Used luxury cars

[ClonerJams]

As my Toyota exceeds 200k miles, I am thinking of trading her in for something else in the next few months. I am wanting a luxury vehicle and looking at something between 2009-2015 as it won't break the bank. I am thinking of getting either a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniit. I love the styles of German luxury vehicles, but everything I read about them is they are less reliable than their Japanese counterparts and much more expensive to repair. I want my cars to go over 200k without investing a lot in them.

TLDR, should I go with a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti? Leaning Lexus at the moment, even though they're a little more pricey than the other two.

 

[mynameisjonas]

Are you talking a sedan? SUV?

 

[Mr Janny]

As my Toyota exceeds 200k miles, I am thinking of trading her in for something else in the next few months. I am wanting a luxury vehicle and looking at something between 2009-2015 as it won't break the bank. I am thinking of getting either a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniit. I love the styles of German luxury vehicles, but everything I read about them is they are less reliable than their Japanese counterparts and much more expensive to repair. I want my cars to go over 200k without investing a lot in them.

TLDR, should I go with a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti? Leaning Lexus at the moment, even though they're a little more pricey than the other two.

What's your price range?

 

[ClonerJams]

Are you talking a sedan? SUV?

Likely sedan, though I'm open to an SUV as well. I know this is a broad question as I don't have a specific model in mind, just more curious about the brands and what people think of them.

 

[KennyPratt42]

If you want reliability get either a Lexus ES or RX with the V6, depending if you want a sedan or SUV.

Any other option will be less reliable, but still likely better than average. Depends on the model, but Infiniti will be the least reliable of the three on average.

 

[ClonerJams]

What's your price range?

Under 20k

 

[mynameisjonas]

Assuming Sedan….if you’re looking for a comfortable smooth ride, Lexus. If you’re looking for more of that race car stiff feel, Infiniti. I would pass on Acura.

I think Infiniti and Lexus are both extremely reliable.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Under 20k

With German cars when it comes to figuring future cost of repair the rule of thumb is to see what the original MSRP was. Because if it sold for 90k new, that's what you will be repairing when it breaks........a 90k car.

While the up front may have depreciated...............parts and labor do not follow.

 

[kirk89gt]

Don’t know what Toyota you presently have, but the Avalons are quite nice.

I purchased a Lexus es300h- a decked out, slightly bigger, hybrid version, of a Camry

Love it. Easy to work on, well optioned (it’s a 2013), rides like a dream and I get ~40 mpg on the interstate.

I may never go back to a non Toyota product.

I would be interested in an AWD GS as a future sedan.

One thing I didn’t know with many luxury brands is the need to use mid grade or premium fuel. So there’s that to consider.

My Lexus specifies 87 octane and runs great.

 

[MuskieCy]

BMW = Break My Wallet

 

[HOTDON]

I like to wrench on my own stuff, so my BMW 335i was cheap to buy and inexpensive to own and modify, but I don't value my own time much, I'm told.

If you liked your Toyota then a Lexus is a logical step. An Avalon is the intermediate choice, maybe even a Camry on the newer end of that range.

What Toyota do you have? If you're coming out of a 2005 Corolla everything is a luxury car...

 

[besserheimerphat]

I don't think you can go wrong with any if the three from a reliability standpoint. Speaking in generalities as an automotive reliability engineer...

• Getting to 200k miles will mean you're entering the "wear out" period for the vehicle.
• The more electrical do-dads the car has, the more opportunities for failure there are.
• As "highly connectable" cars continue to evolve, you are locked into the hardware in the car so future apps may not be available. For example, we have a 2014 Chevy pickup with a touch screen, but it doesn't have any of the Apple or Android car apps. It's all proprietary Chevy stuff. It doesn't display maps, just verbal instructions via Bluetooth.

 

[besserheimerphat]

I like to wrench on my own stuff, so my BMW 335i was cheap to buy and inexpensive to own and modify, but I don't value my own time much, I'm told.

I've heard the same from other BMW enthusiasts - if you are okay doing your own repairs and maintenance, it's no more expensive than domestics.

Besides the time, if you don't have access to tools and space to do the work that's a hidden cost.

 

[ClonerJams]

I like to wrench on my own stuff, so my BMW 335i was cheap to buy and inexpensive to own and modify, but I don't value my own time much, I'm told.

If you liked your Toyota then a Lexus is a logical step. An Avalon is the intermediate choice, maybe even a Camry on the newer end of that range.

What Toyota do you have? If you're coming out of a 2005 Corolla everything is a luxury car...

2006 Camry. Reliable but not exciting.

 

[KennyPratt42]

I probably should admit some of my own bias, I was in the market with very similar desires to you with identical budget and ended up with a ‘10 Lexus ES350 with 72,000 miles on it. Got it for a few thousand under my budget so also found a set of used Lexus wheels and new Blizzaks for the winter.

 

[kirk89gt]

With a Lexus, It also is worth noting that you have a higher likelihood of finding one that’s been owned, and meticulously maintained, by an older person (often through the dealer). This also generally means that they will have fewer miles on the odometer.

 

[aauummm]

I don't think you can go wrong with any if the three from a reliability standpoint. Speaking in generalities as an automotive reliability engineer...

• Getting to 200k miles will mean you're entering the "wear out" period for the vehicle.
• The more electrical do-dads the car has, the more opportunities for failure there are.
• As "highly connectable" cars continue to evolve, you are locked into the hardware in the car so future apps may not be available. For example, we have a 2014 Chevy pickup with a touch screen, but it doesn't have any of the Apple or Android car apps. It's all proprietary Chevy stuff. It doesn't display maps, just verbal instructions via Bluetooth.

Another thing that owners are running into is that cell phone companies are rapidly doing away with the old CDMA cellular networks. The Telematics Control Units in the 2016 model year and older for both Acura and Lexus utilized the old CDMA cellular network for various communications with the car.

In the newer than 2016 models the Telematics Control Units utilize the LTE cellular network. A new, updated Telematics Control Unit will cost right around $1,000 installed by the dealer. If the unit is not upgraded, some of the communications functions in the vehicle won't work.

 

[iowa_wildcat]

I sold cars for 23 years. The Avalon is the pick of the litter for price, comfort, and reliability. Dealership mechanics certainly do not make much money off them. They are normally only in the service department for maintenance services only.

 

[I@ST1]

Dave Ramsey would suggest you pay cash for your vehicle. I hope you aren’t depleting your emergency fund with buying a 20k luxury car.

 

[HOTDON]

I've heard the same from other BMW enthusiasts - if you are okay doing your own repairs and maintenance, it's no more expensive than domestics.

Besides the time, if you don't have access to tools and space to do the work that's a hidden cost.

Taking mine to a BMW dealer would be outrageous. That said, I don't take my other cars into dealerships for anything more than basic services. Honestly, I'd probably get bored maintaining a Toyota.

Not sure where prices sit at the moment but a reach for a 2018 Camry is what I'd consider. I prioritize performance and styling over reliability, so the Camry isn't my thing, but the 2018+ models were a real shock. They really made the Avalon unnecessary.

Starting from an older Camry I'd be cross shopping Accords from your range too.