$10K-$15K budget: LS or Honda Civic
#16
Super Moderator
iTrader: (6)
Welcome to Club Lexus and certainly we hope you join us with an LS.
If your drive favors MPG, the Honda will edge the LS out due to MPG and fuel costs. The LS takes premium and putting regular or mid is .
If you need to drive passengers or you value your own for comfort, the LS wins by a long shot. It also has good trunk space for those Costco runs.
Safety, the larger car tends to do better and the LS crashes very well and provides occupant safety in those instances.
Yes insurance can be high for either car but many factors there for your location, age and driving record.
Repairs, fluid changes are a must for longevity. As parts wear, those fixes can be costly. Both can be very reliable cars.
The LS is no race machine though it is no slug in that dept. If you want to mod it, these are vastly different tuner segments from the Honda crowd.
Basically, you are comparing two very different cars.
If your drive favors MPG, the Honda will edge the LS out due to MPG and fuel costs. The LS takes premium and putting regular or mid is .
If you need to drive passengers or you value your own for comfort, the LS wins by a long shot. It also has good trunk space for those Costco runs.
Safety, the larger car tends to do better and the LS crashes very well and provides occupant safety in those instances.
Yes insurance can be high for either car but many factors there for your location, age and driving record.
Repairs, fluid changes are a must for longevity. As parts wear, those fixes can be costly. Both can be very reliable cars.
The LS is no race machine though it is no slug in that dept. If you want to mod it, these are vastly different tuner segments from the Honda crowd.
Basically, you are comparing two very different cars.
#17
Pole Position
iTrader: (8)
Go for the LS. Im a college student and I have no worries about my decision. Gas may cost a bit but it is all worth it. The LS is one of the most reliable cars you can get. Im not pouring money into repairs...... more like im pouring money into mods. Goodluck on whichever car you decide on
#18
Lexus Test Driver
THIS!!! The LS is for you if you're also looking at it's competitors from the time period (the BMW 7, Merecedes S, Audi A8 etc) or if you're looking at other similar Lexus models like the GS.
#21
Like some others have said, have you considered any "middle ground" like a GS or IS?
I had an LS430 and recently switched to an IS300 but before that I drove a 240sx. All 3 are super reliable but in the 240sx, I felt too young and too immature even though it was a blast to drive. You may feel the same way in a Civic.
The LS430 definitely spoiled me as switching to an IS300 made me feel like I was switching to a very inferior car when in fact, the IS300 is very nice as well. But each time I get into the LS (mom drives it now), I'm still awed by the quality and refinement.
*also note* if you care at all about fuel economy, LS430, GS300/430, IS300, all suck. lol I got about 17-19 mpg in the LS and about 18-20 in the IS.
I had an LS430 and recently switched to an IS300 but before that I drove a 240sx. All 3 are super reliable but in the 240sx, I felt too young and too immature even though it was a blast to drive. You may feel the same way in a Civic.
The LS430 definitely spoiled me as switching to an IS300 made me feel like I was switching to a very inferior car when in fact, the IS300 is very nice as well. But each time I get into the LS (mom drives it now), I'm still awed by the quality and refinement.
*also note* if you care at all about fuel economy, LS430, GS300/430, IS300, all suck. lol I got about 17-19 mpg in the LS and about 18-20 in the IS.
#22
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Depends on how much of a budget you are on.
Is 15k the max your willing to spend? (including tax+reg?) Have you gotten insurance quotes for both cars? (As it will differ quite a bit)
Have you considered getting a newer civic and getting aftermarket susp and coilovers? ( to make the ride smoother?)
The IS300 is a good choice too.
Theres a lot of questions to be answered in order for us to further help you in your purchase.
Is 15k the max your willing to spend? (including tax+reg?) Have you gotten insurance quotes for both cars? (As it will differ quite a bit)
Have you considered getting a newer civic and getting aftermarket susp and coilovers? ( to make the ride smoother?)
The IS300 is a good choice too.
Theres a lot of questions to be answered in order for us to further help you in your purchase.
#24
Depends on how much of a budget you are on.
Is 15k the max your willing to spend? (including tax+reg?) Have you gotten insurance quotes for both cars? (As it will differ quite a bit)
Have you considered getting a newer civic and getting aftermarket susp and coilovers? ( to make the ride smoother?)
The IS300 is a good choice too.
Theres a lot of questions to be answered in order for us to further help you in your purchase.
Is 15k the max your willing to spend? (including tax+reg?) Have you gotten insurance quotes for both cars? (As it will differ quite a bit)
Have you considered getting a newer civic and getting aftermarket susp and coilovers? ( to make the ride smoother?)
The IS300 is a good choice too.
Theres a lot of questions to be answered in order for us to further help you in your purchase.
Make a responsible decision.
I budget $2K/year on repairs for a luxury car like this hoping that I won't have to spend but willing to if something comes up. Are you in the same boat?
#25
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
Why are all these threads started by people with 1 Post?!?
I feel a Troll but I'll bite.. LOL
Civic are good cars but nothing in comparison to an LS.. Worlds apart.. Like someone else said, if you can find a low mileage LS for $15K or less you won't regret it. 3.5 years ago, I was faced with a similar choice. I wanted to buy a commuter car, I wanted an New (at that time) 2010 Accord priced at $25K for the Limited Edition Value Pkg, whatever that is.. Then I found a 2005 GS430 Certified from a Lexus Dealer for $25K with 18K miles (which is practically brand new car) NO Brain-er here - The GS is much much much much much better than the Accord and at the end of the deal Lexus dealer was kind enough to knocked off another $2K so I got my GS for $23K vs a new accord they barely discounted anything to $24700. The Accord was a base car while my GS was decked out to the hilt. I never once regret my purchase, not even for one second, no buyers remorse whatsoever. (So far only spent Less than $180 in oil changes in 3.5 years) To the OP, asking a $15K for Civic or LS is a Joke IMO... Sorry, but that's just a very ridiculous question (its like asking would you drive a Bentley or a Daewoo for the same price..
I feel a Troll but I'll bite.. LOL
Civic are good cars but nothing in comparison to an LS.. Worlds apart.. Like someone else said, if you can find a low mileage LS for $15K or less you won't regret it. 3.5 years ago, I was faced with a similar choice. I wanted to buy a commuter car, I wanted an New (at that time) 2010 Accord priced at $25K for the Limited Edition Value Pkg, whatever that is.. Then I found a 2005 GS430 Certified from a Lexus Dealer for $25K with 18K miles (which is practically brand new car) NO Brain-er here - The GS is much much much much much better than the Accord and at the end of the deal Lexus dealer was kind enough to knocked off another $2K so I got my GS for $23K vs a new accord they barely discounted anything to $24700. The Accord was a base car while my GS was decked out to the hilt. I never once regret my purchase, not even for one second, no buyers remorse whatsoever. (So far only spent Less than $180 in oil changes in 3.5 years) To the OP, asking a $15K for Civic or LS is a Joke IMO... Sorry, but that's just a very ridiculous question (its like asking would you drive a Bentley or a Daewoo for the same price..
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