Which car for the wife??

[Doog]

well the wife's Lexus ES 350 is getting up to the 165,000 mile mark and is performing flawlessly. However, I am starting my big picture car shopping for a replacement. So, which car to get. A new ES 350 is now $36k base price and about 38-39k with the lowest level package on it which IMO is the best way to equip it.

I want to keep the price under $32k if at all possible so maybe the ES is off the list. But for now I'll leave it on there. 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?

 

[bepperb]

Is this a test? No, I've never met your wife. I have no idea what she would like.

They all have strengths and weaknesses. Avalon is big. Camry is cheap. TDI has a diesel. G37 would be fun to drive. Lincoln is from the big 3. I dunno.

 

[supton]

Does she get to decide? Are you trying to narrow down the selection for her?

As a VW owner, unless if you have a good VW mechanic I'd skip the Passat. Or really good at doing the work yourself. They can be great vehicles--but unless if you have a great mechanic, then you're riding on best wishes.

After that, dunno, none of those appeal to me nor the wife.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
They all have strengths and weaknesses.

Exactly. Unless we know what she's looking for, it's hard to suggest anything.

 

[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.

 

[JavierG]

If it's performing flawlessly then why would you want to replace it? Disposable income? I agree with the other gents. Nice cars on your list but none of them appeal to me either.

 

[cptbarkey]

thats still a fairly new lexus model, i'd keep it for another 50k at least. that engine is rock solid. you have already eaten alot of resale value so not much point in spending a ton more money.

 

[Colt]

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

 

[dparm]

BTW, the 2013 ES350 is the sister car to the Avalon -- so it is definitely growing.

 

[LeakySeals]

She wants the MKZ. I only see women driving them, including my mom. Creature comforts women love and a really smooth, soft ride. Like a cloud.

 

[apwillard1986]

Drive the Lexus another 100K and wait and see what new stuff comes out in the next five years or so. Much is changing in the car world. If mine and my families experience is any indication your current ride is just now broken in.

 

[TallPaul]

Originally Posted By: Doog
I want to keep the price under $32k if at all possible so maybe the ES is off the list. But for now I'll leave it on there.


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.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: dparm
BTW, the 2013 ES350 is the sister car to the Avalon -- so it is definitely growing.


Speaking of the '13 Avalon...

From Insideline


"Avalon engineers stole a move from the Lexus playbook by creating safe-room silence inside. At 59.8 decibels the Avalon recorded one of the lowest 70-mph cruise noise readings we've measured in any car in recent memory — including such costly equipment as the Bentley Continental GT (61.6 decibels) and the Audi A8 L (60.9 decibels)."

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Before i got to end of reading the list - i fell asleep from boredom.
When buying my junk 11 ranger, I leaned against the grille of the lincoln and broke the cheap plastic thing in half.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: apwillard1986
Drive the Lexus another 100K and wait and see what new stuff comes out in the next five years or so. Much is changing in the car world. If mine and my families experience is any indication your current ride is just now broken in.


This is pretty good advice and she can enjoy the freedom of a "beater" where you can leave it running when you run into dunkin donuts, etc. Save a bit longer and use the ability to hit 200k to self-justify the new lexus you really want.

 

[friendly_jacek]

I want to buy a new diamond for my wife, which one would you recommend?

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: JavierG
If it's performing flawlessly then why would you want to replace it? Disposable income? I agree with the other gents. Nice cars on your list but none of them appeal to me either.
That car has another 100 K in it, at least.

 

[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?

 

[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.

 

[dishdude]

1. Lexus ES350
2. Acura TL
3. Buick LaCrosse
4. Lincoln MKZ


I think that's what I'd buy, in that order...all are nice - can I get one of each?