What to replace your GS400 with?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 56
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From: VA
What to replace your GS400 with?
Hey Gang: Not your typical question, but figured I'd pose it to you car enthusiasts anyways...My wife and I just had a new baby and am seriously considering on selling our 99' 400 (51K, white with all options but Navi) to get something 1/2 as much or less (in the 10K range) to drive and FWD is a must for East-Coast weather.
Help me out with your opinions please: what Sedan is worth driving that I can buy on the cheap, that's semi-fun to drive, economical/reliable, without too much regret? Here's the considerations thusfar for the $$:
00-01 Nissan Maxima (decent power, looks etc. - what about reliability)
00-02 Toyota Camry (booring and a bit underpowered)
00-01 Toyota Avalon ( a bit out of the price range)
00-02 Volkswagon Jetta
00-02 Mazda models?
00-02 American models (Pontiac: Bonneville/Grand Prix) - typical unreliability worries...
And other models I have no clue about:
Subaru, Honda (anything besides the Civic or Accord), or other American.
Any thoughts on your knowledge/opinions of family cars to own alongside my oo' FWD RX-300 is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Help me out with your opinions please: what Sedan is worth driving that I can buy on the cheap, that's semi-fun to drive, economical/reliable, without too much regret? Here's the considerations thusfar for the $$:
00-01 Nissan Maxima (decent power, looks etc. - what about reliability)
00-02 Toyota Camry (booring and a bit underpowered)
00-01 Toyota Avalon ( a bit out of the price range)
00-02 Volkswagon Jetta
00-02 Mazda models?
00-02 American models (Pontiac: Bonneville/Grand Prix) - typical unreliability worries...
And other models I have no clue about:
Subaru, Honda (anything besides the Civic or Accord), or other American.
Any thoughts on your knowledge/opinions of family cars to own alongside my oo' FWD RX-300 is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Gayburg, MD
Originally Posted by Dbl400Trbl
Hey Gang: Not your typical question, but figured I'd pose it to you car enthusiasts anyways...My wife and I just had a new baby and am seriously considering on selling our 99' 400 (51K, white with all options but Navi) to get something 1/2 as much or less (in the 10K range) to drive and FWD is a must for East-Coast weather.
Help me out with your opinions please: what Sedan is worth driving that I can buy on the cheap, that's semi-fun to drive, economical/reliable, without too much regret? Here's the considerations thusfar for the $$:
00-01 Nissan Maxima (decent power, looks etc. - what about reliability)
00-02 Toyota Camry (booring and a bit underpowered)
00-01 Toyota Avalon ( a bit out of the price range)
00-02 Volkswagon Jetta
00-02 Mazda models?
00-02 American models (Pontiac: Bonneville/Grand Prix) - typical unreliability worries...
And other models I have no clue about:
Subaru, Honda (anything besides the Civic or Accord), or other American.
Any thoughts on your knowledge/opinions of family cars to own alongside my oo' FWD RX-300 is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Help me out with your opinions please: what Sedan is worth driving that I can buy on the cheap, that's semi-fun to drive, economical/reliable, without too much regret? Here's the considerations thusfar for the $$:
00-01 Nissan Maxima (decent power, looks etc. - what about reliability)
00-02 Toyota Camry (booring and a bit underpowered)
00-01 Toyota Avalon ( a bit out of the price range)
00-02 Volkswagon Jetta
00-02 Mazda models?
00-02 American models (Pontiac: Bonneville/Grand Prix) - typical unreliability worries...
And other models I have no clue about:
Subaru, Honda (anything besides the Civic or Accord), or other American.
Any thoughts on your knowledge/opinions of family cars to own alongside my oo' FWD RX-300 is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
99 Acura TL (This is the model with the better tranny, the 00-05 have the tranny problems).
05/06 Subura Legacy GT
If you are worried about price then your best bet is to keep the GS.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Ok so it looks like you want to save some extra cash??? Well first of all your GS400 with only 51k has a ton of life left and is really reliable(you know that). Needing to be front wheel drive, I don't agree totally with that. I live in Michigan and have had 2 LS400s and now I have a GS400. Just get some good snow tires and you will drive better than most cars out there. For example if you have a car payment and lets just say the GS is a $20k loan at 7% for 48 months= $480.
A $10k loan at 7% for 48 months = $240 so for a savings of $240 a month I don't think its worth down grading to something that might give you more problems and is defintely not as fun to drive. You pay for it so you better like it. I would find other ways to save some cash and keep the GS. Unless you own it or most of it and your just looking to get a chunk of cash then thats a different story. I owned a Buick Riviera that was like a while back (under 20k miles). I loved that car but I sold it when I picked up a LS400 as an extra car. The LS had way over a 100k miles but it ran smoother, quieter, and just a lot nicer quality than the GM vehicle. So all I'm saying is once your use to a Lexus, everything else seems like crap. Its worth being happy for what you spend your money on.
A $10k loan at 7% for 48 months = $240 so for a savings of $240 a month I don't think its worth down grading to something that might give you more problems and is defintely not as fun to drive. You pay for it so you better like it. I would find other ways to save some cash and keep the GS. Unless you own it or most of it and your just looking to get a chunk of cash then thats a different story. I owned a Buick Riviera that was like a while back (under 20k miles). I loved that car but I sold it when I picked up a LS400 as an extra car. The LS had way over a 100k miles but it ran smoother, quieter, and just a lot nicer quality than the GM vehicle. So all I'm saying is once your use to a Lexus, everything else seems like crap. Its worth being happy for what you spend your money on.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 383
From: Philadelphia
I know Camry's are boring (I've owned two), but that is the most reliable car on the list. They have gigantic trunks and back seats, they're great in the snow, they're inexpensive to maintain, and everyone walks away from accidents.
Were I in your exact situation, I would absolutely and without hesitation hunt down a Camry with 30k on it.
Were I in your exact situation, I would absolutely and without hesitation hunt down a Camry with 30k on it.
Last edited by jonathancl; Jan 16, 2006 at 10:50 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 16
From: Texas
Originally Posted by jonathancl
I know Camry's are boring (I've owned two), but that is the most reliable car on the list. They have gigantic trunks and back seats, they're great in the snow, they're inexpensive to maintain, and everyone walks away from accidents..
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: VA
Thanks for the feedback Gang
Appreciate the thoughts peeps. I've seen a few 02 Maximas out there with the 255 hp motor for around 12-13K with Xenons and most options to boot which still isn't a GS, but a pretty nice looking (driving?) car. I guess if I can escape the starter replacement for a hair on my GS, I might get by keeping the car as I've got new 17" chrome stock rims with 4 new Michelins all around, replaced the timing belt/water pump (replaced for time vs. mileage), plugs, tranny fluid and new Brembo rotors on the rear I surely won't get my $$ back for if I sell.
Any choice is a downgrade but agree that the Camry is the best car for practicality and affordability. Hondas aren't my bag and I've had it with American bolt buckets. Any thoughts on the Maxima's driveability and reliability - 01 or 02?
Thanks again.
Any choice is a downgrade but agree that the Camry is the best car for practicality and affordability. Hondas aren't my bag and I've had it with American bolt buckets. Any thoughts on the Maxima's driveability and reliability - 01 or 02?
Thanks again.
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Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
i gotta say a camry, my mom have a 97 camry and never had a problem with it yet.
i know what you mean about this east coast weather, that's why i kept my 95 honda accord for that reason.
for the maxiams, my girl got a 00 max and every time i look around she got all kinds of problems with it, but then again her sister in law beats the hell out of that car, but still.
and for the mazda, i drove the new mazda 6 (03 i think) in a 5spd when i was teaching my friend how to drive it, (she didn't know how to drive stick) i gotta admit it was kinda fun to drive. Not that much power imho but the handling was nice and it had a lil ***** on it once you push it hard.
i know what you mean about this east coast weather, that's why i kept my 95 honda accord for that reason.
for the maxiams, my girl got a 00 max and every time i look around she got all kinds of problems with it, but then again her sister in law beats the hell out of that car, but still.
and for the mazda, i drove the new mazda 6 (03 i think) in a 5spd when i was teaching my friend how to drive it, (she didn't know how to drive stick) i gotta admit it was kinda fun to drive. Not that much power imho but the handling was nice and it had a lil ***** on it once you push it hard.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
Trading down is a tough deal to work. You'd be better off buying the car of your choice first and then selling the GS on your own. Or visa versa if you alternate transportation. From your list I would chose the Camry, but I would think long on hard before selling the GS. With proper winter tires it's pretty darn good in the winter.
,after lots of thought(about 3sec) i would say Keep the GS. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by IAGS400
If you get a last generation Maxima get one with the meridian edition..heated seats and heated steering wheel. I wish my GS had a heated steering wheel.
Back to the original topic - I say go with an 02-03 Maxima. The 00-01 Max is nice too, but the 3.5 V6 is an absolute gem. You can definately find one in your price range. Nice blend of luxury, looks & power. I've had 3 Maximas w/ no problems whatsoever - hence my bias.
