Stroock639

you could get a pretty nice LS 460 for $20k, and for that matter pretty much any LS worth getting

if driving dynamics aren't that important i'd say an ES since it's basically a more comfortable well built version of an already comfortable well built car

a late model W211 E-class would also be a great choice

Stroock639

they're looking for a 'bank vault on wheels' the CT is definitely out

peteharvey

We still have the original 2006 IS250, with only 70k miles and kept in good condition, and no rattles whatsoever.
The old 2IS had softer springs and baggier tires.
The main reason it has no rattles is because the old man drove it very gently over bumps and pot holes.

Missus' new IS200t is more rigid body structure, more firmly sprung and lower profile tires, but still doesn't rattle; however it does seem to cruise with more wind and/or tire noise.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Remember oilburner1's $20k is canadian, so that's even less.

to get a quiet reliable car that's really quiet over seriously bad roads for that little... not sure...

really quiet used cars that are low cost would tend to be larger luxury cars and those will have features that will be expensive to fix when they break.

oilburner1, if you had great success from your old prius, why not get another one? should be great deals on them. as for the CT200, basically an older prius in nicer clothes, but pretty cramped inside.

bagwell

yep, if roads are horrible I'd stick with an SUV...one with more meat on the tires (larger sidewall).

lexusgxman

Definitely go with an SUV or at least a crossover. I'd say a preowned GX as they get very respectable fuel economy given its nature. Any sedan will come apart if you are driving consistently/continuously over rough roads. Sedans' suspensions are much more fragile and you'll wear them down to the bone, on the other hand a body-on-frame truck like the GX or LX is designed to glide over such surfaces. Get a used GX460 with under a 100k and you'll have plenty of money to spare on the slightly higher fuel bill.

Striker223

A full size truck has very good isolation from what you are trying to avoid and won't be upset from imperfect pavement as much as any car. A LS or S class are both very quiet but gave less isolation so things will "stick out" compared to how quiet and smooth they are over decent roads in comparison to a BOF vehicle totally hiding moderate road imperfections.

The FWD Lexus products are nowhere near as nice as the RWD ones in any metic in my experience driving most of them outside of the newest RX and ES

oilburner1

i've had many new trucks over the years as company vehicles. I find that ford/gm/dodge all are nice for about the first 30k miles, then the squeaks and rattles seem to come all at once in the interior.

situman

GX460. It will handle your rough roads and give you a quiet ride. It does have a bit of wind noise since it is a brick, but road noise is noticeably absent.