Car Problem - What to buy?

[Guest RandyRon]

Thought I'd get your guys ideas on a very practical subject. I'm in the market for a new car and can't decide. I actually don't need a new car but seem to have "the itch."

 

I thought I had settled on the new Lexus ES 350. It drives like a dream and has lots of bells and whistles. It also has great looks. However, I got to searching on the web and it seems that there have been quite a lot of problems with both the Lexus ES 350 and the new Camray transmissions. There also seems to be a long history of tansmission problems with the old ES 330. One of the things that attracted me to the Lexus was the reputation for reliability.

 

Am now leaning towards the Infiniti M35. Haven't driven it yet but sure like the looks and feel when I have sat in it.

 

One drawback to the foreign "Luxury" brands is that I live in a small town that is quite a distance from the nearest dealers (120 miles). I have also thought of settling for a Honda Accord because there are closer dealers.

 

Any comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

;)

[+ Lucky]

Stick with the car you have. The new car itch will pass. But if you can't resist, get something that gets really good gas mileage. If you have to have the Lexus 350, forget it and buy the Toyota Camry. It is just as good.

 

Hope that helps.

[menrus]

It's OK to get suggestions here, but in the end get what YOU want.

If you don't, you'll never be happy with the new vehicle.

My recommendation is to look at the BMW. Excellent service record and

unlimited warrenty. I drive the 700 series, if price is a concern look at the 500 series.

Car shopping can be fun, enjoy it.

[Guest zipperzone]

Forget the Lexus. I think the German products far outperform the ones from Japan. I took delivery of my new BMW 5 series earlier this year and couldn't be happier. Just as their ads say, it is a "true driver's machine" I concidered the 7 series, but found it a bit bigger than I needed - I don't see the sense in hauling around another few inches of steel when I personally never sit in the back seat anyway.

 

Even if you have to travel to get it serviced, it's no big deal as cars today have advanced to the point where the service requirements are not as frequent as they used to be.

 

Choose a less popular color so you don't see it around much. I chose dark green metalic with a black interior. It's a show-stopper.

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, my satisfaction rate is a 14.

 

And..... if budget is a problem - check out the new VW Passat. Quite the luxury car at very reasonable prices.

[+ Charlie]

The only reason to buy the Lexus rather than the Camry is because you like the experience of dealing with the Lexus dealer rather than a Toyota dealer (I went from a Toyota to a Mercedes, and the difference in the way I was treated by the dealership was remarkable), because they are pretty much the same car under the skin. Toyota is starting to have reliability issues that are a real p.r. problem for them, and by extension for Lexus. I would probably opt for the Accord, which has an excellent track record, and is as comfortable IMHO as the Camry. Or be a red-blooded American and buy a Chevy Impala (even though everyone will assume you're a tourist in a rental car).

[Guest PWIT]

>One drawback to the foreign "Luxury" brands is that I live in

>a small town that is quite a distance from the nearest dealers

>(120 miles).

 

Are you set on a foreign brand? If there is a Cadallic dealership nearby, go take a look at the CTS and STS. If wanting a sporty version, look at the V series. Cadillac has greatly improved in thier performance and quality. The local (also on PBS) car tv/radio expert here (Pat Goss) gives Cadillac the thumbs up.

 

Otherwise, of the cars you mentioned I tend to favor the Infiniti.

 

If you are looking at the 2006 modesl, this time of year is always a good time to purchase. Otherwise, wait a month and just look around....just to make sure it is not an impulse buy. Plus it is always fun to watch the salesmen put thier sales moves on and then walk away. :-)

[+ deej]

If you don't actually need a new car, now isn't the time to be scratching that itch. (Unless you're considering a hybrid, which doesn't seem to be in your plan.) With auto makers making plans for $4/gallon gas (and higher), the entire marketplace (and economy) will be different in a year or so.

[Guest msclonly]

I had a Lexus RX330 and planned to keep it till the end, but the universe had other plans for it. Am trying to replace it with the RX350 with the Mark Levison radio for concert hall sound and Navigation System like the last one. The latter made driving around So Calif in hard to find places a breeze without static from a lousy radio.

 

It was rated the safest car on the road, since inception, thank God. In addition, it is EASY to get in and out of compared to the LOW slung sedans, which are harder on the back and legs. Better visibility and being seen. Easy to park in smaller spots.

But I can understand the heavier set guys like the big sedans.

 

Yesterday, I talked to a friend who worked for Ford finance, and he stands by the Lincoln, just as my brother does who worked for GM all his life.

[buckguy]

I went around and around and bought an Accord coupe. Toyota dealers, in general, are pretty awful, so a Lexus will buy you a better dealer as well as somewhat better handling (Toyota's lack of road feel ruled them out for me).

 

I had a VW Passat before the Accord. It was the best handling car I've ever owned, but was expensive to maintain. The nearest dealer made it inconvenient to schedule service and my independent garage constantly wound up with the wrong parts n(from the same dealer). A car is an expensive, depreciating investment--I ruled out BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes because of the high upkeep costs on top of all that. A Honda isn't much different from an Accura and I've been able to find dealers here and in my old city that seemed okay for service. The Accord is quieter than my old Passat, has equally strong pick-up and the handling is only slightly less agile. When someone tells me how different European and Japanses cars are, I have to laugh (all the way to the bank).

[+ LIguy]

I've been leasing Acuras for many years.I leased my 5th one 18 months ago.An Acura TL.I have never had to take any of them in for repair... only the usual oil,filter and lube.I'm not using this last one much as it only has 6200 miles after 18 months.But in all these years it's comforting to know that no matter how cold it is out my car will start and get me where I need to go.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Lexus is a boring car. Let's face it: They've looked like Toyotas for years and the options on them are insanely up-priced for what you end up getting. The 2006-7 designs are, admittedly, better looking, but still have a rubberband engine.

 

BMW is buying into a lifestyle as much as a car. People buy them because they scream 'i've made it' as well as being well-engineered machines (God love the Germans). On the 3/5 series, you're not always getting the best engine or the most low-end torque, but it's a snappy design. Their options packages are silly and can take a mid-$30k sticker to well over $50k. Be aware what you need and don't need when you're dealing with BMW.

 

Infiniti is my favorite mentioned so far. Their G35 was Motor Trend's Car of the Year 2004 and their M35/45 has been recently named Consumer Reports 'Best in Show.' They are the most competitive in pricing, best in terms of horsepower (in class) and are finally coming up to par with their inside fit and finish. Their soon-to-be-released 2007 G35 redesign is going to be incredible. Take a look:

 

http://www.infiniti.com/allnewG/allNewG.html

 

 

Happy Hunting! Let us know what you ended up getting...

 

 

 

BN

[Guest PWIT]

>Their soon-to-be-released 2007 G35 redesign is

>going to be incredible. Take a look:

>

>http://www.infiniti.com/allnewG/allNewG.html

 

Damn, I like it! Now I may be getting that new car itch. Down boy, down!

[+ glutes]

Wall Street Journal just gave a excellent review of the Ford Freestyle, just a really practicle cross-over vehicle.

[Casteran]

SAAB - love mine. Reliable, drives well, sporty, same cost or better than Lexus/BMW, dealerships are great to work with. Safest automobiles on the road and still fun to drive. Have a 2003 9-3, first year it became a four door, was a five door.

[Guest msclonly]

iNFINITY?

 

Does anyone have experience with Infinity autos?

 

I am interested in a mid size SUV.

 

Had a Lexus 2004 RX-330 for the last two years, and was content, probably due to the awesome sound system. Some shifting lag on occasion, but had the computer program updated at the 10,000 mile servicing just before I lost it. Same for the Navigation system program. It is a better car then the Toyota, which I had three of, and two MB ROADSTERS before that.

 

The Toyotas had no problems, that needed special service, but not a high end auto. The Supra Turbo was a fantastic car and made mincemeat out of the MB's.

 

The MB 350SL and even the MB 280SL were great driving cars, but the servicings were costly and always came back with something else wrong. They ate batteries up like if they were candy!

The reason why they don't always perform well, is the lack of fine tuning German mechanics, who grew up with the MB's!

Incidently, I found all Gernman rental cars drive better in Germany, then any of them do in the US!

[Rick Munroe]

I am not much into cars. I prefer to take moustache rides. }(

[Guest zipperzone]

I'm surprised that no one has recommended the Nissan products. The Altima is a fine car (if you opt for the larger engine) and the more up-scale Maxima is hard to beat.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

RE: iNFINITY?

 

I'm not being a marm, but it's spelled 'Infiniti.'

 

Yes, i currently own a G35 and it's been a really great vehicle. I'm looking at trading up to the 2007 when it hits showrooms in November, but i can also recommend their SUV lines (FX 35/45, QX 56). The FX line has repeatedly been awarded for both performance and design.

 

Nissan is a GREAT car company. I think they often times don't get their due as a carmaker, but as a subsidiary of Infiniti, they drop great engines into their cars, as well as some pretty sharp design. I still drool when i pass by a new-generation Xterra. Hot SUV.

 

 

BN

[Samai139]

I've owned both Toyotas (Tercel and Camry) and Hondas(both Accords). Just bought my 2006 Accord in December 05. If you've not driven or ridden in a new Accord, do so. The newer models are roomier, more comfortable and have more torque--even the 4 cylinder which I drive. If you are driving in urban conditions a lot, consider the Accord Hybrid--with gas prices the way they are, it might just pay for itself if four or five years. If you want power and gas is not an issue--go for the V6.

As far as reliability, service, repairs, I've dealt with three different Honda dealerships, and they have all been wonderful.

But as someone posted earlier, you should buy the car YOU want and feel at home in and at ease with and can afford. Drive everything that catches your eye and if price is no object go with whatever you fall in love with and bear with the consequences.

Hope you scratch that itch---having a new car is GRRRRREAT.

[ted]

I've gone from American - mainly Chrysler products, some GM- to Toyota to Infiniti. All the american products sucked in comparison to the Japanese; the days of taking the car in to get it fixed are over, and have been since about '87. When I started on the Infiniti's back in '96, our CFO opted for "German engineering"; I could've bought another Infiniti with his maintenance costs. Anyway, I'm currently another satisfied G35 owner-I live in the NE so have the X sedan. Other family members drive a G35 coupe and an I35 and we all love them and they are all trouble free. Another escort friend of mine - not BN - also drives a G35 coupe in the summer and adores it. The M really floats my boat and if my G were a couple of years older, well I'm sorely tempted even now and the G probably has another 6 good years in it. My only criticism for the Infiniti's is they all take premium gas and are not winning any mileage awards, so you will drop some $$$ at the local gas station, but they are extremely reliable and fun to drive. Oh, and although the dealer's are trying to get away from it, one of the reason's I started was I just dropped the car off on my way in to work, picked up a loaner, and stopped on the way home and picked up my finished car. They don't like to do that now for say, just an oil change, but if you push you can get it. I just did it last week. And Nissan dealers can service, the family member with the I 35 is in the same boat as you- his nearest Infiniti dealer is over 100 miles away, but the Nissan dealer can do everything required, at least so far.

[tedbear]

After a few years of driving German cars, I bought a Chrysler Sebring convertible a few years ago. (Couldn't afford the German convertibles any more.) Then, 3 years ago I bought another one. The latest one shows the Daimler influence in quality. This car has such great fit, you sometimes have to crack a winidow to shut the door! It's that tight!

[Guest msclonly]

INFINITY FX35

 

Test drove the 2006 FX35 this afternoon, and it was a nice Sporty version of a mid SUV, but looked smaller with many shiney aluminum trims.

 

If I were half my age, I would be very interested in it for the firm road feel and control of the Sports package with 20 inch wheels and firmer suspension. Sure handled the curves getting on the freeways well without feeling like you were going to tip over. It reminded me of the '87 Toyota Supra Turbo for driving, fit and feel. One of my best cars of all time.

 

There is a Technology Package with some nice safety features like Lane wandering warning system, Intelligent Cruise control, that slows the car down if too close to a car in front, then returns to the set speed, when road clears ahead.

 

Bose 300 watt radio with 11 speakers is standard and beats Lexus into sounding like the cheapest radio not even found on a kiddy car.

[+ deej]

Interesting. On current Mustang convertibles, the window automatically lowers 1/8" when the door opens, and raises back up after closing precisely because of that tightness.

[Guest TNT Ted]

Well, I currently own both an Infiniti G35 and a BMW M3, and I like them both. The Infiniti's great when I want an extension of my living room couch -- comfort with bells and whistles -- but when I want to drive, it's definitely the BMW. They don't call it the ultimate driving machine for nothing. As to maintenance, my experience is that there's no difference (and they have approximately equal mileage). They're both extremely dependable

 

Oh, and that slight lowering of the window -- BMW's had that for years.

[seaboy4hire]

Here is my half cents worth. Forget the car. Look at gas prices and how much it costs to fill up the tank and the cost for insurance. A scooter or even motorcycle is much more economical then a car. Example my scoot, the most I've had to pay for gas is $3.00usd and that is using premium and I think the most we've put in the motorcycle is about $10.00usd. Gas milage is great too! My scooter gets 100mpg and our motorcycle gets about 75mpg if I remember right. Do the math. Scooters and motorcycles are better all the way around.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[email protected]

I'll be in Chicago October 2nd, 2006

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com New page for reveiws http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle http://i22.photobucket.com/albu