Around September I plan to buy a car for my fiancée as a 25th birthday/graduation present (sort of kind of graduates from MBA program this year).

Some guidelines:
-Want something better than her current car (base model Lexus IS250)
--Car black books to around $14-17,000. This will be the down payment plus between $5000-15,000 in other moneys.
-Something not totally impractical. She doesn't care about high performance though if the car drives it's great is a plus
-Does not know I'm doing this so nothing specific in mind but I'm looking at cabrio coupes.
-Budget is kind of weird. I have a job where the budget could be upwards of $80-90,000 (though I'd prefer to keep it around $55,000). If I have a bad year though budget would be significantly less, around $35-40,000. So give examples in a high end price range and a lower one.
-I'm not against used cars but my rule of thumb is it must have less than 40,000 K's and isn't older than 2011.
-Will definitely be buying from a dealership. This is because her car is the down payment and I of course can't sell her car because I show her this new one as a gift.
-I am able to cheaper Volkswagen/Audi's because I am friends with a Sales Managers.
--With that, the cars I have primarily looking at either an S5 or an A5 (Cabrio versions).
--I'd prefer German cars.
-She will be using the car as a daily. Might be going for her PhD in Toronto which is about an hour drive so something with decent highway mileage is best.
-Transmission doesn't matter but she'd prefer to drive automatic.
-Reliability/repair costs don't matter. Don't want to buy another Porsche though. That's way too much in maintenance costs and insurance isn't worth it. Need something reasonable.
-My daily is a 2012 VW CC. She likes driving that. She also likes her Lexus.

So with those guidelines, I'd like some suggestions.

And oh ya.

Audi A5 convertible, S-Tronic trans (like VW's DSG), prestige package. It's about $50k or so, amazing looking car, has the upgraded sound system, quattro, 220 hp/258tq, full on HID/led lights, upgraded bigger (nicer) looking wheels, amazing interior..GERMAN! She will love it.

This post was edited by DaRkGoDz on Apr 21 2014 02:17pm

the BMW 1 Series, BMW 4-Series, audi TTS, Infiniti Q60, Infiniti G37, Nissan 370Z, uhhhh

u loking for a 4 seater, or a 2 seater?

The Q60 seems like an odd choice but the others all work.

Porsche Boxster, Lexus ISc, A5/S5 cab, Jag F type, Corvette vert

It really comes down to what she likes. There is no "best car" in every category.

audi a7

BRZ

idk, i dont think they look bad,



This post was edited by KoJ on Apr 21 2014 03:28pm

One more thing, I'm sort of against many Japanese cars. I've never liked the look of Infiniti's. Look too much like Nissans to me (Which I hate, both to drive and look at).



Yeah A5/S5 is what I've been looking at most heavily. Always like the look of the A5 and it comes in cabro which is what I want.



Four seater is preferable but it's not a huge deal because if she needs a back row she can take one of the cars that has one.



I know, but I think she likes most things. I know she enjoys curvier car designs (I give the example of my CC, I was going to buy just another Passat but I was talked into buying a CC by her because she liked the look better). Also, aggressive front styling is also something she is attracted to.



I do like the A7 but it's too expensive. I know it's in my upper price range but I would need a pretty good deal to spend upwards of $90,000 (With tax that's about what it would cost in Canada) on a car again. I did that last summer when I bought a used Panamera and I've regretted every day since. Insurance is insane, I feel it's too expensive/nice to drive, and it sits in my garage unless I'm going out to dinner or want to show it off. I might put it in a luxury car auction this summer when the market is better so I would just feel bad if I bought another car of similar worth.

It's why I'm avoiding Mercedes and probably won't buy a Boxster. Can't spend that kind of money. Especially if I have another poor year at work.

This post was edited by Caedus on Apr 21 2014 03:35pm

bmw e93 330i / 335i

S5