A new job usually means perks and some extra money. Wondering what to spend it on? How about picking one of guest contributor Teddy's favorite luxury cars of 2013?
New job? Awesome! Now that you’ve got the salary, you need the right vehicle to put in the shiny new parking space that has your name on it. Search for a luxury car that suits your personality and offers performance fit for the pickiest motorist. Here are some top picks from 2013.
This hot pick from the innovative Tesla company is «…a vehicle that would meet a BMW owner’s definition of a sports sedan". Depending on the options chosen, a Tesla Model S can blast across the pavement with the equivalent of 416 horsepower, reaching 60mph in 4.2 seconds. The handling, riding, and braking of this car rival that of vehicles from other premier brands like Cadillac and Mercedes.
Additional cool features include a large display screen with one of the best navigation systems available; a driver’s side door handle that doesn’t reveal itself until you approach with the key; and a software system that can receive remote updates. The best part? The Tesla Model S is electric, so it saves you money on fuel and puts you on the cutting edge of technology.
Because it is so cutting edge, the Tesla Model S isn’t something you’re likely to find at any run of the mill local dealership. Looking for new cars online is a great way to explore your options.
This strikingly sleek hatchback has just about everything you could desire in a luxury car. It’s a car for those in a hurry or those with secret race car driver dreams. This beauty, with its 420 horsepower V-8 can hit 60 mph in about 4 seconds. The mpg won’t impress those who think about every drop of fuel they use, but an estimated 26 mpg on the highway isn’t terrible.
One review says that the interior is «virtually perfect» with its classy trim and overall good looks. Features for driver and passenger pleasure include awesome climate control and an infotainment/navigation system with a touchscreen that can recognize handwriting.
Okay, you might balk at the very word «Hyundai» in a list of top luxury cars, but the 2013 Genesis earned its place in this list, and it ranked on a list of top large luxury cars by usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. It has a powerful engine and a roomy interior, as well as many other available features, like a 14- or 17- speaker sound system.
This car is ideal if you plan to use your fancy new ride for family outings, because it does have a roomy interior, lots of trunk space, and good safety rating. It’s also affordable for a luxury car, with an msrp topping out at $46,800. Or, if you don’t plan on using it as a family vehicle, buy the sporty coupe version. With an mpg of 28 on the highway, it will get you through the daily commute without an unduly high impact on your fuel budget.
A review says that the Chrysler 300 and 300C «are arguably better than the sum of their parts and feel more like high-end luxury models.» Like the Hyundai Genesis, the Chrysler 300 falls on the affordable end of luxury, with a price that tops out below $50,000. Depending on the engine, mpg can reach as high as 31 on the highway.
The exterior is easy to recognize and full of personality. The interior offers comfort and class, with a touchscreen LCD in the dash, elegant trim, and a back seat that is comfortable even for adults. Concerned about power? The engine has plenty of it. In fact, one of the engines available on the 300 can get you to 60 mph in less than five seconds with its impressive 470-hp.
The 300 has all sorts of standard and available features. To give you peace of mind, you can get things like Rain Brake Support, blind spot monitors, rear fog lamps, and adaptive cruise control. For fun, grab a model that includes the Beats by Dr. Dre audio system.
The Acura ILX is the new kick off for Honda’s luxury brand. It promises a sporty ride and a solid on road performance thanks to new refinements like increased tortional body rigidity, revised multilink rear suspension, and dual-valve shocks. The optional Technology Package offers Acura navigation with real-time traffic and weather, a multi-view rear camera, and an ELS surround sound system.
This is a great mid-level priced luxury car, at $28,900 without the Technology Package, and $34,400 with the Technology Package. So, if you’re new to your dream job, and not ready to spend the big bucks, this car is a great first step in the luxury car direction.
This luxury sedan is known for its elegant appearance. Since it’s a Lexus, you can expect refined driving dynamics, and top of the line craftsmanship. The 268 horse power 3.5 liter V6 engine, and 6-speed automatic transmission provide plenty of power to your drive, and the awesome power moon roof comes standard.
Expect to be cocooned in luxury on your drive to and from work with the Nuluxe upholstery heated front seats, and top of the line sound system and satellite radio. This beautiful ride comes equipped with all of the best safety features, like brake assist, 10 airbags and anti-whiplash front head restraints. With a price tag of just $34,614, consider this one an early Christmas present to yourself.
This luxury car stands out from the rest because it offers so many different options. The body comes in Sedan, Coupe and Wagon and the Powertrain comes in diesel, gas or hybrid. The E-class offers a perfect blend of sporty luxury with a nice weighty feel on the road, as well as taut steering and nice acceleration. Depending on which model you choose, you can seat from 4 to 7 people comfortably inside. So whether you’re single and treating yourself to a sporty little coupe, or you want your family to ride in style, the E-Class has something for everyone.
With a laundry list of features available like voice recognition, navigation system, 1st and 2nd row LCD screens, blind spot sensor and more, you can expect to pay between $44,575-$58,755.
Whether you want to go all out with your new ride to complement your new job, or you want a more subtle form of luxury, you have a lot of options to choose from. These cars are just the start of your possibilities, but they are also some of the best. Which luxury car would complement your dream job?