Am I crazy?

[Sephy]

So about 3-4 months ago I bought a used 06 Lexus IS250, as an upgrade from my 01 Impreza RS. I paid around 17k (pre-tax/tags) for it, with around 70k miles. The car is solid, runs well, has lots of creature comforts (backup camera, nav, vented seats). However, there are a few annoying things - gas mileage is total crap, getting like 16-17 in the city (Pittsburgh, which is notorious for bad gas mileage, but still), when I'm paying for premium. Also, it seems to be effected by every rattle that is known as an issue with this model - most notably the back window. It is also mind numbingly boring to drive, and in general just feels small.

So it seems I can probably trade this in (via autotrader's guaranteed deal) for around 16k. What I'm considering is getting a used, higher mileage Subaru (either a legacy or forester, or maybe even a Saabaru wagon), and just sucking up the loss for a car that is more functional and more fun to drive. I'd still come out ahead overall $$ wise, but I'd be losing about $1500 in total from the Lexus transaction. Risk of course is maintenance on a newer car.

So, is this nuts? I've just been unsettled about the car since the beginning, and I'm not happy with it for whatever reason. Has anyone used the guaranteed trade in program?

Thanks!

 

[T2urtle]

Considered modify what you have ?

Maybe some f sport suspension and sway bars will make it better.

You should of known almost everything Toyota puts out is pretty mushy suspension and boring to drive, they run for a long time but its a very cushy ride. A forester would be similar. That is250 is perfect for most but disliked by many car guys.

You will also be out the tax/ title and have to pay for it on new car as well.

Your not crazy, you just want a car with more feedback. Its about the same reason why all the car I've owned have been lowered.

 

[LTC8K6]

24 combined for the 6A, 21 combined for the 6M.

18 in the city would be in the normal range.

 

[NutBucket]

You're annoyed by rattles and considering a Subaru?

 

[Sephy]

Considered modify what you have ?

Maybe some f sport suspension and sway bars will make it better.

You should of known almost everything Toyota puts out is pretty mushy suspension and boring to drive, they run for a long time but its a very cushy ride. A forester would be similar. That is250 is perfect for most but disliked by many car guys.

You will also be out the tax/ title and have to pay for it on new car as well.

Your not crazy, you just want a car with more feedback. Its about the same reason why all the car I've owned have been lowered.

I'm not considering a new car - only cheaper used cars. And re: forester I am pretty much only considering the turbo versions.

I don't mind the MPG as much especially if I'm saving money up front on the ride. And I don't put much mileage on a car at all, so high mileage is less risky than some

I also get the irony of Subaru rattles, but this one is like, above and beyond. It is incredibly intrusive. Like, unacceptable. Lexus is supposed to be about top notch build quality and quiet at least.

 

[JulesMaximus]

16-17mpg is not normal. We get around 22mpg city and over 30mpg freeway.

 

[HarryLui]

16-17mpg is not normal. We get around 22mpg city and over 30mpg freeway.

Lots of stop and go will change change that.