View Full Version : Which car would you want to own out of warranty?
Looking at a purchase next September. Wife and I are starting to save now.
This will be a cash purchase so we have a ceiling budget realistically in the $30k range.
"Sportiness" takes a backseat to reliability and year-round-livability.
Looking for something entry-level luxury (or comparable).
Originally posted by shakalaka
I've owned what I voted for. I didn't have it for long or out of warranty but for the year I had it for, it gave me no problems. The other two I have no experience with.
What was your experience with it overall? How was it to drive? How was it in winter?
shakalaka
07-16-2014, 04:39 PM
I've owned what I voted for. I didn't have it for long or out of warranty but for the year I had it for, it gave me no problems. The other two I have no experience with.
Tik-Tok
07-16-2014, 04:44 PM
Lexus. Toyota parts easier/cheaper to obtain.
Personally, I will NEVER own an out of warranty German car again. (and because of that, probably never own a german car again period, as I can't afford a new one :rofl: )
flipstah
07-16-2014, 04:45 PM
Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Lexus. Toyota parts easier/cheaper to obtain.
bigbadboss101
07-16-2014, 04:47 PM
Fun to drive is one thing but the Lexus would be better overall in my opinion. I haven't driven any of these FYI. My buddy bought a preowned IS350 and is quite happy with it.
Graham_A_M
07-16-2014, 04:50 PM
Mine.....:D I have 45k on it, still cost me nothing to own, super good on gas, very practical and can still perform very well. No issues whatsoever with it, and used for under $30k :dunno:
shakalaka
07-16-2014, 04:53 PM
Originally posted by A790
What was your experience with it overall? How was it to drive? How was it in winter?
Overall I enjoyed it for the short period I owned it for. Mine was a 2009 C350 to be exact and it was quick enough to not feel like a slob. Nothing spectacular though. I had come from a 350Z so compared to that it was a lot more luxurious.
I drove it for one winter without any problems on all season tires. 4Matic really is great and helps big time. I did a lot of highway driving, probably put around 20K+ in one year and it gave excellent mileage as well.
I know that 3 series is supposed to be quicker than the C350 and I've driven them as well, but for me I really disliked the looks of the 3 series sedan. I probably would have still had it, if I didn't always want a C63 in the first place. I modded it cosmetically to make it look like the C63 (quad exhausts, x pipe etc) but just caved eventually. 3 series coupe would be my first choice now though, but if going sedan then C350 for sure.
The 2014's are light years ahead though especially the interiors. They looks so nice, but not sure if that is an option or not. If possible, definitely worth checking out.
EDIT: Will say this about the Lexus. My old roommate had a 2007 IS350 and he loved the car. Had no complaints from it and the car never seemed to have any problems other than regular maintenance. I do recall him complaining about how much his brake job was going to run at the time though. Other than that I don't remember him having any issues with it.
statick
07-16-2014, 05:15 PM
Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Lexus. Toyota parts easier/cheaper to obtain.
What he said, since reliability is a top priority.
Any IS350 owners that can chime in?
IS350 hands down for reliability. Do NOT buy a German car out of warranty, unless you like to do work yourself.
locust
07-16-2014, 06:27 PM
gotta go with lexus.
The maintenance will kill yeah on the german vehicles.
toster
07-16-2014, 09:50 PM
Originally posted by A790
Any IS350 owners that can chime in?
My 2006 is350 has been great it was my daily for about a year no complaints. Don't know about the 2010+ is350's reliability wise
Looks like Lexus it is.
Graham, I took the Regal off the table because I want something wit AWD and only the new Regals have it. Dealers, by the way, don't seem to have new Regals... lol.
Proyecto2000
07-17-2014, 09:34 AM
I have a 2007 IS250 and it has been fantastic! However it only has 61,000 kms so it's not like it has been "used" all that much :rofl:
Originally posted by Aleks
You will have to look for at least 2011 Lexus IS350 if you want AWD
Looks to be that way. However, not finding much negative information on 2011 - 2013 IS 350's. Going newer isn't an option because the new ones don't appeal to me.
Aleks
07-17-2014, 09:46 AM
You will have to look for at least 2011 Lexus IS350 if you want AWD
bigbadboss101
07-17-2014, 10:00 AM
Originally posted by A790
Any IS350 owners that can chime in?
Warcaster has IS350 I believe.
Originally posted by toster
My 2006 is350 has been great it was my daily for about a year no complaints. Don't know about the 2010+ is350's reliability wise
If there were any issues with the older model IS350s, hopefully they solved them in the later models.
shakalaka
07-17-2014, 11:01 AM
Make sure you drive one before you buy it, which I am sure you will. While my roommate's IS350 wasn't necessarily 'slow' by any means, it didn't really do much for me in terms of exciting me when I drove it. It's hard to explain but I didn't really get excited when I drove it. I guess it was a bit too laid back for me. That being said c350 wasn't anything special but I always drove it like a stick shift so that may have changed things a little.
GTS Jeff
07-19-2014, 02:42 PM
A3 Quattro hatch with low miles and warranty can be had for under 30. It's like having an Audi TT with extra doors. Reliable and cheap power upgrades, great for winter, looks good. Not sure about how it fits a larger guy though...
danno
07-19-2014, 04:04 PM
The is350 will have insanely small back seats to if that matters. I wanted a isf a couple years ago but it went off the table because of that.
max_boost
07-19-2014, 05:30 PM
Lexus. However as mentioned the back seats are tiny. I sat in them and said WTF is going on here lol
Back seats aren't particularly important to me since I rarely take more than one passenger and don't have kids to worry about.
Drove an IS350 today and thought it was a pretty good car. Smooth power delivery, nice interior, etc. It's definitely a contender.
I'm going to compare it to an ISF to see which one I prefer. I've basically ruled the BMW/Mercedes out at this point.
max_boost
07-19-2014, 06:28 PM
I like ISF. V8 rumble :burnout:
Asian_defender
07-19-2014, 08:02 PM
I have a 2011 is250 and I love it. Not a single problem after 3 years plus the service at lexus is top notch. Better than Mercedes and BMW IMHO. Look into the VIP service
Canucks3322
07-19-2014, 10:56 PM
Owned an IS250 awd, Im 5'6" and I found it cramped in their and the interior is shit, the stereo and other dash pieces looked like it came out of a Corolla.
Originally posted by Asian_defender
I have a 2011 is250 and I love it. Not a single problem after 3 years plus the service at lexus is top notch. Better than Mercedes and BMW IMHO. Look into the VIP service
We got a taste of VIP service when the dealer drove the car to our place for the test drive. We went to the dealer, had a latte, and then went back home.
I have to say that was a very impressive introduction to the brand.
Originally posted by Canucks3322
Owned an IS250 awd, Im 5'6" and I found it cramped in their and the interior is shit, the stereo and other dash pieces looked like it came out of a Corolla.
We quite liked the 2010 we looked at on Saturday. The cream-leather interior wasn't in the best condition (previous owner very clearly neglected it), but it was still attractive and comfortable.
From the drivers seat I felt like I had a lot of room. I really liked the electric tilt/telescoping steering wheel- I was able to get it in the perfect spot in no time! lol
Lex350
07-21-2014, 07:33 AM
I drive the IS350 and I have to say I have had no troubles with it. The only money I have put out for it is oil changes and replacing brakes. (the usual)
The car has nice power and surprisingly good fuel economy for a 306hp engine if you drive it in a relaxed manner.
A couple of months ago I drove out to BC and seeing as I wasn't in a hurry I tried to see what kind of mileage I could get out of it.
http://i.imgur.com/8dpQgFh.jpg
bigbadboss101
07-21-2014, 08:17 AM
That is sweet gas mileage!
A790 I am pretty sure you would like the ISF more than the IS350, $ aside :-)
Well the ISF is a 2008 - 2009 in the sub-$35k pricerange, whereas I can get into a 2011 or 2012 IS 350 for the same money.
But we'll see which we wind up buying. We got lots of time.
benyl
07-21-2014, 09:30 AM
Have you looked in IS-F maintenance?
My guess would be $2K to do the front brakes. At least $1500 in parts alone.
flipstah
07-21-2014, 09:32 AM
Originally posted by rotten42
I drive the IS350 and I have to say I have had no troubles with it. The only money I have put out for it is oil changes and replacing brakes. (the usual)
The car has nice power and surprisingly good fuel economy for a 306hp engine if you drive it in a relaxed manner.
A couple of months ago I drove out to BC and seeing as I wasn't in a hurry I tried to see what kind of mileage I could get out of it.
http://i.imgur.com/8dpQgFh.jpg
That is phenomenal. Was the car fully loaded or just you + luggage for one?
Lex350
07-21-2014, 09:51 AM
Car was just me, my bicycle, luggage and golf clubs. I averaged about 10kms above the speed limit the whole way.
ISF would be nice. It might be my next car. I have driven the IS250 and didn't like it. It felt like a completely different car.
Skyline_Addict
07-21-2014, 06:11 PM
I'm lovin my lexus is300 :)
ZedMan
07-21-2014, 06:12 PM
For an ISF the 11+ model is more desirable, since it comes with the updated suspension and LSD. In terms of maintenance, the brakes are a big ticket item but other than that it's pretty comparable to the 350.
Originally posted by ZedMan
For an ISF the 11+ model is more desirable, since it comes with the updated suspension and LSD. In terms of maintenance, the brakes are a big ticket item but other than that it's pretty comparable to the 350.
Yea, makes sense.
We'll have to see if spending the extra $10k+ on an ISF is what we want to do. The real question we have is whether or not we'll actually see the value out of it, you know?
Chances are we'll just roll with the IS 350.
Oy. So my buddy just asked why we aren't looking at 2010 - 2012 Audi S4's as they're right in the price range.
Any feedback on them?
xrayvsn
07-21-2014, 07:33 PM
I have a 2010 S4. Have been very happy with it. However it is now out of warranty, which concerns me because I have heard horror stories about repairs and maintenance costs past the warranty period.
I use the car almost exclusively for winter (or rain in the summer), but it is more than capable as an all year car. I have had a few minor things covered under warranty, but now that warranty is up... I will likely trade this one in for a 2014 S4, so overall I liked the car well enough to buy another.
SR54RNR
07-21-2014, 07:38 PM
Originally posted by ZedMan
For an ISF the 11+ model is more desirable, since it comes with the updated suspension and LSD. In terms of maintenance, the brakes are a big ticket item but other than that it's pretty comparable to the 350.
2008's can be had for $35-40k (I just bought one) but the 2011+ are still up in the $50-55k range... Updates would be nice, but it's a whole different price point.
There is a beyonder that has had both an older and a newer ISF as daily drivers, maybe hit him up for some info (can't remember his username)
Originally posted by A790
Oy. So my buddy just asked why we aren't looking at 2010 - 2012 Audi S4's as they're right in the price range.
Any feedback on them?
Isn't your price range 30-35k? I haven't seen any 2010-2012 S4's in this range so far haha
I still say stick to the Lexus man. It'll probably hold it's value a lot more and be more reliable/cheaper to maintain.
Originally posted by J.M.
Isn't your price range 30-35k? I haven't seen any 2010-2012 S4's in this range so far haha
I still say stick to the Lexus man. It'll probably hold it's value a lot more and be more reliable/cheaper to maintain.
Yea, that's what I'm thinking too.
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