High MPG - not as cheap luxury

Related to the other thread, but that one took on a life of it's own, so I'll start new.

Let's say a car with luxury touches, but the budget is $15k instead of $5k. Sure, there are tons of old luxury cars out there for that coin. But say the car has to be newer, 2008+. It should also have low miles, let's go with 45k and under. Still needs to be able to get a true, realistic 30+mpg and not be a complete snooze to drive.

I'm not buying a car right now, but my next daily will probably fall in those criteria. One of the first things that comes to mind is a non-turbo Mini Cooper. I had an '09 Cooper S, and actually got 34mpg out of it. Lots of nice luxury touches, and fun to drive. The base Cooper does even better mpg, and is reportedly much more reliable (which is important to me). What else would fit?

I know little about Minis, but they aren't what comes to mind when I think of luxury.

You could almost buy a new Fiat 500 for that price, and they come standard with power everything, keyless entry, four wheel discs, etc etc. Mine's fun to drive and has been trouble-free for 11k miles.

Will a back seat or kid hauling capability be required?

N Sperlo wrote: I know little about Minis, but they aren't what comes to mind when I think of luxury.

When you're used to driving '90 Miatas, '99 Proteges and stuff like that, a new Corolla would feel like luxury. The definition of luxury is different for everyone. For me, it's not a "couch on wheels" ride, it's the nice features inside. My Mini had power everything, auto climate control, heated leather (though I hate heated seats...but the wife loves), dual sunroof, proximity key entry, push button start, audio controls on steering wheel, bluetooth, and other stuff I'm forgetting. There were more options available that mine didn't have. To me, that's more luxury than I've ever had.

For me, a backseat is nice to have, but not a must. I've got 3 other cars that can fill the family hauling role.

BMW 1 series if you can find one that cheap. Your mileage is unrealistic though, any car that started at $25+k when new (which is what you are looking at) will not have gone below $15k in 5 years of depreciation, at least with that low of mileage.

Man, if your definition of "luxury" is lots of gadgets, I think you've already found the answer, N/A Mini Cooper with all the toppings.

Ford Fusion Hybrid. Ticks all the boxes

Adrian_Thompson wrote: Ford Fusion Hybrid. Ticks all the boxes

Except for the $15 budget?

2006 Mercedes E320 CDI straight six bulletproof motor, no additional urea injection etc. Leather, heated seats, wood grain, 205hp,368tq stock.

Right now diesel is cheaper than gas out here (California) but it averages 10% more at its worst

Average 30+ mpg combined, on the highway 40+ is doable http://www.fuelly.com/car/mercedes-benz/e320/2006/diesel%20l6

vs Mini Cooper http://www.fuelly.com/car/mini/cooper

Ah sorry missed the 2008 and under 45k criteria. You won't find one of these at that price range with that low of miles and in 2007? they changed to a V6 which is not supposed to be as reliable as the straight six of 2006 and earlier

Fusion Hybrid

Okay, I may have to take back that last statement. I found one for $17.5 K around here, so its not far off that $15K goal.