IMHO the companies are owned by each other but there's still a quality difference. And it's more true now that the luxury brands are trying to actually improve their products rather than make a luxury version of the lower brand. I have experience with the MDX and Honda Pilot...there's a big difference. Same goes for the 04 camry and the lexus ES.
Lexus IS and ES are very, very reliable cars often ranked "excellent" in terms of reliability. Infinity G37 and Acura TL are above average in reliability. BMW 3 series and 5 series are usually average. Mercedes and Audi are below average. If you don't think the IS is small, then that's the car I would pick if your #1 is a 4 door luxury car that's reliable. If you want more space, I'd go with the ES, G37, or TL, which are all within the same price range. I have had a BMW 5 series for 5-6 years and have 153k miles on it. It's been very reliable, except for a few minor problems. Many of my friends have also had "good luck" with BMWs. If you can find an independent mechanic, it's really not too much more expensive than Japanese/American cars.
Well I think I definitely have narrowed to the IS, the G37... or choice C just keeping what I have. I found two IS350s that were pretty strong deals but both got sold immediately. Still looking, and a good deal on one of those and I'll jump. I checked the Acura's for a while and a surprised at how well they seem to be holding their value... which is good for them, but makes them too pricey for me on a comparison basis, when I prefer the IS and G37 anyway. Looked at some A4s... but not 100% sold there. So will just be keeping my eye out for the right deal on an IS350 or G37 most likely. Like that the G37 is bigger.
Just get a 2012 F-150 and be over with it. With the type of miles you drive, you could have it for 40 years. Great trucks. The one I gave my brother now has nearly 400,000 miles on it.
What is the most important to you? Space? Looks? Reliability? Also, which Acuras were you looking at? If horsepower is not a big deal for you, the TSX is a great looking car that's undervalued IMO. It should also be less expensive than IS's and G37s, so maybe it's another option if you don't find a good deal on those.
I'm with you man. I love the Audi look, but unfortunately it's listed as "below average" in consumer reports for reliability for almost every car I was interested in.
Why not go for the car that has repeatedly won Motortrend's car of the year, VW GTI. You can get a 2012 for under 20 grand and it's a blast to drive with immense amounts of practicality. Great gas mileage for a quick car. Hatchback with folding rear seats allows for great versatility in the cargo department.
on carcomplaints those 06-08 tl's have the highest satisfaction ratings.. imo they look better than the newer generation version of those cars.. ive noticed too they do keep their value at high mileage.. looking into picking one up honestly..
I'm surprised that they have gotten this much better over the past few years. I was mainly referring to used cars in the 20k range, so I'd say 2009-2011 models? Anyway, the A4 from 2008-2012 I believe were either below average or average from USN and CR. Sorry, I don't have the consumer reports subscription, but if I remember correctly, their sedans didn't grade out well over those years. Here is the link from USN. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Audi_A4/2010/Reliability/
You didn't have transmission problems? Acura had serious transmission problems during those years. Having to replace the tranny every 70k miles wasn't uncommon.
