View Poll Results: Mike is shopping with the wife.....oh dear....
2012, the signs are more evident then ever!
4
11.43%
They will likely be assimilated and get a Honda, in beige
2
5.71%
Does Bed Bath and Beyond sell cars or have a partner program?
1
2.86%
Yall need a Swagger Wagon!
10
28.57%
Al Bundy had an old Dodge....sounds like a winner
0
0%
Dude if your wife doesn't get a Lexus we will ban you
18
51.43%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
Car shopping for/with the new boss lady (Smuglove, decided on RX 400h)
05-13-10, 02:19 PM
#1
Guest
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Car shopping for/with the new boss lady (Smuglove, decided on RX 400h)
Well as I've stated in past reviews the lease is up soon on the Altima and we are going though what to get next, if anything. We looking at certified/used/new vehicles. So far here are the major choices with short summaries of our thoughts;
IS 250- looks great, great features, drives fun, lack of rear space, trunk
IS 350 F-sport-the same but drives and looks better, more expensive
RX 400h-looks good still, hybrid for better MPG, older tech, harder to find
RX 350-plenty around so nice selection, still a solid vehicle, very pedestrian,
ES 350-looks great, tons of room, big trunk, drives soft, hard to find NAV
Nissan Murano-great features, new model, ugly as sin, priced like a Lexus
Nissan Maxima-great features, looks great, new model, priced like a Lexus
Nissan 370Z 40th anniversary (okay like a 1% chance of this happening but that car is just sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet if you haven't seen it in person)
Nissan Altima Hybrid-option, better MPG, familar ownership, drab interior, sameness of the old car
Nissan Altima Coupe-swoopy looks, interior room isn't too bad, still small
Infiniti FX-nice tech, nice interior, nice engine, ugly as sin, no room at all
GS 450h-best thing since sliced bread
Now you might be looking at the last choice like
. We are also contemplating letting her drive the 450h and I simply drive the 430 around.
As you can see our interests are in Lexus/Nissan. I have a great relationship with Lexus and she has a good relationship with Nissan and they are throwing a lot of deals her way. The only other brand she has mentioned is Audi and yall know I am an Audi fan. That said Audi maybe the future, not right now.
Its been interesting thus far as this is my first car purchase for my wife, which does feel different than helping other family and friends. Safety is on my mind more and so is driver education. I am thinking of the future and lil kiddies too and those future needs (hold your horses, not anytime soon
)
I will try to keep things up to date with pics to keep things interesting. Any words of advice for a newbie hubby
IS 250- looks great, great features, drives fun, lack of rear space, trunk
IS 350 F-sport-the same but drives and looks better, more expensive
RX 400h-looks good still, hybrid for better MPG, older tech, harder to find
RX 350-plenty around so nice selection, still a solid vehicle, very pedestrian,
ES 350-looks great, tons of room, big trunk, drives soft, hard to find NAV
Nissan Murano-great features, new model, ugly as sin, priced like a Lexus
Nissan Maxima-great features, looks great, new model, priced like a Lexus
Nissan 370Z 40th anniversary (okay like a 1% chance of this happening but that car is just sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet if you haven't seen it in person)
Nissan Altima Hybrid-option, better MPG, familar ownership, drab interior, sameness of the old car
Nissan Altima Coupe-swoopy looks, interior room isn't too bad, still small
Infiniti FX-nice tech, nice interior, nice engine, ugly as sin, no room at all
GS 450h-best thing since sliced bread
Now you might be looking at the last choice like
. We are also contemplating letting her drive the 450h and I simply drive the 430 around. As you can see our interests are in Lexus/Nissan. I have a great relationship with Lexus and she has a good relationship with Nissan and they are throwing a lot of deals her way. The only other brand she has mentioned is Audi and yall know I am an Audi fan. That said Audi maybe the future, not right now.
Its been interesting thus far as this is my first car purchase for my wife, which does feel different than helping other family and friends. Safety is on my mind more and so is driver education. I am thinking of the future and lil kiddies too and those future needs (hold your horses, not anytime soon
)I will try to keep things up to date with pics to keep things interesting. Any words of advice for a newbie hubby
Last edited by LexFather; 05-13-10 at 02:25 PM.
05-13-10, 02:32 PM
#2
I've been driving a RX400h around for the last few weeks and it's been good and bad. I don't know how the GS450h responds but I do not like the way the 400h accelerates and brakes. Too damn slow in both cases. I understand the regenerative brakes, but I don't think my brother's Prius' brakes were this loosey goosey. Also, on quick acceleration bursts (i.e. freeway merging), the 400h thinks too long before kicking the engine on. In day to day driving though, I love it. It offers a lot of space and isn't completely ugly. Just make sure you get an 08+. I'm in an 07 and there is no Aux jack so I'm forced to use a FM transmitter for my iPod fix.
Good luck with the search!
Good luck with the search!
05-13-10, 02:43 PM
#3
Wife and I just test drove the swagger wagon-SE and we both LOVED it and are thinking about it 
With kids (eventually) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.
Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
With kids (eventually
) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
05-13-10, 02:50 PM
#5
My advice from past experiences & marriages is let the choice be hers. If its her car let it be hers from the start. Definitely don't give her your car unless she comes up & says she wants your car.
good luck
good luck
05-13-10, 02:55 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Wife and I just test drove the swagger wagon-SE and we both LOVED it and are thinking about it
With kids (eventually) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.
Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
With kids (eventually
) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
I've been driving a RX400h around for the last few weeks and it's been good and bad. I don't know how the GS450h responds but I do not like the way the 400h accelerates and brakes. Too damn slow in both cases. I understand the regenerative brakes, but I don't think my brother's Prius' brakes were this loosey goosey. Also, on quick acceleration bursts (i.e. freeway merging), the 400h thinks too long before kicking the engine on. In day to day driving though, I love it. It offers a lot of space and isn't completely ugly. Just make sure you get an 08+. I'm in an 07 and there is no Aux jack so I'm forced to use a FM transmitter for my iPod fix.
Good luck with the search!
Good luck with the search!
I've reviewed the 400h twice and it was my first hybrid to drive and it REALLY took sometime for me to understand it. It was very different to anything I had previously driven.Owning a hybrid now I think I will be more apt to how it drives. She drives my car fine as her Altima has a CVT as well.
05-13-10, 03:05 PM
#7
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Wife and I just test drove the swagger wagon-SE and we both LOVED it and are thinking about it
With kids (eventually) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.
Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
With kids (eventually
) for the both of you, I highly recommend 100% on the SE. Minivans are perfect for throwing all the crap in there, carrying 50" plasma tvs, plants and small furnitures for the house, in laws in the 3rd row seat.........you name it.Of course I know you hate throwing in another option that you didn't even list
Out of your list, then it's the RX.
Do NOT get the Z... she will HATE the ride long-term... please, I know it's sweet... but you will grow to hate it... you will... she will.. your friends will... your maid will... your mother-in-law will... everyone on the planet will...
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05-13-10, 04:02 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
IS 250- looks great, great features, drives fun, lack of rear space, trunk
IS 350 F-sport-the same but drives and looks better, more expensive
RX 400h-looks good still, hybrid for better MPG, older tech, harder to find
RX 350-plenty around so nice selection, still a solid vehicle, very pedestrian,
ES 350-looks great, tons of room, big trunk, drives soft, hard to find NAV
Nissan Murano-great features, new model, ugly as sin, priced like a Lexus
Nissan Maxima-great features, looks great, new model, priced like a Lexus
Nissan 370Z 40th anniversary (okay like a 1% chance of this happening but that car is just sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet if you haven't seen it in person)
Nissan Altima Hybrid-option, better MPG, familar ownership, drab interior, sameness of the old car
Nissan Altima Coupe-swoopy looks, interior room isn't too bad, still small
Infiniti FX-nice tech, nice interior, nice engine, ugly as sin, no room at all
GS 450h-best thing since sliced bread
IS 350 F-sport-the same but drives and looks better, more expensive
RX 400h-looks good still, hybrid for better MPG, older tech, harder to find
RX 350-plenty around so nice selection, still a solid vehicle, very pedestrian,
ES 350-looks great, tons of room, big trunk, drives soft, hard to find NAV
Nissan Murano-great features, new model, ugly as sin, priced like a Lexus
Nissan Maxima-great features, looks great, new model, priced like a Lexus
Nissan 370Z 40th anniversary (okay like a 1% chance of this happening but that car is just sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet if you haven't seen it in person)
Nissan Altima Hybrid-option, better MPG, familar ownership, drab interior, sameness of the old car
Nissan Altima Coupe-swoopy looks, interior room isn't too bad, still small
Infiniti FX-nice tech, nice interior, nice engine, ugly as sin, no room at all
GS 450h-best thing since sliced bread
My advice is, of the vehicles on this list, get the RX350, hands-down. First, you already got a hybrid.....you don't need another one, IMO. Second, of all the criteria you list, the RX is, IMO, the best overall blend of quality, luxury, refinement, smoothness/quietness, road manners (though it's not sporty by any means), dealer service, AWD all-weather capability, and interior space for car seats when Junior comes. Another good possibility would be the non-Hybrid Toyota Highlander Limited (see my comments in the thread you opened about your cousin's RX400H sale).
I would also (ordinarily) recommend a Subaru Outback Limited 3.6R as perhaps the best compromise of all, but (sadly)
I can't do that this year because of the issues with the 2010 (and possibly the 2011) model.....I'm sure you've followed that with my posts.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-13-10 at 04:08 PM.
05-13-10, 05:40 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
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You guys can get a NEW base FWD A4 for like $31K, I think. That wouldn't be a bad choice .
Other than that I think ES350 and RX350 are great options as well. As for Nissans they're all pretty pricey nowadays, but the Altima and the Maxima are nice. But since she already had an Altima I don't know if she'll want to get another one. She might get bored with it lol.
.Other than that I think ES350 and RX350 are great options as well. As for Nissans they're all pretty pricey nowadays, but the Altima and the Maxima are nice. But since she already had an Altima I don't know if she'll want to get another one. She might get bored with it lol.
05-13-10, 06:37 PM
#12
i think the swagger wagon would be great. if there are kids, more room for their crap, great trunk space, and not to mention the great toyota deals at the dealership. best of luck to you and your wife! do what makes her happy! lol
05-13-10, 10:56 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
How important are loaner cars to you??? How easy is it to get loaners at a Nissan or Toyota dealer in your area. I have been considering the Highlander Hybrid more than the MDX because the dealership in my area says they have available loaners no problem.
I would say the RX350 or Highlander Hybrid. If kids are in the near future then you might want to consider the swagger wagon. Do you like the Venza. Seems like a stylish blend of SUV, car , and Station wagon (estate car)
I would say the RX350 or Highlander Hybrid. If kids are in the near future then you might want to consider the swagger wagon. Do you like the Venza. Seems like a stylish blend of SUV, car , and Station wagon (estate car)