Okay so in a few months I'll be sitting on some money and will be buying a first car. I have been driving a shared Toyota Camry I4 for a long time now and need my own car at this point.

I've been weighing the IS350, 335i, G37..... The IS350 seems to be my best option BUT*

If I was to buy a 2006-7 for around ~$20,000; it will have around 60k miles. Will this last me until 2016 when I graduate? I know this depends on how previous owners and how I treat the car but what is the general consensus on a Lexus lasting 10 strong solid years.

I have in fact driven all of the cars above. The 335 is the best but I don't need that reliability headache... G37 is expensive and I really don't want a coupe.

How does the 350 perform overtime? will that 300+ HP disappear or would it hold its kick if well maintained over time?

Toyota's are extremly reliable So i hope this carries into their creations of Lexus'

 

Your best bet if 20k is your limit and youre buying used make sure you get a CPO

EDIT* I have yet to see a CPO for under 24k. But there may be some.

 

This cars you mentioned have been compared by many. The G is a coupe and doesn't sound like you want a coupe. The BMW has issues over time. So the IS350 sounds like the best performance and luxury auto. There are a few members with over 100K. It's a Toyota, they're very reliable!

 

I see you have a 20k limit that mean you can't afford the BMW. Sorry, not that I hate German but they cost a lot more to maintain, specially the BMW, the reliability is not good at all.

So you have now the choice between the G and the IS in my opinion.

 

20k isn't so much a dead limit give or take + - 1,000 . It's more like what i feel will be responsible and practical. I just read a post of someone buying a 2006 for 17.5k! that would be amazing.

 

But I'm also asking myself if the 350 will still be powerful overtime than it's first days if well taked care of. I bought mine at 57 500 miles, I would be really sad if I lose power. But I would still be surprised, this car is suppose to be one of the most reliable on the market.

 

The IS is for you. Most reliable, great power, classic styling that's aging extremely well, and much more. Just be aware this body will be replaced with an all new one in about a year's time- if that makes any diference or not.

 

Get the 350. im close to 80,000miles now with lots of power. i see ur in bk. i got mine at lexus of queens. they have a few 350s that are not listed on there website. plus they've been good with customer service.

 

my only issue is I can get a 2009 Maxima for the same price and mileage

 

I got my 350 for <$21 with 31k miles. So with a lot of looking and searching, it is possible. It took me 6 months to find this deal, so be patient.

 

which is a very different car that doesn't even power the correct set of wheels

 

350 all the way bro

 

i would buy a 350.... and i did

 

The IS350 should last you until 2016 with little to no problems. I got the IS350 as my first car to commute to school. Originally, I was set on buying a '07 BMW 328i but when I was ready to buy, there were no options I liked. Months before, I looked into Lexus after seeing my neighbor's IS350 in front of my house. The car I ended up buying was $26k. A month passes and the price went down to $23k. Two weeks later, $22k. Week later, $21k. I called them up and haggled them to 20,500. I saw no other options for the 3-series I liked so I went to check out the IS and ended up buying it for $20,300 with 49,270 miles on it. That was a pretty good deal to me.

A little over a year later, I'm almost at 60k and the car runs great. Never been to the dealer for any problem. Just for a recall and warranty work. If you're a student in school, you probably want something reliable and low cost. The IS has been great. However, I'm planning to get a 335xi in the future. I could use the AWD and the option to put it to 400+ HP with a chip, intake, and exhaust. It's worth the trouble of reliability to own one to me.

 

The Maxima is not a bad car but in my opinion even not comparable to a 350