Hey Everyone,

After owning my 2009 ISF for 3 years i am sadly looking to downgrade It's been an absolute blast owning this car but i am 24 and looking to purchase a house. Based on my driving style and the amount of tires i go through its not possible for me to keep it if im being realistic.

If you had to downgrade to something in the 15 - 25 000$ range what would you get?

Currently looking at 2008 Acura TL-S (Don't want front wheel drive again-.-) or 2011 Infiniti G37S.

What would you get?

 

It all depends on your driving style. For me personally, I have a family of 4 (including myself), so I want to get an SUV, but realistically, a newer SUV is going to cost me more than what the ISF is currently worth. I commute M-F so I'd actually go soul-less and get a stupid prius or something lol no joke. :/

If you want something in that price range, then the TL-S, G37s, TSX, GS/LS, etc There's really a lot of options..

 

Dude, you're already in the 15 - 25 000$ range, tbh. Even where you live.

 

^ I think he's quoting CAD... So sounds like he wants something up to $20K (USD)?

OP, I had the infiniti... and somehow I am replacing tires alot less on the ISF.

 

get my dream beater--an 02 maxima SE with a 6spd and VQ35. $4000, good for any season, fast, relatively reliable. Splurge $4000 more for a turbo kit, and you have a FWD car faster than the ISF

 

It's all debt to income ratio.....you already have a car that is probably only worth around 18-20k US dollars.....

 

I am not so sure you will be saving a whole lot by simply moving to 15-25000K. Most of those types of cars will depreciate faster than your current 2009 ISF. The net difference in residual value over time can easily pay for the added cost of ISF tires and gas. If you are truly looking to save money you need to drop down to something in the 10-15K range. The IS350's have dropped down to that price range or of course you can always go with basic corollas, camry's civics or accords if you want to save money long term.

 

If snow isn't an issue, I would go with G37S, preferably with a stick. That was the car I upgraded from and while I love my F, I do miss the G. It was a bit bigger and the nav and overall controls I think are better than the 08-10 F. The sedan is lighter than the coupe and is seriously 95% a 370Z in S package. The sport seats I even prefer to the F for both twisty roads and long distance drives. They are pretty reliable and the aftermarket is huge.

However, I have to echo the others in here, if your 09 F has over 60k you are in the $26-29k USD range in the private seller market, even less if considering trade-in. Add in the "newer car" taxes and minor tune up costs and you are within a couple grand of what you had, but much slower. Sure insurance would be less, as well as maintenance, though slightly, but is it worth it? The F also keeps it's value great long term. Perhaps it's easier to go back to stock and just take it easy on the go pedal? Hell my F is a commuter car and I avg 20-21, and often hit 29mpg on weekend trips.

Other options I'd say 2013+ Lexus GS, they are as low as mid 20's and won't be outdated anytime soon. 2014+ Lexus IS are also nice, though just as tiny as F inside.

 

yeah I have to agree with this one.

If you want to realistically save money youll need to drop down in the 10k range easily. 2nd gen IS350 is realistic because they are dirt cheap nowadays and a lot better on gas and you still can keep a nice car

 

If you're gonna downgrade, why go halfway??

Bicycle, public transport, telecommuting.

 

It's a 2009 and have had it for 3 years? I has to be damn near paid off, why even bother downgrading. Just pay the vehicle off prior to purchasing a home...

 

agree w/ a lot others have said. to really see benefits, you've got to move down 2 notches, not one. used civic, camry, hyundai, etc. the TL and G37 will also cost you tires and brakes that may be a tad cheaper than the F but not by any significant measures. sure, might save a bit on gas.

i am currently in a similar dilemma. we own a home but my job will be relocating and i may use public transportation mainly rather than daily the F. the weekends we use my wife's RX (got two small kids) so that means i'll never really drive the F. rather than pay for ins and have it sit in the garage, i'm still contemplating about selling it and just having a beater for the times i'll have to drive into work. that's the only way to really see some significant savings monetarily, at least IMO.

 

Agree with others in this thread.......... to truly save $$ buy a $5,000 +/- car and save $$ that way. Otherwise just payoff your F and keep it before you buy a home like FFM said above.

 

^^^^^ exactly!!

 

G37S 4 doors are pretty hard to find and thus hold their value reasonably well also. And agreed that you can go through tires and brakes just about as fast in the 37 as the F.