i need an honest opinion about this one please.
I am looking at immaculate 1998 LS 400 with 150,025Miles and 2010 mazda6 i sport with 25,000miles. Dealer have all the records on the LS 400, water pump and timing belt done. The mazda 6 cost $14,000 and LS 400 around $6000. I dont have $14,000 cash, which means i may have to get a loan, i can get money for LS. So in a long run which car will be beneficial to me? Keep in mind i am DIY kind of guy. i already own 1999 LS 400 so i know how to fix a lot of stuff, the next car will be for my wife who love the ride of my LS 400. is more like OLD vs NEW.

 

You are familiar with the LS400 so there is comfort there. OTOH, The 6 is a nice driving car, sporty, reasonably roomy better rear storage than the LS400. Another is the current safety standards and will get better MPG. You'll also pay higher insurance for the newer car.

Tough but if me, I'd get the Mazda. On a tighter budget, obvious which way to go.

 

I agree on the 6 trunk(huge) my big problem is cabin noise, especial when you drive in the concrete road. I am falling toward LS 400 if i can push another 200K without breaking a bank. Something i forgot to mention, no nav and no air sus on LS

 

for the long run, I'd get the LS... I've owned mazda 6 for 7 years now and its not mod friendly and I've replaced sooo many things in the 105K miles I owned it, its not funny; if you want quality and reliability, get the LS..

 

That's sad to hear about the 6. The new ones seem nice but for long term drivers...that is depressing to learn about parts replacement like that.

jadu what parts have you had to replace? Engine and basic electronics how is the car? Please share...I'd like to hear your experiences.

 

I have to say the LS. First, you can pay cash. Second, you here it time and time again here on the board that if you take care of it it will run forever. And plus, it's a Lexus.

+1 on the cabin noise too. My two cents.

 

If money wasn't an issue, and it was purely my choice, one or the other. I'd chose my '90 LS over the mazda. Just based on the fact that the LS is 20 years old and still rides better, and is quieter inside than the mazda.

But, if gas mileage is an issue, the mazda would probably win...damn v8, ha.

 

id get the ls400. the no air suspension is a blessing in disguise. its stupid expensive to fix if it ever fails. the ls costs less. has had the major maintenance done. itll ride smoother and be quieter. you already know how to fix most of the things the go wrong so will save money on repairs. ins is cheaper. a navigation head unit doesnt cost THAT much. and your wife likes the ride of the ls. plus they are built like tanks and hold up well in collisions. the only plus i see for the mazda is that it gets better gas mileage.

 

To sum it up, the v6 is just difficult to work on and not mod friendly. The only modification I really did was beef up the suspension, springs and eventually a good shock/spring combo. The car was daily driven.

 

That certainly changes my view of the 6.

 

LS 400 is the winner at this point, thanks guys for good advice. "Jadu" problems remind me of my 2001 hyundai elantra.