What's the car equivalent of the Hundy?

[RND1]

Our Honda Ody is getting a bit long in the tooth so we're thinking of replacing it with a sedan since we have the Hundy and our kids are getting older so the need for 2 large vehicles is slowly diminishing.

So, is there a car equivalent to the 100 - built like a tank, uber reliable, seating for 5, aging gracefully, holding it's value, and gets decent fuel economy (20+ mpg)? The natural choice seems to be the LS (fuel econ?) but can't picture my wife wanting to drive one of those - seems to be reserved for chairman of the board types.

Perhaps an AWD 5 series BMW? Think it fails in the reliability category?

EDIT: Also needs to be capable in the snow - LS430 is RWD only right?

 

[planomateo]

LS430.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

LS430 x 2

The LS460L would be a better choice if in the budget.

 

[ed94r]

2001-2003 E39 BMW 530i is my vote. Coolant system is a weak point and considered a maintenance item every 60K. Other than that, tank.

 

[2000LC]

2000 Subaru Legacy

 

[natehack]

Acura could be a consideration as well and AWD models are around. Less of the dentist vibe going for it. We loved our TSX when we had it.

What does your wife want in a car? THAT is the most important decision maker

E39's are a nice car when they work and the aftermarket part availability and DIY database is quite large...

 

[RND1]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. I can't believe how cheap early LS460's are? If that was a 2007 Hundy with 66K miles, it would be $28K - $30K+

2007 Lexus LS460 LS 460

We had an e39 540i6 - most unreliable car we ever owned. Almost made me swear off BMW. I was thinking 2011 or newer body style, but still concerned about reliability issues past 100K miles given my past experience with the platform.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

Slightly higher price point, but...get one of these!

2018 Lexus - LS Luxury Sedan - Luxury Sedan

 

[joseywales]

So, is there a car equivalent to the 100?

Yup:

 

[joseywales]

I’m so gonna get in trouble for that!

 

[TLC Dan]

Our other ride is a 2000 Lexus GS400. 300HP 4.0 version of the 4.7 in our LX470. Quite fast, electronically limited to 149MPH. I have had it to 130 but it is so smooth and quiet that it was actually boring. We have had it for 14 years and my wife says we can only replace it when it dies and we have to push it off the road. 27-28 mpg on the highway. Rocking Nakimichi stereo. The brakes are awesome. Handling is precise. We run studded snow tires in the winter and coupled with VSC, RWD is good for everything except 1 ft of snow on our road but that is what the LX is for.......

 

[Otter]

Subaru Outback

 

[LX470Beast]

GS-F, sporty like a BMW but reliability of a Lexus. Slightly smaller than LS.

Owned an BMW 650 Convetable. Loved the car but hated BMW, dealers, and all it’s problems. Lexus certainly sploils its customers. Will never buy a BMW again, but close to close to 8 Lexus and over 12 Toyota’s over my lifetime. Currently owns 4 Lexuses and an FJ40.

 

[LX470Beast]

Our other ride is a 2000 Lexus GS400. 300HP 4.0 version of the 4.7 in our LX470. Quite fast, electronically limited to 149MPH. I have had it to 130 but it is so smooth and quiet that it was actually boring. We have had it for 14 years and my wife says we can only replace it when it dies and we have to push it off the road. 27-28 mpg on the highway. Rocking Nakimichi stereo. The brakes are awesome. Handling is precise. We run studded snow tires in the winter and coupled with VSC, RWD is good for everything except 1 ft of snow on our road but that is what the LX is for.......

Owned one, 98 one of the best car I ever owned. Regretted getting rid of it. Person who bought it from me has over 300K.

 

[UltraFJ40]

I’m so gonna get in trouble for that!

Boo.

I'd go with the Subaru. It even looks like a little 100 series.

 

[chopperjamie]

Our other ride is a 2000 Lexus GS400. 300HP 4.0 version of the 4.7 in our LX470. Quite fast, electronically limited to 149MPH. I have had it to 130 but it is so smooth and quiet that it was actually boring. We have had it for 14 years and my wife says we can only replace it when it dies and we have to push it off the road. 27-28 mpg on the highway. Rocking Nakimichi stereo. The brakes are awesome. Handling is precise. We run studded snow tires in the winter and coupled with VSC, RWD is good for everything except 1 ft of snow on our road but that is what the LX is for.......

I second TLC Dan. I had a 1999 GS300 and it was the best car I have ever owned. Fast enough, smooth, quiet and comfortable. I lost it in a divorce (my ex-wife sold it and bought a ford focus...that should explain enough of that). That was 8 years ago and when I first drove the LC I have now, it was like a flashback to that GS.

If the time comes that I ever need a regular 2wd car again, I will go for an LS or GS no questions asked.

 

[lt1fire]

LS430 no question about it...... most reliable luxury car and the LC is the most reliable SUV.

 

[RND1]

Hmm I think she might like a 2010 - 2013 GS 350 AWD and that would fit well in our price range.

Kinda surprised Subaru is coming up - I always thought they felt so tinny and lightweight, nothing like the tank like build quality of the Hundy.

LOL on the FJ Cruiser...

 

[lhommec13]

I've owned several of the cars being talked about so I'll chime in. As others have expressed, I believe the Lexus LS is the "car" equivalent to the LC/LX. In terms of build quality, reliability, seating for 5 and the fun to drive factor, it's all there. Mine was a 1996 LS400 with RWD but it handled so well for a car of its size and drove so smooth. The later LS460 models are offered in AWD, so that might be a good pick. As for the BMW e39, I've only had mine since August but so far so good. Can't speak to its reliability yet, but it's also not my daily driver. It's more the summer/weekend car. Wifey drives a 2016 Subaru Forester which I have the privilege of driving occasionally. As a result, I will never buy another Subaru again. Worst commercials too.

 

[RND1]

@lhommec13 is that an M5? If so, I've read many posts where the M5 mill is more reliable than the 4.4L mill in the 540i6 that I had. They must also beef up the chassis to handle all that torque unlike the 540i which loved to rotate ripping the power steering pump right off the block. Leaking valley pan gasket, exploding fans, electrical gremlins, abs wheel sensors - I could go on and on with what I went through with mine, but it was my DD and I did love it when it ran well.

I'm going to look at the LS460 AWD and GS350 AWD as possible replacements.