MrSunshine

I am in the market for a used car. Originally, I was set on buying a 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon Limited with all the bells and whistles until I came across a used 2007 Lexus LS 460 L with 105k (highway) miles.

The car is advertised for $22k and is in great condition aside from minor seat wear and slight curb rash on the wheels. It drives like my parent’s 2007 LS 460L with 40k miles. The car has always been parked in a garage (even at work) and has all the service records to go along with it. The seller is from an affluent neighborhood so I am assuming he is being honest with everything: one owner, clean title, no accidents.

My options were: brand new 2014.5 Camry SE, used 2011-12 Avalon Limited with ~35k miles or the LS with ~105k miles or a beater (my DD is on its last legs).

I will be starting pharmacy school in another state this fall and need the car to last (at least) 4 years without any major repairs. I will traveling ~800 miles 2x a year to visit my family back home.

Which option do y’all recommend? Has most of your LS’s hold up well beyond 150-200k? How expensive is the upkeep on these as the milage goes up? Thank you in advance!

Nospinzone

Normally I would tell someone to go with the '07 LS. , However, given your set of circumstances of going to school and needing the car for at least 4 years, I would recommend you get the new Camry. The key reason is it will be under warranty during the whole period you will need it.

While the LS should easily be reliable for the next four years, if anything does break it will likely be very expensive to repair.

BTW, as to "The seller is from an affluent neighborhood so I am assuming he is being honest with everything: one owner, clean title, no accidents.", affluent people are no more or less honest than people in any other neighborhood.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

^^^^ Couldn't have put it better myself - get the Camry and then splurge when you get out of school.

Tee

Solid advice especially the part about affluent people.

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Unfortunately I tend to agree with everyone above me. While it is difficult to push someone away from an LS, in these particular circumstances it seems like the Camry would be the smart, albeit it boring choice... Graduate and then splurge on a nice shiny newer LS as you won't have any problems getting rid of a used Camry.

peteybabes

This is the exact reason you need it inspected!

My friend and owner of Connan's Paint in Body in Indianapolis IN specializes in high-end imports and exotics, and every week they run into a wealthy customer who is embarrassed by an accident or want to avoid the "hit" on their insurance, and get the cars repaired by the client paying out of their own pocket!

RodT

[QUOTE=Nospinzone;8636052]Normally I would tell someone to go with the '07 LS. , However, given your set of circumstances of going to school and needing the car for at least 4 years, I would recommend you get the new Camry. The key reason is it will be under warranty during the whole period you will need it.

While the LS should easily be reliable for the next four years, if anything does break it will likely be very expensive to repair.

QUOTE]

solid advice I agree

Pamperme

Get u a cheap RELIABLE used car (trust me they're out there) that u can pay cash for, pay the monthly amount of a new Camry into a mutual fund and let ur money work for you. When the time is right, buy the car u want in cash with the "profits" from your mutual fund.