Which car would you want to own out of warranty?

[A790]

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).

[A790]

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]

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]

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 )

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Lexus. Toyota parts easier/cheaper to obtain.

[bigbadboss101]

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]

Mine..... 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

[shakalaka]

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]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Lexus. Toyota parts easier/cheaper to obtain.

What he said, since reliability is a top priority.

[A790]

Any IS350 owners that can chime in?

[J.M.]

IS350 hands down for reliability. Do NOT buy a German car out of warranty, unless you like to do work yourself.

[locust]

gotta go with lexus.

The maintenance will kill yeah on the german vehicles.

[toster]

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

[A790]

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]

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

[A790]

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]

You will have to look for at least 2011 Lexus IS350 if you want AWD

[bigbadboss101]

Originally posted by A790
Any IS350 owners that can chime in?

Warcaster has IS350 I believe.

[J.M.]

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]

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.