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I would stick with the Taurus like LG recommended. Gm products are worth about as much as a dirty diaper in your left hand.
I am also considering the LS430 - looks like you can get a decent 2007 model for my price range.
I wouldn't recommend the Impala SS. GM did some lazy engineering to try and deal with the torque steer and handling problems, but none of it really worked and its a generally lousy car. It has none of the tricks of say, a Focus RS to deal with big power to the front wheels. If for whatever reason you want something GM, a Pontiac G8 would be an infinitely better choice than the Impala.
2007 is the first year of the current LS460. In my area they are available for $37K or so with 30-40K miles, which is actually a pretty good deal. It's a lot of car for the money, certainly much more so than any new Hyundai Genesis for similar cash, and it makes the Impala look like a Stanley Steamer by comparison.
The tech in the LS460 is as up to date as just about anything you can buy right now, with the exception of uber-tech cars like the S-class, or the latest Audi A8. I prefer the touch screen system it uses to the silly mouse system in the latest RX350.
If $37K isn't too much, (and there may be some deals to be had for less) the 460 is definitely a better choice than an old gen 2006 LS430.
I owned a '96 LS400, and an '01 LS430. I put over 150K miles on both, and they were about as trouble free as you could ask for. The LS is not a car that makes you want to seek out that winding road. Its job is to make your journey as comfortable and relaxing as possible, and its very good at what it does. If you're stuck in traffic, there is no better place to be.
The only reason I'm not still driving one is that I'm doing a lot less long highway trips now, and I wanted something capable of stirring the blood up a bit so I bought an Audi S6.
I think the LS is the best car Lexus makes, and I would highly recommend a test drive.
You should be able to find a certified 06 LS 430 with relatively low miles for around $30,000. or maybe less. Being certified gives you 3 more years of warranty or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty is from Lexus and is virtually the same as the new car warranty.
Unbeatable highway cruiser and very comfortable around town. I would not call it a performance sedan, more toward the luxury side, but it is very capable.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Now, about that raise you wanted.......
Now, about that raise you wanted.......
Yeah, that's what led me to suggest the Taurus as a possible alternative. I don't think showing up with a Lexus LS would be nearly as bad as say, an S-class or 7 series, or arguably even an E or 5, but it still might be an issue.
Another possibility that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Lincoln MKS. Like all Lincolns its a little bit nicer than the Ford (Taurus in this case), and its retail premium is in no way justified. Fortunately the market corrects Fords pricing optimism in a hurry. An '09 MKS can be had around here for $25K. The Lincoln badge carries about as much weight as a Volvo or Saab, and shouldn't offend anyone with an Infiniti.
As I think about this, my requirements are:
1. Luxury/near luxury car
2. Some sporting feel. Even though I will be driving to/from work 90% of the time, every now and then I would like to be able to have a little bit of fun.
3. Ability to carry 3 kids - ages 5,5 and 8
4. Ability to fit 3 kids worth of stuff in the trunk
5. I will probably keep the car for 6 years, so it needs to be somewhat reliable. Extended warranty is a must.
6. Since I am keeping for so long, needs to have decent technology.
I was considering the Pontiac G8, but I think it fails on points 5 and 6.
I think the 2006 Lexus LS fails on points 2 and somewhat 6.
I think a 2007 Lexus LS fails on point 2 only but is probably out of my price range.
I think a 2009 Genesis 3.6 hits on all points.
I think a 2010 Ford Taurus hits on all points if in SHO trim.
I think a 2008 Infiniti M35 hits on all points except points 3 and 4, especially as they get older.
I think a 2009 Lincoln MKS hits on all points other than point 2.
So, am I really settled in on the 2009 Genesis, 2010 Taurus SHO, or 2009 MKS?
I've never had a car for more than 4 years (all from new), so this will be my first used purchase that I will keep for 6 years.
Thanks Again - and please keep the feedback coming.
It sounds like you're starting to get a handle on what you want, so now you should spend the time to really get a feel for each car. If it's possible, try to drive them all on the same roads.
One very important note about the Genesis: its top safety pick award from the IIHS applies only to cars built January 2009 and after. You should avoid any '09 Genesis built in '08. They didn't do so well in their frontal crash test. Both the Taurus and the MKS aced their tests, so there's nothing to worry about there.
Try to drive it without a sales rep in car.
Voice of experience.
4. Ability to fit 3 kids worth of stuff in the trunk
You'll have plenty of room to move in Infiniti M35. Rear headroom (inches): 37.8, rear hip room (inches): 53.9, rear leg room (inches): 37.3, rear shoulder room (inches): 56.9 and interior volume (cu ft): 105.2 It also features a very respectable 14.9 cubic feet of luggage capacity in its trunk space. Its 20-gallon fuel tank will allow you to travel an easy 350 miles before needing filled again. Make no mistake about it: price point considered, the M35 will stack up nicely against just about any vehicle
5. I will probably keep the car for 6 years, so it needs to be somewhat reliable. Extended warranty is a must.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/0910/gallery.consumer_reports_most_rel- - - - iable_cars/4.html
HTH
6. Since I am keeping for so long, needs to have decent technology.
I was considering the Pontiac G8, but I think it fails on points 5 and 6."
If you could find a used 2009 G8 GT, with less than 36,000 miles
[ like mine ]
you could substantially extend the wty with GMPP.
Not sure what you mean here by 'decent technology',,,?
- Ray
Very pleased with my G8 GT - so far...
5. I am thinking that parts/expertise will be hard to come by in a few years with this car. So having an extended warranty might not be too helpful. This is probably overstated, but a concern I have nonetheless.
6. What I mean by decent technology is up to date electronics like the Sync system and a modern Nav (should I decide to get it). I also mean nice creature comforts like backup camera/cooled seats/backup sensors/etc. I don't think the G8 has this.
But what the G8 does have is a nice sized back seat and trunk, nice ergonomics, and by far the sportiest ride of any of the other cars I am considering (save perhaps the M35).
Help me get over my perceived negatives on points 5 and 6!
[grabs you by the shoulders and give you a good shake and a slap, 1940's style]
Get over it!
Nissan has filed for trademark protection for the names "IPL" and "Infiniti Performance Line," according to documents on file with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. According to the applications, the IPL trademark would cover the brand's use of "high-performance motor vehicle parts," including turbochargers and superchargers for engines, cat-back exhaust and muffler systems, shifter knobs, suspension parts, brakes, sports seats and off-road headlights. A spokesman at Infiniti's North American headquarters in Franklin, Tenn., declined to discuss the trademark filings or the brand's product plans. This month in Louisville, Ky., the vice president of the Infiniti Business Unit, Ben Poore, told reporters that he intends to reveal a new performance-oriented offering this summer. He did not elaborate.
we will find out on 8/11 in Pebble beach:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/infiniti-performance-line-ipl-is-coming-this-- year/
http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/cars/revi...-saloon/36621/
I wonder if we'll ever see this engine in the U. S.?
Seriously?
Of course not.
CARB has seen to it that none of the wonderful diesels that Europe and the rest of the world have been enjoying for well over ten years will never be sold here, besides which the EPA registration paperwork jungle for each and every engine/drivertrain configuration is onerous enough to discourage most primes from marketing anything but that which sells in large numbers. Diesels don't fit that model.
VW has taken the plunge and they're selling TDIs hand over fist, but they're pretty much alone.
Sad. :sick:
Not exactly. There is the 335d, and all of the Germans offer diesels in their SUVs. Audi has been surprised at the success of the A3 TDi, and hopefully that will push them to offer more of their diesels here. I'd much rather have an A4 3.0TDi than the 2.0T gas engine.
I'm down to a 08/09 Infiniti M35X, or a new Taurus SHO.
I need more room in the backseat due to 3 kids than the M35 provides.
I'll keep you posted as I get closer to decision time.
Enjoy the summer.
JJAcura
You know, though, my $53,286 MSRP A6 (2005) went for the same monthly lease for the same term as my ~$49K MSRP A4 (2009) -- all this during a time when the Fed cut rates to nearly 0%!
You know, I love my 2009 A4 and it is a better PERFORMING car than the outgoing 2005 A6. But, tho I live in a BIG TOWN (or small city, Cincinnati), I just can't really use the performance the Audi offers.
Now, then, this revoltin' set of circumstances makes me wonder what in the wide wide world of sports to do next.
The CTS(4) with the HO V6 seems like a reasonable alternative (and with a better warranty and lower payments and just as much content and still more performance than can be used (legally or illegally on the hiways and byways around and in Cincinnapolis.) Heck, even the rumored Buick Regal GS looks like it is worth a test drive (assuming it is the one with the HO I4 and AWD.) Again at a better bang for the buck (considering the real pot-hole riddled world I live in here in perpetually in economic recession Ohio), too.
So my buddy trades in a 5 series for a V8 Genesis and loves it (but for me, I say na baby na, no RWD need apply.) Wow lotsa car for little money and good warranty and great lease deals -- what could it hurt (if I am willling to forgo AWD, which I am NOT!)
So my wife's buddy trades in the C class for an Infiniti G37XS -- after so wanting another Merc, or BMW or Audi A4 -- but she says, the Infiniti is zippier than all of them for a decent 3 figure per month $ amount less on the lease and with higher content to boot.
Loyalty is a [non-permissible content removed], sometimes. :shades:
Imagine how I feel with 10 cylinders, and no autobahn to use them on.
I think my pick for the entry-lux segment is still the S4, although Infiniti has done a nice job with the G's reskin and its I think better looking than the slightly weird M. The CTS just has never done it for me, I'm not sure why. I like it better than the hideous and cheap TL, but even the C-class I think is better looking.
I can't get past what the Buick brand stands for. It's like Lincoln, you can make a cool, sexy state of the art Buick or Lincoln, but the brand really can't catch up to the product.
As much as I like the S4 though, it's still just a bit small, and the interior cost cutting I think is just a bit too obvious compared to the B6-B7 A4.
Infiniti has shown their cards and they've done a pretty incredible job with the new M. I like it, but I don't love it. The new 5 is nice, particularly on the inside, but the fact that it seems to be basically a shrunken 7 with a boring driving experience and numb electric steering is a big turn off. That basically leaves Audi and the A6 and A7, one of which is likely to be my next car. I'm very interested in the A7 reveal which is supposed to be soon, as well as what Audi comes up with for the 2012 A6. The fact that the current car took down the brand new 5 and M in Car and Driver is pretty incredible.
Don't know if your a motorcycle guy but I'm seriously tempted by the new Ducati baby monster, Yummy!!!!
BTW, the warranty really doesn't matter if when you take the car in, the dealer says unable to duplicate problem or that's the way the car is designed. Live with it.
Before purchasing a Genesis, or any car, take it on a long test drive over various road surfaces - and tell the salesman to keep his mouth shut.
US News Reviews and Reports Automotive site has some very good information on new cars. MB E Class ranks number one in its class.
Incidentally, the Genesis is not and never will be a Luxury car, just as the Chevy Caprice, AMC Ambassador, etc. never were.
Most of what I've heard are complaints about less than stellar ride quality. The Genesis isn't bad looking, but the interior design reminds me of my old '01 LS430, only its not as good.
As for the E, I don't think its that great. It's a bland drive, and it can't match the new 5 series at pretty much everything.
IMO, the E class is between the LS for luxury and amenities and the 5 series for performance. Best combination of both worlds.
That makes sense. Actually the one area where the new 5 seems to be a disappointment compared to its predecessor is performance. It's heavier, and while the N55 is a more advanced engine than the N54 in the old 535i, it hasn't made the car any faster. The biggest complaints seem to be about the new electric steering system, which apparently suffers from the same numbness and lack of feel as most other electric systems. Not what you expect from the "ultimate driving machine" company.
I'm most interested in the upcoming 2012 A6. Audi has gotten very good lately at offering performance on the same level as BMW or Infiniti, while still leading the luxury industry in design and technology.
The area where the current A6 is weakest is probably the center stack layout. It was their first attempt to break from the "classic" Audi interior layout, and it seems a bit flat and dull compared to the more stylized followups in the A4, A5, and Q5. The 5 and M both bring huge interior improvements compared to their predecessors, and if Audi can do the same the A6 should really be something special.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1048228_2011-cadillac-cts-2011-infini- ti-m-earn-top-safety-pick-status
I have only seen a glimpse of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, and that interior is stunning. It compares with Range Rover for about $20k less. It might not be 100% equal, but it is definitely not $20k less nice1
I am not too concerned with MPG - I only drive about 12k miles/year. So a few MPG's aren't going to kill me one way or another.
I did receive a lease quote on a $35k Laredo X - $35.5k MSRP. 12k/miles/yr, 36 month, no money out of pocket (meaning no cap cost, all fees including dealer and acquisition fee rolled into lease) for $510/mo including the 7% sales tax. I have not shopped lease payments with other cars and am unsure how that stacks up.
From what I've seen, the materials quality is a huge improvement over the typical abysmal Chrysler standards. Reliability is a giant question market though. Chrysler isn't exactly setting the CR charts afire.
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