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

    • I love the Superb wagon and the Kodiaq. The Karoq is also a good mid size vehicle that the OP should look at.

      • +1

        They are nice enough, but the interior materials are not up to luxury standard. Safe, enough pep (in the Superb 206), good driving aides… But the interior quality let's it down, particularly the chromed plastic trim which is rubbish in my experience.

    • you can get a volvo v60 for that price. Much nicer car

  • Reasonable question and good work for putting up with all the fun above.

    Based on your information above I would suggest to have a look at some of the premium vehicles. Tesla model 3 is a good safety option though a bit technical as everything is controlled by a screen which could be a distraction issue.

    They may be better off with a little bit extra height, with all the SUVs on the road stepping up a bit in size does help with road visibility. Cars like the Mercedes GLA and the BMW X1 and X2 would be worth looking at. The next step in size would be a mid size vehicle like the BMW X3 or Mercedes GLC. Lexus, Audi, VW and Skoda would also have a model in the range.

    Look for safety features like lane assist, active emergency braking and active cruise control. I would not buy a vehicle in 2020 with out these features.

    Heads up display and parking assist are also good features though not essential. I also like the 360 degree cameras now found on some models. BMW are releasing the option on some vehicles to open and start your vehicle with your iPhone which sound a great (if gimmicky) option to not have to worry about keys.

    I know I have suggested premium brands, but at the end of the day they are the first to introduce many active safety features. Also, with city driving it would likely be best to get a petrol engine vehicle without going in to details, diesel has issues if you are not doing big drives to get the particulate filters hot enough. The latest petrol engines are very efficient and the best option for most people.

    Good luck.

    • +1

      Agree. I've read through all the standard replies. I do get it. OP appears to be a douche wanting a large car to protect themselves, f*@k everyone else.

      However, being recently in the market and test driving a few, you can basically get any large euro X3, X5, X7, Q5, Q7, GLC, GLE and tick all the safety/automation options. These cars are almost uncrashable now. Leave all the driver aids on and try and hit something, it's very difficult. You can't change lanes into another car, you can't run up the back of another car, you can't reverse into anything (or even swing wide into a pole while reversing). They simply take over and prevent this. They will all even reverse or parallel park themselves properly with the push of a button.

      • +1

        Uncrashable?

        That's what they said about the Titanic (unsinkable).

        You underestimate the power of morons.

        • Plus dodgy driving test examiners passing those who shouldn't drive.

      • +1

        You could say the same thing about all SUV drivers. They are far more likely to kill people in cars than cars are likely to kill people in suvs.

        "While the laws of physics dictate that in a crash between mismatched vehicles, the lighter one takes the brunt of the impact, this study shows just how unequal the contest is.
        In car vs. SUV head-on crashes, the study found that the odds of death were 7.6 times higher for the car driver than the SUV driver. In crashes where the car had a better front crash-test rating than the SUV did, the car's driver fared a bit better but was still four and a half times more likely to die than the SUV driver."

        https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/05/suvs-are-sa…

      • nice and pretty reliable too. x3 and x5 with the b58 seem nice.

  • +4

    the new genesis gv80 top spec with luxury package option, its 129k drive away. baby Bentley bentayga

  • Check out the genesis range. Has all the new safety / autonomous driving features. Look neat, have pep and are affordable.

    I don't understand what you were saying in the OP but the cars with a safety rating of 5 in 2014 are only a 2.5 or 3 now, with the new autonomous features being the new standard required for 4 and 5 ratings.

  • +1

    I have a family member in the market.

    My mother’s only child

    On a serious note, if you want some Pep you could go to Man City

  • +2

    Luxury cars feel expensive but you don't buy a luxury car for the quality. They all become money sinks after warranty runs out.

    • +1

      I used to hear this all the time, but I have found that, provided you regularly service it and don't thrash the bejesus out of it all the time (like so many do), you don't get issues… well, I haven't had any anyway.

      That said, servicing is a bit more expensive at times like when brakes need changing because they change discs, pads, sensors and everything but all in all, I have to say the servicing isn't anymore than other cars (if you stay away from the dealership) and quality is there. Better brakes, better build quality, better handling, more power, more refined experience, mod cons even the paint is super thick compared to other cars.

      I just don't know if it's because people buy these cars and then can't afford to service them/use the right parts, tyres, etc. or they genuinely get issues.

      • +1

        Most companies offer servicing packages now. For example with Skoda and BMW you can pre-purchase 3-5 years of servicing. Usually at a discounted rate. This way you know exactly what the cost would be.

        Servicing cost are a lot better nowadays as they have figured out good pre-paid servicing packages helps with customer retention and therefore future car sales.

        • This is also true. Mercedes also have this option now.

      • I just don't know if it's because people buy these cars and then can't afford to service them/use the right parts, tyres, etc. or they genuinely get issues.

        People can't afford luxury cars and they buy problematic old models like the 1.8t a4 and then complain. LOL.

        some luxury car diesel engines are bulletproof like the n57

  • +2

    Volvo v90 t6 or the volvo v60 t6 are very nice wagons. If you want German , I'd say the x3 m40i , 540i or 340i

    • Everyone I know who owns a Volvo, loves them.

      There must be something to that. Nobody I know gets any issues with them and they are a very nice drive too.

      • oops , I meant the t5. It should be reliable with only the turbo.

        Volvo interiors are very nice for the money. A volvo v60 is around 60k. The interior absolutely surpasses other cars like the c class or a4. Safety is there too , extremely ergonomic seats and well setup AWD syste. For 60k , it's even a better buy than a Golf R

        • Yep. Couldn't agree more.

          Volvo make excellent cars as well.

          • @imurgod: yep. the pricing is right. Below luxury cars but above econoboxes. If you don't need luxury , the camry hybrid drivetrain is buttery smooth for ~35k

  • +1

    Its not a luxury brand but its close… Toyota Land Cruiser 2000 Sahara with Bull bar is a solid car you can add more accessories like sensors for added safety.

    Or you can go the the Lexus alternative LX series which is a Landcruiser with the Luxury brand logo probably a higher priced model just due to the luxury title.

    • +2

      there is no denying that the landcruiserr and the LX are some of the best cars ever built, but im bored of toyota for keeping a car design for 15 years. thats why i have given up and moved on from recommending them. if im going to live in the dirt farm or some other offroad area there is no other car id rather get than a landcruiser. the OP is looking for a luxury SUV in the line of germans i assume, but genesis id take over all the german offerings currently, check this video out genesis gv80 vs Bentley Bentayga (made by the same designer)
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhIL7Y2zyS4&ab_channel=Throt…

  • +2

    Buy a hybrid. Will give some pep from 0-40.

  • +2

    my friend has an ozbargain account, but they asked if i could reply to this thread, on their behalf, using my account, so here goes:

    obvious brag is obvious, $150k is nothing on ozbargain these days. i would have set the minimum price to $200k to at least look like your serious

    • +3

      Is it you that doesn't know the proper use of your and you're, or your friend?

    • $150K isn't really that much of a stretch for a car these days.

      Drive in pretty much any suburb in inner-Sydney and you'll find that high end cars are common.

      Just in the line of cars picking up kids from my kids primary school, you'll find everything from AMG to Maserati to McLaren and heaps of Porsche and Alfa Giulia. I mean they are the vast majority.

      Anyone even mildly successful has a car worth $150K+ nowadays.

      The aspiration is to own an exotic or a rare exotic. I have my eye on a lovely 1987 Ferrari F40. I know one open to offers over $2.5M if anyone is keen.

      • yep. upper middle class vehicles or toorak tractors. Mostly Range Rover sport , GLE63, X5m/X6m , Touareg, Q7 , Cayenne and Macan. Richfags GTFIH

      • BTW , St Aloysius?

  • +1

    wait for the new lexus IS, to be released soon. should be a cracker

    • It's good but not a cracker in anyway!

  • +1

    Lexus RC line

  • +1

    How about a reasonably sized car, with a safety pack (a car today vs 20 years ago is in another league in every way)…

    Then donate some money to Fred hollows and give a whole bunch of underpriviliged men, women and children in poorer nations their sight back.

    A decent all-round car, with a good warranty, some good feels for Christmas and hey, who knows maybe they'll gain karma points.

  • +1

    Get a Merc with lane keeping and auto stop. So you don’t need to worry about this driver hitting someone or something head on because the car brakes and fully stop for you.

    Lane keeping and side radar will also avoid this shitty driver to hit the cars on the side. It’s bloody annoying feature for competent drivers, so I turned mine off but I am pretty sure for shit drivers it’s great so they won’t hit anyone side way but of course they can still be hit by other shitty drivers on the road.

  • +1

    "Not a great driver"

    Get a Toyota Camry, you'll fit right in with the demographic.

    • Asians in my area drive Mercedes and BMW and Porsches

  • +1

    Jeez, just answer the question. Why is it ozbargain posters come into every thread with persnickety negativity.

  • -1

    Bunch of losers with nothing better to do with your time. Plebs.

  • Honda Jazz

  • +4

    Porsche Macan

    • +1

      exactly! Came to say Porsche Macan S or GTS. However if they want creature comforts the bill will run up pretty quick as the options are many and pricey.

      if that's an issue go for the Merc GLC43 - lots of good stuff straight out of the box. After that I would consider BMW X3M then Audi SQ5. All in the same size/price class.

  • -4

    Every model is different but my take is as follows:
    - Lexus = boring and slow (although latest models aren't too bad)
    - BMW = not bad and M series great
    - Mercedes = excellent and latest models look and perform fantastic
    - Audi = just plain awesome. Perfect mix of prestige and performance
    - Toyota = you must be kidding me. Rest of the world laughs at our Toyota fanbois in this country.

    • Lexus is slow? Youve just proven yourself to be a keyboard warrior who hasnt driven any of the cars you just listed.

  • Lexus Hybrid

  • I never knew what pep was until this thread, wish it had stayed that way

  • Op thread part 2. Suggested car had too much pep and is now a write off and insurance won't cover costs thoughts?

  • +1

    not a great driver..you gotta be kidding me lol get off the road!

  • If the driver is terrible, then get driver and all passengers to wear helmets when car is moving ha ha ha ha

  • +1

    Have a look at the latest Genesis. They are Hyundais Luxury brand. They have all the tech and luxury of a 200k for about 100k with spec up engine. They also do nice things like pick up the car from the house for services

  • not a great driver nor technically savvy

    Lol. Put these "drivers" into a defensive driving course and then have them undertake a series of driving lessons so they first become a decent driver.

    Until then though, 06 camry you troll.

  • If you have a high yield investment in mind, $80k ought to be enough for anyone.

  • Serioulsy, if the Kia Teluride 2021 was sold in Australia - that is the car I would recommend and probably get one myself.

    Here's the USA spec version

    https://www.kia.com/us/en/telluride/gallery.exterior

    • it's so ugly. looks bloated

      • hehe guess we are all different

        to me, it's like a copy of the Rolls Royce Cullinan at a tenth of the price ;)

        • It just seems unnecessary to look so bloated. The Cullinan is bloated because it is a really heavy car with the v12. But the Telluride isn't that heavy running the v6. It should be sleeker like the GLE coupe

        • Bahaha it’s more Escalade than Cullinan. Right down to the styling cues.

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