hello all,

i have been an avid reader here for quite some time now. i currently have the 2nd gen of gs300.. and sometime next year i am looking for something new. i either want a sedan or a coupe.

sedan choices are 2008 gs350/gs460 or 2008 e550/e55? perhaps we can throw in cls55/cls63 as well in the mix. coupe choices are bmw 6 series or the jaguar xk. i know these are all different mixes .. but i like these cars so hmm?

im mostly leaning towards the gs460. please let me know your inputs.. i have a long time to decide but i value the opinions of all club lexus members as they are valid amongst the other forums i have stumbled upon on


thank you for all the help!!!!

 

I guess to start was your GS perfect or was it lacking something? Or are you just ready for a change? Color, shape, performance, image?

 

its definately perfect.. i am still in love with it. im just looking to see whats out there? and what are the best from the above options?

 

given such a broad range of vehicles money doesnt seem to be that tight. and you also said sedan/coupe so you probably dont drive many people but you do like the occasional room. so i would suggest the cls55/63: power, beautiful looks, kinda cheap because they take huge depreciation hit and you do have plenty of room, but not so much room as a big sedan (only 4 seat)

 

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Lexus definetly more economical than anything else you mentioned. Any europen car will cost alot more to maintain. If you do make a change end of January & Feburary is good time at the dealers.

 

I had a chance to step into an '06 GS when I was shopping to upgrade my old ES this Fall. Deal breakers for me were the temporary spare tire (see the "Slime" thread) and the trunk is just too darned small. I love the looks and the availability of AWD, but I can't overlook that the car has to earn it's keep.

You couldn't give me a Jag.

 

Although the reliablity of some Mercedes models, after years of being well-below average, is slowly improving, I would still avoid the CLS, especially if it is no longer under warranty or doesn't have free maintenance. M-B products no longer factory-covered can quickly become money-pits, as service/parts/repairs are very expensive. Although I know that opinions differ on the styling, I personally also think that the CLS, for a 4-door sedan, has a ridiculous roofline, and has Peek-a-Boo rear vision from the small windows.

 

Without getting into subjective styling discussions and most know the general trends about Mercedes reliability, more specifically the 2008 E550 would be one of the more reliable choices of German cars being considered by OP.

 

The GS is a good choice, if you don't mind that the next gen GS is coming sometime in 2012.

About the E-Class, would you prefer the new styling of 2009 instead of the previous model?

 

Big range of vehicles you've got here. I'd go for a E55

 

Either GS or E-class. The others are too ugly.

 

love the styling of the 3GS.. can't go wrong there.. Have you considered the new 5 series? It's not a 6 series, but its looks is on par with the 3GS (imo)

 

Agreed, but she also wanted opinions on the CLS. I gave her mine.

 

Thank you all of the inputs!

After much thought last night, I have decided that the coupes are out of the question. Maybe sometime far in the future as a second car, but not anytime soon.

So I am left with the 3rd gen GS against the E classes. I feel like the body of the E classes are just so outdated compared to the newly designed 2010 Es, which I am in love with! But obviously, I am not willing to shell out that kind of money (because I would want the e55/e63 and also because it is out of my budget, lol).

The CLS, I have always envied. The only thing, like another member have mentioned, is the peek-a-boo rear view vision as well as it being only a 4 seating sedan. But those are all minimal excuses, so wth.

Comparing the E against the CLS, the E is more reliable, as I have read.

What do you guys think about GS against the E class?? I love the 2008 GS more than the 2008 E's. But I love the 2010 E, more than I love the 3rd GS.


Thank you all.. and I apologize for being so OCD! lol

 

Bottom line, what is your budget? Are you looking at new or used cars?

A slightly used 2010 W212 E63 will run approximately $75k. A relatively low mileage 2008 W211 E63 can be bought for ~ $45k.

Stying is so subjective. At first I hated the design of the W212 E, but it's slowly growing on me.

FWIW, dealers are discounting 2011 CLS550s pretty heavily since the new model is arriving next year. You can get into a 39 month lease, 12k miles, no money down/just drive off, for $807 a month including taxes. Not bad for a $82k MSRP.