Daily Driver

Ok, seeking some opinions.

I need a cheapo daily driver ($15,000 or less). I drive 30,000 miles per year, so it needs to be reliable. On the other hand, I don’t like boring cars.
Not interested in Camry or Accord.

So, with that in mind, here are my current choices:

2000-2001 Lexus ES 300
2000-2002 Acura TL

Now, I know I should stop right there.
But, those cars just seem so sterile.

I have driven a Saab 9-5 and like the way it rides. I know it has a bad rep, but still.

Also like the Jag x type…but has a “wannabe” flavor to it. No?

Audi a4 v6 maybe?

Two “grandpa” cars that seem like good values. 2000 Seville or Lincoln LS

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Can't go wrong with the Lexus.

 

Saabs are quite fast and reliable cars. I choose 9-5

 

With the TL, you have to be warry of the transmission-Acura has had major problems with it (suddenly droping from 5th to second at highway speed).

With that said, I would go for the Lexus.

 

My TL tranny expired at 22k miles. However they now will cover them to 100k FWIW. Otherwise great car for the $

 

The most fun you'll have is in an E36-- seriously; plus a mint condition car is much cooler/has more character than any of the cars you've listed.

 

Looking at possible future repair costs eliminates anything from Europe.
I'd go with Lexus.

 

I've been looking for a C36 / C43 Benz as my daily. Rock-solid, runs forever, and is a stealth rocket. $50-60k new, now trading right around your figure, depending on year/condition/miles, etc. Very minimal depreciation from here on.

 

so far, pretty much my thoughts as well as far as reliability.

 

Seville. The Lexus is just a tarted up Camry, like every Lexus product.

 

Sam, why not just drive the Mondial every day...?

 

Have to agree here. Just picked up an Estoril blue e36 M3 last week for about that price.. will make a good daily driver and weekend track car. Parts are readily available, handling is great, speed is pretty good, etc. Big fan.

-R

 

I agree with the E36. But another one to look at is the Saab 9-5 Aero. My friend got one last summer, a 2001, and its a pretty sweet car. Nice interior and it gets up and goes.... alot. Its fast.

 

Lexus is reliable
Bmw E36 is cool
Black lincoln ls with cool wheels tinted windows V8, ya that would be cool

 

The Acura is probably your best value for money, the transmissions are questionable, I owned a 2003 CL-S6, and it's the best car I've ever driven. Mind you, I haven't driven much, but I couldn't think of a better daily driver. The automatic in the TL will make things even better, as long as it doesn't break after you go over 100k miles . Do go for the Type-S model if you choose, it makes a good car, great.

Edit: Also, the 1st generation TL, 1997-99, is rock solid reliable, built in Japan, not Ohio, impossible to break 4sp tranny, not the glass 5sp, awesome sound system, etc etc. They were 36k new, in 1997! That says something

 

I agree that it's a great car, as I love my E36 M3. But wouldn't recommend it as a daily driver to use that much. It has its quirks.
Voted for the Acura TL. Not a big fan of it, but IMO it would be the best realistic choice out of the cars listed.

 

I dunno.. I use my 355 as a daily and it's fine. Can't imagine the BMW to be any worse

-R

 

I just hit 100k in my M3.

 

I'd agree with the comment about the ES not being much more exciting than the Camry, given they're basically the same car.

I like the BMW e36 3 series idea, although you will pay more for maintenance and things do go wrong -- or at least my e46 had a few issues.

The Jag X is kind of a plain jane Jag, but if you can get one for $15K it's the nicest interior to spend time in. I think they're more interesting than the others you listed. Depreciation on them was ghastly, and they probably won't have been driven by leadfoot M3 types, so in a way it might not be a bad daily driver.

My two pence... I guess I always vote for "different" over "sensible". I'm not an Acura/Lexus guy, good as those cars may be.

 

I notice I usually agree with you, and here again seems I do so again.

 

Wow, and i consider mine high milage with 70k.
I voted for the TL as it's the most sensible car of the bunch. Won't have reliability issues, and is cheap to maintain. Doesn't look terrible either.

 

Look into a 9-3 also. Good overall.

 

Got a Saab 9-5. Great deal on one with 46,000 miles.
So far, I like it.

Laser Red, 5 speed auto. 2.3 turbo.

Pros:
Good looking
Handles great
fun to drive
good MPG
decent pickup (there is a "sport setting" on the tranny that really works)
Lots of bells and whistles (eg REAR seat heaters)
You don't see them coming and going
Good safety rating

Cons:
VERY cheap interior materials
4 cylinder is kind of old school in that it is not super smooth
reliability..we will see
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