dilema on lexus gs400

[rominl]

ok here's the deal. someone in my office is leaving the country for good and he is selling his 98 gs400 (everything stock with a spoiler). blue color and tan interior.

for sure he's a car maniac and he keeps the car like new. no scratches, dings, dents, dirt..... he got only 32k miles on the car and he has maintained it in excellent condition.

most likely he will be selling his car for 24-25k.

me and my gf has been planning on getting a new car for some time, and we narrowed down to either the vw beetle or the acura rsx type s. both are around 23k out of the door.

here's my question, is it worth it to get the gs400 over the two cars we are considering now? true that the gs400 is very different from the two smaller cars we are considering. mind you though that the warranty is out on the lexus already, but like i said it's in excellent condition.

any inputs and comments?

 

[saftey]

Lexus

 

[dionx]

awesome deal. lexus seems to last forever. they dont depreciate much at all so thats a very good price for a luxury sedan. id say go for it, especially over the beetle.

 

[Imdmn04]

Another vote for the Lexus

 

[KokomoGST]

I'm sure other people are going to say this too but... it really is your decision... your preference.

I'm guessing that you're not much of a car person and let your mechanic/dealer do your maintenance? If that's a consideration, then I wouldn't even think about a used car out of warranty.

Granted, you may be able to talk him down a grand or so but it is a GS400 and a much better value dollar-wise.
However, can you live with the fuel economy of a luxury vehicle? The NewBeetle & RSX will probably get better gas mileage by a fair amount.
Do you want the extra space of a bigger sedan? I'm guessing not since there are various other cars in the 23K range with more room than a Beetle or RSX.

Oh, and since this is a car picking thread... I must dutifully list the ATOT fav choice cars fer under 25K... the Altima and the WRX. Girls seem to like the Altima ok, but they don't like the WRX... it's a boyracer car.

 

[rominl]

wow, thanks for the replies, more more

KokomoGST, you got a very good point there. initially the main reasons for a smaller car is that i already have the acura tl type s and it's a pretty big sedan already, that's why we planned to get a smaller car for my gf. my gf loves the look of the beetle (me too) and for the buck the rsx-s sounds pretty good too.

and yes you are right that i hardly ever maintain cars myself. i do mod cars myself sometimes but all those maintainence i either give it to dealer or shops i know of. that's actually one of the reasons why i even consider the gs400 is that the guy maintained the car so well and it has such a low mileage.

yeah i read about the thread on altima and wrx. i like the wrx on it's awesome performance, but like you said my gf just doesn't buy on that for the altima, i dn't think i will get it unless it's the 3.5se

i really appreciate your input

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Oh, and since this is a car picking thread... I must dutifully list the ATOT fav choice cars fer under 25K... the Altima and the WRX. Girls seem to like the Altima ok, but they don't like the WRX... it's a boyracer car.

That's what I would have thought about the Subaru too but I've seen a fair amount of girls driving WRX's around here

 

[PsychoAndy]

get the lexus. toyota quality and reliablilty extends to the luxury brand too. check consumer reports. I havent renewed my subscription, but the lexus section is usually very highly regarded reliablilty-wise.

resale value will be there. however, since it is a such a high end car, you should check with your insurance agent first. you might find yourself on the bad end of a rate change notice. also, think of the ATOT envy. you'll be more popular than Russ!

 

[SirDante]

Is this the old bodystyle or new one? Hrm...maybe the old one was only 300. I forget. I'd take the Lexus if it has low miles. It's probably not under warranty so you might want to consider that. I'm getting my first A Service from MB and it'll run $250-300

 

[Dragnov]

Another vote for the Lexus.

As noted though, hope you understand you wont be getting any great mileage.

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Oh, and since this is a car picking thread... I must dutifully list the ATOT fav choice cars fer under 25K... the Altima and the WRX. Girls seem to like the Altima ok, but they don't like the WRX... it's a boyracer car.

That's what I would have thought about the Subaru too but I've seen a fair amount of girls driving WRX's around here

that's interesting, here most of the times i see guys driving wrx, though they are not racers at all

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
get the lexus. toyota quality and reliablilty extends to the luxury brand too. check consumer reports. I havent renewed my subscription, but the lexus section is usually very highly regarded reliablilty-wise.

resale value will be there. however, since it is a such a high end car, you should check with your insurance agent first. you might find yourself on the bad end of a rate change notice. also, think of the ATOT envy. you'll be more popular than Russ!

i am pretty sure lexus is high up on the list on the consumer reports too. actually my coworker sells the car at such low price coz' he has money and he doesn't care much. if he really goes into the private market he can probably sell the car for around 30k.

well i am paying 1300 for my tl-s, so i don't think it would be much more for the gs400 (fingers crossed).

and hehe, what's up with the ATOT envy? it's only a gs400, not a ferrari

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Another vote for the Lexus.

As noted though, hope you understand you wont be getting any great mileage.

EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)

Automatic: 17 mpg / 23 mpg

thats not too bad considering theres 300 horses under the hood

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: rominl

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Oh, and since this is a car picking thread... I must dutifully list the ATOT fav choice cars fer under 25K... the Altima and the WRX. Girls seem to like the Altima ok, but they don't like the WRX... it's a boyracer car.

That's what I would have thought about the Subaru too but I've seen a fair amount of girls driving WRX's around here

that's interesting, here most of the times i see guys driving wrx, though they are not racers at all

The term "boyracer" means generally a young guy that likes to look fast & drive fast, tis a more non-US term. I couldn't use riceboy because WRXs are actually fast... though some ricers actually manage to slow them down with their stereos, neon, wings, wheels, chrome, etcetc.

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: SirDante
Is this the old bodystyle or new one? Hrm...maybe the old one was only 300. I forget. I'd take the Lexus if it has low miles. It's probably not under warranty so you might want to consider that. I'm getting my first A Service from MB and it'll run $250-300

it's the new body style, i don't think the old one has 4 liter version at all.

yeah services for all european cars are way overprices imho. on my acura the service ranges fom 100 to 150 most of the time and the same thing goes to lexus. but i have asked and for a bimmer it's more like double or triple

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Originally posted by: rominl

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

Oh, and since this is a car picking thread... I must dutifully list the ATOT fav choice cars fer under 25K... the Altima and the WRX. Girls seem to like the Altima ok, but they don't like the WRX... it's a boyracer car.

That's what I would have thought about the Subaru too but I've seen a fair amount of girls driving WRX's around here

that's interesting, here most of the times i see guys driving wrx, though they are not racers at all

The term "boyracer" means generally a young guy that likes to look fast & drive fast, tis a more non-US term. I couldn't use riceboy because WRXs are actually fast... though some ricers actually manage to slow them down with their stereos, neon, wings, wheels, chrome, etcetc.

hahha, didn't they add the spoilers and stuff just to make sure the car goes as slow as possible?

 

[WombatWoman]

Approaching this from the imagined viewpoint of your girlfriend, I would very much rather have the Lexus than the Beetle or the Acura. A woman likes a touch of luxury sometimes, and nothing pampers you quite like a Lexus. It's fast, it's quiet, it's elegant, it's supremely comfortable. This car didn't become a status symbol for no reason, nor (like certain European automobiles) is it coasting on a reputation earned in the distant past.

In case anyone wonders, I do not have a Lexus, but I have driven them, and they are to die for. I still own my first car, a 1968 VW Beetle. If I ever decide to replace it (and if my bankbook ever improves,) my first choice would be a Lexus.

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Another vote for the Lexus.

As noted though, hope you understand you wont be getting any great mileage.

EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)

Automatic: 17 mpg / 23 mpg

thats not too bad considering theres 300 horses under the hood

i agree, i think that's not too bad at all. if i recall the beetle is pretty much in the same ball park. the rsx-s has better mileage, and nothing beats my tls with 19/29

 

[WarSong]

no doubt about it, the GS400 hands down. if you pass on it, can you post his information? i might wanna buy it

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: WombatWoman
Approaching this from the imagined viewpoint of your girlfriend, I would very much rather have the Lexus than the Beetle or the Acura. A woman likes a touch of luxury sometimes, and nothing pampers you quite like a Lexus. It's fast, it's quiet, it's elegant, it's supremely comfortable. This car didn't become a status symbol for no reason, nor (like certain European automobiles) is it coasting on a reputation earned in the distant past.

In case anyone wonders, I do not have a Lexus, but I have driven them, and they are to die for. I still own my first car, a 1968 VW Beetle. If I ever decide to replace it (and if my bankbook ever improves,) my first choice would be a Lexus.

great call ww. i guess you are right on the luxury part. after all i guess luxury is what she is looking for and the lexus would be a good buy for her umm.... now you guys all go to one side

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: WarSong
no doubt about it, the GS400 hands down. if you pass on it, can you post his information? i might wanna buy it

only if you are in south cali

 

[tommigsr]

i'd vote for the lexus, even the 98 GS400 shouldn't sell that low 24-25 is a VERY good price. My friend got a 98 used gs300 for 35k, yes...35k with 50k miles on it. You would be getting a 300hp v8 engine with that thing compared to a measly 200 hp inline 4 on the rsx. I'd stay away from german...as they are costly to maintain but that's just my opinion since a lot of people I know drive bimmers and mercedes, and they always get engine trouble.

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: tommigsr
i'd vote for the lexus, even the 98 GS400 shouldn't sell that low 24-25 is a VERY good price. My friend got a 98 used gs300 for 35k, yes...35k with 50k miles on it. You would be getting a 300hp v8 engine with that thing compared to a measly 200 hp inline 4 on the rsx. I'd stay away from german...as they are costly to maintain but that's just my opinion since a lot of people I know drive bimmers and mercedes, and they always get engine trouble.

no you are right. a lot of bimmer owners i know of have eletronic problems in their cars too. and for vw i guess the biggest problem is their auto windows, where the rotor or whatever seems to blow up every now and then.

 

[Muadib]

Can he still get an extended warranty? Lexus or not, they still break, and repairs for them are not cheap.

 

[rominl]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Can he still get an extended warranty? Lexus or not, they still break, and repairs for them are not cheap.

umm.... since he doesn't' care much about the price on his car anymore i am not sure if he will spend more money to get extended warranty so his car has better resale.