Usairwys757 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 797 times:
I've decided to look for a new car, and have my eyes set on this one. Does anyone here own one or had any experiences with one? Looking for opinions or problems you or anyone you know has had with it, and is it worth what you pay for it?
I love my Trans Am, but want and need a new car. Your opinions are appreciated.
EMBQA From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 9286 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 785 times:
If your going to buy one or any 'new' car, buy it used. Let some other sucker take the depreciation. Of all the cars, Lexus tends to hold its value though. But for the same money you can get a nice BMW 3 Series...
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog"
Jkw777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 765 times:
Quoting EMBQA (Reply 1): But for the same money you can get a nice BMW 3 Series...
This man has sense!
If it was my money, I'd go for a 3 Series of some kind. They really are something. With this car you are getting superb reliability, exceptional safety, an excellent level of comfort, and not only that, I think this car looks gorgeous.
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 58 Reply 5, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 753 times:
Don't listen to the Brits. The Lexus is a fine automobile that is not appreciated across the pond. Usually the Brits are right when arguing with Americans on cars, but they don't give Lexus the credit it deserves. Depreciation on the Lexus in North America is very weak, so they do maintain their value just as well as a BMW or Mercedes.
The IS300 is a fantastic car, and of course its value will drop once the new, far better one is out. This will make the IS300 a fantastic value for a great automobile. I highly recommend it!
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
Usairwys757 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 750 times:
Quoting Jkw777 (Reply 4): What kind of money do you have to spend, Travis?
Justin, I was looking in the 30-35,000 range. I've also looked at the BMW 3 series, they are also very nice. Having trouble deciding between the Lex and the Beamer.
Jkw777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 744 times:
Quoting Usairwys757 (Reply 6): Justin, I was looking in the 30-35,000 range. I've also looked at the BMW 3 series, they are also very nice. Having trouble deciding between the Lex and the Beamer.
You can get a lot of car for that sort of money, as far as I know. A fully loaded 330I sounds nice to me, I can most definitely recommend it! Test drive both, but I think the BMW would come out on top.
Flight152 From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 3291 posts, RR: 7 Reply 9, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 716 times:
A fully loaded 330I sounds nice to me, I can most definitely recommend it!
Yeah, I recommend it also, but it starts at $36,300, fully loaded at nearly 50 grand, it seems like far more then he wants to spend.
I've driven quite a few IS300's, and they are a very nice car, although I would wait for the next generation IS this fall. Take a look at the new Audi A4.
TPASXM787 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 22 Reply 11, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 711 times:
I work in finance so here's a little advice.
Don't buy new. Almost any new car drops in value by 15-20% immediately. If you want to know what a car is worth, I have access to a site through work and can get you the value of anything you want.
Lexus holds their value well. I did a loan on an IS 300 a while back and it was still worth about $18k even though it was 4 years old.
I actually highly recommend the Infiniti G35. Holds it's value great and you can get all the options and be out the door at around $35k.
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 58 Reply 12, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 694 times:
DTWClipper, for some of us, American cars just aren't as appealing. However, there have been some exceptions lately. The new Chrysler 300M and Dodge Charger are extremely interesting alternatives for very good prices. But if Travis is like me, he might want something a bit smaller and sportier. From GM, there is the Cadillac CTS whcih is quite interesting and competitive, but it doesn't do anything for me either, except perhaps the Z06 powered version, but that's a whole different ball game. Ford has .... well, nothing.
In an international economy, you are not helping your fellow Americans by purchasing what might be to you an inferior product. The best way for the local companies to improve is for people to backlash against mediocrity, which is what's been happening with the American Big Three for a long time now. The end result is they are now producing far superior products when compared to just a few years ago.
So sure, buy American, but ONLY if you really want to. Really, buy what you want.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
JBLUA320 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3160 posts, RR: 21 Reply 14, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 682 times:
Hey- how about neither the Lexus or the BMW? Go for the Infiniti G35! Same price, GREAT car! And if not that, try a Saab 9-3- it drives WONDERFULLY. My mom has the G35 and my dad has the 9-3, and they love them both very much!
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 58 Reply 15, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 676 times:
Quoting Myt332 (Reply 13): I like the VW Vento. It's a good car, go buy one of those second hand.
Wise, wise man!
Quoting JBLUA320 (Reply 14): Hey- how about neither the Lexus or the BMW? Go for the Infiniti G35! Same price, GREAT car! And if not that, try a Saab 9-3- it drives WONDERFULLY
Saabs just aren't the same anymore. The G35 is a great contender though! My choices are the BMW 3 Series or an Audi A4. The Audi from 2004 onwards has improved immensely in reliability too, so it's worth a closer look just for that reason alone. It is widely expected that Audi will be in the top 5 for quality and reliability, and far ahead of its German competitors. Unfortunately German cars have slipped in these areas in the last decade or so. It's nice to see at least Audi taking great initiatives! On a similar note, Porsche is often very near the top of these rankings too, but they don't make a sports sedan to compete with the 3 Series.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
Go3Team From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 22 Reply 19, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 616 times:
Quoting WhiteHatter (Reply 18): Brilliant car, not sure if Chevrolet do it in the USA.
Not Chevrolet, but the Pontiac GTO. I'd rather have the Monaro.
CORULEZ05 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 614 times:
You can get soooooooo much more for the money with other cars. I don't believe in these cars like the 325 and the IS300 because they are at the bottom of a luxury line of cars. You are paying a lot of money for not a lot of things. I mean, the car is not ugly by no means but you could get a lot more. You mentioned 30-35,000 is how much you want to spend...that will NOT buy you a lot of features on the IS300. A nicely equipped IS300 could be up closer to the 40,000 mark. My recommendation would be the Chrysler 300C but that car, fully loaded is $45,000. But honestly, for that price range you put...any car will get you the same. Whether it is the CTS, G35, IS300, TL...they all run for that amount of money and you get the same...it all comes down to what you think looks nicers. Another thing to look at, the IS300 isn't going to give you much room. You would get room in the CTS or G35. One more thing to consider is that the IS300 is highly seen as a chick car...don't know if that holds true elsewhere but that's how it is around here.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31118 posts, RR: 73 Reply 21, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 607 times:
Quoting CORULEZ05 (Reply 20): My recommendation would be the Chrysler 300C but that car, fully loaded is $45,000.
A Chrysler 300C Hemi with navigation and sunroof is less than $37k.
Quoting CORULEZ05 (Reply 20): A nicely equipped IS300 could be up closer to the 40,000 mark.
A loaded IS300 costs $33,749. There is only one option package.
A great value right now, IMO, is the new Audi A3. Loaded with navigation, premium package, and panoramic roof, it is just under $32k, and the car is a real looker (if you like the European hot hatch look, as I do). Great value, fun car.
The best value in this class is the Acura TL. Fully loaded, with navigation (the only option), the car is $35,100. Fast and sleek.
Flight152 From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 3291 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 599 times:
I don't believe in these cars like the 325 and the IS300 because they are at the bottom of a luxury line of cars.
So? The BMW 325i and IS300 are both some of the best, if not the best (325i) cars in their category. It's money well spent with either choice.
Another thing to look at, the IS300 isn't going to give you much room. You would get room in the CTS or G35.
Considering they all are nearly the same size, neither one has much of an advantage as far as leg room is concerned.
A nicely equipped IS300 could be up closer to the 40,000 mark
AC777LR From Canada, joined Apr 2006, 487 posts, RR: 46 Reply 23, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 597 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 21): A Chrysler 300C Hemi with navigation and sunroof is less than $37k
AH yes the Brampton Ontario built 300, now there is also a new version of that car coming with a SRT-8 6.1L V8 Hemi that pumps 425Hp. That is a nice car!!!!
CORULEZ05 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (7 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 595 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 21): A Chrysler 300C Hemi with navigation and sunroof is less than $37k.
you are gonna tell that to someone who owns a FULLY loaded 300C and I payed $45,000 how much it costs? Perhaps NOW they are 37k because they have been out for a year now but I got mine when it FIRST came out and they were over pricing it perhaps. Besides, navigation and sunroof...you think those are the ONLY options that come with that car? Well, you forgot the wireless phone, park assist, high intensity lights, among others....
All those prices you are talking about are fine and all but he would get more with other brand of cars such as the 300C. However, the 300C is much bigger but hey, you are getting 340 hp and a Hemi V8.
25 Cptkrell: Dealers in TN were charging list (and sometimes a bit more premium) for loaded 300C Hemis last Nov. when we bought ours. We shelled out $300. to South
26 Captaingomes: Jack, I agree with you. My philosophy is to buy something nice, that you would want to keep for a while, and take care of it properly. People who buy
27 Captaingomes: For some nice pics of the Audi A3, for the sake of comparison, you can check this ebay listing for a black on tan demo that is for sale ... http://cgi
28 JetsGo: It's a Chrysler 300C. The only reason I am nit-picking at this is because the 300M is a gross p.o.s. and the 300C is a much needed improvement. He di
29 Aerobalance: If you like the IS300 then get it, you should be able to negotiate a good deal since the new model will be arriving this fall. Question is, will you s
30 CORULEZ05: I don't believe I said garbage ANYWHERE in my post. I simply said that they are at the bottom of the luxury brand of cars and you don't get as much a
31 Captaingomes: "It's a Chrysler 300C. The only reason I am nit-picking at this is because the 300M is a gross p.o.s. and the 300C is a much needed improvement." You'
32 JetsGo: If you agree that they are cheaper now, then why bring up the fact that you payed 45k? I could have worded it better, but the German cars suffer the
33 AA777: get either a BMW 325i or an Audi A4 3.2 or a A3 w/ DSG.... the IS300 is going to be redesigned soon (w/in the next year), so dont waste ur money on it
34 JetsGo: It's alright, happens to the best of us! Chris
35 MAH4546: You got ripped off or decided to pay a premium to have the car early. All I said that a Chrysler 300C with Nav and Sunroof cost less than $37k and, g
36 ANITIX87: Captaingomes, there is no Z06-powered version of the CTS. The performance branch of Cadillac is the V-series (although the CTS-V has the OLD Corvette
37 MAH4546: No it isn't. The CTS is an entry level luxury sedan that replaced the Catera. The STS is a mid-level luxury sedan (ala E-Class, 5-Series) that replac
38 ANITIX87: Thanks for not being blatant...haha...thank you for the correction, I was misled by that commercial with with lightning strikes that says, "First it
39 Captaingomes: grrrrrrrr, the CTS-V is powered by the previous generation Z06 Chevrolet Corvette engine, hence why I said it's the Z06 powered CTS. Let's not get too
40 Cptkrell: Captaingomes is correct in assuming the HP reduction in CTS-V is due to exhaust restrictions because of platform design. Also, the new 500 HP ZO6 for
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The G35 is a great contender though! My choices are the BMW 3 Series or an Audi A4. The Audi from 2004 onwards has improved immensely in reliability too, so it's worth a closer look just for that reason alone. It is widely expected that Audi will be in the top 5 for quality and reliability, and far ahead of its German competitors. Unfortunately German cars have slipped in these areas in the last decade or so. It's nice to see at least Audi taking great initiatives! On a similar note, Porsche is often very near the top of these rankings too, but they don't make a sports sedan to compete with the 3 Series. 
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