vas25tl

I'm hopefully about to start a new position ()where I'll be traveling 3500-5000 miles/month. All travel will be by car and I will be getting a car allowance.

I need to keep it under $30K, I'm working with about a $1,000 budget/month with gas. Whatever I choose will be kept for 2-3 years. I will put 80K-100K on them and replace. All cars must have leather and must have NAVI as an option, those two things are an absolute must.
Here are some options I've thought of:

1. Keep my GS430 and run it into the ground. I should be able to drive it for another 80K without doing any major maintenance and I can average out about 23MPG. I like the car, it's very comfortable but random things will come up with so much driving (ball joints, repairs are likely). Main benefit here is I get to pocket the car allowance and I like my car. It's comfortable, smooth, powerful and economical for the most part. If this option is the keeper, it will likely get a drop and wheels.

2. 2011-2012 Prius 5 - the most loaded option with leather, back up cam, navi, JBL sound, 17" alloys, HID's with fog lights, etc. This will cost me roughly $28,000 and will get 45-50mpg

3. 2006+ Lexus RX hybrid or Toyota Highlander hybrid - About 25MPG - It would be nice to at least have one SUV in the family and I will be traveling through WI, IL, IA, MO so 4WD would definitely be a plus on snowy days. Either way, all cars will have snow tires regardless FWD or RWD

4. 2007-2008 Lexus GS450h - About 26MPG, beautiful car and very luxurious.

5. 2012 Passat TDI - about 45MPG, fully loaded. I like the car, my only problem is the seat doesn't move down enough and I'm 6'4. I feel like my head is in the ceiling when I drive it.

6. 2012 Sonata Hybrid - 40MPG - I keep seeing commercials for it and I like how it looks, I just don't know if it's the route I want to go yet.

I've also thought about TSX/TL/RL but I just don't know if I want to go with an Acura at this time. Maybe in a couple of years when they get some better product.

What am I missing? What would you guys get?

ThermonMermon

sounds like the lex may be on its way out. anyway to siphon the expenses in a way where you could sell the GS, get a new car with work $$, and keep it afterwards?

vas25tl

Yes. I get to do whatever I want with the car I buy with work money.

The problem is whatever I get is going to get 35-50K put on a year and will lose value pretty fast. I need to make sure I'm not going to always be in negative equity where I am putting in my own $.

ThermonMermon

gotcha.

why the emphasis on hybrids? the price at the pump wont affect you directly, and you may be left carrying the burden on replacing the batteries down the road when your job wont be there to pick up the check.

vas25tl

Much less money in fuel cost. I'm not opposed to anything really, trying to get some ideas.

I guess it just needs to be 25+mpg. At 20mpg and $3.69 for gas, at 4k miles I'm looking at $738 just in fuel costs. Plus insurance, maintenance, payment.

OperationDarkie

iTrader: (1)

Run that GS into the ground and save the money

The only thing you will need to do on that car is tires brake pads and oil, they last forever, got a friend with 600k on his original motor.

vas25tl

I know they are bullt proof so that is definitely an option..

phee

iTrader: (5)

Kia optima the fully loaded one looks like a million bucks.

phee

iTrader: (5)

fully loaded with nav/seats/wheels comes out to 31k -1000 dollar incentive and 0.9% financing... seems like a winner to me.

doopstr

You will not be happy going from Lexus to Prius.

Aman

Keep your GS, use the money saved to buy a weekend toy.

I respect the fact that you're not using a beater for work. You're going to be in there a lot, so you better be in something nice. BUT you do save a crapload of money by not buying another car for work that'll depreciate like a rock. IMO keeping your car is a good blend of enjoying it and saving money(ish).

Reason I suggest buying a weekend toy is that it'll probably be nice to be in something else when you're out for the weekend. Not to mention it wouldn't depreciate nearly as fast as a car you'd use for work. I'm partial to S2000s. Or, you could pick up an SUV if that's what the family needs.

Either way, congrats on the new position! I'd love to have a job that involves getting out of the office and in a car.

vas25tl

This is what I'm afraid of. This is my second GS (first was a 1999 GS400), I don't know what I'll be happy with. That's why the GS450 is on the list, just gives me a newer option.

ThermonMermon

hmm, it seems unfortunate to not take advantage of the situation, or at least get some feeling of "change". keeping the lexus seems like a boring move, IMO.

its a riskfree bet with someone elses money. perhaps get a car that you normally would not get. try out kia perhaps?

Moog-Type-S

If your miles are highway miles....nothing beats a TDI.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'd definitely not get the Sonata hybrid. Most car journalists have found it to be a poor vehicle.

Here are some articles that you might want to read:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...di_comparison/

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ad-test-review

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/dr...-sonata-hybrid

Hyundai is relatively new to the hybrid world. On paper (and ads), it might look/sound like a bargain, but I strongly suggest going for a long test drive first.

05TLdcc

kia or hyundai

vas25tl

Hmm this is interesting
2008 Lexus GS460 57k miles

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

vas25tl

My problem with the passat is seat comfort. Maybe I'll go sit in a Jetta wagon.

Aman

"This car is no longer listed for sale."

Talk about timing...

vas25tl

I noticed a lot of new Hyundai\kia purchases here lately. I'm just not sure if I like them enough to buy them now. I've always been more of a used luxury car buyer.

ThermonMermon

based on your previous vehicles in your sig, and your responses - it sounds like going outside of the lexus/acura/infiniti world is probably unrealistic?...dare i suggest a double upgrade - newer gen plus hybrid. 450h.

winner winner chicken dinner

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

vas25tl

Hmm. Try this
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

jayhawk815

Link isn't working for me.

vas25tl

Beautiful car, same color as my GS. I love them in pearl white.

Hybrid is 25/28
V8 is 17/24 I believe

I'd expect there to be more of a difference in mpg

ThermonMermon

nice...i have an IS250 in starfire white pearl. GREAT color. I usually get 30-32 on the highway. 28 for a GS hybrid sounds pretty bad, to be honest. might as well get a V6. as a matter of fact, the IS350 is a little speed demon that only suffers 2-3 MPGs less than the IS250. thoughts?

vas25tl

I like the IS but it's a little small for me. I'll go sit in it again but I remember being a little tight.

Btw I'm 6'4 and 240lb, so space is important.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Lexus IS is freaking small inside.

Keep your GS.

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Keep your current Lexus or a TDI if you want to buy something else

Congrats on the new position!

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

keep your lexus for the weekends and get some 4banger that will save on fuel... that is mostly what i do with the GS4 at home and i drive the corolla during the week... u can't beat the 30+MPG and costs nearly nothing to maintain...

my friend's Kia Forte is nice... i even like the new Optima...

nj2pa2nc

Job is not definate yet-If you do get it hang onto your GS430, saving the monthly allowance. After a few months decide whether to hold onto it or get another car.

Chef Andre

I would stick with your lex and just pocket the additional monies.

vas25tl

Right but comfort is an issue for me, I don't want to spend 4,000 miles a month behind the wheel of a corolla.
How is your GS btw?

Just got an email from the COO, should see an offer today

Maybe do that for a year and keep saving the monthly allowance and finish off my student loans.



I have to admit, Azine is turning into kiazine and hyundaizine lately from the responses here!

I might go drive the Optima just for the fun of it.

nj2pa2nc

we own a '11 sonata GLS 6MT-wish it came with more options (sunroof, nav., power seats,etc) but we wanted MT. We recently test drove the 2012 turbo and hybrid sonatas. Prefered the turbo. We are hoping there will be a 2013 Milano red/wtech 6MT tsx se. The "11 tsx se does not offer the tech package. If they do not have it we plan to buy a 2013 turbo sonata with the tech.

ThermonMermon

damn, you should have said something from the get go! IS is the size of a civic. actually, the interior dimensions provided on edmunds show the civic being bigger!

its a shame that the RL and Infiniti M get bad gas mileage. That really widdles it down to the GS if youre a luxury-japanese-kind-of-guy. my vote remains for the 450h if the pricing makes sense over the v6. or possibly even an LS430 if the price is right.

Stoianoff31

ive always thought of it like this... if youre gonna put that kind of miles on a car and keep changing them out then buy something economical and comfortable. buy a second weekend car that you can baby, enjoy and mod accordingly. Its great having a DD that you feel comfortable in but not guilty about driving 100k miles and exposing it to highway rocks. Look forward to driving a toy on the weekend!

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Personally I would run the Lex into the ground.

2 reasons:

1 - You already have it and you know what the issues are with it. You should be able to get a year or maybe 18 months out of it with some small investment.

2 - No one likes to bring it up but the first year at a new job can be the toughest and people often get cut in the first year. No reason to buy a car until you know for sure that this is the job for you. Save the cash. If you had a new car and put 60K in year 1 and then leave or lose your position then you will be stuck with a car (possibly 2) that has very little resale value.

Most importantly:

CONGRATS on the new job.

vas25tl

Very good point. And thank you!

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

I was going to say TDI but as I read more and more, I'm changing my suggestion to using the GS. You'll save money off the bat, the comfort is there already and maintenance costs wont be too high. Gas mileage could be better but just drive a little slower on the freeway.

phee

iTrader: (5)

please please please dont buy anything before you go test drive the optima. im telling you it is way ahead of the curve.

vas25tl

I actually don't hit 3k rpms until 90mph and rarely need to go over 2k rpm even on the on ramp. It's a great car and is geared right.

I'll have to check it out!