The Future Automotive ADD thread got me thinking. I like my Honda Fit as a DD, but sometimes I'd really like something more comfortable and a bit more isolated from the outside world. This is most likely just going to be a thought exercise, since I'm trying to save money right now, but I figure we all seem to like to ruminate on stuff like this...
I'm thinking,, under 10K, preferably cheaper, quiet, compliant ride, enough horsepower to get out of its way, needs some nice comfort features, like leather, heated seats, decent sounding stereo, etc., but doesn't need to be loaded down with tech. Preferably midsized, no need for sporting pretensions, but they are okay, as long as they don't make it ride to rough, I'm in the rust belt, so potholes are a given. Oh yeah, and also, has to be something thats not going to require excessive maintenence and repairs, it should be pretty much run fine without needing a lot of extra attention.
I keep coming back to 8-18 year old Lexus ES300s, and (even cheaper) older Infinit i30s. Looks like a late nineties-early-00s Lexus RX300 slots in that range, but I have no idea if they are maintenence nightmares.
So, if you were looking for an appliance, that happened to be nicer, quieter, and more comfortable than your typical boring car, what would you look for?
FWD Buick with a 3800 under the hood? They are cheap and plentiful around here, and I know several folks that have gone 200k on them with no major issues.
Javelin wrote:
Mercury Grand Marquis
Had one for a while, but it was a no-option 2000 base GS. I have test driven a 2004 LS. No idea if it had heated seats, but despite looking the same, except for the paint job, and interior materials, it drove like a completely different car. I did like it, but it seems as I get older, I have less interest in driving a full size car. I used to love them back when I was in school.
Tom_Spangler wrote:
FWD Buick with a 3800 under the hood? They are cheap and plentiful around here, and I know several folks that have gone 200k on them with no major issues.
You know, for some reason, I completely forgot about those, despite my across the street neighbor having a FWD Buick. Not a bad idea at all, assuming its not too hard to find one with a high enough trim level. I guess in that vein, any well equipped GM W-body might fit the role, assuming they have enough sound deadening.
Powar
SuperDork
10/25/13 2:16 p.m.
LS400 or LS430. It doesn't fit your description of 'pseudo', though.
Man, a ton of choices in that range:
Lexus ES line
Lexus GS line
Acura TL
Pontiac Bonneville/Buick Regal
Accord (EX-L model)
Mazda 6 (loaded model)
Nissan Maxima SL
Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Towncar
Toyota Camry
Just did a quick local craigslist search for Buicks. They're bigger and older than I'd seriously consider, but I didn't realize how cheap 94-96 Roadmonsters had gotten 
I'm kinda shopping for a GS430 at the moment. 0-60 in 5's, 26 MPG.
Dr. Hess wrote:
I'm kinda shopping for a GS430 at the moment. 0-60 in 5's, 26 MPG.
I'm of the opinion the original Lexus GS300 is one of the most handsome cars made, but every generation after has been kind of ugly. If they depreciate enough, though, maybe I should look into them.
The Lexus ES is a solid choice that meets all your requirements. An alternative you've probably not looked into is the Jaguar XJ - it's faster and more thursty, but carries with it so much more class.
When we were in your situation we wanted something a little sportier and settled on an E39 BMW 5 Series. It's been a fantastic car for the past 8 years but is now 12 years old and requires a lot of care and feeding $.
The trick with the GM 3800 is to get one that HAD THE INTAKE GASKETS AND UPPER PLENUM DONE EARLY AND OFTEN. Otherwise you'll end up like me and buy what you thought would be a serviceable hooptie, but ended up with a main knock in a couple weeks.
In reply to Klayfish:
My wife's daily (used to be mine, its complicated) is an 08 Mazda6. Admittedly, its a base model, but its not a car I'd consider too luxurious, unless the V6 models also include some extra sound deadening - its not the quietest car to drive.
Good point about the CamCords, just have to find a high enough trim level, EX-L accord like you mentioned, XLE camry, I guess. Not too mention, those would be extremely stealthy.
They practically give away the earlier GS', like the GS400, GS300. I'd go with the V8, though. I think they get the same gas mileage, unless you just want the 6. And in 99, the 1UZ had the variable cam and CoP. I'm not sure about 98.
One other option to consider is the Swedish makes. Saab and Volvo have some nice cars, and Saabs are dirt cheap. I've had both and loved them.
I've seen very clean Mercury Grand Marquis in the 3k price range.
You mentioned Infiniti i30 in your first posting.
Even before I read that i was thinking Infiniti Q45. Good cars, just completely forgotten about and overlooked.
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4086993357.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4140837339.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4063004650.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4093448748.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4122466686.html
yamaha
PowerDork
10/25/13 3:23 p.m.
Lincoln LS.....you'll even get to wrench on it. 
Huh. Sounds like we're in a similar boat.
TL: Loved it, but FWD 
I was kind of shocked at how cheap 540i's with ~100k miles are.
Whatever you do, don't go shopping for CTS-V's. 
Probably not tons of them on Craigslist these days, but bubble body 929s are seriously cheap.
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4149735784.html
Swank Force One wrote:
Probably not tons of them on Craigslist these days, but bubble body 929s are seriously cheap.
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4149735784.html
Wow, that is a rare find!
A Lincoln town car would probably be the easiest to buy and maintain. Since they're built to survive NYC streets they should be able to take the potholes where you live with no problem at all.
Changing things up a bit, are any of the Infinity M cars under $10k yet?
2003 - 04 Infiniti M45 if you can find one.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=64083&endYear=2004&modelCode1=M45&sortBy=bestmatchb&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2003&makeCode1=INFIN&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&searchRadius=0&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=%5BINFIN%5BM45%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=357853559&Log=0
