omelet1978

I've got a long commute, so I'm looking at buying a used 2007 Lexus IS 350. With everything it comes out to 40k miles a year, so if I get one with 40,000 miles on it in 4 years it will be at 200,000 miles...

I test drove a 250 but it did not have enough power for my liking, and I get paid a little extra a month for gas for the commute.

I was wondering how expensive the long term maintainability costs would be. Replacing brakes, tires, timing belt, stuff like that...

Also, my previous car was rated at 21mpg overall just like the 350 and I got like 24 mpg overall with the drive. Can I expect similar from the 350?

soupdawg

how can anyone possible know what your overall mpg is going to be...that just depends on how your driving is split between freeway and city

15951

If you're mostly commuting, why do you need 300+ horsepower? You state that you're going to put 40k miles annually on the car, and that you have a long commute. If you're going to be smart with your money, then buy a used car that gets great mileage. Off the top of my head, a VW w/the TDI engine would be good, or a 4-cyl Accord, or something along those lines. If you REALLY want to be smart, buy a used domestic brand. They drop in value considerably faster, and you might be able to pick up an amazing deal on something a year old with 12k miles.

The value of the vehicle you purchase will be close to zero at the end of four years and 160-200k miles, so up front costs and maintenance should be the primary concerns. The Lexus is so much more expensive than what you should be thinking about, that I'm surprised you even got to the maintenance costs part of the equation. I have absolutely no idea why you'd want to spend $25k+ on a car that you are going to drive into the ground, and then spend thousands more in gas than you would with better mileage. On top of that, brakes, tires, maintenance, etc. are going to be more expensive with a Lexus than with an economy-minded car. Expect to spend $600-800 minimum on tires, and they will wear out twice as fast as cars intended for commuting. To be clear: The IS350 is not a long-haul commuter, and using it for same is a waste of money IMO.

Of course, if you just want the IS350, and are ignoring the financial implications, then your questions are moot.



(By the way, I have an IS350 and love it, but I live 5 miles from work, so the gas costs and maintenance are not unreasonable.)

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

the engine itself will take you all the way to 200,000 miles easily with just regular service. tires and everything arent that expensive if you keep along the lines of stock 17 inch.

however like the previous poster, you can still save a buckload on stuff like gas if you choose a domestic car instead of a lexus. if your commuting as much as 40k a year, you can expect to see easily 25+ mpg. but that is very little compared to hybrid cars where you can get +40 mpg.

if you really want to commute in style, why dont you look at a hybrid lexus. even the high end hybrid camry are pretty luxurious these days

L-S-D

iTrader: (-1)

Maybe hes BALLING OUTTA CONTROL !!

Bichon

The IS doesn't have a timing belt, it has a timing chain that requires no maintenance.

Yes, 24 mpg should be easily attainable on long trips. In warm weather with the cruise control, and get 26+ on long trips.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

On highway trips I get 27-28 mpg in my IS350... in mixed driving that is mostly city/stop-n-go it's more like 21-22

As noted there's no timing belt... what the car will need in 200k miles (by the manual)

Every 5k: oil change

Every 15k: Engine/cabin filter (you can do yourself in about 5 minutes)

Every 30: Change brake fluid (roughly 100-150 bucks)

Every 60: Spark plugs (not sure what dealer gets to do this one)

Every 100: Change coolant

That's it for scheduled service.

Tires depend entirely on what you put on the car... summer high-performance tires you're talking every 15-25k miles... touring tires you can obviously get a lot more out of for lesser performance.

Brakes- again depends on the driver really... some folks really good about staying off their brakes get over 50k on a set of pads and can get 100k on a set of rotors. Other folks less good about it do it 2-3 times more often.

iRock

iTrader: (12)

get a fully loaded prius... their zippy

ScKcBc

iTrader: (2)

If I had to average 40k a year (about 2 hours a day) in a car, I'd want a nice car too. thats alot time to spend in a little POS.

omelet1978

Here is my thought process. ANYWAY YOU LOOK AT IT I'M SCREWED WITH THIS COMMUTE. I buy a beater car and I have to time & spend money on like tires, fixing it up, etc...

I bought a 04 4runner new and after taxes it was 35k. Gas hit $4 a gallon and sold it for 13k 5 years later which was $22,000 gone with normal driving. It's looking like I can get an 06 or 07 for $25,000 so even with the commute I won't be loosing as much money as with the 4runner.

Also, I always go racing at autocross's...don't think a 4cyl accord would do that very well

omelet1978

Oh, and looked into getting a civic, but decided against it b/c it's too light and I'm worried about safety. Decided against the Jetta Diesel b/c of the reliability. I'm looking at several models too, not just the 350. The Lexus would be a lot of fun though.

JoshIS408

iTrader: (11)

i agree, you can mod them too

speed_Demo

You should get a Jetta TDI, you can get up to 50 mpg on freeway. It has good low end torque. The engine can last easily to 200k.

For IS350, if you do some of the maintenances yourself(oil, filters, coolant, sparkplugs), then it should be cheap to own. That's the great thing about some lexus vehicles, easy maintenances.

I changed my brother's gf IS250 oil, air&cabin filter in about an hour, and less than $100 in parts.

15951

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just playing devil's advocate. Keep that in mind with the following:

Yes, you're screwed, but you have to look at it in orders of magnitude. Do you want to be a little screwed, or COMPLETELY screwed?

The 4runner example doesn't make much sense. You're using a past bad financial decision to justify one that isn't quite as bad. That will never get you anywhere except in debt!

Did you autocross the 4runner?

Also, consider this:

- You don't want a Civic because it's too small and light.
- The wheelbase of the Civic is around 106, and the length is around 177".
- The wheelbase of the IS350 is 107.5", and the length is 177.3".

If you want the IS350 because you just want it, then fine. But you're buying a small car.

Also, the Civic has 4 and 5 star crash ratings. Most cars do now. Safety isn't a good reason.

someboy

iTrader: (6)

the guy wants a Lexus, then a Lexus he shall have, why push him off to other car companies? the Man wants luxury, speed and reliability + okay MPG == A Lexus IS350
so to me, an IS350 is his best choice.