Looking for a replacement for a Lexus IS250 - Budget £15k

Looking for a replacement for a Lexus IS250 - Budget £15k

Author
Discussion

ZX10R NIN

27,642 posts

126 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
No problem with not wanting one but the N/A engine is pretty much bulletproof & running costs are on par with a 340i, now the GTE isn't rare it just wasn't popular & when it comes to running costs these (just ring a dealer to see) aren't cheap.

Baldchap

7,681 posts

93 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
I'm struggling to see the advantage in getting yourself fresh depreciation on another car to save a comparatively miniscule amount on fuel.

As others have tried to point out, you'll lose money overall on this.

Sounds to me like you just want a change of car and are trying to justify it to yourself. Just get it bought if you want it.

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

88 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
No problem with not wanting one but the N/A engine is pretty much bulletproof & running costs are on par with a 340i, now the GTE isn't rare it just wasn't popular & when it comes to running costs these (just ring a dealer to see) aren't cheap.
The engines are great. It’s basically the fast version of my car. The running costs on a GTE aren’t cheap?

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

88 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
Baldchap said:
I'm struggling to see the advantage in getting yourself fresh depreciation on another car to save a comparatively miniscule amount on fuel.

As others have tried to point out, you'll lose money overall on this.

Sounds to me like you just want a change of car and are trying to justify it to yourself. Just get it bought if you want it.
I’m just looking at options. It’s not just the fuel, but the car overall, RFL, insurance, fuel and servicing.

I’m sure many people who change cars could keep their current car, but instead opt for a new replacement. I don’t know my job may change in a years time if I am given a better opportunity and more money, which could result in a longer commute.

But at the moment I’m just considering options as the Lexus IS is fine. No harm in looking at something else.

GoodDaySunday

36 posts

52 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
You might be better off asking your question over on the honestjohn forum as they tend to think less about performance and more about cost, reliability etc. I have some sympathy with your POV running an old Auris hybrid myself that costs peanuts and my wife has a CT200H.

As for your choices...

Audi A1/A3 - have the impression these are engineered to last 3 years to cover the lease period but start to cost money after that. Interiors are apparently great but I care more for the engineering quality.

Lexus CT200H - I wasn't a big fan when my wife bought hers but it's growing on me. They are well built and should last provided you keep up with servicing which can be done by a Toyota garage at less cost than a Lexus one. Zero road tax too for pre Apr 2017 cars.

Toyota Yaris - probably too small as you are coming from a bigger car. I've had a few Yaris courtesy cars and never liked them. A tin box on wheels...

VW Golf GTE - depreciation likely to be steep given the speed of electric car development.

BMW 330e - long term reliability questionable given it was one of the first, if not the first, BMW hybrid. The honestjohn site bears this out with the following:

honestjohn said:
20-10-2018: Report that due to the problem with the PHEV KLE Charge Control Units... production of BMW 330e models ceased in July 2018 and numerous are on sale at knock-down prices.
In your position personally I would be keeping the IS250. Having said that I keep thinking about changing my Auris. I used to have fun/fast cars and am tempted to go there again given petrol costs aren't a concern now given I do few miles. In the last few days I've been looking at Abarths, BMW M2 (more money but should depreciate less when they stop making them) and the left field Jimny! Decisions, decisions...

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

88 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
GoodDaySunday said:
In your position personally I would be keeping the IS250. Having said that I keep thinking about changing my Auris. I used to have fun/fast cars and am tempted to go there again given petrol costs aren't a concern now given I do few miles. In the last few days I've been looking at Abarths, BMW M2 (more money but should depreciate less when they stop making them) and the left field Jimny! Decisions, decisions...
Thanks for that I may have a look at that site. As I say I’m just looking at options. Cars depreciated there is no way of getting round it. Well unless you have the money to spend on some very sought after cars.

For myself a Hybrid would make sense. But it’s not a definitive decision. What I have found with the Lexus IS is that it’s not that easy to sell. As they are not popular cars and are mostly bought by loyal Lexus owners. Which in most cases many look at an ISF.

At present I am getting a good offering for my car. But i have two years left on finance, before owning it outright.

ooid

4,103 posts

101 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
quotequote all
rdb85 said:
I don’t think I would replace my car with an ISF as they tend to be in the £20k range. I wouldn’t pay that personally for an old car.

I have been looking at the Golf GTE, which looks like it would tick all of my boxes.
Well my point was, it would really take some convincing to change my daily IS 250, which would be a fun option ISF. Otherwise, any other options you are mentioning would not even come close to Lexus reliability and confort. Economics? In the long term, you are always better off with a reliable car.

For VW? I'm not so sure..I had a look at Golf GTE too when they were new than I bought brand new VW Beetle 2.0 TSI previously as a daily. Super fun car-engine, with all the toys.. but VW reliability and built is not the same. It had rattles all over the interior after 12 months. The windows are not aligning and etc.. I sold it before the warranty expired, and moved into Lexus.. I also previously owned porsche,Merc and drove my parents cars such as Land Rover, Jeeps.. fun cars but none of them can come close to Lexus to be honest.


Baldchap

7,681 posts

93 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
Sadly I feel that Lexus have lost their way with the current 4 cylinder/hybrid line up.

Mo28

907 posts

101 months

Wednesday 29th January 2020
quotequote all
Both my parents have a Yaris Hybrid, mum uses it for around 3-4k miles a year and dad uses his for driving instructing and has done near enough 80k miles in 2 years on his, neither have once gone wrong and they come with 5 years warranty. It won't set your pants on fire but if you're looking for a cheap, reliable car that won't depreciate that much then the Yaris hybrid is your answer in my opinion.

Just be aware that the ones registered after April 2017 you will have to pay road tax for.