2015 GS350 AWD ... bad idea?

[BurnItDwn]

Thursday after work I'll be test driving a 2015 Lexus GS350. I was thinking of going with something like a GTI for a long time, but, I really want something a bit more relaxed and comfortable which is still capable of semi-decent handling.

I may also take a look at a Regal TourX just because I'm attached to Wagons for unknown reasons, and the dealer which has a single owner clean carfax low milage inexpensive GS350 has a new Regal TourX at a comparable price.

I think the GS350 is the way to go based on longevity since it's a longitudinally mounted v6 and naturally aspirated... but wife has borked knees and mobility problems, so I want something she can somewhat comfortably enter/exit just in case we need to take her vehicle in for service or in case I need to pick her up or drop her off in my daily or if we decide to take my car when going on a road trip.

Don't try to talk me out of it. yall failed to talk out Zinfamous. Also, my current daily is more or less sorted and in excellent shape, but, a younger cousin of mine is in need of a semi decent cheap car for a while since he just got out of school and will take a while before he's in shape to buy something newish so I might just give him my old one, or sell for 1/2 the trade in value..

 

[IronWing]

Has your wife tried to get in/out of either car? By modern standards, the Tourx is a low rider and may not be that easy for her to manage.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Has your wife tried to get in/out of either car? By modern standards, the Tourx is a low rider and may not be that easy for her to manage.

Taking her with on Thursday to a dealer to see if she is OK getting into the Regal, the Tour X Regal, and a GS350.

If the Lexus GS350 and the Regal are too low, then I may wind up going to completely different market segment and look at something like a used Lexus GX.

 

[IronWing]

On the Tourx, check out the Essence trim level as it comes with a power passenger seat that is far more adjustable than the standard seat.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Thanks IronWing. I'm hoping my 1st choice is "ok", but, if Tour X with Essence Trim level works well, then we will seriously consider it. The dealer than has the GS350 is a Buick Dealer with a handfull of different Regas Tour X on their lot... so I should be able to find one there thursday evening.

 

[zinfamous]

Thursday after work I'll be test driving a 2015 Lexus GS350. I was thinking of going with something like a GTI for a long time, but, I really want something a bit more relaxed and comfortable which is still capable of semi-decent handling...

Dude bro DO IT WE CAN START A CLUB!!!!

And I can't wait to get mine out of the shop!

actually, have you tested a GTI, 2017-2019? They are surprisingly comfortable, especially if you get one with DCC and comfort mode. Granted, it will never be Lexus smooth, but I am thoroughly impressed overall. It is really quite low to the ground, though, and of course is gently requesting to be lowered, still.

 

[jlee]

Used GX's are quite compelling at their price point.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Dude bro DO IT WE CAN START A CLUB!!!!

And I can't wait to get mine out of the shop!

actually, have you tested a GTI, 2017-2019? They are surprisingly comfortable, especially if you get one with DCC and comfort mode. Granted, it will never be Lexus smooth, but I am thoroughly impressed overall. It is really quite low to the ground, though,
and of course is gently requesting to be lowered, still.

I've been in a couple of different Golfs over the years, though never a GTI. Even though I'm tall and big, the interior is quite roomy and nice ... (I'd say the current gen WRX is also roomy ... but, not nearly as "nice" as a modern VW.)

GTI would be more fun for sure, but I don't think there's any chance in the wife would be able to get in or out or the MIL if we pick her up from the doctor or something .... (fat people with bad knees have lots of bending problems.)


and jlee, GX460 is the "ridable elephant" option if none of the Sedans I like are workable for the situation ...

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I've been in a couple of different Golfs over the years, though never a GTI. Even though I'm tall and big, the interior is quite roomy and nice ... (I'd say the current gen WRX is also roomy ... but, not nearly as "nice" as a modern VW.)

GTI would be more fun for sure, but I don't think there's any chance in the wife would be able to get in or out or the MIL if we pick her up from the doctor or something .... (fat people with bad knees have lots of bending problems.)


and jlee, GX460 is the "ridable elephant" option if none of the Sedans I like are workable for the situation ...

An RX might be an alright compromise between the "can't get out..." sports sedan and the "rideable elephant" GX. Should be cheaper than a GX, and there was an F-Sport version available.

 

[BurnItDwn]

An RX might be an alright compromise between the "can't get out..." sports sedan and the "rideable elephant" GX. Should be cheaper than a GX, and there was an F-Sport version available.

Maybe this is superficial, but I'm not willing to sell my entire soul and go with another crossover. (Wife's car is already a Ford Edge.) I will go with a slightly fun to drive car, or a mammoth mountain monster landbarge, though, I really can't justify getting something with that horrible of fuel economy ....

Will hopefully be good with the GS, otherwise, maybe we can see if the door size, floor height, roof height, and the seat height are better in a Mazda 6, a Taurus SHO, or a used Chevy SS or something along those lines

 

[ondma]

Am I correct that your wife has problems getting into a low vehicle? Can she do the high step-up to get into a sport utility? I went away from a SUV/crossover in part because my wife is quite short, also has knee problems, and has extreme difficulty stepping up into an SUV. The other part is that I just dont particularly like them anyway.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Am I correct that your wife has problems getting into a low vehicle? Can she do the high step-up to get into a sport utility? I went away from a SUV/crossover in part because my wife is quite short, also has knee problems, and has extreme difficulty stepping up into an SUV. The other part is that I just dont particularly like them anyway.

She has difficulty with too high or too low. She also has problems with door openings that are short. I think the worst is that the door opening does not go all the way down to the bottom of the body, she has problems with that big step to get over the hump.

She is OK with her Ford Edge, which is a midsize crossover. Her previous car, the Ford Taurus was ok for her. She also drove a Crown Vic and it was difficult for her, but she was able to get her foot in on her own.

Anyhow, we shall find out with the GS350 this thursday ..

She likely wont ever drive it, and likely will only need to get in the car a few times per year for short hop from mechanic to our house....

 

[BurnItDwn]

Wife got in and out of Lexus no problem, even commented how comfortable it was and how nice the ride was.
Buick was good too, but, we both really really preferred the Lexus.

As far as on the road, the buick did feel a little bit lighter and more playful, the Lexus felt like it was planted firmly.
So, I'm having them take the Lexus to my mechanic for a quick once over either Friday or Monday, and if the Mechanic gives it a clean bill of health, I'm buying it.

I know a more sporty option would be more fun, but since a lot of the time is spent sitting in gridlock traffic, comfort is just as important, so I think I'm more or less getting the best of both worlds with this.

In 5 or so years we will replace her Ford Edge, the RX350 will be towards the top of our list at that time.

Buick Regal did impress me, the Regal was better than I had expected, I would gladly recommend it. Visibility wasn't quite as good, but, overall I'd take it over a Camy...

 

[Hans Gruber]

Wife got in and out of Lexus no problem, even commented how comfortable it was and how nice the ride was.
Buick was good too, but, we both really really preferred the Lexus.

As far as on the road, the buick did feel a little bit lighter and more playful, the Lexus felt like it was planted firmly.
So, I'm having them take the Lexus to my mechanic for a quick once over either Friday or Monday, and if the Mechanic gives it a clean bill of health, I'm buying it.

I know a more sporty option would be more fun, but since a lot of the time is spent sitting in gridlock traffic, comfort is just as important, so I think I'm more or less getting the best of both worlds with this.

In 5 or so years we will replace her Ford Edge, the RX350 will be towards the top of our list at that time.

Buick Regal did impress me, the Regal was better than I had expected, I would gladly recommend it. Visibility wasn't quite as good, but, overall I'd take it over a Camy...

Doesn't the Lexus have a 4 year 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty? How many miles are on this car and when was it new? Is the warranty out on it?

 

[BurnItDwn]

Doesn't the Lexus have a 4 year 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty? How many miles are on this car and when was it new? Is the warranty out on it?

You make a VERY good point.

it's does have a few months left of the warranty.
I probably don't need an inspection, but, the mechanic's normal rate is $75-$100, and the dealer offered to deliver it to them. If any wear items are near needing replacement or servicing, I wanna know about it.

It's probably overkill/waste of money, but, I'd rather waste $100 than risk missing some problem and then having problems right as the warranty comes to an end. I'm terrible at diagnosing things on my own, and I don't want a minor problem that I miss to grow to a big problem that I should have fixed.

 

[zinfamous]

I know a more sporty option would be more fun, but since a lot of the time is spent sitting in gridlock traffic, comfort is just as important, so I think I'm more or less getting the best of both worlds with this.

boo! should have screwed reality and gotten the GTI! Got mine out of the shop yesterday and it is well...not sure if anything is broken yet? No one knows.

 

[manly]

You make a VERY good point.

it's does have a few months left of the warranty.
I probably don't need an inspection, but, the mechanic's normal rate is $75-$100, and the dealer offered to deliver it to them. If any wear items are near needing replacement or servicing, I wanna know about it.

It's probably overkill/waste of money, but, I'd rather waste $100 than risk missing some problem and then having problems right as the warranty comes to an end. I'm terrible at diagnosing things on my own, and I don't want a minor problem that I miss to grow to a big problem that I should have fixed.

I think any used car that is not CPO should get a pre-purchase inspection.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Dealer dropped it off at my mechanic this morning. My mechanic gave it a once over and the car is clean and good and no obvious problems. Dealer picked up the car.

I go to dealer on Saturday and sign some papers and become a person who has a car payment again.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I think any used car that is not CPO should get a pre-purchase inspection.

I applied your logic to my cousin's purchase of my 2008 Subaru ... taking it to mechanic to look things over and make sure its not about to strand him by the side of the road.

 

[zinfamous]

sign some papers and become a person who has a car payment again.

I honestly think this is why I haven't slept well in the last month.

Congrats, though!

 

[Sgt. York]

I just bought a used SUV for my wife.

I paid cash.

I'm a baller!

 

[ondma]

I just bought a used SUV for my wife.

I paid cash.

I'm a baller!

That is unamerican!!

 

[Sgt. York]

The choice was to leave it in a savings account earning near zero interest and losing value to inflation or pay cash.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I honestly think this is why I haven't slept well in the last month.

Congrats, though!

Thanks, put decent amount down, but, financed about 2/3 of the price. Shouldn't be any problem to pay it off in a few years.

The choice was to leave it in a savings account earning near zero interest and losing value to inflation or pay cash.

Nice, I considered moving money out of a brokerage account to pay for the full thing up front, but in the end decided I'd be OK paying 4.8% for a while.

 

[someone16]

I applied your logic to my cousin's purchase of my 2008 Subaru ... taking it to mechanic to look things over and make sure its not about to strand him by the side of the road.

It's a good idea to have a mechanic check any used car you are buying. Also you want them to check for any evidence of accident damage that was fixed, as it will affect resale greatly.