Car opinions, BMW 328xi or Lexus IS250?

[Fastguy]

Looking for a daily driver for my wife. Anyone own either of these?

[Mirroredshades]

I've heard the IS 250 has a lot of problems with bad rings. Typically around 70k. Go with the 350 if you want a Lexus.

[Datawiz]

I'm a car guy, as are you. I am also a Lexus fanboi. That being said, I think the bimmer is the way to go. If it were the 350 Lexus, it would be a different story. BMW always is a great driver's car.

[Thud]

Are you talking new or used?

The new 328's turbo 4 is pretty torquey. I would easily take that over an IS250.

[Fastguy]

Looking at maybe a 2009 or 2010.
She has a small Acura right now, and doesn't want a big car. We don't have kids so we don't need a big sedan, but 4 doors would be nice. Looking for something AWD for the winter. I looked at the CTS but I am hearing bad things about Cadillac's AWD transmissions. Also considered a Maxima and the Acura TL.
This will be a long term car, probably 10 years.

[Datawiz]

Subaru?

[Skia]

328xi for where you live. :yesnod:

[FasterTraffic]

The new 328's turbo 4 is pretty torquey. I would easily take that over an IS250.

I've driven the previous gen 328iX on a couple occasions and it's a great car for a daily driver. I imagine the new model with the turbo is that, just more of it.

[repo]

328xi for where you live. :yesnod::iagree:

Or if she wants a real car the 335xi.:dance:

[yell01]

I love Lexus but am not a fan of the IS. It just seems like they cheaped out on it. The BMW if close in price would be better.

[Stangkiller]

Beemer, I'm not a fan of the 250

[iceburgh]

328xi is a great car...we have had 2 of them.
But I will say this if you are going to keep it 10 years they are expensive if there is a problem.
We have only had minor problems with the one we had out of warranty. But even just a light is over $100

[Joecooool]

BMW, but look at Audi too.

[lspencer534]

BMW may be better than the 250 in performance, looks, and ride, but I would never consider owning a BMW for 10 years. The fun of driving it the first few years will be overshadowed by the repair costs later. I had not heard of the ring problem with Lexus...if that's correct I would just take it out of the equation, but I would not default to a BMW for long term use.

[LilRedCorvette]

My vote:

BMW + extended warranty.

:seasix:

[polarbear]

Looking at maybe a 2009 or 2010.
She has a small Acura right now, and doesn't want a big car. We don't have kids so we don't need a big sedan, but 4 doors would be nice. Looking for something AWD for the winter. I looked at the CTS but I am hearing bad things about Cadillac's AWD transmissions. Also considered a Maxima and the Acura TL.
This will be a long term car, probably 10 years.

Ford Fusion SEL AWD, or Lincoln MKZ AWD if I had to have a better name on the grill. Here's why:

1. Both cars are best in their respective classes for reliability, according to JD Powers 3 yr dependability survey.

2. A new model will replace both cars in 2013. While I'm sure it runs faster and jumps higher, it also means the current best-in-class midsize and entry-level luxury cars will be available at a significant discount. Yes, I am a big mooch.

3. Your mention of an expected 10 yr ownership window.

a. That murders the 3-Series BMW right out of the gate. This particular generation's service history, thusfar, absolutely sux. And the car hasn't been out that long. I find it hard to believe that reliability will improve as these cars age.

b. The Lexus's biggest weak point is a design flaw- the tight back seat. Unless you're transporting toddlers or quadraplegics, it isn't a happy place to spend any amount of time in. That in itself makes me question the dollar value of the car.

Me? Given the timeframe and the climate you live in, my only question would be which Subaru model to put the wife in, and whether to go Turbo, non-Turbo, or the flat-six. Given the stellar resale value, I'd just bite the bullet, buy a new one, drive it 200,000 miles and call it a day.

[Corey_68]

BMW...the Lexus has engine issues with Carbon build up on the psitons.

[Fastguy]

I guess the 10 year thing seems to be the issue. I am considering the Audi as well. The Acura was purchased new in 2000 and now is closing in on 200,000 miles. Aside from regular maintenance like exhaust, tires, battery, brakes, the only major repairs have been two upper balljoints, a wheel bearing and then last year I had to do the head gasket. I also replaced 3 of the 4 ABS sensors. I will have to check out the Lincoln.
As fas as Subarus, that is what I would buy, but my wife wants a luxury car. We agreed that if she could get 12 years out of the Acura and really get our money's worth out of it, we would buy a nice car. I have sort of NNYL8TD the car budget with tow rigs and race cars, so it's her turn to get something nice.

[VatorMan]

Go put your Birkenstocks on and get a Subaru. Nothing you have listed will last 10 years without costing you an arm and a leg in the latter years.

[polarbear]

I guess the 10 year thing seems to be the issue. I am considering the Audi as well. The Acura was purchased new in 2000 and now is closing in on 200,000 miles. Aside from regular maintenance like exhaust, tires, battery, brakes, the only major repairs have been two upper balljoints, a wheel bearing and then last year I had to do the head gasket. I also replaced 3 of the 4 ABS sensors. I will have to check out the Lincoln.
As fas as Subarus, that is what I would buy, but my wife wants a luxury car. We agreed that if she could get 12 years out of the Acura and really get our money's worth out of it, we would buy a nice car. I have sort of NNYL8TD the car budget with tow rigs and race cars, so it's her turn to get something nice.

The hardest thing about letting go of an Acura for something else is the reliability/durability factor. Buddy in Kali has a '10 TL with about 45K on it now. Zero repairs outside of routine maintenance. That's normal. What's not normal is how he drives- he's a friggin' maniac. If anyone can break something before it's time, he's the guy.

[Fastguy]

Go put your Birkenstocks on and get a Subaru. Nothing you have listed will last 10 years without costing you an arm and a leg in the latter years.

Wife said, nooooooooo Subaru.


Maybe a BRZ. :)

I checked out the Lincoln, fairly plain looking, not much style.

[GreyGhost]

My ex has an 08, its the AWD. I never cared for it..it was slow and I did not care for the blind spots in that car. I would got with the bmw.

[Fastguy]

My vote:

BMW + extended warranty.

:seasix:

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

[FasterTraffic]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

:cert: Good choice.

[snide]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

Baller.

[simpleman68]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

Good deal George :cert: That's a nice riding/looking car.
Hope you got the one that runs for years with few problems.

Wife and I got a 2012 CTS AWD and it's been great to drive.
I'll keep an eye on the tranny problems; I didn't hear about those.

Will be nice to take that vs the F350 if/when it snows this Winter. :lol:
Scott

[Fastguy]

Baller.

I drive a 13 year old Mazda and a 31 year old motorcycle.
:dance:

I actually took it out for a good test drive last night. That straight six makes some decent torque, 6 speed auto.

[repo]

I drive a 13 year old Mazda and a 31 year old motorcycle.
:dance:



Haha, snide is the real baller. Zed oh six, plus who knows what else, a F series truck or a Jeep who can keep track.:slap:

My baller Vibe just turned 220K.:dance:

[VatorMan]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

:cert:excellent choice.

[Frizzle]

RIF :lol:

congrats on ur bmw purchase!

[LilRedCorvette]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

Good solid choice :yesnod: enjoy it! :seasix:

I've had a 325i and 2 328i...very reliable cars, they were.

This time I have a 135i...great fun factor...

[FasterTraffic]

That is what we ended up doing. Black/black 328xi.

No pictures yet? WTF?

:D

[Fastguy]

No pictures yet? WTF?

:D

I haven't had it in the daylight yet to take any but it looks like this.

http://listingsmgr.cfm.com/FeedImages/eBizAutos/486e4a7a-be94-40c8-8e92-ec1bf2796fac.jpg

[JRD77VET]

looks nice :cool1:

[Skia]

There are times I really miss selling BMW's.....such a great car line....:seasix:

[Fastguy]

Just took it on an overnight road trip. Very happy so far. Paranoid as hell driving it though.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/IMAG2371.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/IMAG2368.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/IMAG2370.jpg

[Datawiz]

You steal Utah's camera? :lol: