Lease is Up in July, Now What?
#16
Lexus Champion
I loved the look and interior of the Volvo XC90, but equipped the way I want, it is much too expensive...
The RX350 is the easy choice. I like the dealer and my last 6 cars have been Lexus. Downside is that it is really ugly and doesn't drive very well. Maybe more time will change my mind about the ride and noise issues.
The MKX fits everything I want in the way it drives. It is quiet, smooth, and handles well. With the 2.7 turbo engine the performance is good. Despite what Motor Trend says, I find the 22 way seat great for comfort. Downsides are the local dealer and questionable reliability.
The RX350 is the easy choice. I like the dealer and my last 6 cars have been Lexus. Downside is that it is really ugly and doesn't drive very well. Maybe more time will change my mind about the ride and noise issues.
The MKX fits everything I want in the way it drives. It is quiet, smooth, and handles well. With the 2.7 turbo engine the performance is good. Despite what Motor Trend says, I find the 22 way seat great for comfort. Downsides are the local dealer and questionable reliability.
Despite my suspicions about the Big 3's quality and reliability the MKX sure looks good. Clean styling and it certainly sounds like it impressed you - and you're a Lexus guy. If you're keeping a Lincoln past warranty that would be a question mark. The RX wins hands down if that's the case.
The RX does look better in darker colors like a deep navy or a metallic deep gray.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
enclave is really old now. last i checked you couldn't even get radar cruise for it.
#19
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
oldcajun, seems like perhaps you're just having sticker shock on everything... prices do go up.
maybe you could consider a CPO to save some?
maybe you could consider a CPO to save some?
#20
CPO Lexus.
Buy used, get more car. I bought a 90,000 dollar vehicle for 57,000 with low miles.
The RX is actually the best vehicle on your list, if you prioritize quality and ease of working on your car.
Buy used, get more car. I bought a 90,000 dollar vehicle for 57,000 with low miles.
The RX is actually the best vehicle on your list, if you prioritize quality and ease of working on your car.
Last edited by Chocolate; 06-26-16 at 08:01 PM.
#21
Also, you said the RX did not drive well and has ride or noise issues. The 2012 RX I drove had an excellent ride and interior quality so I find that interesting. The GX 460, though, rides stiffer by comparison.
Last edited by Chocolate; 06-26-16 at 08:11 PM.
#22
I don't know what the OP's exact budget is, but you can get a new 2016 Infiniti QX80, the big, body on frame, V8, 8 passenger, Nissan Patrol based SUV in the low 60k range. The interior is REALLY DAMN NICE and the value for money is probably the best thing going for any luxury SUV. Granted that is a HUGE truck, but if you look at the practical aspect, ie interior space, towing capacity, off road capability, and interior appointments, it is full size SUV for midsize SUV money.
#23
Are they going to have the new model out in a few months??? Maybe the new model, but the previous model has been on sale for 9 model years now and is really long in the tooth IMO.
I don't know what the OP's exact budget is, but you can get a new 2016 Infiniti QX80, the big, body on frame, V8, 8 passenger, Nissan Patrol based SUV in the low 60k range. The interior is REALLY DAMN NICE and the value for money is probably the best thing going for any luxury SUV. Granted that is a HUGE truck, but if you look at the practical aspect, ie interior space, towing capacity, off road capability, and interior appointments, it is full size SUV for midsize SUV money.
I don't know what the OP's exact budget is, but you can get a new 2016 Infiniti QX80, the big, body on frame, V8, 8 passenger, Nissan Patrol based SUV in the low 60k range. The interior is REALLY DAMN NICE and the value for money is probably the best thing going for any luxury SUV. Granted that is a HUGE truck, but if you look at the practical aspect, ie interior space, towing capacity, off road capability, and interior appointments, it is full size SUV for midsize SUV money.
To give you an example, there is one recall on the LX 570 for 2008-2009 models, over the same 8 year period there are 10 on the QX56/80.
Last edited by Chocolate; 06-27-16 at 09:13 AM.
#25
#26
Lexus Fanatic
The lease on my 2014 ES350 is up the end of July. I traded my 2009 LS460 expecting that the new car would be available by now. Since that is now another 2 years away, I have another decision to make. My knees and back want higher seats, so I'm looking at SUV's and want to stay below $60K loaded. I've checked a lot and have narrowed down the list a bit.
I loved the look and interior of the Volvo XC90, but equipped the way I want, it is much too expensive.
The Audi Q7 is too expensive and the Q5 is too small. There is also the issue of trusting them after dieselgate.
The X5 is too expensive when equipped.
My list is now focused on 4. The RX350, Lincoln MKX, and Mercedes GLC300 and the oddball KIA Sorrento SXL.
The RX350 is the easy choice. I like the dealer and my last 6 cars have been Lexus. Downside is that it is really ugly and doesn't drive very well. Maybe more time will change my mind about the ride and noise issues.
The MKX fits everything I want in the way it drives. It is quiet, smooth, and handles well. With the 2.7 turbo engine the performance is good. Despite what Motor Trend says, I find the 22 way seat great for comfort. Downsides are the local dealer and questionable reliability.
The GLC300 is pretty good, but it is smaller inside than the other two. The little turbo four has good power but it is a little rough particularly at idle.
The high end KIA gets close to the others at a great price. It may not be a true luxury vehicle, but the quilted Napa leather is really nice. List price undercuts the others by at least $10000 plus there are some incentives.
I plan to do serious test drives and financial comparisons in the next couple of weeks.
Steve
PS: I haven't seen the new MDX, so it might also deserve a look.
I loved the look and interior of the Volvo XC90, but equipped the way I want, it is much too expensive.
The Audi Q7 is too expensive and the Q5 is too small. There is also the issue of trusting them after dieselgate.
The X5 is too expensive when equipped.
My list is now focused on 4. The RX350, Lincoln MKX, and Mercedes GLC300 and the oddball KIA Sorrento SXL.
The RX350 is the easy choice. I like the dealer and my last 6 cars have been Lexus. Downside is that it is really ugly and doesn't drive very well. Maybe more time will change my mind about the ride and noise issues.
The MKX fits everything I want in the way it drives. It is quiet, smooth, and handles well. With the 2.7 turbo engine the performance is good. Despite what Motor Trend says, I find the 22 way seat great for comfort. Downsides are the local dealer and questionable reliability.
The GLC300 is pretty good, but it is smaller inside than the other two. The little turbo four has good power but it is a little rough particularly at idle.
The high end KIA gets close to the others at a great price. It may not be a true luxury vehicle, but the quilted Napa leather is really nice. List price undercuts the others by at least $10000 plus there are some incentives.
I plan to do serious test drives and financial comparisons in the next couple of weeks.
Steve
PS: I haven't seen the new MDX, so it might also deserve a look.
#27
It is a better price, however Nissan's and Infiniti's quality does not compare to Toyota and Lexus. (Plus I think the Lexus has the edge on styling - the Infiniti looks like they tried to graft the G37 styling on a full size truck and it doesn't work for me).
To give you an example, there is one recall on the LX 570 for 2008-2009 models, over the same 8 year period there are 10 on the QX56/80.
To give you an example, there is one recall on the LX 570 for 2008-2009 models, over the same 8 year period there are 10 on the QX56/80.
As for the look, its grown on me. Its not a pretty car, but I do find it unique.
If the OP wants something smaller, I'd recommend the Grand Cherokee, the Highlander, the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Cadillac XT5, and Lincoln MK whatever.
#29
Racer
Thread Starter
I had my first extended test drive of a Cadillac XT5 today. I was more impressed than I expected. This particular car was the Premium Luxury level and had all the "stuff" I want. Ride was very good and noise level was excellent. I was a bit disappointed in the acceleration but it was adequate. Although there are no GM incentives, the dealer has pretty aggressive pricing for a new product. This dealership is part of the group that owns the Lexus dealer I like so much and many of their procedures are the same including loaner cars if you make a service appointment.
I also tried to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, but there was not one available. The sales guy knew nothing about his product and insisted that the Limited was the top of the line. The overall experience was bad and typical of many domestic dealerships that hire the cheapest salesman they can get. The car might have been great, but I couldn't live with this kind of dealership so I won't be back.
Steve
I also tried to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, but there was not one available. The sales guy knew nothing about his product and insisted that the Limited was the top of the line. The overall experience was bad and typical of many domestic dealerships that hire the cheapest salesman they can get. The car might have been great, but I couldn't live with this kind of dealership so I won't be back.
Steve
#30
Lexus Fanatic
I also tried to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, but there was not one available. The sales guy knew nothing about his product and insisted that the Limited was the top of the line. The overall experience was bad and typical of many domestic dealerships that hire the cheapest salesman they can get. The car might have been great, but I couldn't live with this kind of dealership so I won't be back.
Steve
Steve
For me the dealership doesn't have much value, but if it has value to you its a consideration.