What would you buy?
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 6
From: South Florida
Im pretty sure someone would care about the 06 GS300's well known oil consumption due to bad piston rings and head carbon build up issues due to crappy direct injection design. The 06 GS300 is the "lemon" of the 3GS lineup.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
As far as "ugliness" goes, the Matrix and Vibe are reliable and do the basic jobs they were designed to do very well. They weren't designed......or intended.......to be beautiful exotics.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 67
From: TN
Overall I would put the TL first as well. Although, my son (age 26) has owned a 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan for a couple of years that has been a great car (he gave 7k for it with 90k miles). While I don't know about the newer models, the 2003 was on the Z car frame. His has the sport suspension and the Z car engine. Fun car to drive and has been very dependable. The G35s, while they appear to be very good cars, don't hold their value very well so you should be able to get more car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...bar=true&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...es=COUPE&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...es=COUPE&Log=0
Last edited by bagwell; May 8, 2015 at 07:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 32
From: TN
Thank you for the recommendations! Still leaning towards the TL. Maybe the TSX, if we can find a nice one. Not interested in the Acura coupe (can't remember the letters) - those seems to mostly be abused burner cars!
Glad to see the warnings about transmissions/burning oil.. things I wouldn't know without digging! I had no idea about the Nissan transmission and issues - did know about the Toyota dash recall (our Solara is part of it, will replace dash before we sell it.)
What the heck is up with all the salvage/rebuilt cars out there?! Although I can say we've had 2 cars totaled in recent memory - an 02 Solara with very little damage - it was immaculate prior to the accident - and was drivable even afterwards - I had gotten such a good deal on it it we were able to upgrade to the newer Solara. Hail damage totaled my younger son's Nissan Pathfinder - again, because of the deal I made buying the Pathfinder we upgraded him to an Infiniti SUV for the insuarance $$. I'm guessing both of those cars are being driven with salvage/rebuilt titles. In a previous life, I worked in lending, these titles made the value drop in half. And you still can't typically get full coverage insurance.
Sharing this craigslist ad, because I know you guys will appreciate it!http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5014106348.html
Glad to see the warnings about transmissions/burning oil.. things I wouldn't know without digging! I had no idea about the Nissan transmission and issues - did know about the Toyota dash recall (our Solara is part of it, will replace dash before we sell it.)
What the heck is up with all the salvage/rebuilt cars out there?! Although I can say we've had 2 cars totaled in recent memory - an 02 Solara with very little damage - it was immaculate prior to the accident - and was drivable even afterwards - I had gotten such a good deal on it it we were able to upgrade to the newer Solara. Hail damage totaled my younger son's Nissan Pathfinder - again, because of the deal I made buying the Pathfinder we upgraded him to an Infiniti SUV for the insuarance $$. I'm guessing both of those cars are being driven with salvage/rebuilt titles. In a previous life, I worked in lending, these titles made the value drop in half. And you still can't typically get full coverage insurance.
Sharing this craigslist ad, because I know you guys will appreciate it!http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5014106348.html
Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: FL
Lol, great read! Poor guy.. LX to a minivan.
Thank you for the recommendations! Still leaning towards the TL. Maybe the TSX, if we can find a nice one. Not interested in the Acura coupe (can't remember the letters) - those seems to mostly be abused burner cars!
Glad to see the warnings about transmissions/burning oil.. things I wouldn't know without digging! I had no idea about the Nissan transmission and issues - did know about the Toyota dash recall (our Solara is part of it, will replace dash before we sell it.)
What the heck is up with all the salvage/rebuilt cars out there?! Although I can say we've had 2 cars totaled in recent memory - an 02 Solara with very little damage - it was immaculate prior to the accident - and was drivable even afterwards - I had gotten such a good deal on it it we were able to upgrade to the newer Solara. Hail damage totaled my younger son's Nissan Pathfinder - again, because of the deal I made buying the Pathfinder we upgraded him to an Infiniti SUV for the insuarance $$. I'm guessing both of those cars are being driven with salvage/rebuilt titles. In a previous life, I worked in lending, these titles made the value drop in half. And you still can't typically get full coverage insurance.
Sharing this craigslist ad, because I know you guys will appreciate it!http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5014106348.html
Glad to see the warnings about transmissions/burning oil.. things I wouldn't know without digging! I had no idea about the Nissan transmission and issues - did know about the Toyota dash recall (our Solara is part of it, will replace dash before we sell it.)
What the heck is up with all the salvage/rebuilt cars out there?! Although I can say we've had 2 cars totaled in recent memory - an 02 Solara with very little damage - it was immaculate prior to the accident - and was drivable even afterwards - I had gotten such a good deal on it it we were able to upgrade to the newer Solara. Hail damage totaled my younger son's Nissan Pathfinder - again, because of the deal I made buying the Pathfinder we upgraded him to an Infiniti SUV for the insuarance $$. I'm guessing both of those cars are being driven with salvage/rebuilt titles. In a previous life, I worked in lending, these titles made the value drop in half. And you still can't typically get full coverage insurance.
Sharing this craigslist ad, because I know you guys will appreciate it!http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5014106348.html
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Minivans aren't as bad as the image many think of them. They get a bad rap in the auto press, but what do you expect....those guys are mostly sports-oriented, and all they seem to think about is acceleration and handling. But, for a lot of families, minivans are probably the most useful vehicles available....particularly with the Sienna's AWD option.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
I had a G35 coupe for 11 years. LOVED that car but at 100k, i had to get valve covers replaced ($700), crankshaft sensor went (common and about $2k to replace and if it goes, gotta get it towed), needed new suspension ($1k) and ate tires every 15k due to how the front suspension was setup (common to all G35s and 350zs). It's a really great drive but the maintenance is VERY expensive. My brakes also cost about $1k if you get decent pads and rotors. Btw, its only a matter of time before window motors go and door actuators fail. Gas mileage was about 17mpg and premium is required or you get massive knocking.
I'd recommend a G coupe to a mid 20s guy wanting to mod his car but to a 19 year old, not so much. Honestly at that age I'd go for a used Mazda 3 or Civic. They are fun to drive, have good gas mileage and bullet proof.
I'd recommend a G coupe to a mid 20s guy wanting to mod his car but to a 19 year old, not so much. Honestly at that age I'd go for a used Mazda 3 or Civic. They are fun to drive, have good gas mileage and bullet proof.
i currently have a 2007 TL, and i love it...
earlier posts are correct, the 2007/2008(the nice body style...before they went ugly) TL recieved the upgraded RL transmission and have been issue free.
If your son is OK with auto, just get the base TL... the auto TL-S is only a few more horses, different wheels, and brembo brakes. these are the only noticeable differences. Auto S and Auto base is not much different, and getting a 6spd type S is hard to come by, and fetch top dollar.
Besides, you can get a nice low mileage base for $11K. The S will have much higher mileage
If you have any questions about the TL, just shoot me a PM
good luck with your search
earlier posts are correct, the 2007/2008(the nice body style...before they went ugly) TL recieved the upgraded RL transmission and have been issue free.
If your son is OK with auto, just get the base TL... the auto TL-S is only a few more horses, different wheels, and brembo brakes. these are the only noticeable differences. Auto S and Auto base is not much different, and getting a 6spd type S is hard to come by, and fetch top dollar.
Besides, you can get a nice low mileage base for $11K. The S will have much higher mileage
If you have any questions about the TL, just shoot me a PM
good luck with your search
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
08pebbch, it sounds like you're on quite the journey with choices. It's interesting, because car people often look at all the same brands and models. I almost bought a Solara Coupe as a daily driver a few years ago.
Eventually I migrated over to a G35 awd sedan at a dealership and loved its handling but wasn't convinced about other noises in the front suspension that drove me away.
After that I waited and ended up with a 2GS 430. Never regretted it although I really would have gone for a TL-S too.
What kind of driver is your son? Does he love tail-out power once in a while w/o wrecking his ride? Is he okay with a perfomance fwd?
The TL sounds like a good choice. But for effortless straight line blasts, a GS430 (1998 - 2005) isn't such a bad option.
Eventually I migrated over to a G35 awd sedan at a dealership and loved its handling but wasn't convinced about other noises in the front suspension that drove me away.
After that I waited and ended up with a 2GS 430. Never regretted it although I really would have gone for a TL-S too.
What kind of driver is your son? Does he love tail-out power once in a while w/o wrecking his ride? Is he okay with a perfomance fwd?
The TL sounds like a good choice. But for effortless straight line blasts, a GS430 (1998 - 2005) isn't such a bad option.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 32
From: TN
I had a G35 coupe for 11 years. LOVED that car but at 100k, i had to get valve covers replaced ($700), crankshaft sensor went (common and about $2k to replace and if it goes, gotta get it towed), needed new suspension ($1k) and ate tires every 15k due to how the front suspension was setup (common to all G35s and 350zs). It's a really great drive but the maintenance is VERY expensive. My brakes also cost about $1k if you get decent pads and rotors. Btw, its only a matter of time before window motors go and door actuators fail. Gas mileage was about 17mpg and premium is required or you get massive knocking.
I'd recommend a G coupe to a mid 20s guy wanting to mod his car but to a 19 year old, not so much. Honestly at that age I'd go for a used Mazda 3 or Civic. They are fun to drive, have good gas mileage and bullet proof.
I'd recommend a G coupe to a mid 20s guy wanting to mod his car but to a 19 year old, not so much. Honestly at that age I'd go for a used Mazda 3 or Civic. They are fun to drive, have good gas mileage and bullet proof.
i currently have a 2007 TL, and i love it...
earlier posts are correct, the 2007/2008(the nice body style...before they went ugly) TL recieved the upgraded RL transmission and have been issue free.
If your son is OK with auto, just get the base TL... the auto TL-S is only a few more horses, different wheels, and brembo brakes. these are the only noticeable differences. Auto S and Auto base is not much different, and getting a 6spd type S is hard to come by, and fetch top dollar.
Besides, you can get a nice low mileage base for $11K. The S will have much higher mileage
If you have any questions about the TL, just shoot me a PM
good luck with your search
earlier posts are correct, the 2007/2008(the nice body style...before they went ugly) TL recieved the upgraded RL transmission and have been issue free.
If your son is OK with auto, just get the base TL... the auto TL-S is only a few more horses, different wheels, and brembo brakes. these are the only noticeable differences. Auto S and Auto base is not much different, and getting a 6spd type S is hard to come by, and fetch top dollar.
Besides, you can get a nice low mileage base for $11K. The S will have much higher mileage
If you have any questions about the TL, just shoot me a PM
good luck with your search
Minivans aren't as bad as the image many think of them. They get a bad rap in the auto press, but what do you expect....those guys are mostly sports-oriented, and all they seem to think about is acceleration and handling. But, for a lot of families, minivans are probably the most useful vehicles available....particularly with the Sienna's AWD option.
08pebbch, it sounds like you're on quite the journey with choices. It's interesting, because car people often look at all the same brands and models. I almost bought a Solara Coupe as a daily driver a few years ago.
Eventually I migrated over to a G35 awd sedan at a dealership and loved its handling but wasn't convinced about other noises in the front suspension that drove me away.
After that I waited and ended up with a 2GS 430. Never regretted it although I really would have gone for a TL-S too.
What kind of driver is your son? Does he love tail-out power once in a while w/o wrecking his ride? Is he okay with a perfomance fwd?
The TL sounds like a good choice. But for effortless straight line blasts, a GS430 (1998 - 2005) isn't such a bad option.
Eventually I migrated over to a G35 awd sedan at a dealership and loved its handling but wasn't convinced about other noises in the front suspension that drove me away.
After that I waited and ended up with a 2GS 430. Never regretted it although I really would have gone for a TL-S too.
What kind of driver is your son? Does he love tail-out power once in a while w/o wrecking his ride? Is he okay with a perfomance fwd?
The TL sounds like a good choice. But for effortless straight line blasts, a GS430 (1998 - 2005) isn't such a bad option.
i put the S wheels on my base(which are the same exact size as the base)
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
08pebbch, here's a curve ball... if you see one at around the same pricing as the TL, consider an RL too.
It's a car that didn't get much attention but is an amazing effort by Honda. Same V6, awd. Fairly decent styling and more features than the TL. If I wasn't so spoiled by my Lexus V8, this would be on my list.
It's a car that didn't get much attention but is an amazing effort by Honda. Same V6, awd. Fairly decent styling and more features than the TL. If I wasn't so spoiled by my Lexus V8, this would be on my list.