Please help me pick out a new to me luxury car
11-25-2012, 11:34 PM
#25
I'm going to be in the same boat in a couple of years. I enjoy my 335 but it's no luxury car. I'm swapping out the runflats this week and that may tide me over for a while. I'm getting a mile muncher next time. I've put over 30K on my BMW this year and it's been solid but I'm thinking IS350 or something similar but a bit softer next time.
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11-26-2012, 11:04 AM
#28
Boost Czar
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I always liked my dad's Buick Regal 3.6L Supercharged. thing was cushy and fast enough; had a really nice setero too.
same one here:
6:34
same one here:
6:34
Last edited by Braineack; 11-26-2012 at 11:45 AM.
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11-26-2012, 11:47 AM
#30
I've just shopped this exact market, but with an emphasis on ride quality over all else.
What are your priorities in the way of comfort, performance, features, dependability, looks and maintenance cost?
The last one is a more serious factor than most take into account. Last decade's $100K cars can be had easily for your price range, but most depreciate for a reason. Keeping an aging Merc, Jag or the like (Volvo S80 included) on the road can be an expensive proposition, even if doing the work yourself.
I ended up with a lower mileage XJ12 (one of the last produced) due to not wanting to make payments. Found a cash deal, but even doing all of the work myself I've dropped several grand into getting it back into shape due to high priced parts. A simple low pressure PS reservoir hose with a few kinks is nearly $200, and the list goes on...
Looking back I should have waited for a low mileage LS400 (all were ~200K miles), or waited for a cheap LS430. While I'm happy having 12 cylinders, and love the ride, I'd rather have a commuter I'm not constantly dropping money into, and that takes less weekends away from family.
Also, all of these high end cars are seriously over-complicated. They have at least a dozen "brains" spread throughout the car to control security and comfort features. Mine has a variable flow auxiliary coolant pump and gate valve for the heater core that likes to fail. I suggest highly looking up common problems owners post on forums because if they exist, you will have to remedy them, and usually not too long after 100K miles.
Most of the big European luxo cruisers have great handling and power for what they are, and sturdy powerplants. Everything attached to them is another story. I like to think they're worth keeping on the road though.
One thing that kept me away from several more responsible choices was my aversion to front wheel drive. If this is a factor there are only a few decent cars out there.
When I was shopping $15-20K cars the Lexus GS and LS lines were out of my range with lower miles (<50K). Talking the wife into a higher payment than my then-new Mazda2 meant the replacement car had to be nearly new. The two cars that stuck out to me at that point were the Avalon and the Lucerne. I wasn't a big Buick fan, but the build quality and comfort honestly surprised me. I also knew parts would be cheap and most of the care easy.
What are your priorities in the way of comfort, performance, features, dependability, looks and maintenance cost?
The last one is a more serious factor than most take into account. Last decade's $100K cars can be had easily for your price range, but most depreciate for a reason. Keeping an aging Merc, Jag or the like (Volvo S80 included) on the road can be an expensive proposition, even if doing the work yourself.
I ended up with a lower mileage XJ12 (one of the last produced) due to not wanting to make payments. Found a cash deal, but even doing all of the work myself I've dropped several grand into getting it back into shape due to high priced parts. A simple low pressure PS reservoir hose with a few kinks is nearly $200, and the list goes on...
Looking back I should have waited for a low mileage LS400 (all were ~200K miles), or waited for a cheap LS430. While I'm happy having 12 cylinders, and love the ride, I'd rather have a commuter I'm not constantly dropping money into, and that takes less weekends away from family.
Also, all of these high end cars are seriously over-complicated. They have at least a dozen "brains" spread throughout the car to control security and comfort features. Mine has a variable flow auxiliary coolant pump and gate valve for the heater core that likes to fail. I suggest highly looking up common problems owners post on forums because if they exist, you will have to remedy them, and usually not too long after 100K miles.
Most of the big European luxo cruisers have great handling and power for what they are, and sturdy powerplants. Everything attached to them is another story. I like to think they're worth keeping on the road though.
One thing that kept me away from several more responsible choices was my aversion to front wheel drive. If this is a factor there are only a few decent cars out there.
When I was shopping $15-20K cars the Lexus GS and LS lines were out of my range with lower miles (<50K). Talking the wife into a higher payment than my then-new Mazda2 meant the replacement car had to be nearly new. The two cars that stuck out to me at that point were the Avalon and the Lucerne. I wasn't a big Buick fan, but the build quality and comfort honestly surprised me. I also knew parts would be cheap and most of the care easy.
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11-26-2012, 09:52 PM
#32
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I've just shopped this exact market, but with an emphasis on ride quality over all else.
What are your priorities in the way of comfort, performance, features, dependability, looks and maintenance cost?
....
One thing that kept me away from several more responsible choices was my aversion to front wheel drive. If this is a factor there are only a few decent cars out there.
What are your priorities in the way of comfort, performance, features, dependability, looks and maintenance cost?
....
One thing that kept me away from several more responsible choices was my aversion to front wheel drive. If this is a factor there are only a few decent cars out there.
My priorities are comfort, dependability, features, maintenance, looks, performance. In order of priority.
I have no beef with FWD, in fact its preferred as our winters, when they happen, are pretty bad and if they don't plow I still need to drive.
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11-27-2012, 11:17 AM
#33
For that order of priorities you'll definitely want to go Japanese.
An LS for your desired year range will be out of your price range. The ES is still a great car that checks all those boxes, but having owned an LS there is nothing like the ride even close to it. Also gets decent hwy gas mileage for having a V8. I drove of the newer Crown Vics (2004 and up had better steering and frames), and they were still a mix of floaty and crashy ride that seemed abysmal compared to an LS.
The ES and Avalon were comparable in ride comfort. Decent, but seemed a little harsh where it had no reason to be. I'm super picky due to a spinal condition, but I wasn't impressed. The Buick was actually better in overall road comfort on Houston's horrible excuse for roadways.
LS430 is really where it's at, and I wish I'd shopped a little more upmarket knowing I'd have a no faults car for another 100K miles or more. You'll have to spend a few more grand, and shop a few years older to find a lower mileage one though.
An LS for your desired year range will be out of your price range. The ES is still a great car that checks all those boxes, but having owned an LS there is nothing like the ride even close to it. Also gets decent hwy gas mileage for having a V8. I drove of the newer Crown Vics (2004 and up had better steering and frames), and they were still a mix of floaty and crashy ride that seemed abysmal compared to an LS.
The ES and Avalon were comparable in ride comfort. Decent, but seemed a little harsh where it had no reason to be. I'm super picky due to a spinal condition, but I wasn't impressed. The Buick was actually better in overall road comfort on Houston's horrible excuse for roadways.
LS430 is really where it's at, and I wish I'd shopped a little more upmarket knowing I'd have a no faults car for another 100K miles or more. You'll have to spend a few more grand, and shop a few years older to find a lower mileage one though.
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11-27-2012, 11:12 PM
#35
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For that order of priorities you'll definitely want to go Japanese.
An LS for your desired year range will be out of your price range. The ES is still a great car that checks all those boxes, but having owned an LS there is nothing like the ride even close to it. Also gets decent hwy gas mileage for having a V8. I drove of the newer Crown Vics (2004 and up had better steering and frames), and they were still a mix of floaty and crashy ride that seemed abysmal compared to an LS.
The ES and Avalon were comparable in ride comfort. Decent, but seemed a little harsh where it had no reason to be. I'm super picky due to a spinal condition, but I wasn't impressed. The Buick was actually better in overall road comfort on Houston's horrible excuse for roadways.
LS430 is really where it's at, and I wish I'd shopped a little more upmarket knowing I'd have a no faults car for another 100K miles or more. You'll have to spend a few more grand, and shop a few years older to find a lower mileage one though.
An LS for your desired year range will be out of your price range. The ES is still a great car that checks all those boxes, but having owned an LS there is nothing like the ride even close to it. Also gets decent hwy gas mileage for having a V8. I drove of the newer Crown Vics (2004 and up had better steering and frames), and they were still a mix of floaty and crashy ride that seemed abysmal compared to an LS.
The ES and Avalon were comparable in ride comfort. Decent, but seemed a little harsh where it had no reason to be. I'm super picky due to a spinal condition, but I wasn't impressed. The Buick was actually better in overall road comfort on Houston's horrible excuse for roadways.
LS430 is really where it's at, and I wish I'd shopped a little more upmarket knowing I'd have a no faults car for another 100K miles or more. You'll have to spend a few more grand, and shop a few years older to find a lower mileage one though.
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