mu71rd Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Hi all, My dad is about to replace his car, and I'm determined that he won't buy another BMW!! He doesn't really have a clue about cars, but has had a 3 and 5 recently, both because they got 5 star reviews. Anyway, it's time he got rid of the beemer, and moved on to pastures new, so I'm looking for something that is also good (and suitably 'classy') for him to drive instead. He's just about to retire, but is not inclined to spend loads on a new car. (His current is a 525 i think - don't know what that cost) I was thinking along the lines of maybe a Lexus IS250 - it is suitably 'elegant' and refined - qualities he likes. He won't want somethign that is a complete beast, or too show-offish. what other options are there in this kind of price range? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 If he drives a 5 series it's going to be difficult to get anything he will like as much as it, after all it's unanimously been given the acolade by all the magazines as 'best in class'. The only other cars I can think of in that price range would be an A6, Merc E-Class or perhaps, an A4 3.0TDI? The new V6 320CDI CLS Merc is a fab car, but maybe a bit pricy at £43k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mu71rd Posted November 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 yeah that's the problem. But BMWs aren't what they were I don't think, and he needs to broaden his horizons. He kind of wants to as well, but doesn't really know anything about other makes/models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 It's hard to ignore the 5 series sport range though, especially the diesels - 520d, 525d, 530d and 535d. My Mum drives a 530d Sport and it's a great car, but like your Dad she also fancies a change,so she's looking at the E320 and CLS as alternatives to another BMW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 DO NOT BUY A MERC! Stop even suggesting them! Lexus, BMW or Audi. He should try all 3 and see which he likes best He could also consider the latest offerings from Volvo, Skoda and Saab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] DO NOT BUY A MERC! Saab. [/ QUOTE ] You have to be kidding, you tell people not to buy a Merc, then recommend they consider a Saab (or should I say Vauxhall!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activa Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] You have to be kidding, you tell people not to buy a Merc, then recommend they consider a Saab (or should I say Vauxhall!). [/ QUOTE ] Remember modern day Mercs aren't anywhere near as good as they once were. Whereas Saab may well be on the way up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuntimeFrankie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 How about new Passat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Remember modern day Mercs aren't anywhere near as good as they once were. Whereas Saab may well be on the way up! [/ QUOTE ] From what I gather, it's the dealers who are letting things down, rather than the cars. Having read up on the E-Class and CLS, they both appear to be very good cars. Saab may be on their way up, but they started very low down so it will take them a long time to get to BMW or Mercedes standards. Saab as a cheap 2nd hand purchase perhaps, but not as a new car, the depreciation is horrendous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 My Dad has just bought himself a new V50 Sooty chucker as a 70th Birthday pressie and loved it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activa Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 My friend has worked for a major Merc dealership for the last seven years and he admits that the quality of the cars isn't all it should be. I've never really thought of Saabs being that bad tbh,although I've never considered buying one either. In fact,I haven't thought about Saabs full stop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My friend has worked for a major Merc dealership for the last seven years and he admits that the quality of the cars isn't all it should be. [/ QUOTE ] Interesting to hear that, insider information is always good to have! Does anyone know how Merc performed in the JD Power survey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 As someone who got burned with a faulty C32 AMG, I am no lover of Mercs, but the quality is on its way back on the new models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My Dad has just bought himself a new V50 Sooty chucker as a 70th Birthday pressie and loved it [/ QUOTE ] i agree, they make good 'dad' cars. My old mans just bought a black TD5 XC70, not my cup of tea, but suits him down to the ground, and he loves it to pieces. What about a Disco TD5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A3Floyd Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 I know of a diehard Merc fan thats sold his Merc cos he was so disappointed with it. He's owned various Mercs for over 20 years now and would never have considered an Audi or BMW over a Merc but his experience has changed his mind. Speaks HUGE volumes for me. I think he got an E-Class but apparenly the build quality was aweful compared to his old S-Class. I wouldn't be spending my hard-earned on a Merc. My money would probably do on a new shape 5 series. Has to be a sport model though. or a second-hand S6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 I would deffo go with the Lexus IS250.. not been in one yet or seen on in the flesh but it looks fantastic in the pics. Better than the A4 or BMW 3 easily. The dealer service is great and the costs are low, they are a real quality car. Depreciation will be very low as well as its a brand new model, the old one was very very good when it was first launched. I had an IS200 and it was a great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mu71rd Posted November 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 and as I understand it there's a new sporty IS250 coming out, and powerful diesel. is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Lexus image isn't everyones cuppa. How about a Volvo S60 D5 for something different ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Lexus own all bases tbh. They're always top of the JD power surveys aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simkna Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 I would try to get him into a Volvo S60 D5 TBH. At least take one for a spin, I think you'll be surprised. Si. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 MY old man is thinking of changing next year as well. He was hoping the A5 would be out by then, otherwise he's thinking of an S3 as it is just him and my mum and was well impressed with mine. If your old man is after a bigger car, an A8 3.7 of 4.2 QS wouldn't go amiss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 But Lexus is just so, well, Japanese. I just don't like them at all, just a Toyota. I think the new 5 M sport is very hard to beat, but I really don't think that the Merc E or CLS should be ignored either, my dad just did 60k miles in his E cdi and it only went in to have one thing replaced. And he has an S-Class at the moment, had it for about 10 months and that has been fine. What about an ex demo A8, now that is a nice motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] and as I understand it there's a new sporty IS250 coming out, and powerful diesel. is that correct? [/ QUOTE ] Yep thats right. The Sport looks to be the best value for money / options etc. and is out early next year. The diesel is going to be a latest generation common rail 2.2 Its 175 BHP and enough torque to keep a 3.0 diesel honest. Reports that I have read about it people are seriously impressed. As to others comments that they are japanese and Toyotas.. erm yes so what. Now what would I rather have, over priced German poor quality. Or bang up to date features, stunning build, quality at great prices. Top Gear, JD power surveys, and even the German themselves rate Japanese cars above the Audi / BMW / Merc equivalents. German cars poor reliability Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mu71rd Posted November 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 hmmm. lexus sounds great to me. Any links about the new lexus cars? best not talk to much about german car reliability - with mine arriving in about two days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Hey I have an Audi and it has no problems but they tend to have more.... Anyway. I have made a few links / info on the new Lexus in the Japanese forum. TSN Japanese Forum Has lots of info / links etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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