Oppo's opinion on buying something reliable...

"Schaefft" (Schaefft) 04/05/2015 at 14:32 • Filed to: None

2

28

Alright Oppo, I was thinking about something last night...

My brother/his girlfriend recently bought a brand new car, a 2015 Kia Rio Platinum 5-door to be precise (fully loaded special edition with everything you can get including brown leather seats, sunroof, nice metallic brown paint, 17" rims, largest engine with manual) which is actually not a bad car at all. As you know Kia gives you a 7 year warranty which means apart from regular maintenance, you won't have to worry about much. And the best of it? They only pay about 200 Euros/month which is probably what I pay for my cars just in parts/repairs on average per month... I know they got an incredible deal since they bought it at the dealer my brother works at but its hard to beat a new, very nicely equipped reliable car for just 200 bucks/month.

That made me think about getting something more sensible as well (obviously I would keep my Lincoln). I wouldn't buy new and it should definitely be an upgrade from what I own right now as daily driver (E39 528i manual) but it should be about the same price range as their car and hopefully just as worry free.

Unfortunately there aren't many cars out there in that price range I'd actually like to own without having to constantly fix something again (looking at you E60/65/Mercedes everything), until I remembered... The Lexus GS!

The GS350 to be exact. Until I noticed they never sold the GS350 here which is why, after raging hard internally, I settled for its big brother, the GS450h. Yes, H for Hybrid.

You can get the for around 15 grand, they are reliable and well built, the GS450h is incredibly fast (0-60 in only 5,2s!!!), look good in my opinion and usually come fully loaded since the hybrid actually was the top of the line GS you could get. The only (pretty big) issue would be its CVT transmission, however the fake "manual" shift mode might save it from getting ignored by me.

I could easily get it for around 200 Euros/month, it would be a very nicely equipped vehicle that is well built and freaking fast, if not the most engaging to drive (the GS450h does come with adaptive suspension though).

What do you think? Should I get a Lexus GS450h? Or do you have comparable alternatives?

jkm7680 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:35

0

Nah, I honestly wouldn't solely based on it being a Lexus.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:37

1

What about a Honda Legend? They're fast, comfortable, reliable, and AWD!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:37

3

"Should I buy a Lexus hybrid?"
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Noooooooooooooooo.

bob and john > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:38

2

I like them. Lexus makes dam reliably machines

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:39

0

I would definitely go with the Lexus, although it is a shame it's the hybrid. The jury is out on the longevity of these Toyota hybrid engines (unless you count the Prius) because for God's sake, that Lexus is only 3 years old so how could you know?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:41

1

If you want something to not die on you, yes. If you want something well put together, yes. If you want something comfortable, yes.

Schaefft > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 04/05/2015 at 14:41

0

I didn't know they were still selling that generation here. Might be an interesting alternative, not sure if its a noticeable improvement from a GS though.

Schaefft > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 04/05/2015 at 14:42

0

Well, its what Lexus sells as a sports sedan, and the hybrid power train is there to improve performance while improving fuel economy numbers slightly at the same time.

dogisbadob > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:43

0

Toyota makes great cars, so the GS450h sounds like a good buy.

The Legend that Gbody mentioned below is also a good choice.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:44

1

Interior comparison. The Legend's a lot nicer than the Lexus.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/05/2015 at 14:44

1

But... "Enthusiasts" on FP might tease him!!!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:49

1

Lexus might sell it as a sports sedan but I've never seen people cross-shop them with M5's. It might be an economical reliable car but it's not for me, man.

Nibby > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:49

0

I would never buy a used hybrid. Shortened trunk space, battery would be uncertain and unwarranted, etc.

Schaefft > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 04/05/2015 at 14:50

0

Yeah, I think I'd have to compare equipment levels first before being able to comment on it, but all Legends came loaded in Germany I believe so they shouldn't be too different.

Schaefft > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 04/05/2015 at 14:55

0

Its almost as quick as an E60 M5! But I know what you mean. That would be the main issue I might have with the car, the numb steering/CVT/general feel. I love the way my Lincoln drives though so it might not be that bad at all.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:56

0

What I mean to say, is that the Legend feels more like a luxury car than the Lexus. I've been in both, and the Legend was the winner to me.

Schaefft > Nibby 04/05/2015 at 14:57

0

I don't care about the trunk (it got better with the later MYs) but the battery would be #2 on the things to worry about. I expect them to be in good condition though.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 14:58

1

I'd go for an Infiniti M45 first, but that's just me. Or a Volvo S80.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/05/2015 at 15:03

1

I've seen quite a bit of hate on here for it, so it isn't just the front page. Driving something boring beats not driving because your not boring car doesn't start, or you just can't afford to keep it on the road.

Schaefft > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2015 at 15:04

1

Never sold them here and the current M's are at least 10 grand more. I don't like the current S80, they really should have replaced it years ago.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 15:15

0

Duh, Skoda Octavia vRS Diesel estate...

.

.

.

:D

Schaefft > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 04/05/2015 at 15:20

0

And no, I don't want a Diesel ;)

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 15:23

0

Then I'm not gonna give you a go in it

Schaefft > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 04/05/2015 at 15:38

0

:(

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Schaefft 04/05/2015 at 16:28

0

Ok ok, 20 minutes

boxrocket > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2015 at 20:07

1

All good choices, but having driven them all, I like the GS's dynamics the best, even though it has the most dated interior of the three. I'd like the Infiniti more if the gas door was on the correct side and weren't so popular with overly-aggressive drivers around here.

Z28DUNC > Schaefft 04/08/2015 at 10:51

0

Are you thinking of buying in the UK or in Germany?

Lexus didn't bring the IS 350 to the UK either which pisses me off no end. Settled with a IS250 for my wife but a 350 would have been nicer.

I would say finding a low mileage GS will be your problem, most people tend to do big mileage in them.

Schaefft > Z28DUNC 04/08/2015 at 11:43

0

To be honest I don't know yet. I would be able to get a comparable GS here in the UK for thousands less, however I would have to swap out its headlights should I decide to take it back to Germany one day or register it there. It also seems like the selection of non-grey-on-black GS450Hs is much better over here, black on cream or burgundy on cream would be ideal. I think at the end it will depend on the particular car I wanna buy. I did a bit of research and it seems like the early 450H's battery packs start to give up right around now, a new one including labor would cost between 4-5 grand. Since thats insane this means I would have to get one where this work was done already, while still having a reasonable amount of miles on the odo. Lots of people had similar issues with their Toyota hybrids before and just replaced the tired battery cells, but I am not sure if thats possible with this vehicle since they are still rather new and problems only begin to show up now.