First time in 21 years: No Lexus/Toyota in our family
12-07-23, 11:15 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
congrats! i almost bought one of those a few years back but in the end decided i didn't want something that huge/thirsty.
but they're really nice. and for that price, a bargain!
but they're really nice. and for that price, a bargain!
12-07-23, 11:30 AM
#17
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Oh it's huge and thirsty alright! (best said in Kramer voice from Seinfeld). It's like a living room with wheels! And agree, the value is definitely there for these. I'm going to consider doing some minor "chrome deleting" as I think it'll make it look better. Currently thinking of doing just a deep black wrap over the chrome around the windows and at the tiny air vent decoration above the front wheels. And maybe the Infiniti logo on the front and back... Also looking into seeing if I can get door handles to match the paint of the car. It has a little too much chrome to my eye so looking to even it out a little.
12-07-23, 09:53 PM
#18
Intermediate
For the first time in over 20 years, I do not own a Toyota or Lexus product. Our 2010 LX570 was showing its age and had some costly repairs on the very near horizon, so I unexpectedly was forced to start shopping over the weekend. Our 3 requirements were a 3 row SUV, 2nd row captains chairs, and a sunroof. Our Tesla Y gets 75% of the mileage in the family, so the SUV is used when my wife and I are both needing to drive somewhere and will always be the vehicle we take on road trips. We are also in the stage of life where we are carting around our kids and their friends, so we need some space. I have always bought used, but I also looked at a few new vehicles this time around. Here's what we looked at and why it didn't win:
I wish this had all happened about 3-6 months down the road so we could've seen the Lexus GX. The GX and the 2025 Tahoe refresh both actually impacted our approach here, so we both agreed that what made sense was to get something that would get us about 2-3 years of worry free ownership but checked all of the boxes. That lets us see these 2024/2025 models and maybe lets us pick one up 1-2 years old.
So... the winner ended up being...... a CPO 2021 Infiniti QX 80 Premium Select. Here's why:
Overall, an absolutely gigantic step up for us from our LX. The LX was good to us, but it had its shortcomings - in particular I always hated the jump seats crushing my usable cargo space on trips. The QX is not perfect, but it's big, comfortable, reliable, and came with a warranty and price tag that can't be beat for our 2-3 year needs.
- 2021-2024 Tahoe: my favorite exterior styling. My wife didn't like the way it drove and she really disliked the lack of luxury feeling in the 2nd row and 3rd row. I was trying to get her over the hump but couldn't make sense of being able to buy a new one (2024 RST or high end LT with roof) for about $68k but a 2021 with close to 50k miles was $54k and I'd have to pay about $3k more to add a warranty. I refuse to get one without warranty due to what appears to be a substantial risk with engine issues on both engines. Biggest strike against buying a new one is there is a refresh coming in 2025 and I didn't want to spend $70k and then feel it's dated after 12 months.
- 2020-2022 Aviator: really nice interior. Obviously smaller than others we considered. Talked to some friends that had these and all of them had leaky sunroofs and ditched the car. Confirmed same leaking issue on a Lincoln forum. Disqualified but would've been a contender.
- 2021-2023 Expedition: Liked it, have friends that just got 2023's and like them a lot. Platinum trim is all I would consider. 2021 has different infotainment. Hard for me to justify the price tag on these, both new or used.
- 2020-2022 Navigator: Wanted to like it, but just like the Aviator I have a couple of buddies with these model years and while they love the truck, it has issues (suspension, one just reported a leaking moonroof)
- Lexus TX: Didn't think my wife would like the styling, but she was OK with it. Interior felt a little cramped for our liking (width overall and also 2nd row). I prefer a higher driving height but that wouldn't have been a deal killer. Turbo 4 concerned me as I'm coming from a monster V8, but I didn't get a chance to drive it because my wife didn't think it was a legit contender for us. We looked at 2 trims - one was $63k sticker, the other $68k.
- Range Rover LWB: didn't realize RR made a 3 row. Absolutely beautiful but not big enough for us. And the $130k MSRP didn't include the $50k dealer mark-up.... 2 year waiting list for these, so finding one on the lot means you pay a premium. Almost $200k.. out!
I wish this had all happened about 3-6 months down the road so we could've seen the Lexus GX. The GX and the 2025 Tahoe refresh both actually impacted our approach here, so we both agreed that what made sense was to get something that would get us about 2-3 years of worry free ownership but checked all of the boxes. That lets us see these 2024/2025 models and maybe lets us pick one up 1-2 years old.
So... the winner ended up being...... a CPO 2021 Infiniti QX 80 Premium Select. Here's why:
- Worry free: 1 owner, 32K miles leased vehicle, has brand new tires, new brakes, full warranty until 2027, roadside assistance for life, QX60 or QX80 as loaner any time vehicle is in the shop
- Best value, by far. Follows a depreciation schedule I'm more used to, especially compared to Tahoe. This truck new was $77k. Got it at $47k OTD (before trade value).
- Not our favorite overall exterior styling, but actually looks the most similar to the LX from the side which my wife liked.
- Really nice interior layout with soft touch material literally everywhere. Awesome 2nd row captain chair setup and insane amount of cargo space with 3rd row folded down (huge upgrade from LX). Good amount of space when 3rd row in use.
- Had every feature: blind spot, proactive braking, 360 camera, wireless CarPlay, etc. All of these are upgrades for us coming from a 2010 LX.
- Drives awesome - wife felt the most comfortable, great seating position and ride height, and by far the most quiet and refined of anything we drove at 80mph. I'd describe the drive as somewhere between the new Tahoe and a Lexus. It has the insulation and "precision" feel of a high end Lexus model but has some of the more loose/floaty feel of a big GM SUV (which I like)
- The Infiniti dealer was amazing. Did all negotiations directly with the rep, no back and forth to a manager, very low pressure, very professional. Best car buying experience I've had.
- Has a 2 screen setup for the UI instead of the new 12" screen that came in the 2022's. Not a huge deal for us given what we came from, but the '22 has a more modern infotainment setup for sure. A 22 was about $8k more than the deal I got on this and I just couldn't justify that price for a screen.
- Was the only thing we looked at without a pano roof. My wife and I both love sunroofs and would have preferred pano. Just have to live without one for another 2-3 years.
- Back up camera is great in the day, but mediocre at night. I think it's more the screen resolution than anything.
Overall, an absolutely gigantic step up for us from our LX. The LX was good to us, but it had its shortcomings - in particular I always hated the jump seats crushing my usable cargo space on trips. The QX is not perfect, but it's big, comfortable, reliable, and came with a warranty and price tag that can't be beat for our 2-3 year needs.
12-08-23, 06:34 AM
#19
Pole Position
Thread Starter
- Passenger side AC needed 2 motors/actuators replaced. Everything was working, but it failed about 15 months ago and my indy got it working but knew it would eventually die. My indy quoted me $1,600 (side note: when it initially failed I didn't know my indy yet and Toyota quoted me $4k).
- Suspension: I wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but I could tell the ride was a bit rough and bouncy at times. The AHC was also intermittent and not working at the typical times it should (for example, it wouldn't consistently level on my driveway like it always used to). Lexus diagnosed and quoted $6,500 which I didn't trust. With Striker's help, if the Lexus assessment was correct, he found the parts for me and with parts and labor at my indy the total would've been about $2,700.
- Brakes: probably $1k
- Fluid changes for things like transmission, differential, etc. Transmission fluid would've had to be done at Lexus because I believe it's important to do it right. So probably $1k for all fluids if I remember the Lexus quote correctly.
The big thing that I couldn't ever get a proper diagnosis on were some error codes it threw about 8 weeks ago pointing to the transmission. Took to Lexus who quoted $8,500 for complete transmission rebuild but they did no testing to confirm it actually needed that much work - they just hooked up the computer and got error codes (ridiculous). My indy did not feel a rebuild was necessary and referred me to a transmission specialist but I couldn't get an appointment with them for about 3 weeks. That was the nail in the coffin as I didn't have time to wait like that to get an answer on what to do. Maybe best case scenario it needed a few things and would've been $3k or so based on my estimations. While not overly common, the error codes I get do happen on these trucks as I found on IH8Mud, etc.
For me there was no point in throwing this kind of money into a truck I didn't want to keep another 3+ years. After we drove a handful of other things it became apparent it was time for a more modern vehicle. I liked the LX and we kept it for about 9 years I believe - but over time I found myself liking it less and less. It was time for something different.
12-08-23, 07:29 AM
#20
Congratulations!
This is the kind of result that comes from someone being methodical and having an open mind in their search
I have not doubt the vehicle will serve you well.
My Q50S Hybrid AWD is over 10 years old with over 100K miles and is rock solid. I have never kept a car this long.
We all know Infiniti as a brand suffers from lack of resources, but their core vehicles do deliver for the owners.
This is the kind of result that comes from someone being methodical and having an open mind in their search
I have not doubt the vehicle will serve you well.
My Q50S Hybrid AWD is over 10 years old with over 100K miles and is rock solid. I have never kept a car this long.
We all know Infiniti as a brand suffers from lack of resources, but their core vehicles do deliver for the owners.
12-08-23, 08:10 AM
#21
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Congratulations!
This is the kind of result that comes from someone being methodical and having an open mind in their search
I have not doubt the vehicle will serve you well.
My Q50S Hybrid AWD is over 10 years old with over 100K miles and is rock solid. I have never kept a car this long.
We all know Infiniti as a brand suffers from lack of resources, but their core vehicles do deliver for the owners.
This is the kind of result that comes from someone being methodical and having an open mind in their search
I have not doubt the vehicle will serve you well.
My Q50S Hybrid AWD is over 10 years old with over 100K miles and is rock solid. I have never kept a car this long.
We all know Infiniti as a brand suffers from lack of resources, but their core vehicles do deliver for the owners.
12-08-23, 10:10 AM
#22
i appreciate your insight and sharing your method to come to the conclusion. thanks for the read! i specifically loved the description of the sharpness of a lexus but the softness of an american-SUV. that should equate to good open road manners and overall comfort!
i just learned that these are indeed BOF. not sure why i had a suspicion that they were unibody...
i just learned that these are indeed BOF. not sure why i had a suspicion that they were unibody...
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