Luxury car for friend

What? No suggestions for rich Corinthian leather?

In reply to 93EXCivic:

Regal GS. They all came with the supercharger. '97-'04. DO IT.

Volvo 850 fits the bill. You could go Saab as well. Both of the Swedes have some really nice luxury features for the money.

Yeah forgot about the S80 Volvo

Seats like butter

In reply to 93EXCivic:

A friend owned a 2002 Cadillac STS heavy on the luxury, not bad handling for the type of car and plenty of power. Gas could be an issue tho, but it is a 4 door. Year models 2000-2003 seem to be in the price range and not a bad design.

93EXCivic wrote: We thought about Buicks but they are a bit to plain jane looking. Should have also said 4 doors. I didn't think of the Acura RL. How reliable are W123s? Any Volvos that would work?

Yes, my 91 turbo brick wagon would work fine, please pm me and I will tell you where to send the $8,000 check.

I have seen more STS beside the road then any other car. Saab reliability is bit of a question mark to me.

I really like the Volvo T6, twin turbo inline 6.

I have a 300sd, it keeps up with traffic fine. The 350sdl engine is known for not being reliable, and the 300sdl (both the gen 2 w126) is better but has a lot more expensive parts than the older om617 in the 300sd. I want a w116 diesel also, but I bought a w126 since I'm still in college and need something easy to get parts for, so with so many w126 cars in the junkyard still it made more sense.

dculberson wrote: Lexus owns the reliable luxury market. Not liking Lexus but wanting a luxury car is like being a vegetarian but wanting steak. If you really want it, get over the vegetarianism and eat the damn steak. A 1998 - 2000 LS400 is stupid fast, stupid comfortable, and stupid reliable. Second best is 1995 - 1997. $8k will get you a really nice one with some shopping, and you'll save $4k in maintenance over a 7-series BMW in two years. Gas mileage is high teens city, mid to high 20's highway. I've hit 26mpg on long trips including going through mountains.

I have a 3 series with half the mileage as the Mrs LS400 (110 vs 225k) and the build quality and reliability of the big Lex is unbelievable. Pretty easy motor to work on as well. Timing belt was no big deal.

Don't think it will be ridiculous loads of fun, but if you're just looking for the best luxury sedan with outstanding reliability for a reasonable price, you've got to go for the Lexus LS series. Most reliable line of cars even produced, fuel efficient V8, reasonable cost, lots of room. Unless you need it to double as track car, it's the way to go.

We beat the crap out of one of these drivetrains in our miata for 4 years before it finally bit the dust, and that engine was out of a 1991 LS400 with tons of miles. Those cars are as bullet-proof as they come.

93EXCivic wrote: Any Volvos that would work?

1'st gen S80. I'd go for one with the 2.5L turbo-five. You should easily be able to find a FWD model in that price range, and if you look harder you may find an AWD. It's Euro-soft (i.e. borderline sporty for a Buick) the mechanicals are very reliable, and the interior is wide, cushy and quiet. I own an '06 which has impressed me more and more over the last 2 years with its build quality, reliability and ease of DIY maintenance.

FWIW (=0)

Other than the Inline 6 Lexus, I wouldn't own one if I had to drive it. I find them Uncomfortable, no steering feedback, massive amounts of body roll, (to the point a town car looks like a 7), Not to mention that lovely V6 engine sludge.

Not a fan

A really, really, really nice Cimarron.

I loved my Cimarron.

I think it's funny that the guy has a budget of 8k and wants something nice and so many people are coming back with ideas of 20yr old, $2k cars.

2010 I bought an 06 magnum w/77k for 5k, rides nice and not sporty, 25mpg. 2010 I bought my mom an 03 volvo s80 w/95k for 5k, definitely luxury, 25mpg. 2007 I bought my dad an 03 diamante for $6900 (would be more like $3.5k now) with 108k, 26 mpg.

Point being if you have 8k and you're worth half a E36 M3 at buying things for a good price you should be looking in the 00-05 market, not the 1980-1997 market.

If I were to go luxury I would pick up a Saab or Volvo. From somewhere in the last 11 years.

If anyone knows of a nice Cimmaron let me know, I think I'mready to move up to a Cadillac

LS400s do seem to take an amazing amount of abuse, at least in my area I would hesitate to own one however becasue they seem to be the current car of choice of the types who attract excessive law enforcement attention. It appears that they are running out of caprices and Q45s, so the LS400 has gotten popular.

So are the newer Volvos reliable? I have heard so many horror stories about Volvo and my friend's dad who owned a S60 has had tons of problems.

Another vote for an Avalon, its a Buick with a Yota badge.

Caddy DTS