Looking for another car... what should I get?
05-09-10, 02:12 PM
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
I actually called on a 540I yesterday, but im nervous about a BMW. I drive so much and don't want to be left stranded somewhere. Im going to keep the ES300 for now. It drives amazing once your out on the freeway, but in stop and go traffic and curvy roads its terrible. Ill keep it as my third car. It was only $11,000 for a 2002 with 35,000 miles. I really want a Q45 but they are nearly impossible to find. If I do get the Q45 I also only want the premium package which makes it that much harder to find. Im in no rush though so if it takes a few months im fine with that. I would prefer to get a car within the next month though, so we will see what I find.
05-09-10, 04:58 PM
#18
Have you thought about the 03/04 M45.. Not sure how much power your looking for but 340HP should do the trick.. Also the M3 is a great choice.. I luv my ES but your right its way underpowered.. I think the Q looks a little funny looking IMO...
05-10-10, 09:29 AM
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
I personally hate the 2003/04 M45. I found an 02 Q45 in Scottsdale for 10K with low miles but one I don't want an 02 since its the first year and two I don't want to pay the fees to transfer the car to California. Im just going wait it out until I found something I absolutely must have.
05-10-10, 11:12 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Good idea to be tentative on that car. 3 of my friends owned owned 540's and 740's with over 100K miles and all 3 reported $1000+ repair incidents several times per year.
05-10-10, 12:55 PM
#22
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I know you said you didn't like the LS but someone else in this thread suggested looking for an old LS Sport/Touring model. That might fit the bill (although it would be no more powerful than your GS).
05-10-10, 03:36 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
$1000, these days, in an official, factory-approved BMW service/repair shop, doesn't seem to buy much. It's even worse, in many cases, with Mercedes and Porsche. I was stunned the last time I was in a local Porsche shop and saw the prices they were charging for even routine maintenance.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-10-10 at 03:40 PM.
05-10-10, 03:43 PM
#24
Instructor
Thread Starter
My dad use to have a Porsche and at minimum it was $500 every trip to the dealer. I found a 2006 M45 I'm going to look at tomorrow. If it looks good and everything checks out I might have a new car. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but seems like a really good deal so we will see.
05-10-10, 03:47 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
$1000, these days, in an official, factory-approved BMW service/repair shop, doesn't seem to buy much. It's even worse, in many cases, with Mercedes and Porsche. I was stunned the last time I was in a local Porsche shop and saw the prices they were charging for even routine maintenance.
The real examples I gave of the BMW's at over 100K miles had several visits at over $1000 per year, ouch.
Lexus dealer service pricing is steep too, btw.
Yes, I'm familiar with routine maintenance costs of Porsche and Mercedes, having owned several and have used both dealerships and qualified independents. In the case of my favorite independent certified Mercedes master tech/shop, the savings is about 30% for a real life example of service B at 39K miles.
Last edited by IS-SV; 05-10-10 at 03:51 PM. Reason: sp
05-10-10, 03:52 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
My dad use to have a Porsche and at minimum it was $500 every trip to the dealer. I found a 2006 M45 I'm going to look at tomorrow. If it looks good and everything checks out I might have a new car. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but seems like a really good deal so we will see.
Good luck.
Is it a RWD, AWD, or M45 Sport?If it's in good shape (and, according to Consumer reports, the M35/45 is generally reliable), I don't think you will be disappointed. It's a real treat to drive one.
05-10-10, 04:19 PM
#27
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Well I have a 2002 GS430 which currently has 105,000 miles and last month I bought a 2002 ES300 with 35K miles. Not a huge fan of the ES300, but I bought it because of the low miles. I also knew it would do good on gas since drive so much. Well the car has ceased to impress me so I want to look for something with more power. I have around $15K to spend. Im open to other makes and have been focusing on a G35 coupe or a 2003+ Q45. I know completely different cars, but I like both. I wouldn't mind a BMW either, but I think I want to stick with Japanese because of reliability. Does anyone have an opinion on another car I should look into?
1. Budget!
2. Car Type?
I will give you ya best options.
05-10-10, 04:52 PM
#29
Hard to answer without a budget / specifics...
It sounds like you want a more engaging car than an ES but with good gas mileage
The g35 will disappoint on MPG but will be nice on driving experience. Maybe a TSX?
It sounds like you want a more engaging car than an ES but with good gas mileage
The g35 will disappoint on MPG but will be nice on driving experience. Maybe a TSX?
05-11-10, 09:19 AM
#30
I personally hate the 2003/04 M45. I found an 02 Q45 in Scottsdale for 10K with low miles but one I don't want an 02 since its the first year and two I don't want to pay the fees to transfer the car to California. Im just going wait it out until I found something I absolutely must have.
