View Poll Results: Which one?
Lexus GS 300 AWD
4
5.06%
Lexus GS 350 AWD
43
54.43%
Toyota Avalon
4
5.06%
Acura RL
19
24.05%
Buick Lucerne
0
0%
IS 250 AWD
9
11.39%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
Help Me Pick a Sedan!
03-22-06, 05:39 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Help Me Pick a Sedan!
I just bought the GX470 a few months ago, but it is getting time to replace the 1995 Nissan Maxima LE bought in 1994.
After I bought the Maxima I thought it was OK, but no great shakes - it didn't have a luxury feel for a top of the line sedan. A year and a half later, we bought the Ford Explorer SUV - it quickly became the car we took 95% of the time, with the Maxima used only for backup. I found I much preferred the high up seat in an SUV and the Explorer was a lot more fun.
My first idea was to buy another SUV, perhaps the RX350, but it was too much like my GX with a bit less space and power. There would be no reason to use it instead of the GX most of the time.
So, I am looking at a new sedan, but it has to be so nice and comfy that we would be willing to use it instead of my GX - I don't want it to sit like the Maxima. Here are my requirements, in no order:
1. Nice, luxurious and enjoyable
2. Reliable
3. Lots of safety features - our daughter will be 16 yo this year!!!
4. New nav and audio system (our 2006GX is at least a generation out of date)
5. Gas mileage in the 20's
6. Price in the $35-$55K range
7.Prefer some kind of all wheel drive
8. No German cars
So far we have put these on our list for comment, but feel free to add:
Lexus IS250 AWD
Lexus GS300AWD
Accura RL AWD
Other Accura?
Toyota Avalon
Buick Lucerne?
I look forward to comments from my CL brothers and sisters.
After I bought the Maxima I thought it was OK, but no great shakes - it didn't have a luxury feel for a top of the line sedan. A year and a half later, we bought the Ford Explorer SUV - it quickly became the car we took 95% of the time, with the Maxima used only for backup. I found I much preferred the high up seat in an SUV and the Explorer was a lot more fun.
My first idea was to buy another SUV, perhaps the RX350, but it was too much like my GX with a bit less space and power. There would be no reason to use it instead of the GX most of the time.
So, I am looking at a new sedan, but it has to be so nice and comfy that we would be willing to use it instead of my GX - I don't want it to sit like the Maxima. Here are my requirements, in no order:
1. Nice, luxurious and enjoyable
2. Reliable
3. Lots of safety features - our daughter will be 16 yo this year!!!
4. New nav and audio system (our 2006GX is at least a generation out of date)
5. Gas mileage in the 20's
6. Price in the $35-$55K range
7.Prefer some kind of all wheel drive
8. No German cars
So far we have put these on our list for comment, but feel free to add:
Lexus IS250 AWD
Lexus GS300AWD
Accura RL AWD
Other Accura?
Toyota Avalon
Buick Lucerne?
I look forward to comments from my CL brothers and sisters.
03-22-06, 06:14 PM
#3
That's quite a list you got these - tere's a world of difference between IS250 and Lucerne. Seem like you much prefer to have AWD, so I suggest you check out Acura RL. The car is really built like a tank, and even though it's MSRP is 50k I heard you can drive away in one for 39k.
03-22-06, 06:23 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Originally Posted by Och
That's quite a list you got these - tere's a world of difference between IS250 and Lucerne. Seem like you much prefer to have AWD, so I suggest you check out Acura RL. The car is really built like a tank, and even though it's MSRP is 50k I heard you can drive away in one for 39k.
With the RL you will get the Acura nav system, which I think is the best out there. Tons of voice commands, bluetooth, a direct iPod specific connection to the audio system (if you have an iPod, but I'm not sure about other mp3 players).
Now the drawbacks. You won't get the park distance (seriously? come on, acura, even CHEVY has that) or the backup camera, since it sounds like you want these pretty much loaded up. Gas mileage also falls kinda short too, 18/26 vs. the GS300's 21/27 (EPA of course). I've also been told on more than one occasion that the performance is less than stellar, even with all that power.
I actually like the RL a lot, but it honestly seems like it's missing quite a few key features that are available on some of its competitors.
03-22-06, 06:32 PM
#6
Originally Posted by SilverLady
I just bought the GX470 a few months ago, but it is getting time to replace the 1995 Nissan Maxima LE bought in 1994.
After I bought the Maxima I thought it was OK, but no great shakes - it didn't have a luxury feel for a top of the line sedan. A year and a half later, we bought the Ford Explorer SUV - it quickly became the car we took 95% of the time, with the Maxima used only for backup. I found I much preferred the high up seat in an SUV and the Explorer was a lot more fun.
My first idea was to buy another SUV, perhaps the RX350, but it was too much like my GX with a bit less space and power. There would be no reason to use it instead of the GX most of the time.
So, I am looking at a new sedan, but it has to be so nice and comfy that we would be willing to use it instead of my GX - I don't want it to sit like the Maxima. Here are my requirements, in no order:
1. Nice, luxurious and enjoyable
2. Reliable
3. Lots of safety features - our daughter will be 16 yo this year!!!
4. New nav and audio system (our 2006GX is at least a generation out of date)
5. Gas mileage in the 20's
6. Price in the $35-$55K range
7.Prefer some kind of all wheel drive
8. No German cars
So far we have put these on our list for comment, but feel free to add:
Lexus IS250 AWD
Lexus GS300AWD
Accura RL AWD
Other Accura?
Toyota Avalon
Buick Lucerne?
I look forward to comments from my CL brothers and sisters.
After I bought the Maxima I thought it was OK, but no great shakes - it didn't have a luxury feel for a top of the line sedan. A year and a half later, we bought the Ford Explorer SUV - it quickly became the car we took 95% of the time, with the Maxima used only for backup. I found I much preferred the high up seat in an SUV and the Explorer was a lot more fun.
My first idea was to buy another SUV, perhaps the RX350, but it was too much like my GX with a bit less space and power. There would be no reason to use it instead of the GX most of the time.
So, I am looking at a new sedan, but it has to be so nice and comfy that we would be willing to use it instead of my GX - I don't want it to sit like the Maxima. Here are my requirements, in no order:
1. Nice, luxurious and enjoyable
2. Reliable
3. Lots of safety features - our daughter will be 16 yo this year!!!
4. New nav and audio system (our 2006GX is at least a generation out of date)
5. Gas mileage in the 20's
6. Price in the $35-$55K range
7.Prefer some kind of all wheel drive
8. No German cars
So far we have put these on our list for comment, but feel free to add:
Lexus IS250 AWD
Lexus GS300AWD
Accura RL AWD
Other Accura?
Toyota Avalon
Buick Lucerne?
I look forward to comments from my CL brothers and sisters.
is going to be a generation out of date once the GS350 comes out later this
year (probably in the fall). Also having one, I cannot say it is the most
comfortable car out there due to the 17'' runflat tires. On the plus side,
its handling and grip is better than any Lexus I've driven and it is a pretty
safe car.
A suggestion comfort-wise would be the new ES350 which should go on
sale soon. Quality is probably going to be a question mark, since it is a
first year model, and being Front Wheel Drive it's going to be "floaty". I don't
think Accura is a good bet quality wise... They are right at the industry average
at this point and one long term review of an RL (can't remember which magazine)
said it kept going back to the shop...
If waiting is an option the GS350AWD may be the car that satisfies those
criteria best.
Trending Topics
03-22-06, 06:46 PM
#8
"Some redesigned or new Japanese models from Toyota and Honda, however suffered "first-year
blues." The new Scion tC and the redesigned 2005 Acura RL, Toyota Avalon, and Honda Odyssey
earned only average reliability scores, for example."
The above is from the consumer reports thread also in this forum. As I thought
the Avalon has also had issues and is only average like the RL.
Below are the ones in the "reliable" list... Not a lot of options, that's why I
chose the GS.
SEDANS: Lexus GS300/GS430*, Infiniti M35/45*, Lexus IS300 (2005), Honda Accord Hybrid*, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord 4-cyl., Lexus LS430
blues." The new Scion tC and the redesigned 2005 Acura RL, Toyota Avalon, and Honda Odyssey
earned only average reliability scores, for example."
The above is from the consumer reports thread also in this forum. As I thought
the Avalon has also had issues and is only average like the RL.
Below are the ones in the "reliable" list... Not a lot of options, that's why I
chose the GS.
SEDANS: Lexus GS300/GS430*, Infiniti M35/45*, Lexus IS300 (2005), Honda Accord Hybrid*, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord 4-cyl., Lexus LS430
03-22-06, 06:46 PM
#9
Beware of the 16 year old!
Perhaps the GS300/350 has a bit too much power for the young one?
The IS250 may be too small as a family sedan, but would be a great starter for your daughter. If you don't need that much space (it wasn't one of your requirements), the IS may be more appropriate.
The Avalon is great, and will most likely be the cheapest to insure for your daughter. It will satisfy your need for space without spending the extra $$$ that the GS would require. Unless if you are considering buying a used Lexus, the GS can get pricey to purchase and insure. If $$ is not an issue, then go for the GS.
Perhaps the GS300/350 has a bit too much power for the young one?
The IS250 may be too small as a family sedan, but would be a great starter for your daughter. If you don't need that much space (it wasn't one of your requirements), the IS may be more appropriate.
The Avalon is great, and will most likely be the cheapest to insure for your daughter. It will satisfy your need for space without spending the extra $$$ that the GS would require. Unless if you are considering buying a used Lexus, the GS can get pricey to purchase and insure. If $$ is not an issue, then go for the GS.
03-22-06, 06:59 PM
#10
Originally Posted by PhilipMSPT
Beware of the 16 year old!
Perhaps the GS300/350 has a bit too much power for the young one?
Perhaps the GS300/350 has a bit too much power for the young one?
hazard...
03-22-06, 08:37 PM
#11
Well silverlady, if I were in your shoe and fulfilling almost all of those requirements, I would go for avalon/es 350. Basically it would meet all the goals #1-8 (primarily about the 16yo 
). I am very conservative/cautious when picking a vehicle when a minor is involved-basically I don't want the thought of any "sports" in there i.e. sports sedan, sports utility..... 
And if you don't want her drive, then get the lucerne kidding, just kidding 
I know mmarshall hates that.
Just my opinion. Good luck.
(primarily about the 16yo ). I am very conservative/cautious when picking a vehicle when a minor is involved-basically I don't want the thought of any "sports" in there i.e. sports sedan, sports utility..... And if you don't want her drive, then get the lucerne
kidding, just kidding I know mmarshall hates that.Just my opinion. Good luck.
03-22-06, 09:32 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by TwiBlueG35
I voted for RL. Probably you should also consider Infiniti M35 Sport.
Its like what Jeremy Clarkson said about the 350Z "a great car but I'd rather cut off my own foot than own one".
