Topic: Top Picks: Used Serious Sedans

[rrocket]

"Welcome to being a man with a heartbeat. Has any guy ever not paid a high price for an 'old romance' at some point?"

Great point and that is really what we are talking about here.  I've had the thrills and I've had the pain and at this point, the newer stuff is so damn good and my driving has so moderated, I don't value the thrill enough to suffer the pain.  Also, part of the thrills were (looking back) really stupid bit that's the journey.

However, if your driving habits still involve the red mist, get your fill.

BTW, just got back from a meeting and a fellow there mentioned he had bought an old XJ6 years ago.  Perfect shape all over at an incredible price.  He was 19 at the time.  The only question was a barely audible tick in the engine on warmup.  He was going to have it checked but before that could happen, a piston attempted a partially successful escape through the engine block.  He parked it since he could not afford to fix it and ended up selling it months later for $1200.

A great learning experience with a high end bargain.

Cheers,
John M.

But you CAN have a fun car without taking all the chances.  After the cars are 5 (or more) years old, you're pretty sure to know which cars are "Keepers" and which ones are "Do Not Buy".  A basic search of enthusiast forums will turn up much of what you need to know.  And by buying a luxury or higher end car, you somewhat future proof it as many of the higher end luxury cars got the tech well before lesser cars.

My GS400 is one of these cars I'd consider a Serious Sedan and a strong buy.  Was Import Car of The Year (if that matters to you), great V8 (300HP, 310TQ) stupendous brakes (outbraked a 911 and Vette in 1998), great handling (.87G on skidpad, quicker than a Vette through the slalom at 66.9MPH).  Reliable, reliable, reliable and all the luxury, safety and creature comforts one could want.  These are the things you want in a used Serious Sedan IMO.

There's a reason this is my 2nd GS400....it's a really fine used car.

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_9802_1998_lexus_gs_300_1998_motor_trend_import_car_of_the_year/

[kenm]

With high po used cars, especially of German origin, padding an extra 5 or 10 for unexpected repairs etc. is probably smart. They're still great value though IMO if you appreciate the FGC thing.

The Accord on this list is silly. Could have at least chosen a GS430/460. And throw in the W211 E500/550 on that list too.

My eager search for Lexus models in the article, ended in disappointment.

[JohnM]

I do agree that these days you can get a very high end, very quick sedan for a reasonable price and drive it for years as a second car without too much risk.  You can also buy a disaster which is ok as long as you are prepared to walk away.

But as many here are maintaining, the odds are shifting to reasonable, fast and reliable being a real possibility.  The next big risk I take will be an EV.  Technically engaging rather than soul stirring. 

Cheers,
John M.

[rrocket]

But as many here are maintaining, the odds are shifting to reasonable, fast and reliable being a real possibility.  The next big risk I take will be an EV.  Technically engaging rather than soul stirring. 

Cheers,
John M.

Which is fine.  One of the reason I found my Honda Insight to be pretty neat.

[sailor723]

With high po used cars, especially of German origin, padding an extra 5 or 10 for unexpected repairs etc. is probably smart. They're still great value though IMO if you appreciate the FGC thing.

The Accord on this list is silly. Could have at least chosen a GS430/460. And throw in the W211 E500/550 on that list too.

My eager search for Lexus models in the article, ended in disappointment.

Lexus models don't get anyone's heart stirring. 

[mmret]

With high po used cars, especially of German origin, padding an extra 5 or 10 for unexpected repairs etc. is probably smart. They're still great value though IMO if you appreciate the FGC thing.

The Accord on this list is silly. Could have at least chosen a GS430/460. And throw in the W211 E500/550 on that list too.

My eager search for Lexus models in the article, ended in disappointment.

Lexus models don't get anyone's heart stirring. 

Mostly true. That said I wouldn't say no to a TRD IS350 F-Sport, even though its just wheels and a bodykit over the regular one.

[ChaosphereIX]

I had a G8 for about 8 months:

The article missed some key points:

The transmission and dod (displacement on demand) is horrible on this car.
The first thing a new owner has to do is get the car reprogrammed to get rid of the DOD. The crappy transmission remains.

It needs better brakes (Actually the GXP addresses both these issues)

I moved on from my G8 quite quickly as it had a bad piston slap issue that GM acknowledged but refused to address even though car under warranty with a whopping 30k kms on the clock.

One last note to potential owners: The article is wrong in bringing the car in to have potential issues addressed. Most GM dealerships will not have a clue what a G8 is. I had to explain to the local dealer (service advisor) that the car was a Pontiac and was indeed a GM product. Parts are available but not stocked..

if your local shop didn't know what a G8 was, they should be fired. All shops I know of are aware of the car and indeed service them. We do.

[tortoise]

I had a G8 for about 8 months....

You forgot to mention the shattered sunroof.

Unless I'm confused and it was someone else.

[OliverD]

My GS400 is one of these cars I'd consider a Serious Sedan and a strong buy.  Was Import Car of The Year (if that matters to you), great V8 (300HP, 310TQ) stupendous brakes (outbraked a 911 and Vette in 1998), great handling (.87G on skidpad, quicker than a Vette through the slalom at 66.9MPH).  Reliable, reliable, reliable and all the luxury, safety and creature comforts one could want.  These are the things you want in a used Serious Sedan IMO.

There's a reason this is my 2nd GS400....it's a really fine used car.

I was a huge fan of the GS400 when it came out. The styling was great, the performance was amazing. Always loved that car, especially in the bright blue they offered.

[JohnM]

So a really low km GS450h can be had for around $17k.   Certainly a bargoon for incredible power, sophistication and handling.  It is only about $6k more than a good '07 Prius so on the value scale, if that's what you want, KILLER.

Cheers,
John M.

[OliverD]

So a really low km GS450h can be had for around $17k.   Certainly a bargoon for incredible power, sophistication and handling.  It is only about $6k more than a good '07 Prius so on the value scale, if that's what you want, KILLER.

Cheers,
John M.

Wow, didn't realize they were down to that price point. That's a really good deal.

[kenm]

With high po used cars, especially of German origin, padding an extra 5 or 10 for unexpected repairs etc. is probably smart. They're still great value though IMO if you appreciate the FGC thing.

The Accord on this list is silly. Could have at least chosen a GS430/460. And throw in the W211 E500/550 on that list too.

My eager search for Lexus models in the article, ended in disappointment.

Lexus models don't get anyone's heart stirring. 

A used GS would raise my pulse a lot quicker then some warmed over police cruiser with some shiny bits thrown on. One of my buddies had an old GS400, and it was a hoot. He bought it for a 4 figure price, and definitely got his money's worth out of it. Under that Toyota sheet metal, lurks a hooligan-mobile.

[dirtyjeffer]

the marauder simply exudes badass though...that doesn't mean a GS is no good...in fact, the GS is likely a much better car in almost every way...the Marauder isn't really even that fast...the problem is that it is rare, and the limited selection (and likely relatively high asking price because of its rarity) will further reinforce the decision to pick up a GS instead...one of my bosses has a GS (maybe 2007?)...looks and rides great...i don't follow the Lexus line up, and thought it was maybe a year old and was surprised to find it was something like 7 years old.

[rrocket]

With high po used cars, especially of German origin, padding an extra 5 or 10 for unexpected repairs etc. is probably smart. They're still great value though IMO if you appreciate the FGC thing.

The Accord on this list is silly. Could have at least chosen a GS430/460. And throw in the W211 E500/550 on that list too.

My eager search for Lexus models in the article, ended in disappointment.

Lexus models don't get anyone's heart stirring. 

A used GS would raise my pulse a lot quicker then some warmed over police cruiser with some shiny bits thrown on. One of my buddies had an old GS400, and it was a hoot. He bought it for a 4 figure price, and definitely got his money's worth out of it. Under that Toyota sheet metal, lurks a hooligan-mobile.

This.

[alexdc]

I dunno, I kinda liked how the Accord was on the list simply for the pairing of a V6 with a 5-spd. That's serious...for that class of sedan. I think the Altima SE-R was the only other V6 equipped manual circa mid-2000s in that price bracket? Come to think of it the SE-R was probably more serious than the Accord...

Not sure I would add the Impala SS or the Marauder at only 260 and 300 hp given the rest of the company. I guess the Accord would have to be cut too regardless of the rare powertrain combo.

Good to know about the SHO turbos...I wasn't aware that they potentially had those issues.

One of my colleague has a SE-R altima and he just added coil overs on it this summer. My god that thing is fun and FAST enough for the street. that shifter and motor and the handling with the new suspension are very satisfying. I drove it with standard suspension and it wasn't has good. You can get an se-r for around 6-8k. Bargain

[rrocket]

^^I thought the torque steer was horrific...

[alexdc]

"Welcome to being a man with a heartbeat. Has any guy ever not paid a high price for an 'old romance' at some point?"

Great point and that is really what we are talking about here.  I've had the thrills and I've had the pain and at this point, the newer stuff is so damn good and my driving has so moderated, I don't value the thrill enough to suffer the pain.  Also, part of the thrills were (looking back) really stupid bit that's the journey.

However, if your driving habits still involve the red mist, get your fill.

BTW, just got back from a meeting and a fellow there mentioned he had bought an old XJ6 years ago.  Perfect shape all over at an incredible price.  He was 19 at the time.  The only question was a barely audible tick in the engine on warmup.  He was going to have it checked but before that could happen, a piston attempted a partially successful escape through the engine block.  He parked it since he could not afford to fix it and ended up selling it months later for $1200.

A great learning experience with a high end bargain.

Cheers,
John M.

But you CAN have a fun car without taking all the chances.  After the cars are 5 (or more) years old, you're pretty sure to know which cars are "Keepers" and which ones are "Do Not Buy".  A basic search of enthusiast forums will turn up much of what you need to know.  And by buying a luxury or higher end car, you somewhat future proof it as many of the higher end luxury cars got the tech well before lesser cars.

My GS400 is one of these cars I'd consider a Serious Sedan and a strong buy.  Was Import Car of The Year (if that matters to you), great V8 (300HP, 310TQ) stupendous brakes (outbraked a 911 and Vette in 1998), great handling (.87G on skidpad, quicker than a Vette through the slalom at 66.9MPH).  Reliable, reliable, reliable and all the luxury, safety and creature comforts one could want.  These are the things you want in a used Serious Sedan IMO.

There's a reason this is my 2nd GS400....it's a really fine used car.

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_9802_1998_lexus_gs_300_1998_motor_trend_import_car_of_the_year/

I agree. The GS are not that expensive. Even the newer ones with the 3.5 seem to be a good buy and fast enough!

[rrocket]

^^Nothing like a V8 though.  I loved the V6 that was in my IS350 (same as new GS), but much prefer the V8.

[alexdc]

^^I thought the torque steer was horrific...

I didn't quite put the pedal to the floor but it has so much torque down low. Well, I did when it had the oem suspension but I don't remember. It's a cheap, very decent driver's car when you tweak it just a little bit.

[alexdc]

^^Nothing like a V8 though.  I loved the V6 that was in my IS350 (same as new GS), but much prefer the V8.

You make me want to buy one if I can sell my econobox this spring. lol I always had a thing for BIG lexus sedans.