advice please help quick!

[cimsagro]

I am looking at 3 cars to buy in this coming week

95 LS400 - 140000 miles $10,00097 Infiniti Q45 - 118000 miles $9,50095 Acura Legend - 116000 miles $8,300

Knowing what you guys know could you give me some info that will help me make a decision. As you can see I'm willing to take a mileage hit for costs sake but I dont want to have a $2,000 repair in a year. I would like to get a car that I can sell in 2 years for not too much less than what I paid for it. Also I like how these three cars look. Any advice to give or do you know where I can at least find the information? Im slated to buy the LS400 this week but I havent signed the bill of sale and Im having a hard time finding reliability info one the 97 Q. Everyone I talk to is like get the Lexus...its a toyota and they last but the Q I think is a prettier car. What are your thoughts if you have any on this matter?

[AZhitman]

cimsagro -

The Lexus is WAY overpriced. Less power, ugly styling, maintenance issues abound. Also, at 140K you're looking at major repairs (regardless of the quality) in the near future. Highest insurance of the three.

The Acura is a great car. Underpowered unless you get the Type II engine, and FWD is never the best option for a big luxury car. Probably the prettiest of the bunch IMO, but at 118K it's served more than half it's useful life. Poor quality leather. Lowest insurance of the three.

The Q.... Well, it's generally regarded to have a "bulletproof" drivetrain, capable of 300K easily. IF it has been well-maintained, that's a smoking price. Classic styling, great fit and finish, wonderful durable leather and a great dealer network. Last but not least, NICO is here for any questions you may have regarding maintenance/repairs and general upkeep of your Q, should you choose it.

Make sure you get a warranty - If not through a dealer, check with warrantybynet.com or Warranty Gold, as repairs on any of these cars can get pricey. Based upon the years of the cars, the Q would be the most likely to qualify for extended coverage. Most companies won't cover a car that's more than 6 years old.

Hope this helps - We have several 97-01 Q owners who will tell you how great their cars are. Hope to see you back soon!

[maxnix]

Quote »...you can see I'm willing to take a mileage hit for costs sake but I dont want to have a $2,000 repair in a year. [/quote] Well, I would certainly budget for a warranty like AZhitman stated.

But in your case, I would move down to a newer, smaller car with less miles that would allow you to afford the $2K per annum (or more) you will have to spend on any car for it to have any retained value in 2 years.

Your goals of non-maintenance and value retention are in contradiction, especially on any car with over 30K miles. It is telling that you do not cite the maintenance history on any of the cars you are considering.

[Aus94Q45]

No mass produced big performance car holds its resale value over time. I would not count on selling the 95 LS in two years (ie. 2005) with 170,000 miles (15K mi/yr.) for $10K. Hint: look at the true (ie. not dream book) current average resale value on cars two years older: a '93 LS, Q or Acura. Bet its not close to $10K.

[VimyJ]

Infinitis are the best bang for the buck there is in the used luxury car world and this site will enable you to save literally thousands in upkeep on these already very reliable vehicles. If you are anything like me, the nuances of my Infiniti lead me to appreciate cars in a whole new light. But, yiu can't get away from the fact that cars are depreciating assets so, if you're going to depreciate, you might as well do it in style.

[diamondj30]

right on vimy.

[PalmerWMD]

The 97-01 Q's have a rep as being almost bulletproof (assuming at least some kind of reasonable maintenance done)

Add to that the fact it is the youngest car of the three and u have a no lose situation.

I would JUMP on a 97 Q for $9500.

Fred...

[maxnix]

I would JUMP on a 97 Q for $9500.

Not to disagree with Fred, but I have seen 1995 Q45s for sale with half the miles for less money, which would allow you to spend the $2K for inevitable repairs and still be under $10K less title, taxes, and insurance.

[AZhitman]

If the 95 with less miles and less $$ was an option, that'd be the IDEAL route.

But Fred's right - Of the 3, the Q is the best bet - All bias aside.

[greg_atlanta]

Don't buy any one of those cars unless you plan to keep it forever.

A 2 year turnaround on any car is the biggest possible waste of money.

Most cars with over 150K miles have NO value simply because they're hard to sell. Doesn't matter what it's worth if nobody will pay it.