Looking for New (to me) car; ~$7k; I35 vs TL vs GS

[alimoalem]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a car (I live in Davis/Sacramento during the week, San Jose during the weekends). $7k is the budget but if you guys know of a cheaper car that's also good, I'm interested. I can stretch the budget a couple thousand, too, but only if the car is significantly better. I'm looking for something comfortable with some pick-up...I suppose a sport-luxury.

From my research, I like the 2001-2003 Infiniti I35, 2001-2003 Acura TL, and 1999-2003 Lexus GS300/GS400. My issues are:

1. Infiniti I35: My family has had 2 nissans and we bad experiences with both (our 90's maxima literally caught fire while parked in a parking lot; my 200sx had too many problems to list).
2. Acura TL: Notorious transmission problems.
3. Lexus GS: Can't find a $7k one with less than 110k miles.

Are these issues valid? And any other recommendations?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

TL = DO NOT FUCKING WANT

Get the I35, my parents I30 has been flawless up till this year (100k miles), and all we needed was a new starter. VQ 6's are bulletproof.

 

[saratoga172]

1. Infinitis are made pretty well. Best choice of the three.
2. RUN AWAY from anything representing anything close to a tranny problem unless you know how much you can fix it for with a 100% guarantee and it will end up being cheaper. Tranny's are exspensive.
3. I personally have a hard time dishing out $7k+ for a lexus with 110k+ miles. Lexus = Toyota with some extra interior. But in seriousness I'd have a hard time giving $7k for any standard car with 110k miles.

Go with the Infiniti.

 

[StageLeft]

At your price range I presume you realize you're inevitably getting a car with more miles and higher maintenance than a purely functional car like a Civic (would be much cheaper with lower miles), so don't come back here if your tranny dies and requires a $2500 repair three months after you buy it.

Of the list I'd get none of them and instead get a Maxima instead of the I35 (2002 with under 100k can be had at that price range). It will be a touch cheaper and is the same car minus the Infiniti badge and a few interior luxuries.

If you are strapped for cash and need cheap reliable transportation none of these cars are appropriate for you simply because of their age. You can get much newer for the same price if you drop the clear priority for a luxury-brand sedan and get something more pragmatic. $7k is a crap-shoot and you're out of your depth with that amount of money buying a sport luxury car unless you are willing to deal with a fairly high likelihood of issues. I realize you're not looking to buy a 1989 Porsche but nonetheless...

 

[PricklyPete]

At your price range I presume you realize you're inevitably getting a car with more miles and higher maintenance than a purely functional car like a Civic (would be much cheaper with lower miles), so don't come back here if your tranny dies and requires a $2500 repair three months after you buy it.

Of the list I'd get none of them and instead get a Maxima instead of the I35 (2002 with under 100k can be had at that price range). It will be a touch cheaper and is the same car minus the Infiniti badge and a few interior luxuries.

If you are strapped for cash and need cheap reliable transportation none of these cars are appropriate for you simply because of their age. You can get much newer for the same price if you drop the clear priority for a luxury-brand sedan and get something more pragmatic. $7k is a crap-shoot and you're out of your depth with that amount of money buying a sport luxury car unless you are willing to deal with a fairly high likelihood of issues. I realize you're not looking to buy a 1989 Porsche but nonetheless...

Listen to the man. Go for a older Ford Fusion...probably one of your better deals and very reliable.

 

[jtvang125]

With that much driving I'd look for a more fuel efficient car. I'm almost certain those 3 cars you mentioned require premium and aren't that great with gas mileage either.

 

[vi edit]

Along with the gas milage, premium gas requirements, and more expensive maintenance...be sure to factor in insurance costs for the premium badges vs something more conventional.

Others car I would toss in the mix would be an Altima SE or the Mazda 6 S. You'll get much more for your $$ in those.

 

[alimoalem]

Thanks for the replies. I've already looked at the Maxima. I've already looked at Maximas but cannot find a cheap one. From what I've seen, they're more expensive than a similar I35. If you can find a fairly priced one, please send me a link.

In a couple months, I'll more than likely be working near San Jose so mileage won't be too much of an issue. Also, I'd really like to have a V6 so the econocars wouldn't work. I'll look into the Mazda 6.

By the way, I'm trying to get something with 100k miles or less, preferably around 80k. The example with the Lexus was just to show low mileage ones in my price range don't exist in my area.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

 

[T2urtle]

i have a 4 banger camry and a maxima in my "fleet" both with 120k miles on it. Both had similiar parts go out and maintence done. Its always faster and cheaper to do the camry, in most cases about 30% cheaper to do the camry. camry does about 25 mpg city mainly and maxima does 21mpg mix. Only thing diffrent is the maxima is a LOT smoother, has a little more fun power but not anything to brag about but you it will come at a cost.

The GS300 is a car i've always wanted. They should be more bulletproof then the maxima. Yes the VQ30 has gotten 50 million awards, but the brother VQ35 has not been as solid as a VQ30. The 2jz has been out since 93 and ran to about 05 and honestly its a very solid engine. Might not be a award winning but just as solid having many Non-turboed 2jz in the 300k+

while i wanted the car it didn't suit me. They cost more then the comparable cars. They are pretty much slow in points where i might consider speed of a 4 banger camry. Power delievery might state otherwise being a straight 6 and all but you will finish the 1/4, 1/2 , full mile in similiar times. The car does have a timeless look ( to me anyways) It will/should be a much more comfy ride. Space should be a little bigger.

Also if you dead set on putting a lexus in the list, put down a 99-01 LS400 instead. about 80k-100k but it might be a hair over your limit in the $8k-9k area sometimes.

But i do recommend you NOT go with these older cars, unless your handy with a tools. 03+ honda accord 4 banger puts down 200hp, which all 3 of your cars have ( not the I35 but the I30) should get better mileage. Its decent and newer and another decent engine.

 

[RagingBITCH]

i have a 4 banger camry and a maxima in my "fleet" both with 120k miles on it. Both had similiar parts go out and maintence done. Its always faster and cheaper to do the camry, in most cases about 30% cheaper to do the camry. camry does about 25 mpg city mainly and maxima does 21mpg mix. Only thing diffrent is the maxima is a LOT smoother, has a little more fun power but not anything to brag about but you it will come at a cost.

The GS300 is a car i've always wanted. They should be more bulletproof then the maxima. Yes the VQ30 has gotten 50 million awards, but the brother VQ35 has not been as solid as a VQ30. The 2jz has been out since 93 and ran to about 05 and honestly its a very solid engine. Might not be a award winning but just as solid having many Non-turboed 2jz in the 300k+

while i wanted the car it didn't suit me. They cost more then the comparable cars. They are pretty much slow in points where i might consider speed of a 4 banger camry. Power delievery might state otherwise being a straight 6 and all but you will finish the 1/4, 1/2 , full mile in similiar times. The car does have a timeless look ( to me anyways) It will/should be a much more comfy ride. Space should be a little bigger.

Also if you dead set on putting a lexus in the list, put down a 99-01 LS400 instead. about 80k-100k but it might be a hair over your limit in the $8k-9k area sometimes.

But i do recommend you NOT go with these older cars, unless your handy with a tools. 03+ honda accord 4 banger puts down 200hp, which all 3 of your cars have ( not the I35 but the I30) should get better mileage. Its decent and newer and another decent engine.

Um, no. The K24 does NOT put down 200hp in the Accord. In the TSX it does.

 

[T2urtle]

well that 160-180 hp is still decent. im not exactly big into specs of all. just figured RSX made 200, TSX made 200.

 

[Arkaign]

With an intake and flash, you can get it to ~200ish crank no problem, not that it would even be worth doing. Yay my 8 second 0-60 is now 7.6 woohoo! lol.

Agree with posters that say to look for newer / lower miles if possible, even if it means stepping down in hp/luxury. $7k isn't quite enough to pull off what you're wanting to do, unless you stumble upon a deal on a Maxima.