Luxobarge

parking_question_chap

Simple question, if you were looking to spend £4k on a barge, would you get either a Lexus GS300 or Mercedes W211 E class. Or something else.?

This is a thread about luxobarges, not about civics, mondeos or RX7s with slick tyres.

Im asking for a friend

daveyjp

I'd forget brand. Any £4k luxobarge is a gamble.

I'd buy on condition of the vehicle and the integrity of the person selling it.

wgl2014

Something else.....

Lexus LS or VW Phaeton.

reeac

Lexus have the best reputation for quality and reliability. I've always thought that the styling of the older ones was rather bland but that's a subjective thing.

force_ten

www.autotrader.co.uk/BMW/7SERIES

I would also look at the 7 series as well

the bigest problem with a 10/12 year old luxobarge is parts and repair cost, if you are handy with the spanners and can do repairs yourself and can use secondhand or pattern parts then they are an option, but using an indie or any garage will be expensive

AdrianC

daveyjp wrote: »

I'd forget brand. Any £4k luxobarge is a gamble.

I'd buy on condition of the vehicle and the integrity of the person selling it.

This, with bells on.

But surely you have some preferences? I mean, a £4k luxobarge is not a rational head-first purchase. The only reason you're looking that way is because you want one...

(Anyway, if it was me? I'd have another CX...)

parking_question_chap

AdrianC wrote: »

This, with bells on.

But surely you have some preferences? I mean, a £4k luxobarge is not a rational head-first purchase. The only reason you're looking that way is because you want one...

(Anyway, if it was me? I'd have another CX...)

The first choice would be the GS300 for waft factor.

You say it isnt a rational purchase, but if you find one thats been cared for and all jobs have been doing. It could be significantly better value than similary priced newer hatchbacks.

Maybe an IS250 would be a good compromise.

wgl2014 wrote: »

Something else.....

Lexus LS or VW Phaeton.

My friend says that they are a bit too large for suburban driving (read parking) and the running costs of a Phaeton are absurd.

arnold22

IS 250 more sensible - GS300 is very nice, and reliable, but the main issue with the GS will be suspension parts and tyre costs, as it's a heavier car.

wgl2014

parking_question_chap wrote: »

My friend says that they are a bit too large for suburban driving (read parking) and the running costs of a Phaeton are absurd.

So you want a small car with low running costs? That wouldn't suggest a 'luxobarge'.

parking_question_chap

arnold22 wrote: »

IS 250 more sensible - GS300 is very nice, and reliable, but the main issue with the GS will be suspension parts and tyre costs, as it's a heavier car.

Yeah tend to agree.

Might have to sit in both before a decision can be made. Heart says GS300 head says IS250.

mchale

BMW 5 series ?