Cars to consider for around $600 - $800 /month

Ask the Hackrs
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1

I’ve been doing some research on several cars in the past couple of weeks at Edmunds/hackr. This is going to be my first car and I would like a few suggestions from the hackrs themselves. I want to get a 4 door sedan that is little bit of sporty and also comfortable to use as daily. The very first car that I narrowed down was the 2019 Audi S5 Sportback but unfortunately, after some research, I found that Audis don’t lease well and I started looking for other cars in the similar price/performance range.

The cars that I’ve found and liked so far are

  1. 2019 Audi S5 Sportback - The primary car that I have in my mind. Took it for a test drive and loved the feeling that I had throughout the drive. Loved the interiors and the design of the car in general. Everything positive except the fact that it leases bad (That is what I believe currently).

  2. 2018 BMW M3 Competition - I do know that this car is in a higher range compared to the S5 but the 2018 models are being leased well directly from the website and I feel I could get a few % discount by talking to a dealer directly. Haven’t taken it for a test but I have a feeling that I won’t be disappointed.

  3. Mercedes Benz AMG C43 - I added this car to my list very recently and I really liked it until I found that the infotainment system doesn’t have a touchscreen. I understand people feel very differently about touchscreens but for me, having a touchscreen is a very desirable feature and the lack of one in the Merc is the only part that I hate about this 4 door beauty. Haven’t taken it for a test drive yet.

  4. Audi S4 - The only reason that I’ve added this car to the list is because it leases well when compared to the S5. I haven’t taken this for a test drive yet, but I didn’t get a ‘wow’ feeling when I sat inside the car ( I did get that feeling with the S5 ). I’m still looking to test drive this before coming to conclusion.

  5. 2019 BMW M340i - I don’t have much info on this car as it isn’t out in the market yet. I saw one leasehackr post about a pre-order lease for the car and I think it fell in my price range.

Cars that I removed from my list:

  1. 2019 Audi RS3 - I had RS3 in my mind initially but removed it after finding that only very few cars are already present and they would lease worse than S5.

  2. 2019 BMW 330i - My friend recently leased this car and gave a positive feedback. I took this for a test drive and I did not really get any great vibes from the car. I did not get a feeling that I was driving a semi luxury/sporty car so I decided this car might not be it for me.

I plan to take the car sometime in May and around 3-4 dealers asked me to contact them close to that time regarding the numbers. I wanted to do extensive research before taking it to dealers. Could you guys suggest few other cars in this range that would lease well and if my assumptions about the above cars are wrong? Also, could you guys point me to dealers who are good internet sales persons in the California region?

P.S - I spoke to a dealer at Irvine BMW about the 2018 M3 when I went for test driving the 330i. I discussed about the internet talk that BMW is going to stop lease support by March 2019. He gave me a look as if I told him something stupid. He went on like ‘That’s BS. Why the hell would they stop lease support on this baby!’. I’m confused and don’t know what to make of it.

Also, I’m not into muscle cars so please don’t suggest them.

Thank you so much in advance. Sorry for the long post.

2

I test drove one and it is way underwhelming for the price point. A pinch better than what I had at the time, a 428x drive GC, which leased for significantly less but when they hit me with numbers for the A5 they were clown numbers.

3

Will probably impress you more than an S4 on a test drive but be much less optimal as a daily

4

This is going to be your first new car? Or first leased car? Or literally first car ever? If first car ever, I wouldn’t recommend any of those on your list.

1 Like
5

This is going to be the first car that I’m going to get for myself ever. I’m 24 and I just graduated from a Master’s. I’ve taken a lot of rental cars both for long drives and short city drives. So far I did not have the need for a car so did not get one. With this info, do you still think these cars won’t be good for the first car? Also any reasons why that is the case?

6

Is it because of the mileage?

7

What car did you go with then?

8

I am sure it was not a Masters in finance or economics or even math?

4 Likes
9

Lol…you guys are rough.

3 Likes
10

Getting into a near 60k dollar car right out of college with a graduate degree probably isn’t the best first car purchase.

Are you interested in appearances and putting on a “look at me, I’m successful and made it” type of look? Do you care what other people think of what you drive?

There’s honestly no good reason why you shouldn’t get the cars if you can afford it. 600 to 800 dollars a month is a lot for a first car, though. Specifically when you’re just starting your life and career.

I would say if you have a job, can afford a roof over your head, the insurance premiums you’ll be paying, and food… then go for the S4.

3 Likes
11

I would ask about the guys finances before I lecture him, only thing you know is he just graduated.

12

That’s why I suggested getting the S4 from the bunch. He specifically stated he’s looking for 600 to 800 a month on a lease. I’m assuming he has everything else figured out since 600 to 800 a month is really nothing to scoff at and underestimate.

13

I agree with this answer…
I would add that I still consider you a new driver.
New drivers smack up cars…
These are performance cars you’re considering.

14

Well there are two kinds of beliefs. Invest the money you have and save up for the future. And life your life the way you want. I’ve waited long enough, I have worked before, quit it and finished my post graduate. I’m just not a fresh out of campus guy who doesn’t know what it’s like to throw money out. I’ve been there and learned. I’m asking this question because I can afford them. Not just because they’re fancy and I like to showoff.

15

And congrats on your Masters!

16

I agree with this. But I have been driving cars for the past 8 years. Just not so as a daily driver.

17

Isn’t graduation sometime in May?

18

Thank you bro (y)

19

I’m definitely considering the s4. I’ll take it for a drive and see how it feels like behind the wheel.

20

It might not be as dialed in as some of the more extreme models in the segment, but it’s a refined driving experience, ha great power, and cannot stress the massaging seats enough.