Let's talk about cars

Hey, Cargo, what do you think about this color? I am asking since you are an expert in both Lexus cars and colors.

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Hey, Cargo, how do you like this color - sorry, colour - combination?

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I like blue with cream.... but I'm a more black on black/black on cream/white on cream kind of guy...

I test drove a 2020 Lincoln Aviator Reserve last night. I'm thinking about putting a deposit on it today. I hate to say it but I think I like it even more than my Escalade. Thing is totally pimped out. Even the ****** chimes like when you open the door were made by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra how crazy is that?

If I were to get a Lexus/Toyota though it'd be a Land Cruiser/LX570/LX600.

No gas ass hybrid or electric bullshit. Straight 8 power which almost no one makes anymore but at least twin turbo 6 power is a close 2nd.

Major bucks...I am looking for another LS under 35k. My problem is that I know too much about how bad they are. 2013 and up are decent but still fail in a stupid way around 70k miles. The one above has 68k miles and 31K price tag. I also want RWD which is tough to buy here.

If I get this one, it will be a real problem to find matching socks.

I spent around $90k on my Escalade not counting summer rims/tires and maintenance, the Aviator is $70k. It's a 2020 with onyl like 5k miles on it but I like it more than the BMW X5/X6 and Mercedes GLE 43 AMG I test drove.

I'm basically n****r rich... $90k car, $15k watch, but getting late notice payments from creditors ah **** em. But at least I have a good job and several sources of income so it'll makes up for the stupid things I do.


You won't find an LS under 35k unless it's a couple years old and with a good bit of miles. But you can prolly find like a 5 year old one with around 50k on it for that much

One thing I like about Lexus is they really hold their value... but I'll likely never buy one, maybe Toyota Landcruiser for a daily driver but that's it.

Lexus is the only brand I am not afraid to buy with 100k miles. Six years ago, I bought my current 2005 LS430 with 110,000 for 14k. Today, I can get 7 which translates to roughly 1000 per year depreciation. I found a super clean silver on black 2014 for 29k with 94k on it. I just don't like AWD's so I am still thinking.

I have the money to buy new but I am stuck at 30 grand and I can't get past this. It's like a mental disorder. By the time I add other specs like color and equipment, I am lucky to find six in the whole US.

Really,are RWD vehicles are so obsolete now?I havent owned a RWD car maybe since 1985,prefer AWD as my driveway is with a slope and AWD is great in snow.


Why? they dont sell stockings in your area???Maybe Jaun can loan you lol.


My Armenian friends call them Russian village car lol.BMw is the crap car in the USA.European version is good.Mercs and BMW dont attract me,way overpriced.Lexus is good but I cant wait for Cyber truck man lol when I get it I wanna drive by Mazurs house and throw eggs lol he can shoot all he want its bulletproof (supposedly)lol.

That's what I have. I saw this one today...


Almost. The way I see it, FD is for girls, AWD - for soccer moms, and RWD - for men. Joke aside, LS460 AWD has worse mileage, lower acceleration, and weighs 400 pounds more.

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Is that 2014? when they changed the grill?The black interior just matches the silver color.How many miles and how much?Did you try looking at rental companies selling cars?There cars are very well kept in my opinion but some say the renters abuse them.Look into Avis,Hertz,Enterprise car deals.

I like to sit high so prefer high SUVs,cars and these fu/cking so called crossovers make me feel I am driving flintstones lol I am sure Dirk feels the same.


Naa man,I hate the screeching tires looks/sounds too showy,AWD cars dont have that problem when you accelerate fast


Seriously dude you care about mileage buying a luxury car???You will not even spend 2/300$ more a year.
At your age,buy a new car,what do you care.BTW how many miles do you put a year?Maybe better of leasing for low mileage and new car every 2/3 years?

Yes, it is 2014. I am impressed. The new grill from hell came in on 2018's.


That's why I enter those two colors when I search. My RX is that way. I like it except it's too rough on bad roads.


It's actually embarrassing. RWD LS460 does 0-60 in 5.5 vs 6.0 if it's AWD. I want that 5.5 but I think I will give in and get AWD since dealers here don't carry RWD's.

I mentioned mileage only for the record. You are right, 23 vs 24 mpg means very little. People report 30 mpg cruising at 70, so it's almost like Prius.


I can but that would be against my rules. I put on 10k a year so I could lease.

Yeah I only like AWD on SUVs/pickups. RWD feels the most "natural" to me especially in a sedan or coupe.


That's the main reason why I like Lexus - super reliable and holds their value arguably more than any other brand. If I were to get a Lexus though I'd go for an LS too and for older models I absolutely love the SC430. I like the Toyota Landcruiser over the Lexus LX570 though. My real estate agent has one - I think of it as a Japanese Escalade. I hate the way they made the grills and contours on the new LX's. The people who drive the Landcruisers around here are like the quiet old money types.

If you can find an LS with low miles for $35k I'd definitely buy it. You won't regret it and as you know the resale value is great. I'd take a used Mercedes S550 over the LS though and you can find a used one for the same price. That's the ultimate Aryan machine, especially the S-class coupe.

I'm a German (1st) and American (2nd, specifically Cadilac) car type. I've own various Mercedes, BMW, and Audi and each one has their pro's and con's. Overall, Mercedes is head and shoulders above BMW and Audi though in my opinion. I've had several MB over the years but the only BMW I had was a 328i which with body kit and rims made it look like an M3 and the Audi all-road was the only Audi. I bought the 3 for my gf since her pos dodge stratus crapped out. We always had problems with the 3 though especially the window motors for some reason. It seemed like every 2-3 weeks I replacing some sort of sensor or motor or whatever. She loved that car and I hated it. Idk what all the hype was about like everyone and their mother was buying 3's at that time. That was also the only manual trans car I had. The Audi All Road was an awesome car. It's like no other wagon. Twin turbo V6 (some models have an aluminum V8 from the A8), two tone interior and exterior, air ride suspension... man I loved that car. Imo Audi makes the nicest interior way nicer than MB or BMW. But they're not very reliable and their resale value is terrible. I test drove the X5 and the technology is awesome in it - better than MB. But I didn't even mess with the Q7 when the salesman recommended I try that one.. just hated the way it looks, but interior is beautiful they got that nailed down.

American cars are POS in all honesty - they break down, the interiors are ugly but at least getting better, terrible resale value, etc. etc. My Escalade is fairly reliable but the Deville I had crapped out before it even hit 100k. The northstar engines they use to use had real bad overheating and head gasket problems. But man, no other car is as smooth as a Caddy. It feels like you're in a lazy boy recliner just chillin'. That's the only reason why I bought Caddys. I haven't owned any other American car. Although, I think the Lincoln Aviator is what I'm going to go with. I haven't found any other large SUVs that I really liked more than my Escalade till I drove the Aviator.

My dream car is the Mercedes G63 AMG... $300k for a new one though = (

That was a good write-up and I agree with most of it. We no longer consider American cars after the ones we had lost transmissions before 100k.

I looked at the Consumer Report and all German cars are scary as hell with a sea of red. Lexus are 90% green. Even if you have one under warranty, it's still a pain.

I remember my 1973 Eldo and that couch they used for the front seat. Later, I had 1984 Coupe de Ville with that horrible 4.1L engine that pinged even with premium gas.

My great frustration now is that my current LS430 runs like it was just built last week. Whatever I buy will only be worse. But I admit its dashboard and the roofline are getting old. Time for a change before my time runs out. So I put an ad on craigslist. We will see...

BTW, I sold my 2002 SC430 with 123,000 two years ago for 7500. Today, the same car is going for over twice that. Isn't covid great?

I know... I regret not buying it off you = ( I love that car so much especially the wooden interior. It's like the perfect daily driven convertible.


It really depends on model, make, year and to an extent luck. My most reliable car was a 2001 Mercedes E320. That model came out when I was in high school and I wanted it so bad but it cost $60k for a new one and there was no way I could afford that. So I bought one that went through a fender bender with a salvage/rebuilt title at a copart auction for like $20k. I put another $10k into fixing it up and it looked perfect. That car was still running great after 250k miles. I drove it all through college making countless trips back and forth. And I sure as **** didn't do the scheduled maintenance. All I did was change the oil, tires and put gas in it. Nothing ever broke on that car. It would still be running if my dad hadn't backed up into it when pulling out of the driveway with his work truck. Also, my parents have a MB GLK350. They bought it new and it has like 130k miles. Aside from a belt that came loose once randomly, no issues whatsoever.

My cars in last 35 years:
Fiat 126p-new
Talbot Horizon-soft
Austin Metro-study companion
MG Majestro-hot
Fiat Tempra-elektronic cockpit
Rover827Vittesse-Honda
Ford Probe 2-Mazda
Kia Clarus1.8-new(Mazda)
Renault Avantime-Alien on Earth
Renault VelSatis-living room
Renault Grand Scenic-simply brilliant for a woman with children.
Toyota Verso 2,2d-bad
Mazda 6-good
Opel twintop 2.0 turbo-disaster
Mercedes A-Class 3-beautiful but illogical car handling
Fiat Tipo-new, grey mouse
Renault Latitude-best car ever
Mercedes C cabrio-beautiful new model with more illogical handling

hulajnoga turbo

My Armenian buddy bought S600 or 650(I forget) last year for 700k pln.Great comfort with fancy colour changeable lights around the dashboard windows,but so low lol people who dont know cars looks like some regular mercs.In Europe they dont even mention the model number in the rear like in the States.But still not a head turner as will be my Cyber truck,esp in Poland If I can take it first.


18 cars in 35 years???Those all car for you or wife and kids too?


lol this one:Turbo hulajnoga elektryczna

@Cargo pants
Me and my wife. Mazda 6 also for my son.

Still man too many cars,I only have the 126P,1976 model bought in 2001 to bring to States.You have to admit Japenese cars are best till you dont crash them and they will work for3/400k miles,whereas European and American cars are full of steel and ****** ones.American cars start falling apart after cpl years and are gas guzzlers.I only bought 2 used American cars in my life with all leaving bad taste.I think among 4 of us we only bought12 cars out of them still using 4.

I buy and sell my cars every 5 years. Sometimes 2 by 1 dealer for better price. Only Latitude is in my hand since 8,5 years and never broke so I still love him/it.

You are a brave man, Dirk. I wouldn't touch a car that has any bad flags in the carfax report. Like frame damage. I will accept an accident if it involves a bumper. Doors - forget it. They can never match colors.

I am solidly in the Church of Lexus and will remain faithful for as long as I am alive. My wife doesn't even want to talk about anything else. And my number one requirement is real wood on the steering wheel and no air shocks.

Very pricey.
Have you ever tried to change the motor in one ?
You about have to take the whole front end off the vehicle. $$$$
Besides that, a quality vehicle.

That's why I pick them up when they get down to the chevy prices - like 20 to 25k - and avoid stupid features like air shocks and Mark Levinson radio with 19 speakers. Lately, the used car prices got insane so I had to adjust to the new reality and up my red line to 30.

Well I do much of my own repairs and I'm able to source salvage/OEM parts cheaply and have a really good yet low priced mechanic and body guy for the things I can't do (gaskets, lifters, trans, paint, etc.).


It was hit in the front bumper and driver side front fender. The paint was perfect, but it was also by far the most expensive part of the repair. It's different when you have a car that's a few years old versus a 10+ year old that's been in the elements. And even then a real professional can catch the hues and blend it. Or just sand and repaint/clear coat the whole car. Also now people do wraps to hide blemishes or even ****** MAACO type paint jobs.


That's what sold me on the Escalade lol... and the genuises at GM got rid of it after my model... bullshit pleather wheel on the 2022 either.. although I guess the rest of the interior makes up for it


They don't have an S600 or 650 anymore unless it was a MB-Maybach S680 and MB S63 AMG which are both around the 200k mark and regular S-class closer to 110-120k and up. MB has been constantly changing the engines and badging around over the past few years. They don't even make anymore naturally aspirated V8's anymore which really sucks. I'll take a huge 5-6 liter naturally aspirated V8/V12 over some bullshit little twin turbo 3l v6/twin turbo 4l v8.


That's because it's debadged or people debadge them to give the rear a cleaner look. Euro cars tend to also have different lights than in the US. It's called Euro spec and if imported here they're worth much more than the US versions.


Weak ass POS lightweight class 2 truck with a hamster wheel engine.

If you find a moment could you ask him if can replace the lower and upper control arms on the 2013 LS460? Also the brake actuator. These are the biggies that fail and cost like 7 grand together at Lexus dealers. I can buy Lexus parts but even Midas charges 150 per hour. The dealer near me (Lexus of Arlington) will not use customer parts because they sell theirs for insane amounts.

I just found a nice 2013 in Florida for 26,5 but it has 97k miles and bad control arms. Other than that it's RWD and has upgraded leather and Mark Levinson.

Does you guy have a shop I could call?

PM me.

You never fix cars at dealerships... or stealerships as I prefer to call them..

My guy charged me under $2k to do 4x new rotors, 4x new brake pads, 4 new brake lines w new union fittings, rubberized coating throughout the entire undercarriage, oil change, fluid top-off, and towing (towing only $100 to his shop). He started the job Monday and Thursday it'll be ready. The guy I go to for mechanical repairs is this Mexican dude up in Waukegan and this guy is on point to the fuckin minute. His whole family works there too. He's the kind of guy that itemizes every penny and will tell you exactly when he started a job to the minute and finished it. Super organized and probably the best prices I've ever paid for repairs. He's the kind of mechanic you go to to fix other mechanics' **** ups.

Normally I would've done the brakes and **** myself but I needed new lines since Escalades/Tahoes/Suburbans all seem to have problems with thin metal brake lines rusting over and breaking. That's what happened with mine. Now I have threaded metal ones that'll never have that issue.

Hey white socks check these links:
enterprisecarsales.com/list/buy-a-car/models=Lexus
hertzcarsales.com/used-luxury-cars.htm?geoZip=07101&geoRadius=0&search=lexus

sorry another one:I used my zipcode.
cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePageModel&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=m37&zip=08724

Hey, cargo, my white socks say thanks for the lead. I really like the car, the options and the price. I called them and got a quote. Their price is actually 3 grand below "fair" by KBB. My problem is that I am cheap and can't force myself past 30 grand out the door. Still, good catch...

How did you find it? BTW, this car has all the things I want and none of the things I don't. I am talking about that LS460, the only car I would buy.

All I'm seeing is a bunch of Lexus models with their ugly ass demented hourglass grill...But yes cargurus is my favorite to shop for cars, that and craiglist for deals and to a lesser extent bring a trailer.

At least on the LS it's less pronounced but on their SUVs imo it looks horrible especially the RX with the jagged lines it looks like a low end Nissan or something. You should be able to find like a 6-7 year old one with around 50-60k miles for low 30's. I doubt you'll find anything under $30k though with the new body style unless it has a ton of mileage.

Heh to think back when I was like 20 I was seriously considering a job selling Lexuses to old zydy (the only people who seem to buy them around this area).

Remember, you can always negotiate the price down a further 5% to 10% for luxury cars. Or if you're a ball buster like me you'll wear them out till they sell you the car for $100 more than they paid for it just to get rid of you and finally go home for the day.

I couldn't agree with you more. The 2013 - 2017 is still passable. 2018 and up is a horror story.


That's exactly my target. Based on my positive experience, I wouldn't mind 90-100k if everything else is OK. Cargo found a nice loaded 2013 with 30k for $34k in Vegas.

I found a 2014 with 94k that's clean but has 4 owners, the last two a year each. I wonder why they gave up so soon.

Looking at the service records led me to the conclusion that the worst Lexus cars are from the hot states like Arizona and especially Florida where the temp and humidity just wreck the rubber of the control arms and the plastic inside. Since they don't rust, Midwest and NY are easy on them.


That's easy with the new ones. For the used ones, the only guide is KBB, as far as I know.