Exploring replacement car options
As hopefully spring is around the corner I might be looking at options to replace my 2010 Lexus. So the cars I will be looking at will be a size step down because there are only 2 of us. I will be keeping the XKR for our cruising and weekend excursions. So here are my candidates. Jaguar XE , Lexus IS , Alfa Romeo Giulia and maybe the new KIA stinger. Would like AWD and even manual transmission. So for you gearheads what are some of your thoughts. Also any other candidates in this size range. Just fishin so far.
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All are nice cars but I'm weak for Alfa Romeo and the Guilia is sooooo Beautiful. The new Kia Stinger is really nice looking but I expect it to be to "Asian". The Lexus is nice too but not as good looking as an Alfa Romeo!:-)
I will for the fun of it go to a Kia dealer and testdrive the Stinger for the fun of it cause it is a nice looking car.:-) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...f5f18ddc50.jpg |
I can't imagine driving KIA, I know they addressed their reliability issues from 90s era, but this is all I can think of when looking at the brand. It is also very downmarket unless you are looking at Genesis. G80 Sport is really good value and not tarnished by KIA brand.
Alfa is a gorgeous car, but I expect it will be disastrously unreliable. Past Alfas (e.g. Spider) were always challenging to keep running. Lexus is for people who don't like cars or driving. Uninspired drive, ultra-upscale interior. Really good reliability. I personally really like BMW M2, Volvo S60 Polestar and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. |
This past fall, I gave away my 1999 Lexus ES300, and because my wife wanted to have ‘at least one reliable car in the house’ I bought a 2014 Lexus IS350 AWD (the first year of the current gen 3 IS). The car drives great, and in ‘sport’ mode it feels very light and lively. Really fun to turn off the traction control and do some four wheel spin donuts in an empty snow covered parking lot. So, no complaints, been great so far. |
The Alfa is a great car. Used Maserati’s are great values (they tank
More than Jags) so a Ghibli is viable. I go Alfa at that size. The Alfa/Maser reliability issues are as outdated as Jags. |
Are American cars off the table Jagtoes? I'd recommend looking into Cadillac
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Originally Posted by Sean W
(Post 1860597)
Are American cars off the table Jagtoes? I'd recommend looking into Cadillac
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Alright now no laughing, but the most comfortable car I've ever sat in was the 2017 Buick LaCrosse. Didn't test drive it because I wasn't in the market and I didn't want to get the Salesman's hopes up so I just sat in it. It was ridiculously comfortable.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...cdb1e04307.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a3702447f3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...cbd63e49d7.jpg |
Originally Posted by Sean W
(Post 1860635)
Alright now no laughing, but the most comfortable car I've ever sat in was the 2017 Buick LaCrosse. Didn't test drive it because I wasn't in the market and I didn't want to get the Salesman's hopes up so I just sat in it. It was ridiculously comfortable.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...cdb1e04307.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a3702447f3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...cbd63e49d7.jpg |
Buick..................
.......... I told my Mom I'd say nothing at all........... |
Originally Posted by Cee Jay
(Post 1860645)
Buick..................
.......... I told my Mom I'd say nothing at all........... |
The wheels on the Giulia are too small. Like roller skate wheels.
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I have a top spec XE and it's a great handling car, strong pull from the engine, and great safety features. Trunk is a little small, the brakes are nothing to write home about. If you could score a deal on Giulia Q would be my first pick, then XE, or if you want to lease a Ghibli has some strong offers. I wish the XE had the Ghibli brakes and transmission tuning.
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I drove a Giulia recently: very precise, tight, and crisp steering. Build quality better than expected, certainly in terms of fit/finish.
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Originally Posted by Sean W
(Post 1860635)
Alright now no laughing, but the most comfortable car I've ever sat in was the 2017 Buick LaCrosse.
I drove the Alfa Giulia too just out of curiosity to compare with the XE. Alfa is better looking but that's all its got. XE is hands down a much more comfortable and refined small sedan. I sure wouldn't want to drive an Alfa on a long road-trip as I found the seat squab way too short, no thigh support. I've owned a Lexus LS400 (destroyed in accident, replaced with X308). It was the same thing as the Buick, with seats four inches wider than I am. But on the other hand, Lexus didn't inspire you to take a corner fast enough to slide across the leather either. I only bought it because I'd had Supras and Landcruisers before and so when I wanted a luxury sedan, a Lexus seemed logical. If it hadn't got wrecked, I probably wouldn't have kept it long anyway. The X308 turned out to be much more comfortable, much more fun to drive and probably nearly as reliable as I had no issues with it till it started getting really old. I wound up buying a low mileage XF, sticking with the Jaguar brand. I love the interior and the seats in the Portfolio trim are very comfortable to me. I've finally gotten the Spires comfort suspension installed and looking for some wheels/tires with more sidewall. Buick came closer than anything to the x308 ride (altho nothing built in the last five years comes very close), but those Buick seats were a non-starter. Obviously, comfort is very subjective, but overall, probably one of the most important factors in car choice, particularly for a daily driver. |
I had a Hertz Buick Encore earlier this year for a few days and I was relatively impressed. It is not like the Buicks of old. Why not take a look at the S60 Volvo? I've heard a lot of good things about it. Let us know what you decide to do.
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Originally Posted by ralphwg
(Post 1861510)
Why not take a look at the S60 Volvo? I've heard a lot of good things about it. Let us know what you decide to do.
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On a pedestrian car front, we have owned a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid since new. I think we have put $900 into the car outside scheduled maintenance in 8 years. Not a lot of cache, but plenty of creature comforts.
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Originally Posted by dsd
(Post 1861740)
On a pedestrian car front, we have owned a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid since new. I think we have put $900 into the car outside scheduled maintenance in 8 years. Not a lot of cache, but plenty of creature comforts.
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I say get a manual Mini. They’re well put together, tons of fun and Im sure you can find one that suits your needs. |
+1 on the Genesis G80 Sport! Best value for the money in this segment and the technology is well beyond any of the competitors. |
I've rented a few cars intended for daily driving to research basic things like comfort, quiet, handling, etc. A few long 2-3 hour trips is worth the spend and gives you more data than a test drive.
I've sat in a Ford Fusion. I thought it was comfortable for the 10 minutes I was in it but was surprised to read the complaints about how uncomfortable it was from owners (Edmunds). Hence renting the car would answer that question for me. What you can't get from reviews is the height, weight, age and what they're comparing it to. I'm following with interest Jagtoes. |
Originally Posted by Sean W
(Post 1862997)
............
I've sat in a Ford Fusion. I thought it was comfortable for the 10 minutes I was in it but was surprised to read the complaints about how uncomfortable it was from owners (Edmunds). Hence renting the car would answer that question for me. What you can't get from reviews is the height, weight, age and what they're comparing it to. I'm following with interest Jagtoes. Yeah, the head 'supports' as Ford calls them; Not head 'rests'. They bend WAY forward and force one's head too far in front of the shoulders. That in turn forces one's back into a banana, which is very aggravating after not too long. MY fix in wife's Fusion was to pull the stupid things out, leaving no headrest/support. MUCH more comfy, but worthless in a collision. Guess the Ergonomics guys at Ford should have thought that through a LOT more. I'm going to cut and reweld the headrest supports in hers once it gets warm and sunny, angled back at least 30 degrees from what they are stock. Lots of people on the Fusion Forum do this. |
What about the I-Pace for a taste of the future? Early reviews seem pretty positive, and it'll be eligible for the $7500 tax credit.
2019 Jaguar I-Pace High-Tech Slalom Test Drive: Electric Crossover Struts Its Stuff - The Drive |
Originally Posted by Simon Tan
(Post 1863005)
What about the I-Pace for a taste of the future? Early reviews seem pretty positive, and it'll be eligible for the $7500 tax credit.
2019 Jaguar I-Pace High-Tech Slalom Test Drive: Electric Crossover Struts Its Stuff - The Drive |
Originally Posted by Cee Jay
(Post 1862999)
AH! The infamous "Headrest-pusher".
Yeah, the head 'supports' as Ford calls them; Not head 'rests'. They bend WAY forward and force one's head too far in front of the shoulders. That in turn forces one's back into a banana, which is very aggravating after not too long. MY fix in wife's Fusion was to pull the stupid things out, leaving no headrest/support. MUCH more comfy, but worthless in a collision. Guess the Ergonomics guys at Ford should have thought that through a LOT more. I'm going to cut and reweld the headrest supports in hers once it gets warm and sunny, angled back at least 30 degrees from what they are stock. Lots of people on the Fusion Forum do this. |
Originally Posted by dsd
(Post 1863024)
The price point puts it square in Tesla territory. I also wouldn’t count on the $7500 unless you buy in the next 5 minutes— the numbers will sunset.
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Originally Posted by Simon Tan
(Post 1863036)
The tax credit is tied to the manufacturer, so the numbers are sunsetting soon for Tesla since they are closing in on 200,000 units sold. Jaguar hasn't even sold an EV yet, so the tax credit will be available for a good while. Tesla is going to be in really bad shape once the tax credits are gone for its models and the mainstream high-end manufacturers start pumping out fresher competing models. Kudos to Jag for coming out ahead of the Germans.
I spec’d an I-Pace and I just didn’t feel like it was an $85k vehicle. $60k would have been more interesting— but I’m cheap. |
Originally Posted by Cee Jay
(Post 1862999)
AH! The infamous "Headrest-pusher"....................
Lots of people on the Fusion Forum do this.
Originally Posted by dsd
(Post 1863029)
Interesting, We’ve had no such issues.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...1f0021ed82.png |
I think my Fusion predates this issues as a MY2010 (I bought it new in Feb 2010).
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Well this post has grown more then I thought it would. As I start to narrow my thoughts down some of the criteria is that it should be a unique model (rare or scarce) . It should be the size of lets say the XE . Don't want a cross over or an SUV. Won't be a hybrid or EV. Won't be a 2 door or hatch back. Won't be front wheel drive but may consider rear wheel drive . So with that I am going to see what fits and then in the up coming months see what the dealers have and get some test drives. Maybe I'll find what I want so we'll have to see. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
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Originally Posted by jagtoes
(Post 1863063)
... As I start to narrow my thoughts down some of the criteria is that it should be a unique model (rare or scarce) . It should be the size of lets say the XE . Don't want a cross over or an SUV. Won't be a hybrid or EV. Won't be a 2 door or hatch back. Won't be front wheel drive but may consider rear wheel drive ...
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Imo, Alfa, Maser, or Jag :-)
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Originally Posted by Cee Jay
(Post 1863065)
... and you DON'T want a Lexus IS???
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I like the IS
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https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...f4723a9089.jpg
Originally Posted by dsd
(Post 1863070)
Imo, Alfa, Maser, or Jag :-)
Looked up IMO! Haha! |
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6f5f8eca14.jpg
How about a Lamborghini SUV? |
I'll go with the XE. We've had ours for 2 1/2 years now (got them before you did) and it is just a brilliant driver's car. My wife would kill me if I tried to get her out of it. It also (in R sport guise) looks pretty mean on the road.
I am also partial to volvo, though I preferred them with the 5 potters and the turbo 6, both of which have gone by the wayside. I also dont really think that they are a good car for spirited driving (save the AWD polestar models), more a comfortable cruiser. The Guilia looks pretty flash, but we have an alfa and the ownership experience is not good, especially when compared to the Jag ownership experience. |
Originally Posted by kj07xk
(Post 1863082)
So what’s wrong with my IS? (other than the butt ugly nose, which I never see) The desired description was pretty much EXACTLY Lexus IS. I wouldn't think Jagtoes would even bother to look at anything BUT an IS. It's a bit under-powered, but pretty much everything out there is under-powered. |
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