FiatLover

Needed a car for a teenager, and I wanted a sedan for myself that would be reliable. I keep cars until they die, and am handing down my commuter 2000 Camry to my daughter, which I bought new. This Camry has not had one issue, besides normal wear items.

My journey started with the decision to buy a new loaded Corolla, which would have been around $27K out the door or so. I thought, that's a lot of money for a Corolla, and walked out during the sales process. Thinking some more, I wanted an AWD, being in a snowy frigid climate. And, given that I already own 2 SUVs, I don't want a 3rd SUV. Then I started looking for a reliable AWD sedan, well, let's see, Toyota and Honda, not many AWD sedans to choose from.

I started looking at Lexus, as they are basically Toyota in quality and actually have AWD sedans. When I went to the dealership, Lexus seems to target the 50-75 crowd, there's analog clocks in them which I know how to read, OK, that's me. I wanted to be in the $20K-$25K range. I noticed something in the 3-6 year used Lexus market, almost all had spotless maintenance history on Carfax. Oil changes every 5K, brake fluid changes at 30K, on the dime. OK, I maintain my cars myself, and on time, but I don't think most people do. I guess Lexus attracts service concerned people. Based on these stellar CarFax reports, I start to consider a used Lexus with spotless maintenance, which most that I looked at had.

Then I started looking at an IS250, as it's comparable to the Corolla in size. I called a local specialized Toyota/Lexus shop, they said do not buy, we see a lot of them, buy a 2013+ IS/GS 350. You'll like the power and the engine is more reliable.

So anyways, I ended up with a 2013 GS 350 F sport AWD, with 72K, with new tires, battery, brakes all the way around, and oil just done. It was $21K out the door,$6K cheaper than the Corolla. I have mixed feelings, it feels like a solid heavy well built car, but I don't like the gas mileage. And that entune, that has to be the worst designed interface I've ever seen. 2 months in, it's slowly starting to grow on me. All in all, it's acceptable and I am hoping it goes for 15 to 20 years from this point, we'll see.

Boomin

Oh dude your good, congratulations!!

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

You should ahve gotten a GS 450h, I get 35 on highway and about 27 city.

svrider20

Can you get a 450h for $20-$25K? I don't get great mileage with my 4GS AWD either, but I so love the car (~2500 miles driven on my '15 from 51K). For me, I accept the mileage because the driving experience far outweighs the little extra at the pump. Think of it this way, is $10-15 at the pump worth settling for a Corolla? Or is $X additional (if it is) for the 450h worth the savings at the pump?

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

I bought my 450h 2.5 years ago for 28k, probably low 20's/high teens now.

svrider20

Ah, well there ya go. 450h available in AWD? I think that was his other criteria.

ChronoR

It is not so it can't qualify even if it's really nice and has no problem in snow if you have snow tires on.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

I drove 4 hours through a real snow storm with other cars ending up in ditches. All I have is a good set of all season, easy on the acceleration and easy on brakes, little slippage between lane changes were the tire tracks are missing, but traction control kicks in. The car handled very well in the snow, I think the weight of the battery pack over the rear axle helps too. A good set of winter tires would have been even better.

If you know how to drive in the snow it's not a big deal, don't need a awd 450h.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Its crazy to hear how expensive new cars are now a days. 27k for a Corolla is outrageous. 8k in options for a Corolla is crazy too. Used car market is the way to go let someone else take the big hit buying it new.

FiatLover

FYI, $27K was including tax/lic/doc..etc for a XSE with some adds, was waiting for the finance guy, and it hit me, that's way too much for a corolla. I think most who buy the Corolla are buying lower trims.

Anyways, for around $6K less, I think I received more value with the GS, I just hope it is reliable for the next 15 years.

AWD, I have and can get by without it. I have a steep driveway that ices a few times a year (and stays iced for weeks). And yes, I've had Blizzaks and X-Ice tires on various FWD cars, it's not enough. The only combo that works for me is AWD and snow tires to make it to the garage, AWD with all season wasn't enough.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

I was referring to this:

when the base car costs:


It's actually a $8,115 difference.

svrider20

I had considered the '20 Mazda 3 AWD and similarly I had a hard time pulling the trigger at ~$27-29K. Even though that had new and warranty, I have more car in the '15 GS350 AWD. All I had to swallow was 51K miles and pocket the difference in price. Side note: the '12 Mazda 3 fwd my son inherited is a blast to drive...around twisties.

ChronoR

Sounds like you have a fair scenario that AWD (plus snows) does really help for. With that said, it's also one of the scenarios where an RWD vehicle can outperform an FWD vehicle in the snow (presuming snow tires). But AWD is still nice to have.

ItzFilyO

Nobody should spend more than 20K on a Corolla and shame on Toyota for making a $28K Corolla! That thing should always be an affordable economy class cars and that's what the Camry and Avalon are there for, to fill the mid and full size spots. Plus those cars are built here in USA, so no excuse for being priced that high.

bob256k

Gas mileage in these cars does suck but if you drive slow you can get really good mileage. I got 30+ on a 50 mile trip driving 55 the whole way in my rwd fsport. Yours will be lower but you could probably get at least 25 mpg. Enform does sucks but recently quick a few vendors have came out with carplay/ Android auto for these cars so you could take that route.