Advice on which used Lexus to buy?

(2011-04-18 14:15:32)

1. EY Says: all 3 of my cars were totaled (someone vandalized them really badly). I was thinking about getting only 2 cars instead of 3 to lower insurance, and since we only use 2 on a daily basis. I was looking at 2 Lexus's at a dealership.

2008 Lexus ES350
-Black ext/ Tan int
-14k miles
-Factory Navigation
-19 MPG city, 27 HWY
-Price: $25,990 (I think i can get it down to $25k or $25.5k)

OR

2007 Lexus IS250 AWD
-Black ext/ Tan int
-27k miles
-Factory Navigation
-22 MPG city/ 28 HWY
- Price: $22,990 (i think i can get it for $22k ro $22.5k)

-They are both at the same reputable NYC dealership
-I think my wife will like the ES350 better, but it is FWD, and the AWD on the IS250 is a huge plus in the winter
-We drive a lot (2 of the cars that were totaled were 2008- one had 70k miles and the other 72k miles)
-Does one out-last the other (my first toyota/lexus car- I'm looking to do around 140k more to the car)
-Any known problems/defects with either? My 2008 Accord needed newe brake pads every 20k miles

2. AUDI RS4 RULES!!!! Says: So sorry to hear about your cars!

And as for Accord, your not alone, Honda's well known for Transmission and now brake problems.

If you live in New York, you can consider the IS250. The only problem with the IS 250 is that the insurance will be higher and the fuel economy will not be promising. AWD guzzles too much gas. But as for the 22 MPG city figure, it will do about 20 depending upon how you drive.

FWD Lexus ES350 will not be too bad on the snow at least its better than a RWD. The good point of this car that its bigger, so if you have kids, you can definitely use this as a family/commuter car. Fuel Economy wise IS250 will slightly have the edge here. Insurance wise ES350 has the ups.

I think for your sake I would listen to your wife, you want to keep her happy don't you? Why don't you test drive them both.

I think you will like the ES350. I drove them both, well the IS350 not 250. I liked them both. IS may ride hard (just a bit because its more of a handler competing with BMW 3 series Audi A4 Mercedes C300 Cadillac CTS Acura TSX Infiniti G25) but ES350 is more of a soft and comfortable car that will get you from point A to point B in style.

3. AUDI RS4 RULES!!!! Says: Doesn't matter at least you have a Lexus congratulations.

4. Rolla Fan Says: I would get 2008 Lexus ES 350 because

1) First and foremost, it is 2008, compared to IS 2007.

2) Low mileage

3) FWD in the winter is fine. It all depends on the driver.

Yes, it is $3k more than the IS, and I am an owner of 2009 & 2010 Lexus IS 250s and they are fantastic. I have not experienced any problems/defects in both of my Lexus IS 250s. But, maybe it is because I live in two different cities and that I don't really drive my cars that much as they have less than 15k miles.