Which car for the wife??

bigjl · Dec 7, 2012

I would probably buy her some nice pimp rims for her current Lexus.

Maybe a nice top of line stereo in there to make her travelling more enjoyable.

Then I would keep it for another few years.

With those miles it's resale is not going to be the best and a new one will lose a fortune.

I like the Lexus she has at the moment to be honest. So if you really feel the need for something fresh and shiny, and why not if you can afford it, then I would try and score the best deal possible on one of those.

Why change a winning formula.

The Lincoln is ugly, the Buick looks like a stretched Vauxhall Insignia which it probably is, I don't see the point in trying to pretend your Honda isn't a Honda by buying an Acura.

Even though the Lexus is based on Japanese market Toyotas I think they are just that bit better made than Toyotas and warrant a different badge.

Kuato · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: dparm
She should buy the car SHE likes. It's totally subjective. Agonizing over reviews and spec sheets doesn't really get you far other than to find obvious reasons to rule things out (backseat is too small, MPG poor, etc).

All of those are very good cars.

^^ This. Take her out to drive them all and let her pick.

Of course if she's used to Lexus, maybe she would want to stay with them.

Dan55 · Dec 7, 2012

Acura TL can be had for under 32K

LeakySeals · Dec 7, 2012

Whats that new Acura model Santa's driving around in the commercial? That looks pretty good.

PandaBear · Dec 7, 2012

Personally I'd stick with the 160k ES350, it is likely better build than the newer ones, at least IMO better than a TL or G37, Camry, or Avalon. Passat would probably last fewer miles and years than you keep driving the 160k ES350. Not sure about the MKZ so no comment there.

If she isn't complaining about the current ES350 yet, I'd wait a couple more years and save up to a bigger budget. $32k gets you a good, but not nice, new mid size car these days. I'd raise the budget to at least $40k by postponing the purchase a couple years.

zerosoma · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Doog

1. Lexus ES350
2. Toyota Camry XLE
3. Toyota Avalon
4. VW Passat SE TDI
5. Acura TL
6. Infiniti G37
7. Lincoln MKZ

Which would you purchase and why?

I love the Passat. It drives so nice. I would say that or the Camry.

Ultimately it comes down to what color she likes.

TallPaul · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
You must make a lot more money than I do.

Obviously he's got money to spend. Why even bring this up?
Shock factor. I guess if I made $200,000 a year I might spend that much on my wife's car. As Doog's profile says "Occupation: Unemployed" he must have an early retirement form a nice paying job, or won the lottery. Nice work if you can get it. Have at it.

Originally Posted By: surfstar
...but they really uglied up the front and rear ends on them.
True of so many cars these days.

hypervish · Dec 7, 2012

I'd stick with the ES for now. 165k miles is nothing, it's just getting broken in at that mileage.

bladecutter · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Doog
I am looking at:

1. Lexus ES350
2. Toyota Camry XLE
3. Toyota Avalon
4. VW Passat SE TDI
5. Acura TL
6. Infiniti G37
7. Lincoln MKZ

Which would you purchase and why?

None of the above.

Personally, if I was in that market, I would wait 1 month, and buy the new 2014 Mazda 6.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=M6N

If you want to wait until July to buy, you will then have the option of the Mazda 6 with the turbo diesel engine, and mid 40's highway, with 300+ ft-lbs of torque.

BC.

bladecutter · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Yeow!

I would NEVER spend anywhere near $30,000 for a car for my wife. Last year I got her a used Mountaineer for $7800 and bought myself a used Ranger for $3000. You must make a lot more money than I do.

Some people care more about our loved ones than others, and are willing to spend more on them.

I wouldn't buy a Mountaineer at any price, for myself or for my gf, and I know for a fact she would set it on fire before ever driving it.

And don't think for a minute that its because she's some form of uppity snob. Her current cars are a 2001 PT Cruiser that she bought new, and a 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth, that she also bought new.

The next vehicle that we are planning on purchasing is going to be one of the following:

2014 Mazda CX-5
2014 Mazda 6
2014 Porsche Cayman
2014(?) Alfa Romeo 4C

We're pretty much waiting until the Denver car show in March to get more news about the Alfa progress on selling cars in the US, and make a decision. Purchase will most likely happen at the end of next year.

Oh, and its a purchase to add another car to our fleet, not a replacement.

BC.

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: Doog
I am looking at:

1. Lexus ES350
2. Toyota Camry XLE
3. Toyota Avalon
4. VW Passat SE TDI
5. Acura TL
6. Infiniti G37
7. Lincoln MKZ

Which would you purchase and why?

None of the above.

Personally, if I was in that market, I would wait 1 month, and buy the new 2014 Mazda 6.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=M6N

If you want to wait until July to buy, you will then have the option of the Mazda 6 with the turbo diesel engine, and mid 40's highway, with 300+ ft-lbs of torque.

BC.

I bought a Mazda MPV back in the 1990's and the engine had piston slap due to faulty wrist pins. It showed up at 4000 miles so I requested a new engine from Mazda. They refused. I will never buy anything from that company. Never ever ever ever.

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Colt
You can easily pick up a new leftover '12 ES350 for $32K.
Discounted big because of the new design '13.

Yeah, I didn't notice until now. My dealer has 10 of them sitting. Might be a good bet to shop after January 1 and see what they have left over.

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
You must make a lot more money than I do.

Obviously he's got money to spend. Why even bring this up?

Yeah, we know how lots of threads about buying cars turn into financial advice/lectures, but this one he never mentioned ability to pay, etc, just a list of cars and a preferred budget of $32k.

I still say keep the current one and put the savings into retirement. But it depends on if your preference is driving a new/nice car, or shaving a couple of years off your working career.

TL's are great cars and fully featured for their price, but they really uglied up the front and rear ends on them. At this point, the cars in the list are similar enough that you need to spend a weekend test driving them, then shopping for whichever one or two wins and go with the best deal. Hopefully she'll decide for you while test driving.

Putting money into a retirement account is a suckers bet now that Mr. Bernacke is printing another load of cash and your money while making .05% is being devaluated at 6% per year. I have already made real property investments for retirement but am shopping for the wife's vehicle. My budget is $32k MAX. which in 2013 is not a real expensive car anymore. BTW, I always start shopping way before I have to buy a car. Keeps my objectivity level way up as I can walk away from many deals before the excellent one comes along.

Cujet · Dec 7, 2012

Consider a crossover SUV. Many women like to sit up higher and prefer a more commanding view of the road.

asiancivicmaniac · Dec 7, 2012

Nissan Maxima, Honda Accord, and VW CC would also be good choices.

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Consider a crossover SUV. Many women like to sit up higher and prefer a more commanding view of the road.

Fuel economy is a major factor. I won't buy anything that gets less than 25mpg combined.

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Nissan Maxima, Honda Accord, and VW CC would also be good choices.

Yeah...Honda Accord with all the bells & whistles might be a possibility. She doesn't like the VW CC.

Jim Spahr · Dec 7, 2012

I would recommend either a year end ES350 close out deal or keep the known car you have now and keep it running another 135k with the TLC learned here from BITOG,i.e. good synthetic and the best oil filter and maintenance.

TallPaul · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Some people care more about our loved ones than others, and are willing to spend more on them.
That is not the case. In fact, she was happy to continue driving the 1992 Aerostar that was half rusted out.

Quote:
I wouldn't buy a Mountaineer at any price, for myself or for my gf, and I know for a fact she would set it on fire before ever driving it.
My only regret is I didn't get her an older car. This 2005 Mountaineer is too fancy, they even made the HVAC controls so complicated that it is too distracting to try adjusting it while driving. Frankly, I wouldn't mind burning it myself, but would rather sell it. The 4.0 V6 is way too powerful for that vehicle (pity those who got V8s).

Doog · Dec 7, 2012

Originally Posted By: Jim Spahr
I would recommend either a year end ES350 close out deal or keep the known car you have now and keep it running another 135k with the TLC learned here from BITOG,i.e. good synthetic and the best oil filter and maintenance.

It is getting to the point where it will need struts all the way around and a complete brake re-do including rotors & calipers and probably chassis work. So, I am guessing a $3k spend. So it might be a good time to trade about 180-200k miles and avoid that expense. I can still get $10k on a trade.

Which car for the wife??

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