I could afford the notes on a $10k car but I want a V8. And maybe it's me, but that generation of Lexus doesn't look as good. Reminds me of the ugly 6th gen Nissan Maxima. Maybe I need to see them in person? Will keep it in mind. Looks like they have manual mode

What's wrong with 100k - 125k miles? Will take it to a Lexus dealer to get the PPI. Worse case scenario I just upgrade in 2-3 years

 

I think the first reply nailed it - I'd also suggest you look at an Accord manual. 5000 to 6000 should get you something decent if you shop around. Miles are going to be fairly high. but the cars are generally reliable and reasonably inexpensive to maintain.

Edited to add this - filters were MT, 1 owner, clean title, no reported accidents, 4K to 6K

Honda Accord

 

^^ he gave up on MT and now is thinking 98-00 GS400...

 

It's a 20 yr old car lol. Hopefully it'll last if I buy one with less than 120k miles. Isn't much really, but better than most cheap cars in my price range. At the same time I don't know much about cars, reading about them does nothing. I'm just used to my 98 ES300

 

if its a '98-'00 that's 18-20 years old. 100k mi. on 20 years is only 5K a year which means either it sat a lot or did a TON of stop and go traffic (hard on a vehicle).

any dealer service on a car that old is going to cost a LOT. a lexus gs is not like an accord or camry which are cheap to maintain.

 

More like 140k average but I get your point

I can't think of anything else that's fun. Thought about 02-03 Nissan Maxipad and the G35 but that's a poser car lol

​​​​​​Going back to school next year. Sucks being lower income

 

there's tons of fun cars. but you're a bit all over the map. originally an MT 4 door, and then a V8 auto. $6k. reliable. you might need to be more realistic. an '09 accord ex 4 door with 100k is still about $9k.

 

I'd vouch for a GS400/430 or an Acura TSX if you still want a manual

 

Would not rule BMW out.

With BMW the parts are so readily available in so many prices, OE, OEM, and aftermarket, and all transparent (you know that such and such OEM is identical to OE).

Also, there is such a level of enthusiasm, a lot of complete jobs are on YouTube (example, ABS pump replacement). I did my ABS pump myself which is a $4,200 job at the dealer. Spent just under $500 as I had to buy some line wrenches, a motive, and the dealer software.

If you can get one and also line up an indie who installs customer parts, imho you're good to go. I would look at the E46 and E90....maybe like a 2008 or 2007 328i (unless 2009 or 2010 still is within the budget), and then a 2005'ish 330i....(I'm skipping 2006 because the 325/330 was made for only 1 year)

 

OK you seem to have put BMW in the rearview.....on Lexus, just me, I don't want the dealer to look at my old car, this leads to $5k+ recommended unneeded services. Take it to a Japanese indie, who will let you stroll around their shop like you own the place (my indie lol). They treat you like they actually care about your car personally (unlike dealers). I rolled in with a 2006 LS430 84k miles, and left with nearly $6k worth of recommended work, NONE of which was needed per an indie. So I dunno about this PPI--what's in it for them, or the tech who does it, for that matter?

I have to say the 3UZ-FE seems to be set it and forget it. And the timing belt job that Lexus gets $1800 for, is $750-$900 all day long at an indie, who likely does a way better job. I couldn't even find any evidence that the work was done, except for an Aisin sticker (cuz they didn't do it, right? lol I did finally find one shred of evidence, a push pin missing and some pink coolant spilled). All original parts returned, and the Aisin box with my name and the shop's on the shipping label, from the distributor, I believe work was done. (shop does not stock the kits, orders when needed, and not through rock auto either)