Most reliable compact sedan for $15k?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
From: NC
Most reliable compact sedan for $15k?
We all know how utterly reliable our LS430's are. Mine has been fantastic for the 75k miles I have owned it and plan to keep it a long time..
With that said, what do you think is most reliable compact sedan for under $15k that is less than 10 years old? I'd like to find a compact beater that will run forever if properly maintained to park in those risky congested parking lots and not worry about dings, dents and scratches. Basic luxury features like leather and premium sound a plus.
Cannot be a Camry or ES, since I find those cars ugly and bland.
With that said, what do you think is most reliable compact sedan for under $15k that is less than 10 years old? I'd like to find a compact beater that will run forever if properly maintained to park in those risky congested parking lots and not worry about dings, dents and scratches. Basic luxury features like leather and premium sound a plus.
Cannot be a Camry or ES, since I find those cars ugly and bland.
Last edited by cerberusM5; Apr 27, 2017 at 06:34 PM.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 4
From: WA
Avalons by far, are way better then any Camry. Drove a 97 XLS with 181,000 on at purchase for only $1750. Drove for just under 10 years till this past
January buying my first 2002 Lexus LS430 CL with 138,000 on it for only $3636 after trading in the Avalon with 227,000 miles for $400.
January buying my first 2002 Lexus LS430 CL with 138,000 on it for only $3636 after trading in the Avalon with 227,000 miles for $400.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
Avalons by far, are way better then any Camry. Drove a 97 XLS with 181,000 on at purchase for only $1750. Drove for just under 10 years till this past
January buying my first 2002 Lexus LS430 CL with 138,000 on it for only $3636 after trading in the Avalon with 227,000 miles for $400.
January buying my first 2002 Lexus LS430 CL with 138,000 on it for only $3636 after trading in the Avalon with 227,000 miles for $400.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 4
From: WA
I spend months researching prices and and locations nearby and then go through reviews of the car types. Sometimes taking over 5 months
to make a decision. Sucks when you wait to long and loose out though. Went through it all before only loose out at the last minute, takes a
lot patience. This last buy I made the call in the morning and he told me someone was coming out to test drive it. 112 miles away, I jumped
in the car and drove with everything needed to make a trade. Weather was sucky. For MN in January you would think it would be snowing,
nope foggy and rain. Sealed the deal and drove it home. Paid in cash. Was the wife ever surprised when I picked her up from work at Walmart.
Just so happened I bought that Avalon for her. But she suffered a stroke a year ago in Sept. and has been unable to drive. Did the same with
the Avalon. Hoping she will regain enough to drive the Lexus.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 766
Likes: 110
From: MI
You might take a look at a GS 300 (2nd Gen - 1998 to 2005). I believe they share the same chassis as an Avalon and reliability similar to the LS. My son has an '02 and we are very happy with it. That generation is priced reasonably and holds up very well. While good examples are hard to find, the guys on the GS forum seem to come up with some diamonds in the rough on a regular basis. (Around $7500 to $9500 with 70k to 100k. Longevity similar to the LS.) Only unusual issue is the ball joints which can be replaced very reasonably. Also, door actuators but forum has several good DIY solutions.
Last edited by LS430Lexus; Apr 27, 2017 at 07:43 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 227
Likes: 8
From: Ca
2011/2012 Equus should be close to $15,000 "soon" Although not a compact, you get a lot of features for the money.
I've never owned one older than a 2014, but my 2014 has 207,000 miles & runs great.
I have 4 X Equus in my fleet.
I've never owned one older than a 2014, but my 2014 has 207,000 miles & runs great.
I have 4 X Equus in my fleet.
Genesis flew right over my head even though I briefly looked at 2013-2013 R-Specs. Fit and finish isn't as nice as Lexus, even ten year old LSs, but a tiny bit better than toyota and if you want, available with a rwd and 4.6 V8 without sacrificing reliability or dealing with poor build quality for low teens, and no American or European cars come to mind that can do the same thing without being way more expensive, or really outdated (town car comes to mind).
We used to have a 2000 Avalon XLS in the family and it was amazing and trouble free for the most part up until about 165k miles when it was totalled in an accident.
Currently have a 97 Avalon XL base model with about 175k miles that's been in the family for over 10 years with also no issues at all. Has been super nice to us. Only issue is it's starting to rot pretty bad underneath and on the body panels which is expected out of a 20 year old daily driven, never garaged IL car.
Currently have a 97 Avalon XL base model with about 175k miles that's been in the family for over 10 years with also no issues at all. Has been super nice to us. Only issue is it's starting to rot pretty bad underneath and on the body panels which is expected out of a 20 year old daily driven, never garaged IL car.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 250
From: AZ
I don't know about most reliable, but the Lexus IS are a really good choice. You can pick up IS300s for a song right now.
It's sort of funny though that you're looking for a "beater" that's worth more than your LS430.
It's sort of funny though that you're looking for a "beater" that's worth more than your LS430.