What is the T4R of the car world?

econhonda · Dec 26, 2010

My wife's 2005 Chev Malibu just rolled over 94,000 miles today, and it got me thinking about possibly replacing it with something more reliable/fun. In truth, the car hasn't been bad at all. One brake caliper has been the only repair in over 50K miles. I just don't really like it. I'm not looking for anything extreme, and it needs to be big enough to accomodate two car seats, and my wife insists on having a car rather than two SUV's. Minivans are not an option based on moral ground....

I am having a tough time beginning my search for the 3rd gen's sedan-equivalent. Is there a car out there that is a great value, built to last, fun to drive, and has timeless style without giving up a ton of money and/or a backseat?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

bak3rme · Dec 26, 2010

econhonda said:
My wife's 2005 Chev Malibu just rolled over 94,000 miles today, and it got me thinking about possibly replacing it with something more reliable/fun. In truth, the car hasn't been bad at all. One brake caliper has been the only repair in over 50K miles. I just don't really like it. I'm not looking for anything extreme, and it needs to be big enough to accomodate two car seats, and my wife insists on having a car rather than two SUV's. Minivans are not an option based on moral ground....

I am having a tough time beginning my search for the 3rd gen's sedan-equivalent. Is there a car out there that is a great value, built to last, fun to drive, and has timeless style without giving up a ton of money and/or a backseat?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

lexus is350.

JWaldz · Dec 26, 2010

bak3rme said:
lexus is350.

dang.. beat me to it

econhonda · Dec 26, 2010

bak3rme said:
lexus is350.

To clarify, my runner cost $5,800. Some spends nearly $10K for a low mileage 3rd gen. Thats about the price range I'm thinking about. If you can find an IS 350 for less than 10K, let me know!

SCRunner12 · Dec 26, 2010

I mean if you are going for a reliable car then a honda civic or toyota corrolla are cheap. They are great cars, but not very flashy. Camry's are great cars or a VW. The best thing like a T4R would be to get another T4R. :biggrin2:

JWaldz · Dec 26, 2010

econhonda said:
To clarify, my runner cost $5,800. Some spends nearly $10K for a low mileage 3rd gen. Thats about the price range I'm thinking about. If you can find an IS 350 for less than 10K, let me know!

well, I doubt you'll find one under 10 given the car that it is. Realistically, you mind find one for around 15. You can always do some financing. Other than that, you MIGHT find an is250 somewhere for closer to 10.

98_4runnerSR5 · Dec 26, 2010

bak3rme said:
lexus is350.

ARKRWLR said:
dang.. beat me to it

ARKRWLR said:
well, I doubt you'll find one under 10 given the car that it is. Realistically, you mind find one for around 15. You can always do some financing. Other than that, you MIGHT find an is250 somewhere for closer to 10.

You guys are all thinking too new... Lexus IS300 is where it's at. You can definitely get one for around $10,000. I previously have owned one and would do anything to get it back! Awesome Sedan and a lot of fun to drive
:frog:

ChildrenOfBodom · Dec 26, 2010

98'4runnerSR5 said:
You guys are all thinking too new... Lexus IS300 is where it's at. You can definitely get one for around $10,000. I previously have owned one and would do anything to get it back! Awesome Sedan and a lot of fun to drive
:frog:

beat me to it, too.

Agreed, IS300.

cfranck1 · Dec 26, 2010

Just buy an older Accord or Acura. You have 4 doors, plenty of room in back for 2 car seats, and the typical Japanese reliability!! "early 21st century older that is"

Honda Beat: Honda and Acura News, Information, Racing and Vintage Cars

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/125258-402-000-mile-acura-legend.html

ChildrenOfBodom · Dec 26, 2010

cfranck1 said:
Just buy an older Accord or Acura. You have 4 doors, plenty of room in back for 2 car seats, and the typical Japanese reliability!! "early 21st century older that is"

Honda Beat: Honda and Acura News, Information, Racing and Vintage Cars

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/125258-402-000-mile-acura-legend.html

cfranck1 · Dec 26, 2010

ChildrenOfBodom said:

Thats why I have an Accord for the summer here in CT and the 4runner for the winter and when ever I need it in the summer. Don't get me wrong I love everything about the runner, but it's nice to just have a car as well. Take it on long trips in the summer, get 30-33MPG on the highway, and being able to do triple digits.

ChildrenOfBodom · Dec 26, 2010

cfranck1 said:
Thats why I have an Accord for the summer here in CT and the 4runner for the winter and when ever I need it in the summer. Don't get me wrong I love everything about the runner, but it's nice to just have a car as well. Take it on long trips in the summer, get 30-33MPG on the highway, and being able to do triple digits.

That's cool.

I myself, though, cannot stand front wheel drive. IS300's are rear wheel drive, unlike the front wheel drive Accord.

Each man to his own.

98_4runnerSR5 · Dec 26, 2010

ChildrenOfBodom said:
That's cool.

I myself, though, cannot stand front wheel drive. IS300's are rear wheel drive, unlike the front wheel drive Accord.

Each man to his own.

:bravo:

bak3rme · Dec 26, 2010

ChildrenOfBodom said:
That's cool.

I myself, though, cannot stand front wheel drive. IS300's are rear wheel drive, unlike the front wheel drive Accord.

Each man to his own.

guess i dont drive enough to know feel the difference between fwd and rwd. my parents avalon is fwd and the IS is rwd..i never knew until one day i saw the avalon front tires spinning. is there suppose to be a "feeling" between the two?

smallfry · Dec 26, 2010

Subaru Outback :shrug:

JohnsD90 · Dec 26, 2010

bak3rme said:
guess i dont drive enough to know feel the difference between fwd and rwd. my parents avalon is fwd and the IS is rwd..i never knew until one day i saw the avalon front tires spinning. is there suppose to be a "feeling" between the two?

FWD will understeer, RWD will oversteer.

YouTube - Top Gear Understeer and Oversteer explained

smallfry said:
Subaru Outback :shrug:

"Just not sure why your considering an outback unless you wear teva's with socks or something..."

GottaBeTRD · Dec 26, 2010

the IS300's suck in the snow. Every winter i see a half a dozen or so of those things on the side of the road cause they just cant go anywhere when it's slick. The low profile tires plus the rear wheel drive its not gonna get you anywhere if there is snow or ice on the road. just keeps spinning... just keeps spinning...

Don't get me wrong They are pretty sick looking cars, and i would love to own one but i would probably only drive it in the summer.

and yeah IMO rear wheel dive vehicles tend to be a little harder to drive in the snow then front wheel. You have more control in a front wheel drive cause all the power is pulling you from the front, while on a rear wheel drive your getting pushed from the back and it can cause you to fish tail a little easier then FWD

puppetz007 · Dec 26, 2010

subaru legacy. solves the fwd/rwd problem.

ChildrenOfBodom · Dec 26, 2010

in a place like southern California, snow doesnt exist on the mainland.

RWD = Win here.

If I ever want to go to the snow, trust I'll be in my 4Runner.

You get Toyotas legendary quality and 2JZ, while also having nice luxurious touches from a Lexus. I've never once met an owner dissatisfied with an IS300.

1badrunner · Dec 26, 2010

Subaru FTW. Impreza, Legacy, Outback. All are good, reliable choices. Not to mention fun.

Have a 2004 WRX STi for fun weekend car and love it in all conditions. Wouldn't spring for one for the wife though. haha

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What is the T4R of the car world?

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