Ok my fellow Lexus members, any suggestions on the a decent low key vehicle to own on the side (I'm in the market and looking!):

Cost: $30K-$40K (non luxury name plate) - sort of a like a fairly expensive beater of a car.

Other requirements:
1. Navigation (since will double as a business vehicle to visit clients)
2. All wheel or 4WD to get through these NJ winters

I was thinking the new 2004 Toyota Highlander or 2004 4Runner.

Any other suggestions?

 

New VW Toureg!

 

While obviously not going to help you with the New Jersey winters, I would love to have a fully decked out Nissan Maxima with the stick shift and nav and 260 something horsepower. That car just looks like fun.

 

a $900 chevy 4wd with $39,000 in lift and wheels?

 

Subaru Legacy or Outback??

 

i would not buy one, but a a4 drop top, a s4 or something with quattro. A 1999 porsche would be nice for those non-icey days....who cares if its flashy

 

My parents picked up a 2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 with color matched bumpers, 17" wheels, sunroof, and all power. Those things are NICE, they have silver and it has a nice appearance. Also the V6 is gusty as heck, that thing MOVES, I say keep it in the Toyota family and get a 4Runner, you can NAV in the V8, I'm not sure about the V6

 

I remember the old 4-runners, I floored it and a bike messenger was beating me.

 

Not any more and especially if they are supercharged

 

Subaru Legacy or Forester

But 30-40k is hardly a beater

 

I used to have a 99 4Runner and it was a solid and reliable vehicle, however you're right, the acceleration was poor and I think my dog could have actually out run me in my 4runner.

However the new ones come with much more power and amenities and they are looking sweet once again!
The new V6 seems very nice, however I can't even imagine how that V8 (found in Land Cruiser, Tundra, GX470, LX470) feels like.

Only problem is that they all still guzzle gas, but that's an SUV for you.

 

You know I was looking at the Toureg and it's a fine looking vehicle.

However of course I want the big engine version and loaded, then I realized that the price on these vehicles can get steep and top out at $50K or more.

 

Ahhh, the Maxima is a great choice for a low key car, since it is loaded with so many features and actually looks very nice now too. Unfortunately my local Nissan Dealer sucks, so it's tough giving them my business. Good choice though, however I still need the AWD & 4x4 capability.

 

I was also looking at Audi (with Quattro), but consider it a luxury brand. However people have been telling me that Audi is like a sleeper luxury brand, people know of it, but not as recognizable as BMW, Mercedes or Lexus. That new S4 looks great, however again it hits the $50K mark.

 

The new 4runners are sweet and I can't decide between this and the new Toyota Highlander.

I guess what it comes down to it, do I want a truck or a car-like truck? The 4runner would definitely perform better in the snow and look like a more MANLY vehicle, yet it has that truck feel and guzzles gas. I'll have to compromise somehow. You can't go wrong either way, since you can get a loaded Toyota and probably won't be noticed too much, since it's a Toyota. These are nice low key vehicles.