Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Seeing as I'm likely in the market for a daily driver here soon figured I'd seek out some reviews and opinions if anyone has any of these models:2011 and up GMC Terrain2010 and up Lexus IS2502012 and up Ford Explorer2011 and up Acura TL2009 and up Benz C300Looking for reliability, known issues, real world mpg etc. So far the only one I've gotten to test drive is the Terrain and I liked enough to qualify as a finalist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Of all those, reliability being #1, I choose the Acura. That's a pretty broad group though... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I am afraid to own another GM vehicle after my Trailblazer. At 70k the motor and trans were solid, but pretty much everything else fell apart at once. I had something like $5.5k in repairs over 8 different issues that all happened within a few months. I may lease another GM, but I wouln't buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 What is the top dollar amount you're wanting to spend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Of all those, reliability being #1, I choose the Acura.That's a pretty broad group though...I've had a truck the last 5 years so I feel like I may miss having a utility vehicle but at the same time I know I miss having a car so I'm basically just looking at anything in my price range to start and then narrow down later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I am afraid to own another GM vehicle after my Trailblazer. At 70k the motor and trans were solid, but pretty much everything else fell apart at once. I had something like $5.5k in repairs over 8 different issues that all happened within a few months. I may lease another GM, but I wouln't buy.I must have really good luck with GM vehicles. I've had 6 in the last 12 years and the worst one was the window regulator issue on my Grand Am. Leasing is a possibility but I'd almost definitely have to buy out the car because of the mileage I put on so it depends on how all that math works out if I go new lease or used buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 What is the top dollar amount you're wanting to spend?$20k is my current goal, $23k would likely be the max. I'm pretty particular and judgmental on cars based on look. If I don't like the way it looks then the rest doesn't matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnone Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 IS250 would be my choice. Hell no to any GM product (full size truck and Vette excluded). Having 6 vehicles in 12 years doesn't really tell you much about realibility IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 You'll be hard pressed to find a Acura TL for that amount, unless it has 50k miles on it. How about a new Honda Accord Sport? MSRP is $24k. That's a lot of vehicle for a relatively low price point, and it's brand new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat0403 Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) I just got a 2014 Mazda 6 GT. Love it to death. The GT's are a bit pricey, but the sport and touring are phenomenal as well. At least check them out. I just took it in for the 5k oil change and service, zero complaints. I looked an a lot of cars and test drove most of them for 9 months, I started with the Mazda and ended with it as well. If you want a SUV, CX-5s are great too, but I wanted a car in the end. Top safety choice plus from IIHS and most rear legroom in it's class, comfy seats, enough power and handling is amazing with a comfy ride. If you were in Cbus I would recommend the guy I bought from, hands down best experience buying something i have ever had. Edit: I am leasing mine for 48 months with 48k miles, best option for us. I will probably buy it out in the end and over mile charge is only .15 per mile. Germain offers 5, 10, 15k service for free, pay for 20, get 25 free, pay for 30 get 35k free. Real world MPGs 40 hwy on a trip to chicago AND back, and depending how bad my lead foot is that week, 30-34 mixed city and hwy during rush hour. With my wheel/tire and dent/ding protection I pay 393 a month. Sports can be had for 179-200 for 36/36k. Edited June 12, 2014 by Tomcat0403 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 You'll be hard pressed to find a Acura TL for that amount, unless it has 50k miles on it.How about a new Honda Accord Sport? MSRP is $24k. That's a lot of vehicle for a relatively low price point, and it's brand new.I've already found 2 TL's local. One with 30k and other with 40kI don't do new cars unless it's a lease, I'll have to take a look at the Accord though and see if it moves my soul at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I just got a 2014 Mazda 6 GT. Love it to death. The GT's are a bit pricey, but the sport and touring are phenomenal as well. At least check them out. I just took it in for the 5k oil change and service, zero complaints. I looked an a lot of cars and test drove most of them for 9 months, I started with the Mazda and ended with it as well. If you want a SUV, CX-5s are great too, but I wanted a car in the end. If you were in Cbus I would recommend the guy I bought from, hands down best experience buying something i have ever had.I just saw one on the road and it intrigued me. It's on my list of must test drive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Advice from someone who sold cars for five years, don't lease if you "have" to buy at the end due to the amount of mileage you drive. Financially, it's not the best option.Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 The Mazda 6 is a really nice car too, and the Touring is about the same price as the Honda Accord Sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Advice from someone who sold cars for five years, don't lease if you "have" to buy at the end due to the amount of mileage you drive. Financially, it's not the best option.Good luck!Interesting, that's good to know. I wonder if my stepdads math lesson to me in doing that only worked when it came to fleet vehicles then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Add up the amount of the lease payments, plus any down payment, plus the amount to buy at the end of the lease, plus sales tax on the buyout amount, plus interest if you have to finance the buy out amount...and the end total amount is ALWAYS going to be more than purchasing from the beginning. I honestly cannot think of how leasing then buying could be cheaper than only buying. Don't get me wrong, leasing can be great at times. My wife has leased a VW Jetta three times, and it's truly a bargain...but she stays under the mileage limit. The one she has now had a $25k MSRP, and her payment is $262 for 39 months/36k miles. No down payment, and all maintenance is covered(minus brakes and tires...but those will both be fine). In three years, she turns it in and gets another new one. MAG VW is where she gets them, Lori Barber is the saleswoman, and it's literally a piece of cake. Never had a single issue. Edited June 12, 2014 by BadTrainDriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzer Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I say buy a new mazda 6 like mentioned above. Manual sport starts at $21,190 MSRP. Won't have to worry about other people's lack of maintenance. Great car, nearly 40mpg highway. CarandDriver 10best. A blast to drive for what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 E class > C class all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Advice from someone who sold cars for five years, don't lease if you "have" to buy at the end due to the amount of mileage you drive. Financially, it's not the best option.Good luck!Isn't that only true if you're not wise enough to negotiate the residual value at the time of the lease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 reliability being #1, I choose the Acura Lexus. FTFY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baptizo Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Get a '12 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 302...it scoot's nicely, rides comfortably, and you never know when you'll need a truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 I've had my fill of having a truck for the time being lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted June 12, 2014 Report Share Posted June 12, 2014 Id go with the TL hands down. awesome awesome car great AWD system powerful and comfortable.. Im trying to talk the GF into a Acura. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 (edited) Id go with the TL hands down. awesome awesome car great AWD system powerful and comfortable.. Im trying to talk the GF into a Acura. Not all TLs are AWD, and probably will be difficult to find in his price range. It is a great system though, and that's coming from me...a Subaru Legacy owner. I'd love to be able to afford to upgrade to a TL SH AWD! Edited June 13, 2014 by BadTrainDriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 quick search showed lots of them with under 50000 miles for 23 or less... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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