaimers about a snail.

[T_C_D]

2460 mile journey to Long Island, CT and Upper Westchester complete. No issues. 24.6 mpg. This is the first time I ever drove around metro NY and didn't have to pay attention to the road conditions. Just awesome. 4 or 5 more round trips to MN and it's job with me will be done.

[T_C_D]

Sold the Caddy yesterday for $3500. Cost of ownership $269 plus fuel due to a $750 water pump repair (last week). Drove 9000 miles in pure luxury. Good times!

[Shawn D.]

Nice!