My mom wants a glorified Pruis, and I'm totally OK with it

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg) 08/06/2016 at 16:16 • Filed to: None

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My mom is a sort-of car person. She knows her makes and models better than most people. She likes a car that is a little bit sporty and a little bit different. Her car history includes a ‘71 Dodge Dart Swinger, two different first-gen VW Rabbits, a first-gen manual Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Isuzu Trooper, and three different Audi A6 Avants, a C4 and two C5s, the latter of which she’s currently one. Above all, she knows what she wants from a car. And what she wants to replace the aging, ailing Audi is a Lexus CT200h, which is essentially a Prius hatchback with the Leuxs treatment. I wholeheartedly agree with her. Here’s why.

My mom’s current car, a 2004 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 Quattro. This is one of the few angles that doesn’t show much wear, with the front being rather smashed up.

My mom adores her A6. It was purchased in Vermont in 2008 and brought back to Omaha, promptly stolen (leading to the second C5 A6), recovered a few months later, and she’s been driving it ever since. Like my car, it’s got over 140,000 miles on the clock. It’s also received its share of interior and exterior wear and tear, and has needed many, repairs, both expensive and not. Now, my mom has reached the same point I just did. As much as she loves the A6, it’s gotten to the point where it’s spending too much time in the repair shop and costing too much money to keep. Unlike me, she’s looking to replace her car with something more reliable, not less.

Up until recently, we thought a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen was the best choice. However, she’s pretty fed up with the Germans constantly breaking and needing to be fixed. She’s certainly not going to be swayed by the reliability records of the Brits or Italians, and she’s had several friends with Volvos warn her about expensive repair costs. While she’s willing to at least look at just about anything, it’s fairly safe to say that another European car is not likely. She’s not going to do any of her own work when it comes to the mechanical stuff, so it’s not like we can save money there. She’s also going to be buying either off-lease or used, so a warranty may or may not be in play. She’s probably going to be buying a new car 4-6 months from now, but as with everyone in my family, the motto when shopping for a new car is “early and often”. Her requirements, whether real or self-imposed, are as follows.

A price tag of around $25,000 or less

Five doors

Fuel economy at least as good as the A6, but better is better

Must be bright red with a light tan interior

Newer than 2010

Needs the basic premium car trimmings such as heated seats, sunroof, leather, and the various power equipment. The more “loaded” the better.

Then we come to image. I already mentioned the very specific color combination she wants. She also wants something that is vaguely sporty and unique. I mean this in the loosest sense of the term; if it’s not a silver Honda Civic, it’s sporty and unique enough. The first three points are easy enough. The year/price/equipment combo make it a little harder. Add on top of that her color combination requirement, on which she is 100% firm, and things get quite tricky. Remember, all European choices are sitting further down the list due to perceived maintenance costs. So what does that leave us with? She doesn’t want a generic crossover, so bye-bye to cars like the Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5 and their competitors. The likes of the Kia Soul and similar cars don’t reach quite high enough up the luxury scale. The Buick Encore is apparently ugly and for old people. The Focus ST is black interior only, a deal breaker. These may seem like pedantic, even deliberately difficult requirements, but it’s going to be her money paying for it, and her behind the wheel, so what she wants is all that matters. That’s where the Lexus comes in.

Lexus is, from a reputation standpoint, the last word in reliability when it comes to premium cars. This one is the right size and has the right number of doors. It’s available in fire engine red with a very nice looking tan interior, and can be had for around $25,000 with low miles and in good condition. It’s a current model and can have, as standard or option, every goody she wants. To top it off, they get exceptionally good gas mileage and the reviews I’ve read say that the car is sporty for what it is, if plenty slow. This really does beg the question; why would I try to talk her out of a car that so perfectly fits her wants and needs? Because it’s not European? Because it’s not the sportiest thing she could possibly get her hands on for the money? Because it’s a rebadged version of the car which we are all supposed to loath with an hateful passion? Sure, there are other cars that might work, but there are reasons against damn near every one of them, whether actual or preference on her part. On paper, she likes everything about this car. She’ll have to see how it she likes it when we test one next week, but I’m not going to try to push her away from getting one. This is partially because I’ve always secretly like the CT200h, but mostly because it just makes so much sense.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:27

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DO IT.

The only complaint I’ve heard is that they are not exactly quick off the line but they do handle well. Slow car fast syndrome?

My next car wouls be a CT but this is how the line up should have gone for the CT... Ct250 - standard, same engine as IS250, Ct200h -hybrid of course, good gas mileage, Ct-F - suped up 3.5 out of IS350

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:30

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The CT is an awesome car!

I think the TSX wagon was available in the required color combo, too

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:31

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Too lazy to look up prices, but you can get IS’s in red and tan.

CB > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:31

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Nothing wrong with it. Although she could go even more glorified Prius.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/06/2016 at 16:34

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I’ve heard the same thing. Tassel but won’t wind drag races against...anything.

Same as my automatic Alfa!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 08/06/2016 at 16:34

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I may have to look at that one. I was slightly underwhelmed by the TSX wagon I drove, but she may like it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 08/06/2016 at 16:35

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I like the IS, but she wants a 5-door.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > CB 08/06/2016 at 16:35

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That’s basically the sedan version of this, right?

The proportions are odd...

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:39

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If they hybrid was anywhere near as powerful as our RX400H though it would be a monster

Nerd-Vol > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:42

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Will a Mazda 3 s grand touring be too small?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:42

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My dad said he can chirp the wheels on our RX400h... one that has 342,000 miles on it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Nerd-Vol 08/06/2016 at 16:43

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Not too small at all. A hatch version will bear consideration.

TFen > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:45

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The CT200h is a great car.

I recommended one to my dad’s neighbor and she loves it.

My ex-roommate had one and it was a perfect car for her. My brother-in-law also spent some time with one and fell in love with it.

Literally everyone I know who’s driven one has loved it.

My citroen won't start > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:48

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You can get a Subaru Outback with a tan interior and red-ish exterior with low low miles for around 25k.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:50

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I actually cross shopped a used CT200 with a GSW. Have her drive a new Golf SportWagen. Yeah, it’s German and will break. But brand new with the 36k warranty they’re only ~$22k and come with all the toys she wants (except fake leather) and is a lot more fun than the CT200h.

I bought the GSW because the extra interior room and warranty was worth the gamble.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > My citroen won't start 08/06/2016 at 16:56

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Reddit won’t cut it. It has to be bright red

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 08/06/2016 at 16:57

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it's definitely still on the list of cars to look at

My citroen won't start > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 16:59

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How hard is it going to be to find a red CT200H with tan interior?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > My citroen won't start 08/06/2016 at 17:02

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There are three in our town and two in the town a few hours away where I’m going to college. So not very.

My citroen won't start > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 17:04

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Huh, it’s quite a popular combo then.

I quite like the CT, it’s a nice choice!

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 18:30

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I hope she likes it! I can’t say my mom liked the CT200 we got as a loaner when they first came out (she hated how slow it was), and it turned her off hybrids when the time came to buy a new car. They’re very nice inside and they get great fuel economy around town.

Spasoje > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 08/06/2016 at 18:56

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I’d recommend a Volvo V60. I’ve been a Volvo owner (XC90, though) for seven years so far, and the reliability has been stellar. Given you’re looking at the used market, you might be able to find a V60 w/ the outgoing and proven turbo straight-six, in place of the newfangled four-banger. Fuel economy’s about the same for both the old and new engines (i.e. comparing the old T6 to the new T6).

I’ve also tried a CT200h, and wasn’t impressed. Didn’t feel premium at all – it’s a step behind the newest-gen of Lexuses in terms of refinement and noise insulation. Plus, Lexus’ mouse-controlled infotainment system will drive you mad.

Frenchlicker > CB 08/06/2016 at 20:53

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It's got a face on its bum. Basically what I'm saying is that I think the back looks like it was originally supposed to be the front of another car.

bhtooefr > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/26/2016 at 17:03

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It’s more of a luxury version of a hypothetical Avensis Hybrid (and it’s sold in Japan as a Toyota too, the Sai), whereas the CT 200h is a luxury version of the Auris Hybrid.

The Avensis is Toyota Europe’s midsize sedan (quite a bit smaller than the Camry, but same idea, and the HS 250h/Sai uses the previous (2007-2011) Camry Hybrid’s powertrain), the Auris is Toyota Europe’s compact hatch (a fair bit smaller than the Corolla, and a hatch instead of a sedan, but otherwise same idea, and it uses the previous (2010-2015) Prius’s powertrain).

Also, we get the non-hybrid Auris as the Scion, or now Corolla, iM.