Suggestion - Luxury Car with Some Pep but Foremost Safety $75k- $150k

I have a family member in the market.

Profile, not a great driver nor technically savvy so main want is safety. I'm finding it hard to get a grip on ranking the brands and models in terms of safety. Many cars are all 5 star and on ANCAP some models were reviewed in earlier years such as Merc C class in 2014 but not updated. Looking for class leaders, best safety.

Other wants. Luxury brand. " feeling of this is a really good car"

They have previously coupe ish size cars. Maybe I should sway them into a little bit bigger car?

Comments

  • +54

    not a great driver nor technically savvy so main want is safety

    Is that so when they crash into other people in their overpowered luxury car that they can't drive, at least they'll be ok?

    Buy a regular car without "pep", invest the rest in some driving lessons.

  • +33

    Profile, not a great driver

    maybe do some advanced driving courses before you buy something that will get you in more shit.

    • +4

      and some comprehensive insurance atleast

  • +37

    Maybe show them how to use Uber and just use uberBlack and spare us all?

    • +10

      (as a Rider/Passenger) not a Driver. lol

      • LOL nice one ;)

  • +16

    Tesla model 3. They won't know what hit 'em.

    • +2

      Not very luxurious though.

      • So model S then?

    • Bad driver! Other than bublic transport and rideshare like Uber Black it narrows down to Volvo ONLY!!

      • Some of the new cars for a bunch of marques (like Kia) etc have great safety features.

    • +1

      You mean the shit driver or the shit AI?

  • +32

    They can’t drive
    Wants something with “pep”
    Wants a luxury brand
    Maybe a bigger car

    This is a troll thread, right?

    • +14

      nah just an asian lady looking for a car im assuming, it fits the profile

      • +5

        the unofficial rule is: the smaller the asian lady, the bigger the 4wd. assume none know any road rules.

      • +1

        Lol dunno how you weren't negged to an inch of your life for that comment in OzB…

    • +5

      I know plenty of people like this. They want people to think they have taste and money, normally they buy the lowest end/old German cars.

      The sad thing is it works on most people who don't know about cars.

      • +6

        Once upon a time they drove Accords with gold badges.

      • +1

        they buy the the lowest end/old German cars

        At least they are usually slower, so there is a better chance of getting past them on the straights, if not corners.

        Not saying this is OP's family member, but generally speaking, I do note many who want some "pep" to go with the "badge cred", but actually drive crap, must get in front of everyone else on the straights, before blocking everyone else at the corners by doing them at say less than 20km/h - whilst taking half (or more!) of the inside lane, as if they are driving some road train! Zero care factor for others.

        The ones who think they are great drivers, would tend to do the same at the same corners - just at a higher speed.

        Bonus achievement points unlocked for doing their very best to interrupt traffic flow by insisting on cutting in front other drivers at the last second before turning off - without the matching speed to start off with!

      • “ They want people to think they have taste and money, normally they buy the lowest end/old German cars.”

        … and never service them because they really can’t afford them.

  • +5

    Have you considered taking public transport instead?

    • +4

      You mean those stretch limos with a chauffeur, with their own lanes on some city streets….

  • Unfortunately it's a serious post guys. Im trying to influence them into a more sensible choice.

    • +12

      Get them to ask on Australia's foremost bargain site.

      • +27

        nah we "ask for friend" here, thats how we roll

    • +27

      Honestly,

      • Luxury cars are not necessarily safer.
      • A luxury car in that price range is likely to also have a more powerful engine that would make a shit driver able to crash into things faster.
      • They are going to have way more tech and buttons in them that would badly distract an already shit driver.
      • There is a perception amonst said shit drivers in their overpowered luxury car that they have carte blanche rights to do whatever without consequence.
      • I have no time for shit drivers.
      • +13

        There is a perception amonst said shit drivers in their overpowered luxury car that they have carte blanche rights to do whatever without consequence.

        I actually think this is confirmation bias. I do see bad drivers in luxury cars, but when I started paying attention, I saw a much greater number of bad drivers in any other car. Falcadores, utes, taxis, vans, even grannies in corollas. But because it's the in thing to hate on people with luxury cars, people only tend to remember the times when they see a driver in a luxury car being stupid.

        • +2

          And you remember the bad drivers in Falcadores, utes, taxis etc displaying your own bias.

          • +4

            @Euphemistic:

            And you remember the bad drivers in Falcadores, utes, taxis etc displaying your own bias.

            You clearly ignored my second sentence where I said I also see bad drivers in luxury cars (and "any other car"), displaying your own bias. :)

            Here's a interesting observation. If you're not familiar with Dashcam Owners Australia, it's a Facebook page where dashcam owners submit videos of stupid things drivers do. They have a YouTube channel where they post videos and compilations. While it's not a scientific survey, it's interesting to see how many bad drivers drive luxury cars vs "normal" cars.

        • +2

          It's the tall poppy syndrome in Australia, it's alive and well. So much jealousy from people who drive crap cars.

          • -4

            @The-Kremlin: What is this, the 90s? Only boomers boosts their ego with wheels.

            • +2

              @raptormesh: While there's undoubtedly a lot of people who buy luxury cars too boost their ego, I'm quite certain it isn't everyone - just like how some people love their blue Corolla but would never buy a pink one. It's just personal preference. Some people like the design and the nice interior along with the quality trim and even things like how the switches sound and feel. Or the performance or sound of an AMG.

              It's the same with phones. Some people buy iPhones because they're expensive and a status symbol, while others buy it simply because they like the UI, OS, or physical design of them.

            • -2

              @raptormesh: Maybe more expensive cars have better tech, better comfort, more safety features, look better and feel better? Maybe?

              Just because some people can't afford nice cars (or nice anything for that matter) doesn't mean they should project their hate/jealousy at those who can.

              Maybe they should work harder/smarter to have more choices in life.

          • @The-Kremlin:

            So much jealousy from people who drive crap cars.

            Nah, I have no desire whatsoever to drive a Prosche Cayenne or Macan, but every single time I see one on the road they drive like a moron.

            I've occasionally seen a Merc or a BMW drive in a courteous manner (the 5% who bought the blinker option). Even had a Maserati on the weekend who left a nice gap for me to merge. Never seen a Porsche SUV be anything but a jerk.

    • +1

      Serious? Buy them an uber subscription and save the rest of us!

    • Yeah, but with out shape, seats and a few other key details we would be spewing useless advice.

      • -1

        The Leftards keep running empty busses and there is always room for a bad driver. No need to endanger the rest!

        • -1

          Leftards?

          You mean capitalists. You make your workers income tax pay to run buses to reduce commute costs to reduce the wages you need to pay workers while increasing your potential work force, further putting downward pressure on wages. Win win.

          The only thing more capitalistic would be importing workers and creating special awards to pay those workers less than minimum wage while again putting downward pressure on domestic labour.

          That or payment in company store credit…

  • +3

    about 160k will get you a mercedes c63 amg 4.0lt V8 @ 375 kw

    Mmmmm european leather smell

    • +5

      Did you miss the "they're a shit driver" part?

      • shit drivers drive all sorts of cars, at least this the driver can get ahead of the line of all the other shit drivers on the road

      • +4

        They're actually on to something, most shit drivers do seem to gravitate towards some kind of AMG if they can afford it.

    • -1
      • +3

        because it doesn't fall into the budget.

  • +13

    judgement aside, Volvo XC90 should tick your boxes.

    • +9

      Or a XC60 given their shitty driver status, so they've got less heft when trying dodge obstacles.

      • Funny you say that, Friday afternoon driving home I was tailing a XC60 driver who was on a highway left lane driving at 82km/h indicating left to exit at the "1km to exit sign" and tapping the brakes every 5 seconds……

        What a mess

        • These tards comes in all sizes and shapes and sorts of cars.

          I reckon they probably work for DBA, Bendix or another brake manufacturer as their brakes would be wearing at quite a rate.

        • Probably tailgating them so they decided to be a dick about it and keep you on your toes lolll…

  • +1

    Normally I would recommend a Toyota but with that budget get a real Toyota.

    I suggest a lexus nx300h

  • Camry and bank the change.

  • +10

    Hmmm …

    Not a great driver.

    Wants a luxury car with some pep.

    "Little bit bigger car".

    Basically looking to buy a tank to protect themselves, without giving a sh!t about anyone else.

    OP … please advise where said family member lives and I'll be sure to avoid the area at all costs.

    • where said family member lives

      I'm thinking Chatswood.
      Also vividly recalling an old Jon & Al Kaplan satirical number. Lyrics include:
      If you wanna survive the ride, you better open your eyes

      • +1

        I would have thought Box Hill, Victoria or Sunnybank, QLD

        • Possibly.
          Just because OP has selected Sydney as location, doesn't mean they, or their relative actually are.

          So I'll revise and expand.

          1. Chatswood
          2. Eastwood
          3. Cherrybrook
  • I think any car that cost over $75k will have some prep (I'm not taking about full 4WDs such as the Toyota Prado or LC70).

    Even around the $50k mark, I've never said to myself that gee this car is slow. In the past that was different, i.e. 1998 BMW 318i which was about $60 new…. now, that car was slow.

    So I think all cars $50k will have some prep, and I'm assuming because they aren't a good driver, will feel fast to them.

    For safety, I'd check out the Volvo S60 T5. AWD, 184kW and 350Nm. https://www.caradvice.com.au/754529/2019-volvo-s60-t5-review…

    You could pick up a dealer demo for around $50k drive away, cheap because not many people buy sedans anymore.

    Unlikely to find much more safer cars in the real world than a Volvo. They don't just try to design their cars to pass the safety test.

    Good thing about Volvo is they really research safety and it shows. The Volvo accident team will attend large accidents in Gothenburg, Sweden (Volvo HQ) involving a Volvo to document the accident and see how they can improve the next model.

    • I got way more annoyed than rationally I should that you kept saying "prep" instead of the correct "pep"!

      • Prep, pep… tomato, tomato.. haha

        I'll forgive you for being irrationally annoyed. It's been a tough 2020.

  • +11

    Has this stopped being a bargain site and just become a dumping ground for humble bragging??

    Get a Tesla Model S.

    • +4

      Yep. I think my next thread will ask about wether BMW X5 is better than Q7 for ‘my friend’

      • +4

        the answer in no.

        • off topic, but apart from being more spacious, what makes Q7 better? genuine question!

      • Why not the X7? it's more exoensive.

        • Still deciding wether Merc is worth it TBH. After all I need the best resale value.

  • +2

    I can see this turning into one of those stories where the driver hits the accelerator instead of the brake and drives into a shop

  • A Lexus. Or otherwise a BMw or Mercedes if it's to flex.

  • +3

    What is pep? Is it referring to power? why can't you just use the word power? or does pep mean something else?

  • That's a huge price range, narrow it down.

    Any car in that price range is going to be plenty safe, is this person planning to have an accident?

  • -1

    Mercedes

  • +2

    I'd get Model 3 Performance with white leather interior
    - around $117k drive-away in NSW (with all the options)
    - electric, so instant torque from 0, at all speeds
    - 3.2s to 100km/h
    - free over-the-air updates, new features every month or so
    - unmatched entertainment (Netflix, Youtube, Twitch etc., on 15" screen with surround sound)
    - self driving on freeways in Australia (beta self driving on city streets being tested in USA right now)

    If you can stretch your budget, I'd get Model S P100DL, compared:
    - $171 drive-away in NSW, without FSD option
    - all of the above plus
    - bigger than 3, more lux and comfy inside
    - adaptive and configurable air suspension
    - 2.5s to 100km/h, may be useful if you happen to be drag racing against a Bugatting Veyron or something like that.

    Nothing else even comes close.

    • +1

      Both cars are safest on the market you can get, primarily because of massive crumple zones due to lack of engine at the front (the whole bonnet is a crumple zone)

      • -2

        The Mercedes CLA is safer
        https://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-gallery/releases/top-perf…

        And the Tesla might not be the safest if you are using auto pilot
        https://www.thedrive.com/news/33789/autopilot-blamed-for-tes…

        • +3

          Autopilot appears to be almost10 times as safe as human drivers.

          From: https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/VehicleSafetyReport?redirect=no
          "In the 3rd quarter (2020), we registered one accident for every 4.59 million miles driven in which drivers had Autopilot engaged. For those driving without Autopilot but with our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 2.42 million miles driven. For those driving without Autopilot and without our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 1.79 million miles driven. By comparison, NHTSA’s most recent data shows that in the United States there is an automobile crash every 479,000 miles."

          • +1

            @andyholloway: Hmm but is that considering where people use the autopilot? Probably less likely on particularly dangerous roads.

            Although, that said, I'm sure it is still safer than a human driver (humans suck).

    • +1

      oh, also Model S and X have HEPA air filtration with filter 10x bigger than any other car on the market.

    • +4

      while the model 3 performance is my personal choice, i would not recommend it as a luxury car at all, idk if they fixed the quality control issues with panel gaps and shitty flacking paint and bad window alignment and a few other issues, (which were present even in 2020 models) if the owner wants true luxury the new gv80 from genesis is an absolute gem

      • +1

        Tesla will fix QC issues like that after you pick the car up. It's definitely an inconvenience having to get them to fix issues that shouldn't be there, but at least they're aware of it and will fix it. Could be worth the hassle for the fun of a performant electric car.

        • +2

          not what ive heard, search telsa model 3 quality issue on youtube, there is a guy who documents his visits to telsa, and they keep toying around or they didnt even fix it properly. forgot the title something along the lines of regretting my model 3 purchase

          • +2

            @striker5950: Hmm, maybe different locations are different. Two of my friends who bought Teslas brought them back shortly after picking them up to get them to fix the panel gaps and paint and various other things. The showroom people were fully aware of the QC issues and had no qualms whatsoever about fixing them.

            Of course some things cannot be 100% perfect, so it's a bit of a lottery. But after going for a drive in my friend's dual motor Model 3, I think I can live with some minor cosmetic issues as the driving experience is very different to a petrol engine.

            Also don't forget that videos on youtube are like online reviews, so they have to be taken in perspective. If Tesla sells 200,000 cars and 20% have QC issues, you will definitely hear about the issues from the 40,000 unhappy customers. Meanwhile the remaining 160,000 perfectly happy customers have no complaints so they don't bother making multiple youtube videos just to say "everything is fine, the car is great!". As a result you'll likely see far more complaint videos for every positive video simply because people who are satisfied have nothing to make videos about.

            • @eug: yeh thats my point, %20 percent defect rate is unacceptable if the price was 20k a pop let alone 75k-120k i personally dont think im ready to part ways with a 100k with a car that has body panel gap issues and bad paint, industry standard defect rate is %3 mate. the fact that you get much much better quality paint and paerfect panel gaps on a 25k jap ecobox. its unacceptable for tesla to charge that much and not even match the quality of a 20k-30k jap car.. i believe the problem with their paint is that its too thin or not enough paint coverage and clear coats. you wont belive how discusted i was when the guy was doing the QC control review in a youtube vidoe, he showed below the car, (near the wheel arch or a 2019 model that did not have enough paint on it LOL and the metal was showing wtf lol)

              i love tesla, i love elon and what he is doing, i love the idea of electric cars, yes they are the future , but they got a long way to go in QC still to this date, i think they will sort it out in a few years. than ill be ready to buy

              • +1

                @striker5950:

                yeh thats my point, %20 percent defect rate is unacceptable if the price was 20k a pop let alone 75k-120k

                Oh definitely, 20% (a figure i made up) would be unacceptable. But they do fix those issues, so in the end you get a car with minor defects if any. Ideally there really should be no defects, but when you look at it as a whole, clearly lots of people think having minor cosmetic defects are worth it for what you get in return - the very different driving experience and the low cost of recharging at home with your solar panels (or even with your home mains).

                the fact that you get much much better quality paint and paerfect panel gaps on a 25k jap ecobox.

                Sure. But you get a crap driving experience in comparison. I'd rather have a good driving experience with minor cosmetic issues than a crap driving experience with perfect paint. I'll be spending 99% of my time with the car driving it after all, not looking at it from the outside.

                i believe the problem with their paint is that its too thin or not enough paint coverage and clear coats.

                They're also probably rushing too much to get as many out the door as possible!

                • @eug: i rather have good driving experience, and good paint and panel gaps, so you go ahead and buy. ill wait

                  • @striker5950:

                    i rather have good driving experience, and good paint and panel gaps, so you go ahead and buy. ill wait

                    If you can wait, there's no reason to buy one now. You will miss out on the better driving experience while you wait a few years, but if you can wait, just wait. You should just recognize that every car has issues, so everyone is compromising in some way with any car.

                    Just how good are the panel gaps on Mercedes and BMW anyway?

            • @eug:

              The showroom people were fully aware of the QC issues and had no qualms whatsoever about fixing them.

              Why didn't they fix them before despatch from the factory, or delivery to the customer? It's a bit silly that you buy a new car and have to run your own QA process over it.

              • +1

                @abb: exactly my point, it does not leave a good impression, the new refreshed model is reported to not have panel gaps, but i just saw a forum post about the new ones also having the panel gap issue and paint has some dirt in the clear coat

              • @abb:

                Why didn't they fix them before despatch from the factory, or delivery to the customer?

                I think it's because they're rushing production too much.

                It's a bit silly that you buy a new car and have to run your own QA process over it.

                Yup. But they're still selling really well. So clearly lots of people aren't bothered by little inconveniences like that.

      • Nah mate. Old news. The first 2019 batch had most problems. The ones delivered in 2020 either have nothing, or if you notice anything they’ll fix it up for you within warranty period. No need for pickup checklists etc. just open up the app, attach photos and schedule a free repair.

        Every model and manufacturer in earth has panel gaps and problems in early models. Given that Tesla is technically a startup given their age, the cars are amazingly well built.

        Paint? I have the shitty vanila white and it holds well. For poor roads you want to have PPF regardless of what car you’d have. Squeaks at window seals? All cars with frameless windows have that, the fix is trivial. Door alignment? There’s 2 hex screws at the loop if you want to do it yourself or schedule it with them. Panel gaps - all covered.

        • its been 10 years, no longer a startup. also no not every car manufacturer has panel gaps, lets look at the best seller, toyota/lexus you be hard-pressed to find any panel gap or paint issues with their lowest range let alone their high end models. yall think im hating on tesla, no i want one so bad, right after they sort their shit out of course. when there is no more quality issues.

          • +1

            @striker5950:

            yall think im hating on tesla, no i want one so bad, right after they sort their shit out of course. when there is no more quality issues.

            Mmm, you might be missing the forest for the trees.

            Check out this Model 3, it gives you Ferrari performance for 1/2 the price!
            But the paint isn't great and there are panel gaps

            It has excellent driving aids to make driving less fatiguing.
            But the paint and panel gaps..

            It is really cheap to run, especially if you have solar at home. And you'll never have to think about the petrol price cycle again.
            But what about those panel gaps?

            There is no annual maintenance required as there are no spark plugs, engine oil and filter, belts, coolant, etc. No dealers to gouge you.
            Yes but there are panel gaps.

            The infotainment system is fully integrated with your phone so you can monitor and control the car remotely, look up driving directions on Google Maps, play music from Spotify, etc
            The panel gaps are quite large.

            The panel gaps can be fixed for free if you bring it back to the dealer.
            But the paint is thin in some areas.

            Don't buy white, or add $1k to the $70k cost for a paint protection film.
            But there are panel gaps….

            Just a light-hearted observation. I don't have one myself, but can understand why so many people like them. :)

            • +1

              @eug: but it flies
              bad paint and panel gaps, on a 100k car, NO

              • +1

                @striker5950:

                bad paint and panel gaps, on a 100k car, NO

                The panel gaps can be fixed for free if you bring it back to the dealer.

                It also really looks like you thinking all teslas have bad paint is the result of you only watching videos and reading complaints by people with bad paint, while not thinking about the cars with good paint because those owners aren't making videos or posting comments saying "my paint is fine". People complain more than they praise so you need to look at comments and videos in perspective.

                • @eug: there shouldn't be such issue to begin with for the amount they are charging and to have it go on for this long is unacceptable, this shit would be sorted with in a month if it was a jap company where they find an alignment issue with the robots installing the panels, why even sell it if it has panel gaps and than expect the customer to go get it fixed, which is not really fixed to perfection in most cases as documented on the forums and YouTube videos. you dont see a video about a lexus costing half the price going in to get panel gaps fixed..

                  • +2

                    @striker5950:

                    there shouldn't be such issue to begin with for the amount they are charging and to have it go on for this long is unacceptable

                    Sure. But looking at their sales numbers, clearly lots of people don't mind the inconvenience. There are of course lots of people like you who do mind which is totally fine, they just have to wait till Tesla gets their QC act together. Just keep in mind some people care less about things that you might care a lot more about.

                    you dont see a video about a lexus costing half the price going in to get panel gaps fixed..

                    Sure, because a Lexus is a traditional car that doesn't drum up as much excitement. It doesn't mean Lexus cars do not have panel gaps. It just means people aren't as interested in the panel gaps on a Lexus because traditional cars aren't that interesting in comparison.

                    You should keep things in perspective especially when it comes to high-profile things like Teslas. YouTube is a platform for content creators to make money from ad revenue. It is also a platform where views and subscriber counts are hugely important. That means the vast majority of content creators will create videos that will get people to click on them, as that's how they make money.

                    A high-profile item like a Tesla will attract far more attention than traditional cars, so people will post more videos about every little issue relating to it. It doesn't mean traditional cars don't have issues, it's just that fewer people are interested in watching a video about panel gaps on someone's new Lexus IS than a more interesting Tesla.

  • +1

    Skoda superb 206 4x4 and pocket the change.

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