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I noticed that neither a Lexus LS430 nor an Infiniti Q45 are not on your list. For your intended use I think these would be perfect. They are luxury cars, low maintainence, and least likely to breakdown with your clients in the car!
Let us know what you settle on.
I would not even consider an Infiniti. We get them in all the time as preowned cars and I think they are cheap and plasticky, and the interiors wear down faster than other cars. There is no reason to consider the M35 unless you just want a luxury badge. The Nissan Maxima is the same car.
Anyway, if you want a good pre-owned car for your needs, I would say Lexus LS430. If you are willing to step up a little go for the newer M-B's, they are great cars.
Your comments ---
"As a used car, the only Lexus I would even consider is the LS430. It is a quiet car with lots of space and would be great for carrying clients or going on trips. The ES and GS are rebadged Toyotas. Lexus makes a good car, quiet and comfortable and affordable. However, the new S-class STOMPS the new LS460L. Lexus is very good at loading their cars with features to combat other car makers, but the drive of a Lexus cannot compare to the drive of a M-B."
are very misleading, you either have been sniffing the tailpipes for too long around the dealership or believe all the horse hockey that the Mercedes Corporate Propaganda Machine has been feeding you.
While there are many similarities between the Camry V6 XLE and the Lexus ES in terms of platform, performance and features the cars are not "rebadged" Toyotas.
The majority of Camry's are built in the United States, all Lexus except for the RX which is assembled in Canada are built in Japan. The fit and finish of the Lexus meets a higher standard, the overall noise, vibration and harshness of ride is less, the warranties are longer, servicing is called for at much less frequent intervals, Lexus retains a greater portion of it's value at resale and a Lexus demo is provided free of charge for all service.
There is no car in the Toyota selection that shares the Lexus GS all wheel drive performance or available V8 engine. It can hardly be called a rebadged Toyota.
Obviously you've been standing outside in the sun for too long without a hat and are beginning to see things if you really believe that the new S class stomps the LS 460L or LS 460
The new LS series has an 8 speed transmission - MB only 7, the car retails for $15K less, produces 380 HP from a 4.6L engine as opposed to 382 HP from a 5.5L, has more interior space and more trunk space, I believe in many respects that the Lexus is a superior car, I hardly think that the S class stomps the LS.
Even the 12 cylinder S600 takes second place to the LS 600h, the hybrid motor smokes the S600, has a faster 0 to 60, offers more interior space, has a longer warranty and retails for about $25K less.
Mercedes enjoyed a reputation for years as building the best large luxury sedans in the market, with the introduction of the new LS series Lexus has climbed on top of the pedestal, you just can't beat the Japanese for innovation and quality.
Actually, having driven every single one of the mid-lux cars currently on sale, I can say that the Infiniti M easily ranks among the best. It thoroughly trounces the RL and the GS, and it beats the rapidly aging E-class, both in performance and technology. It takes a BMW 5 to outperform the M.
The "they are a rebadged Toyota\Nissan" is a tired, stale and cheap argument from the entrenched trying to defend their turf. It's no different than saying the E-class is a rebadged Chrysler 300.
Well, so long as you pay no attention to which pair of wheels drives the car, or what the fore/aft weight distribution on said wheels is, or any of a number of other things, you're exactly 100% correct.
If you do, you're not. Say after me: "RWD is different from FWD."
I knew you could.
I've narrowed the field down to the Jag, the 7 series or if I want to go sport, the BMW 535.
I'm am a little unsure of the Jag, never having owned one before. I drive about 15K per year for work and do need reliable comfortable transportation so it won't be a garage queen.
Any experience with it?
By the way, I recently tested the LS460 and the MB S 550 back to back for about 20-30 minutes each. The MB is a heavier car with a very smooth ride. The LS feels lighter in every way but is also smooth and quiet. I know that MB had some quality issues with the last S Class but I prefer the way it drove over the new one. This one felt a bit ponderous to me but it does exude class and quality. The interior is of a very high quality but in a "serious" almost austere way. I'm sure it will last forever. The LS460 is a half notch up in all departments from my LS 430 but to me it is very much the "same" car from a driving perspective. The salesman must have said ten times that "it's a completely different car in every way than the LS 430". They must be trained in that "mantra". Maybe because the average guy who has been used to leasing LS's for 800-900 per month for the last 10 years is suddenly faced with a 1250-1300 per month car.
Yikes! And guys, it really feels very similar, not that it's a bad thing.
You forgot to mention the Maxima is also the most singularly fugly car on the road today. I had an '02 6-speed, but they lost me on buying a new one when they came out with the new styling and CVT.
I love the Infiniti M-series... M45 in particular.
I agree, although the Maxima really lost its way years earlier when they went to a beam axle for the sake of rear seat room. So much for the "four door sports car".
The only Mercedes with an above average rating is the lowly C class. That means their luxury cars are really, really unreliable. As a result their sales have suffered. I am surprised that they sell anything above the C class.
This is unacceptable and inexcusable for an auto maker that was once known for good build quality and reliability.
My take is that they are desperately trying to hold onto their profit margins by scrimping on quality. In their frantic efforts to compete with Lexus they have, indeed, thrown the baby out with the bath water!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The problem I have with CR is how do they know their respondents are being truthful? For instance, the Prius was rated #1 in reliability but I have heard of many, many problems with that particular car. I have a tough time with that one.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Oh, ye of little faith.
You have to remember that a hybrid is a "lifestyle statement" and that CR is pimping big time for those who will make one.
Their highly-regarded (by the brain-dead) reliability studies come from a self-selected cohort. The self-righteous among them who have had trouble with their hybrid vehicles would rather spend time with Rush Limbaugh (in person) than report trouble. They're silent, and CR continues to pimp the green agenda. Oh boy.
Calming down a bit, it's important to remember that the CR reliability stuff comes from only those who choose to respond to a tedious survey form that takes quite awhile to complete. Unless you have a message to send, I'm guessing you're going to blow it off.
Go figure.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The "sporty" Volkswagen GTI came in dead last, number 12! Right behind the Hyundai Tiburon! Amazing, but not really surprising I guess.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Isn't it true that M35 is RWD and Maxima is FWD? so right off the bat don't we see that they are very different cars, not the same at all? thank you.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
But i am sure many will surely have hesitations buying a mb after reading these messages,
My dad had owned a couple of mbs in the past he says its the best cars through could never found out the reliability because of accidents :sick:
He still says its the best luxury cars,
But no offend guys i am seriously a bmw fan, specially the x5.
Regards.
Thats for the current model. The Maxima started out life having an IRS. They changed it to a live axle in order to increase rear seat room I think two generations ago ('97?). The current car switched back to an independent setup.
Good luck - let us know how it works out for you.
The car currently has 45,500 miles on it. I purchased it for $32,000.
The dealer wants to sell me an extended warranty for $4988\ 4 yrs or 50K additional miles.
does it make any sense to buy the warranty or should I just invest the money and pay for the repairs myself.
I would suggest going for the extended warranty. I know a few people with A8s. When things go wrong on those cars, they go very wrong, and will cost more than the price of that warranty to fix.
Completely agree. Toyota reliability is not to be scoffed at, based on experience. Would need to look at interior specs on Jaguar. My initial impression was: beautiful machine, but don't have many customers willing to ride further than 1/4 mile with their knees tucked up under their chin.
Anyone have any thoughts on these cars?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The best year to get for an LS430 is a 2004. If you're looking in the full size lux class, I think the Acura RL would probably be too small. It's really cramped compared to an LS, and also just not a great car. The A6 and M are both more comfortable, more spacious, and much better to drive. I would suggest considering a certified used Jaguar XJ, possibly a VP depending on how much room you want in the back. As for the Genesis, I think I'd rather have the real thing (LS460) than the imitation.
The LS is at the top of my list and I will reserve judgment on the Genesis until I can drive one. The dealership is the problem there.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
With the LS you will probably be happy for a long long time.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
In a recent comparison on Edmunds, it was noted that the A6 was extremely uncomfortable and that "the ride could not get much worse". This was an A6 but I would imagine that the S6's ride would be even more harsh.
The A6 tied for 3rd (last) with Merc, behind the XF and BMW.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
When Edmunds declared the Lexus GS430 "Japan's best sports sedan", their comparison tests lost all credibility with me. That said, the XF SV8 is a brilliant car, and I would take one over a 5, E, or A6 4.2. The S6 though is a different matter. The ride is firm but not overly harsh, and the seats are very comfortable. It's very good around town and exceptional on the highway, and can be quite fun to drive, though its not as playful as a 5 or M.
Just wondering if the same effect has been felt in the V8 luxury market or not. And if so, would it be a good time for a savvy buyer to get a good deal on a slightly used model? I'm thinking Japanese or German. Any thoughts?
I currently have a 2000 LX that still looks and drives like new but was thinking it may be a good time to get a newer one. It does not seem that the new LX 570 is being discounted much, if any, so probably smarter to go for an 05,06, or 07. This thing is a horse, very comfortable and we only drive it 5 or 6 thousand miles a year so gas doesn't kill us. You simply cannot beat it for versatility, etc.
Your best bet would be to find an individual that has "panicked" and wants to dump one. I am sure they are out there.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I think now is a great time to buy a lightly used V8 luxury sedan. A new M45 is about $7K more than an M35, and a new A6 4.2 costs a good $10K more than the 3.2. When you look at the used market though, those differences are basically erased.
If you're looking for something a bit bigger, a CPO Jaguar XJR is an absolute bargain. You can get very low mileage '05 examples in the low $30s.
This had just the opposite effect on me. Different strokes.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I hadn't considered the Jag, but I guess their reliability reputation has improved in recent years. I wonder if maintenance parts would be sky-high or not.