Dmaxdmax

This is a 2 part question:

1 - Which of these is more likely to provide 10 years (120,000 miles?) of trouble free driving? Both have the luxury package, are in great shape, and have never missed a service.

2013 RX350 AWD - 75,000 miles
2018 ES300h - 65,000 miles

On the face of it the newer car seems like the obvious winner but I don't know about how these models may or may not develop problems with years and miles.

2 - My recent-grad daughter got $20,000 to buy a car and can take one of these if she chooses, owing us anything above the $20.

The RX350 - cheapest available on Edmunds and Carvana $20,200
The ES300 - cheapest available on Edmunds and Carvana $29,000

Is the ES worth $9,000 more than the older RX? Much better milage, 4 cylinders, smaller tires, and everlasting brakes should be cheaper to maintain but that hybrid battery won't last forever. Also, the ES will cost more to insure and register. We'll give her interest free financing. (actually I'd just give her whichever she wanted but that's a different discussion)

She could take the money and buy something else but she's a path of least resistance kind of girl.

Thanks!

Fizzboy7

Both would be trouble-free. I would take the ES for her, especially since newer is almost always better (less aging and maintenance due). It would also get better mileage, which would make up for the higher cost over the years. Lastly, easier to maneuver in an emergency. Either one though, you cannot go wrong.

TriC

I wouldn't go with either one in anticipation of 10 year ownership. 20 grand for a 10 year old RX is too much and the ES has too many miles. Rather, I'd seek a low mile Camry with as much safety equipment as possible.

Dmaxdmax

I figured that this was the third choice, a used Corolla or Camry but the spread between new and used is insanely narrow these days. If she’s going to spend a lot of money (a LOT for her) she might be better off knowing that it was well-maintained. I *love* my ES and would keep it but it’s her call.

Margate330

That's what I'm thinking too.

I have approx 160K on my Lexus and yeah I could drive it without doing much but to keep it like new it WILL need work and has had a LOT of work done on it.
I'm guessing she is not a DIY. lol

For a young person to buy a car to run the wheels off 100k miles, I'd go with a base model Toyota or something for a little more $$$ than used car because of the mileage expectations.
Probably not what she wants to hear because not as fancy but that's what I'd do.

Base model Kia or Hyundai could work too if buying new.

Dmaxdmax

That's what her twin did though not the base model. She's worked her butt off for years and rarely spends anything so decided to treat herself with a new Hyundai hybrid that has leather and all sorts of electronic goodies. $20k is a good down payment. She'd intended to get a Corolla hybrid but the Elantra caught her eye.

703

The ES is too big of a car for most youngsters.

Margate330

That, and the first time someone jokes she's driving grandma's sedan she will be wanting something new and trendy. lol

I may be wrong but I think youngsters see luxury sedans like old people's cars- even tho they aren't of course but just a guess.

pd7702

I'll throw out an alternative: a brand new Tesla Model 3. The existing models are sitting at about $30k after the $7,500 federal rebate. It's within spitting distance of that ES300h with 65,000 less miles and has a full warranty.

Alternatively, a new Prius (if you can get it at MSRP) or a used UX which is more geared towards young people. I'd put the RX in last place because that thing drinks premium.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

i was thinking that and the rx too.

dmax, why not something smaller? may be able to get a lexus ux for similar or a ch-r or something.

arentz07

My first car was a 2001 Buick Century. It was probably smaller than an ES but not by much. I did okay.

Granted, I also learned to drive on a combo of a Pontiac Grand Prix and Yukon XL of the same era - I think they were '01 and '02 model years respectively.

As long as they learn to drive on said car I think it'll be fine.

703

the 3rd Gen RX is quite compact, probably similar to the current Gen NX. However I wouldn’t get the 350, drinks too much petrol and she will go broke refilling that thing. Rx450h is a better choice.


but yeh , go for a smaller and more economical car. Even something like a 2016 Camry hybrid will work well.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

are those your choices or hers? ask her what vehicle she wants and go from there. between the choices, i would go with the ES. ultimately i would go with the camry route or a small cross over.

Dmaxdmax

Those are the cars currently in the driveway.

Dmaxdmax

That's what I'd say but she seems to like driving. She has no ego tied to brand.