The intent is always to enlighten you that luxury is closer than you think so here the comparison is between the very popular Nissan Maxima sedan versus the tried and true BMW 5 Series sport sedan. Some argue that BMW owns this category of sedan and it has clearly been one of the gateway drugs for many to the driving experience its marketing tag line claims, “the ultimate driving machine”.
The Maxima is not without it’s own esteemed heritage and has been around for as long as I can remember. It’s always been positioned as a fun car to drive and has had a cute marketing tag line of its own, known as the “four door sports car”. Some argue the concept of a four-door sports car but it’s essentially a vehicle that has dual personalities. If you’ve yearned for a sports car but just haven’t been able for whatever reason a sports sedan is a nice alternative.
What’s interesting is a nicely equipped Nissan Maxima now approaches $40,000.00 new. It might not live up to the sports car performance claim to some but at that price it is clearly in the luxury zone and there are several alternatives both new and pre-owned for that kind of coin.
Here’s a brief summation of the Nissan Maxima sedan described in simplest terms:
The Maxima is a front wheel drive four-door sedan with a hearty six-cylinder engine that delivers more than adequate power for most with competent driving dynamics. It features distinct styling that separates it from the pact and is no small sedan. The interior is impressive as it certainly has elements of luxury and nicely equipped will deliver any of the modernity you’ve come to expect specific to technology. Navigation, Blue Tooth and music integration for any device Apple or Android you care to connect is all there. Some other notable options that give it the luxury feel are things like leather, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and remote start. Other luxury like visuals offered from Nissan are larger wheels (19 inch), rear spoiler and external ground lighting that offer a nice touch at night. Styling is certainly subjective and if you are the type to keep your cars for a while I’d think about how this car’s styling will age. Distinctive today is dated tomorrow but I like this car’s presence when nicely equipped.
What is there not to like about the Maxima? As stated earlier this car is $40,000.00! Once you get over that fact then it is a front wheel drive car. So what does that mean you ask? It means absolutely nothing for the average Joe and if you live in an area where it doesn’t snow then it’s a non-issue. However, if you are like most of the country then you might want to hit the pause button especially if you’ve become accustomed to all wheel drive. Driving a front wheel drive car in the snow is better than trying to trek in a rear wheel drive car but it will never top all wheel drive’s ability to get you safely through the slushy stuff without getting stuck or worse.
The most important thing to think about and hence the reason we are here is DEPRECIATION! Depreciation is your friend when you are the second owner but as the first this car hits the runway to depreciation once you exit the parking lot. If you factor in that you are financing this car it’s quite possible this is a $50,000.00 car! You are smarter than that unless you plan on buying it and driving it until the wheels fall off because you just had to buy it new. The good news there is this car was completely redesigned for the 2016 model year so you’ve got a few years before the next major styling change.
Now lets take a look at the 2014 BMW 550 sedan with all wheel drive or as BMW calls it “xDrive”. Here’s a summation of the 2014 BMW 550 sedan described in simplest terms:
BMW’s 5 Series epitomizes the description of the mid sized sports sedan and is every bit of their marketing slogan “the ultimate driving machine”. If you were to picture the definition of sports sedan in the dictionary this is it. Before driving this car I had read reviews about how soft this car had gotten and it was more about luxury than performance and then I drove it. This car is not lacking in performance and delivers in spades as it has an eight-cylinder engine delivering 443 hp. If you aren’t a car geek just know that kind of horsepower only a few years ago would be associated with sports cars having names like Porsche and Ferrari. I think that reference closes the door on the performance component so lets move on to the luxury piece of this equation because it is quite nice.
BMW is a luxury performance brand and it lives up to that description as the interior is rather nice and the offerings match expectations. Some of these listed are certainly options but people buying this particular model weren’t likely skimping on options as this car had an MSRP of about $60,000.00 nicely equipped when it was new. Leather, wood, aluminum, navigation, fancy climate controls, heated front and rear seats, ambient lighting, driver memory functions, HD radio, Blue Tooth, and hands free features are some of the many things associated with the interior. Xenon headlights which are those bright near blinding lights that appear to be blue or white light at night versus the yellow light we’ve been accustomed to for years are one of the many standards you’ll notice but there are many more exterior luxuries. There are larger wheels (19”) and visual enhancement packages courtesy of their performance “M” Division that will add to the sporting character of this car. If you are a driving enthusiast you must drive this car.
You will never see any of the auto publications compare these two cars as they are considered to be in two different categories and it is likely going to be deemed an apple to oranges comparison and they wouldn’t be wrong. If this was a new car comparison between the two vehicles I’d have to agree but it is not. The intention is always to enlighten you about the possibilities for luxury vehicle ownership is greater than you think. When you look at what you would pay for a new Nissan Maxima and what you could possibly get with the same money it’s just a smarter way to spend your money. You still need to be smart as we are talking about a used car here. The good news is BMW has a great pre-owned certified program and if you show some patience you can find one of these cars. The BMW 5 Series has many versions of this car and the 550 xDrive is almost at the top of the food chain and second only to their high performing M5. If you consider a lesser model like the 535 or even the 528 they offer even more value. You’d be able to get an even newer car like a 2015 or 2016 model year for either of those cars previously mentioned. In the end depreciation is your friend. Subscribe to the PoorManRichCar Buying Guide and there will be more of these types of gems uncovered. Depreciation is your friend so lease new and buy used!
