"Luxury" appliance car for the parentals

My parents are thinking of getting rid of their 2011 BMW X6 35i for something more economical. We only have 3 drivers and 4 cars; 3 of them are shared - BMW X5, Honda Ridgeline, BMW X6. As you can see, there is a huge overlap with the X6, and it is an expensive piece of metal that doesn't get used often. They're in their 50's and have no interest in cars, so the X6 won't be a good reliable long term car for them. I want to show them options of cheaper appliance cars that they can keep around as a spare car in case one car breaks down.

They are of Asian descent so they think American cars are E36 M3, Japanese cars are as reliable as gravity, and German cars scream prestige and quality. It needs an automatic transmission, leather seats, some type of luxury image, and be at least E46/C class size. I want to keep this appliance car used and cheap, something that won't depreciate much more than it already has.

They have always wanted a Mercedes, but I don't know how to get them into one that is cheap and reliable. What era would I look at?

I would like to show them Lexus, Acura, Infiniti. Which models should I look at?

What American brands can I show them? Cadillac is one, but it seems too old person car for them to want. And the fact that it's American.

I was honestly impressed by the new Buick Regal, no idea if they will age well but the one I experienced briefly had 12k miles and was quiet, easy to drive, and looked good inside. Numb and light steering but I feel like that's a plus in this case. But if they start getting rattly and the radio/hvac buttons start peeling like the Cadillacs or gm trucks then nevermind.

"Lexus" was the first thing that came to mind when I read the question.

TL.

Lexus ES Acura TLX Infiniti Q70 (M35)

Also any of the SUV from those three. No Asian says no to Lexus RX.

slow wrote: Lexus ES Acura TLX Infiniti Q70 (M35) Also any of the SUV from those three. No Asian says no to Lexus RX.

Also being Asian, I started to get a little bit offended at the Lexus RX remark...and then I thought a little about it and lol'd at the truth.

I'll throw in the Lexus CT200h for consideration here as well.

I read that and just saw GS350. Nice drive. Appliance like reliability. One of the better lexus to actually drive. Big enough to carry 4 and they keep the value pretty decently.

If they like their X5 but want to go econo, what about an X5 turbo diesel? Maybe not inexpensive....

Want to try a Merc? Get an old S class. I was looking at one that was for sale down the street from my house. Man, it was nice. Really nice. Luxurious even. I thin kthey were available with a TD straight six. Most likely very reliable if you can spend the money to get one that was well maintained.

Guys, keep in mind that we're trying to go used. Like, less-than-half-the-price-of-the-X6 used.

I lol'd at the Lexus RX comment too. My parents like the reliability of it, but hate the driving portion of it. The X5 is from 2003 with the heavy hydraulic steering - they like that and the road feel they get from it.

I like the idea of the old S-class. How is the E-class of the same era? Are the gas motors just as reliable? I'm a little afraid the S-class will be too long and they won't like parking it.

If your parents appreciate driving feedback, how about something small for running errands?
Miata, BMW series 1, MINI, Fiat 500, etc.

MINIzguy wrote: Guys, keep in mind that we're trying to go used. Like, less-than-half-the-price-of-the-X6 used. I lol'd at the Lexus RX comment too. My parents like the reliability of it, but hate the driving portion of it. The X5 is from 2003 with the heavy hydraulic steering - they like that and the road feel they get from it. I like the idea of the old S-class. How is the E-class of the same era? Are the gas motors just as reliable? I'm a little afraid the S-class will be too long and they won't like parking it.

I have an S class one gen back (W126), and it's surprisingly easy to park/turn around. The length doesn't bother me as much as the width (I learned to drive in a 70's datsun that was more like a roller skate than a car). Definitely rule out an SL, those are like limos.

I've driven an older E class (kind of, I think it was before they called them that), anyway it was a W124 (1985-1996 or something). It was nice, but not luxury. It was certainly above average, much nicer than a Camry or something from the same ear IMO. My girlfriend's 190 has the same suspension (I've said this a thousand times) and it's an absolute bitch to work on. But it still rides ok. With a european luxury ride, I think it's all about the ride quality. And it's usually pretty nice, even with old shocks/bushings. I've never owned/driven one, but I've heard rumblings about many common problems with the E class that came after the W124 (W210 I think). Though, keep in mind a lot of the folks that bitch about all the issues with their cars have diesels with a bajillion miles on them.

The girlfriend's 190 is a 4 banger gasser and it's probably got ~300k on it (broken odo). It isn't a well maintained, regular oil change, 300k either. It used to be owned by a yolostancebro and he basically ruined the car. It runs like a top though and everything is a beautiful golden brown under the valve cover. I think the 20 50 oil MB calls for gets some credit for this engine lasting as long as it has. I believe the later straight 6 gassers are basically the 4 banger with 30% more cylinder and some bore here or stroke there, depending on the model. I don't know anything about the V6s or later engines. The weak point on the 80s and early 90s cars is the K-jet (or KE-jet rather). It works great when it works great and when it doesn't...you'll rather someone take a 5 lb sledge to your balls (trust me, I know). Once again though, the engine bay fell victim to a piss poor owner. Never adjusted/replaced/maintained anything.

I'd put my money toward a PO that gave a E36 M3 more than anything else.

A light bulb just went off in my head due to a post on another forum. My parents are getting older, so no sports cars or low sedans. A high seating position will be given priority as it will make getting in and out of the vehicle easy.

This knocks out a lot of options I was thinking about. Basically is up to Japanese SUVs, the Soul or XB, or some American SUVs. Which one would you guys say is a great pseudo-luxury model?

BMW 1series SUV.
MINI Countryman.
Fiat 500L

98-00 LS400. I've got two of them and they fit your requirements.

Dr. Hess wrote: 98-00 LS400. I've got two of them and they fit your requirements.

This. This or an Infiniti M45

Lexus, any Benz old enough to be considered of that quality is too old now for non car people to own.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Lexus, any Benz old enough to be considered of that quality is too old now for non car people to own.

This. My dad bought a cream puff of a 98 E320 Benz with like 60k on it from a little old lady up the road a couple years back. You would have been hard pressed to find one in better shape, and yet it is still developing a case of "old euro car syndrome", as I like to call it, where things just need to be replaced and the bills for said things begin to creep very close to the value of the vehicle. If you're not in love with it and/or don't do your own work, you're berkeleyed.

I vote Lexus ES. Boring, leather wrapped tanks that go forever.

How often do they use the bed of the Ridgeline? Could you talk them into dumping both the Ridgeline and X6, replacing with an MDX and a big slush fund for renting the Lowe's truck when needed or a beater minivan? If they're like my parents, the Ridgeline just gets used for Lowe's runs for mulch, and the lower load floor of a minivan might be appreciated.

I like the Lexus and Infiniti ideas then. Not much other choice it seems.

The Ridgeline gets used. We don't buy bags of mulch but rather go to the town hall and shovel it into the bed. It is also often used for home improvement projects. It is too valuable to get rid of at this point.

mndsm wrote:

Dr. Hess wrote: 98-00 LS400. I've got two of them and they fit your requirements.

This. This or an Infiniti M45

This is affirmative.

I knew someone on here just bought a creampuff of an LS400 for not much money--maybe it was Dr. Hess. Luxurious interior, V8 power, classic styling. I think you have a winner!