mjr24

I am looking at getting a new car. I have not decided on leasing or buying. My only issues are that I get bored fast with cars, 2 years is the longest Ive ever had a car, and that wasnt by choice. So in terms of buying, Im not sure if I want to pay for 4-5 years, plus I dont want to pay for depreciation, as it seems you are going to get screwed on a luxury car regardless the second it is driven off the lot.
Here is what I am looking at as a final list. I figure Ill put about 15k down and would like to keep payments at 1,000/month or less.

BMW 745
Lexus SC430
Lexus 98-03 GS
Lexus 98-04 LS400/430
Benz CL500, CL600 2000-2003
Benz CLK430 2000-2003
Benz S430, S500, S600 2000-2003
Jag XK8 coupe
Jag XJ8 sedan 98-2003

I am less enthused about the following....
97-2k SC400
95-1999 S500 or S600 coupe
BMW E39

Some thoughts on these....I want something that is somewhat bigger (can seat people in backseat) and has navi, I drive about 20k miles per year. The SC430 is small I have heard, seems like a death trap if you are in an accident. The LS is a solid car...GS is too...but by time Im done paying it off, a new GS will be out bodywise. The 745 is also a nice car, but is at the very top end of what I want to pay...same with a CL500. That would be a CL500 with 50k miles at least too. The S430, S500 can be had for 40k.....nice car. Jags are nice...but troublesome Ive heard. The CLK430 is a very nice car.....thats a definate possibility. I have an SC400 now, but the 98-2k are basically the same as my 93....so thats prob. not going to be it. Any help would be appreciated....I would really love to stay with Lexus, my SC has been awesome, very happy. I just they made the darn SC430 bigger!

Blue98Gs3

iTrader: (1)

Jaguars now-a-days are not as problem-some as before. If you are looking for all around nice roomy car, you might wanna look into the new XJ series. My dad has a 99 Jaguar XJR, its got a supercharged v8 and still maintains a 4 door luxury sedan status, but can own anything on the road basically. The new XJR's have navigation and other stuff, imo, the older body style like 99 looks better, but the new XJ's have more features.

fireballs gs400

i would either lease a lexus ls430 or a bmw 745
Sport car/lux would be a sc430
lose too much money any other way imo

GS400kid

CL600, sexy!!

carnal_c30

werd

Davtown

LS430 gets my vote

pvmike1

20k miles a year means stay away from v12's like the CL600 - maintenance costs would be too high. I'd stick with the tried and true Lexus 430 engined vehicles or maybe the S500/CL500 (vs. the Mercedes 430 engine).

bluelex

that would b the top choice but its just a dream in my book.....

jet864

Sounds to me like a GS400 would be your best bet if you wante reliability, NAV, a useable back seat, resale, power, and wanna stay with Lexus. Beautiful cars and you don't have to worry nearly as much about mileage as with some of your other choices.

James