Next car?

[BoredSysAdmin]

I may do this in the future. I'd say it seems like a waste of money, but buying a car in general is a waste of money....

Is leasing as easy as just buying a car?

Never bought a new car. From dealer stand point it's exactly same thing, except finances handled differently.
My last lease was bought few months early by the same dealer so getting rid of it wasn't an issue. Mileage limits is a thing with lease, but I never hit 10k in a year so it's not a problem. getting extra mileage allowance is also available. Before going with my now 2nd Outback, I've also spoke with Acura and their leasing terms are even more flexible.
Decent first read on leasing: https://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/quick-guide-to-leasing-a-new-car.html

 

[jinjuku]

Aaaand this is why I lease cars, saves so much headache

I think if just a bit of research is done this is easy to avoid. We have a 2003 G35 that's only needed a starter and cam sensors.

If I adjust for the current value we've driven it for something like $93 a month given that it was picked up used in 2009.

 

[jinjuku]

They are cheap to make and get great MPG and are throw away transmissions … They are in most 4cyl cars now a days .. https://newatlas.com/honda-cvt-mid-sized-vehicles/23388/ They can not take the torque of a v-6 ..So most V-6 will have a planetary gear set https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravigneaux_planetary_gearset read your stickers well when looking for new cars

I'm always looking for the pristine, low mileage, LS 430 That's most likely the singularly best built vehicle out there.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I'm always looking for the pristine, low mileage, LS 430 That's most likely the singularly best built vehicle out there.

I remember those. From the side view they look so much like an older Benz S-Class that at 100 feet you could be forgiven for mistaking it for one. I'm not sure they are the best built car out there, but having driven one (a friend's who was trying to convert me to Lexus) it did stick in my mind how incredibly boring it was to drive. Like the world's best Toyota Avalon. Wait... that's what it is underneath. Never mind. ;-)

Seriously, good low-mileage examples are numerous on Autotrader. (Low mileage being ~90K miles and below for a 2006.)

 

[jinjuku]

I remember those. From the side view they look so much like an older Benz S-Class that at 100 feet you could be forgiven for mistaking it for one. I'm not sure they are the best built car out there, but having driven one (a friend's who was trying to convert me to Lexus) it did stick in my mind how incredibly boring it was to drive. Like the world's best Toyota Avalon. Wait... that's what it is underneath. Never mind. ;-)

Seriously, good low-mileage examples are numerous on Autotrader. (Low mileage being ~90K miles and below for a 2006.)

The 430 simply soaks up the road. Don't take my word for it about being the best built. GM's own CEO said it.

Exciting cars suck after about 3 hours on the road. I've done 8 hours in the 430 and felt like you did half that. Super quiet cabin, good sound system.

Han Solo said it best: "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts"

 

[slipperybidness]

Again you hold your opinion as fact but I only see subjective bias on your part because all of your opinions stemmed from your experience. Last year, I rented a Dodge Charger with a 3.8L V6. It was a ponderous, slow to respond to steering input, no steering feel whatsoever, steerin constantly needed correction and for such a big engine, slow. It cornered like a beached whale and the turning radius of a dump truck. My Santa Fe turbo wirh AWD, was far more communicative in the steering and turned circles around the Charger.

Yeah, what's the curb weight on that Charger? It NEEDS the V8.

I would never consider a 3.8L V6 as a LARGE engine! That's the minimum displacement I would even consider, assuming no turbochargers, etc.

 

[Irvrobinson]

The 430 simply soaks up the road. Don't take my word for it about being the best built. GM's own CEO said it.

Exciting cars suck after about 3 hours on the road. I've done 8 hours in the 430 and felt like you did half that. Super quiet cabin, good sound system.

The LS430 sounds like it was made for you. Here's one:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=483373919&zip=92620&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=92620&startYear=1981&sortBy=relevance&incremental=all&firstRecord=0&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=LS430&makeCodeList=LEXUS&searchRadius=10&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=LS430&makeCodeList=LEXUS&searchRadius=10&makeCode1=LEXUS&modelCode1=LS430

 

[slipperybidness]

I have 99 corolla. Currently used as home to park and ride commute. Bough it used back in 05. So far only things needed fixing are brakes, oil, brake lines, bulbs, some sensors and gaskets.
Not a single major part was replaced. Current odometer stands around 90k which is low for car this age.

Oddly, Toyota builds some of the "Most American" cars available today! The Camry is the "most American" car on the road today (i.e. most parts and labor in the USA as compared to any other car). The trucks are built in San Antonio, TX.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Never bought a new car.

I so wish I could say that. I've wasted more money on new car depreciation than I can think about. But I'm addicted to new cars. I haven't bought a used one since 1973.

 

[jinjuku]

So here's what I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with: A list of just well engineered, problem free, go the distance cars.

The older Volvo D series comes to mind. I can't believe how many are a quarter of a million cars. I know Ford with the Panther Platform (Lincoln Town Car, Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis) was another really bullet proof line up.

 

[slipperybidness]

So here's what I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with: A list of just well engineered, problem free, go the distance cars.

The older Volvo D series comes to mind. I can't believe how many are a quarter of a million cars. I know Ford with the Panther Platform (Lincoln Town Car, Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis) was another really bullet proof line up.

I have personally had excellent results with 1985 Nissan 300zx, 2002 Ford Mustang, 2003 Ford F150.

In general, Nissans have been just about bullet proof from any that I have owned or that family and friends have owned.

 

[jinjuku]

I have personally had excellent results with 1985 Nissan 300zx, 2002 Ford Mustang, 2003 Ford F150.

In general, Nissans have been just about bullet proof from any that I have owned or that family and friends have owned.

My Altima ran great, my G35 won't quit.

 

[slipperybidness]

My Altima ran great, my G35 won't quit.

I have wanted a G35 for a long time, but now would prefer the newer G37 or maybe even a Q60 once the used market has some decent prices. To me, I think these just hit the right mix of sport and luxury!

I have a 2010 Ford F150 and a 2014 Nissan Murano now, but I haven't owned either long enough to label as bulletproof yet.

It's just that I'm in a spot where I NEED a truck, so it came first. Eventually, I may sell the Mustang then look one of those (or a WRX).

 

[jinjuku]

I hate my G35 after 2-3 hours in the seat.

 

[jinjuku]

My sister needs a new car and I've been pushing the Q50 lately.

The off lease Q50's have flooded the market and are everywhere. I hate, hate, hate, the seats in the recent model year Infiniti's. Everything else about them I like. They seem to be a really good deal.

 

[jinjuku]

Yup, 30K miles or less for under $25k all day long.

You mash the gas and they gettup and go. The 3.7 is a time tested and bullet proof engine.

 

[Mikado463]

So here's what I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with: A list of just well engineered, problem free, go the distance cars.

The older Volvo D series comes to mind. I can't believe how many are a quarter of a million cars. I know Ford with the Panther Platform (Lincoln Town Car, Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis) was another really bullet proof line up.

'Plash Phelps', the morning DJ on SiriusXM (60's channel) drives a Honda with over 450k on the clock, I'd say that's pretty impressive !

As for the new Lexus, great car but the ugliest front end since the Edsel IMO.

 

[slipperybidness]

I have personally had excellent results with 1985 Nissan 300zx, 2002 Ford Mustang, 2003 Ford F150.

In general, Nissans have been just about bullet proof from any that I have owned or that family and friends have owned.

The more I thought about it, I have to back up a little on the 2002 Ford Mustang. There is a flaw on the V6 models where the exhaust manifold tends to warp every 100k miles or so, you will hear the exhaust leak.

Happened on both sides of my Mustang (years apart), happened on my GFs Mustang, happened on a coworkers Mustang. I even asked him, "have you gotten the exhaust leak yet?", and he had not heard about it. Then, maybe 9 months later, it happened on his too.

Mostly just a PITA. Other than that, it has been rock solid.

 

[Sheep]

ASE certified master mechanic and replacing a totaled 2008 Honda CRV with New Mazda CX-5 AWD.. Guys stay away from any car with a CVT transmission if you want it to last over 100Kmiles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission New2018 Honda CRV is made in Mexico and CVT trans made in Indonesia.. CRV is going down hill ..Mazda is the better choice with a real transmission http://www.brookvalemazda.com.au/Images/cx5-gallery/SKYACTIV-Drive_Automatic_Transmission.png

The Honda CVT is the best on the market, and they really only have 1 wearable part. It's not a cheap fix, but it's not crazy either. They also provide a fairly substantial fuel economy boost, so the offset there should cover any repair costs that you could incur. From every review i've read, the CRV is toe to toe with the Mazda, and the Mazda is rolling on much lower profile tires, which you aren't factoring in.

SheepStar

 

[Montucky]

Exciting cars suck after about 3 hours on the road. I've done 8 hours in the 430 and felt like you did half that. Super quiet cabin, good sound system.

Han Solo said it best: "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts"

You make an interesting point, and one that automakers are failing to realize as they keep pushing "sporty" on previously boring lines.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE sports cars and prefer a tight suspension, gobs of power, and a manual transmission. But for the open road? Give me a good old fashioned land yacht.

I used to have 3 cars at once. I had my Mazda 3 hatch for bopping around town with ease (5-speed MT made it fun), I had my Cadillac CTS-V for when I felt the need for speed, and I had an old 90s Cadillac Deville for my commutes when work would take me hundreds of miles out of town. Something to be said for those plush leather seats, air suspension, and that silky smooth V-8. It was like cruising down the highway on a big comfy counch that's floating on a cloud. Awful city car. Amazing cruiser. I miss that car. Was 100% reliable until rats chewed up the wiring and caused a fire, totaling it out.

While those big luxo barges aren't always the car for me, it did teach me that there is certainly an excellent case to be made for them. It's a shame that everybody seems to be wanting to make cars for the Nurbergring in lieue of cars made for the wide open American Interstate Highways. Why not both?!