Suitable replacement for an IS 250?

[eleveneleven]

My Lexus is250 was written off in a serious accident that wasn't my fault

long story short I have a courtesy car for 2 weeks and Insurance will pay out so I need to start looking for a replacement whilst I have the car to get around in

Have thought about getting another IS250 I absolutely loved the one I had. aside from it being a little small in the rear I couldn't fault it.

Problem is I cant find an equivalent in budget and i'm doing about 10k miles a year now, a lot of motorway runs so thinking it might be a good opportunity to get into a diesel for the time being...

Requirements
- Reliable - The 250 was near bullet proof, aside from servicing and consumables I didn't spend a penny on it,

- Comfortable - good NVH, the more waft the better
- Safe - It's essentially a taxi for my kids
- 4 door, big enough for 2 child seats
- Would prefer an Auto but not a hard requirement given the budget.
- Diesel or Petrol
- Budget: £4,500

First thought was Honda Accord (gen 8) 2.0 or 2.2d - I've driven the 2.0 & 2.4 petrol versions, it's a nice car and would do the trick. Also considered a GS300 Lexus but don't quite fancy paying £600+VED

Had no experience with any of the following but they look appealing...

- Volvo S60 - gen 3 2.0[D3] or a high mileage gen 2 or 3 D5
- Volvo S80 - my budget would get me a high mileage 2.4D or a D5
- Mercedes C or E 220/250D - Money pits?

Whatever I get will be a dice roll at this budget, I understand things might break but I want to avoid any potential money pits if possible

but what would you be looking at as a suitable IS250 replacement? anyone have any experience with the above cars? What else am I missing?

Any advice would be much appreciated

thanks in advance.

Edited by eleveneleven on Friday 19th May 15:48

[Hammersia]

I think the insurance company is required to put you back in the equivalent position you were in before your car was written off. Send the insurance company details of equivalent IS250s for sale.

[ninjag]

You might struggle to get a 2.4 8th gen Accord for £4,500 but there should be a few 2.0 litre petrol. Very nice cars and the petrol engines are very reliable - at £4.5k there should be much to worry about with an Accord.

I would avoid auto though. I think their diesels will be Euro 5, just in case that matters.

[eleveneleven]

ninjag said:

You might struggle to get a 2.4 8th gen Accord for £4,500 but there should be a few 2.0 litre petrol. Very nice cars and the petrol engines are very reliable - at £4.5k there should be much to worry about with an Accord.

I would avoid auto though. I think their diesels will be Euro 5, just in case that matters.

yep not chance of getting a Gen 8 2.4 for that budget now, they've climbed steadily in value over the last 2 years.
There's a few 2.0 Petrols about, the auto's for both the 2.0 and 2.2 seems to be outside budget so would have to be a manual.

[eleveneleven]

Hammersia said:

I think the insurance company is required to put you back in the equivalent position you were in before your car was written off. Send the insurance company details of equivalent IS250s for sale.

Currently fighting with his insurer about that now, they're not willing to budge on their offer at the moment but gonna keep pushing.

[Hammersia]

eleveneleven said:

Hammersia said:

I think the insurance company is required to put you back in the equivalent position you were in before your car was written off. Send the insurance company details of equivalent IS250s for sale.

Currently fighting with his insurer about that now, they're not willing to budge on their offer at the moment but gonna keep pushing.

I think you should be talking to your insurance company, they claim the money off his insurer. That's what you're paying them for.

[KTMsm]

The obvious alternative to the IS250 is a 3 series

But they seem to have issues with injectors and pumps

[ZX10R NIN]

It sounds like your usage will suit a diesel & given your requirements there are some very good options for around 10K.

If you can stretch the budget a bit you'll get a last of the line Insignia which are a nice place to be with good NVH a nice amount of go as well as Android Auto/Carplay:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...

Infiniti Q70 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...

Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

Or the Q50 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304156...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305077...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296...

The drivetrains on the Infiniti's are proven with any decent Indy being able to service them & as you can see you'll get low mileage ones a smidge over your budget.

S80 D4 SE Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

DS5 Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

All the above are Euro6 & have sensible miles on so adding another 10k per year can be done without worrying about reliability.

[biggbn]

ZX10R NIN said:

It sounds like your usage will suit a diesel & given your requirements there are some very good options for around 10K.

If you can stretch the budget a bit you'll get a last of the line Insignia which are a nice place to be with good NVH a nice amount of go as well as Android Auto/Carplay:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304126...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...

Infiniti Q70 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...

Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

Or the Q50 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304156...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305077...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296...

The drivetrains on the Infiniti's are proven with any decent Indy being able to service them & as you can see you'll get low mileage ones a smidge over your budget.

S80 D4 SE Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...

DS5 Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

All the above are Euro6 & have sensible miles on so adding another 10k per year can be done without worrying about reliability.

His budget is 4500 I think?

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Hammersia said:

I think the insurance company is required to put you back in the equivalent position you were in before your car was written off. Send the insurance company details of equivalent IS250s for sale.

Nope, all the insurance company is required to do, is give you market value for the vehicle, based on mileage, condition and service history.

It could be that all the IS250s for sale have less mileage/newer or better service history or condition, if they were to give you enough for one of those, then thats betterment.

And if the car was worth £4500, and they are giving the OP £4500, he is in the same position, just because there are no cars available for that value, isnt the insurance companies issue.

[ZX10R NIN]

biggbn said:

His budget is 4500 I think?

You're correct my mistake OP at 4.5k it's a bit harder but here are a few options.

DS5 Sport 160:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

2.5 Mazda6 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

Again the Insignia is a good pick but go for the facelift model to avoid any potential pick up pipe issues:

SRI Nav 170:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305046...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303095...

[georgeyboy12345]

Don't buy a diesel.

Lexus is about as reliable as you'll get. At £4500 it's going to be a load of ropey unloved German stuff that is usually troublesome.

Honda Accord like you mention would be a close second
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...


I'd also consider a large hatch like a Mazda 6 - watch out for rust though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...

[ZX10R NIN]

Have to disagree the Op's usage suits a diesel.

[Scootersp]

GS300 of the same era?

You can get a SE-L in the lower tax bracket for your budget.

[Brassblaster]

Re the diesel question...

All I've seen is an annual mileage and that motorway runs are involved... In and of itself it's hard to say whether that suits or not - one day of 75 miles each way for work each week would be A-OK for diesel, multiple 5-mile bimbles between one junction and the next per day not so much.

I didn't see mention of ULEZ either but it seems to be being assumed...?


I like the Volvo's in Euro 5 and even 4 - the 5-cylinder 2.4d and D5 are pretty bombproof where an early years VEA 4-pot wouldn't be my choice, personally

[biggbn]

I'd keep looking for another IS250, one will turn up. You loved yours and will always compare whatever you get to the car you feel you should have bought.

[Truckosaurus]

Another IS250 seems the correct answer, there must be some lower mileage ones out there.

I can't face 'upgrading' mine to anything newer as everything is either a 4 cylinder or massively expensive to get into a decent 6-cyl Merc or BMW.

WBAC keep offering me £2750 for mine, so you can have it for £4500

[eleveneleven]

Appreciate the suggestions so far.

gonna keep an eye out for another 250 but I am very tempted by a S80 Volvo geartronic 2.4D or D5 preferably, seems like my kind of car

anyone have any experience with these? any engine or model year(s) in particular to avoid etc

Thanks