Should I trade my LS400 in for a Q45?

"TeenageCarNut" (1995lexusls400)
08/05/2015 at 13:14 • Filed to: None

So I got an amazing deal on my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and I was thinking that I could maybe take advantage of that and sell it for more than I paid for it.

With this in mind, I put my immaculate 1995 LS400 (82k miles) that I paid $5,600 for on Craigslist for $8,500

If it sells for that price, the next car I will buy will not buy an LS400, but rather a 2002 Infiniti Q45. Is this a good decision? How do the Q45s compare to the LS400s?

I LOVE the Lexus, but I prefer the styling for the Q45, and the 340 HP V8, nav screen and beautiful interior are all very tempting. I’m just not sure if build quality and reliability are on par.

Thanks,

Andrew

DISCUSSION (20)

JGrabowMSt > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:17

Monetary value aside, is there a reason that’s compelling you to sell the LS400?

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:18

3rd gen Q45s look amazing imho

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:18

The only thing I know for sure is that you ought to sell the Lexus. I'm not an Infiniti guy, but do yourself a favor and drive a bunch of cars before you buy the next one so you don't wind up wanting to sell it immediately like you are now.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:24

I’d have to say, as a two time Infiniti owner, go for the Q45. I’ve not had any experience with the Qs, but that is a very sharp looking car.

Yes, I am biased. But, for good reason. My 2000 I30 is just under 260,000 and is driven daily, sometimes 100 miles a day, and still going.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:25

Why? You own the LS, right? If it’s paid for, then just keep it running and enjoy it for a few years while you progress through school. The LS is going to last a long time, and I sincerely doubt that Infinity would give you the same ownership experience.

HammerheadFistpunch > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:27

What makes it worth 8500 when you paid 5600?

jkm7680 > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:30

Nobody would pay $8,500 for that, no offense. Just hold onto it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
08/05/2015 at 13:32

Why should he sell the LS? It’s a great first car. It will last forever with routine maintenance. No it’s not fun, but it shouldn’t cost much to insure unlike anything that is fun.

CB > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:33

What makes you think you’ll like the Q45 more than the Lexus? And as HammerheadFistbrunch HammerheadFistpunch said, why do you think your car is all of a sudden three grand more valuable?

Party-vi > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:34

Bruh. You just got the Lexus, perhaps the only car that has ever made ze Germans shit their lederhosen about losing sales, and now you want to sell it for what is essentially a very fancy Nissan? Don’t get me wrong, the M45 is a gorgeous car and has tons of power, but you’re going to lose your reliability and low maintenance costs of the Lexus in order to “trade up” to a vehicle that was purchased new by someone that could afford it and then was sold to someone who couldn’t. I’d keep the Lexus.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:34

From what I understand, the reliability of the two engines doesn’t really compare...the Lexus is miles better. Also, the really special Q45 chassis-wise was the first generation...nothing wrong with gen 3 (gen 2 got the inferior 4.1 and just had more issues on the whole) but compared to a fat era Lexus I don’t really see the point in upgrading.

Peter Monshizadeh > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:46

As an LS400 owner myself, I recommend holding on to it. I typically don’t keep a car longer than 6 months but once I started putting mileage on the LS, I couldn’t see myself with any other car. I have now racked up 30,000 miles on it over 2 years. Never has it left me stranded and it hasn't begun to deteriorate in any way. Trust me - you drive the LS400 for a few months, then get in any other car, and you will see what I mean. There is no 10+ year old used car out there that will be as quiet, rattle free, powerful, solid and safe as the LS400 package.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/05/2015 at 13:47

I only say that because he's been talking about selling it for a while. It's basically the perfect first car, but for me, once I've thought about selling a car I'm basically over it, you know? I'm a big LS fan, so it's no knock on the car, it just might not be right for him if he's looking at other stuff already.

TractorPillow > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:07

If it’s a good car don’t do it.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/mercedes-monda…

Your boy, BJR > Party-vi
08/05/2015 at 14:13

You forgot about the Cimmaron by Cadillac! It has a leather interior! A 5 speed manual! MacPherson struts!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:31

I’m not one to question people’s tastes, but why do you want luxobarges so much? You could have something alot more fun for less if you were going for something in a truck/muscle car/80s-90s sport coupe.

Party-vi > Your boy, BJR
08/05/2015 at 14:51

getout.jpg

RazoE > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 15:10

As much as you talk about “loving your car” it seems like all you want to do is get rid of it and buy other cars. You don’t love it. You may love how little you spent for a great car, but you don’t love it. It’s okay, maybe with the profit you can get something that’ll keep you happy for real. Good luck!

KyngOfPop > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 15:11

I say go for it! The Lexus IS decent as far as reliability goes but you can’t beat the q45 for having actual soul where the Lexus SORELY lacks in that category. It also had tons more interesting features and that massive engine, it handles much more on the sports sedan side where the Lexus leans to be more cushy and dull. Q45 all the way.

Btw the Lexus is worth what someone's gna pay for it.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 15:38