Originally Posted by
7milesout
You guys are hitting all around this thread with things that interest me. As for the Mercedes. If you're thinking about buying one used, I suggest to resist. As we've discussed in another thread. They're a nice looking car. And when they work they're fine. But when they need repair, your bank account is going to suffer. And it happens more than expected. If you're dying for a Mercedes, I say lease one as cheaply as you can and see if it doesn't crap out about the time your lease is ending. I've never leased, but leasing a Mercedes might be wise. Although expensive, because their value is not holding these days, and as I understand it, leasing is virtually Lease Price = Predicted Depreciation + Rent. But at least you'd get to walk away when it starting to crap out. And have warranty the whole time.
I drove my Lexus LS 460L to my dad's house last night. He's not doing so well now, and I'm traveling up to help him out every other weekend. ~140 miles each way. The LS's tires are plum worn out, and vibrate just a touch every now and then. But even with the tire wear, the ride is spectacular. Not a driver's car type of feel. But just smooth and solid. I listen to whatever tunes I'm in the mood for on the Mark Levinson sound system and it is the highlight of the car (to me). 385 hp available, and cruised at 80 mph (2,000 rpm) and averaging about 24 mpg. But I feel guilty riding in a car that nice. Every time I drive it I think, I'm wasting money driving this car. I go 1 week from now to bring home my Mighty Mirage, and make my 2nd of 2 car payments ($500 deposit to keep others mitts off my car, and paying the balance when I get there). I'm not going to feel guilty EVER, piling the miles on the Mighty Mirage.
I guess I'll sell my Lexus. I'm short on room, and it'll cut it off at the value it's at. I'll get more for it 10 years old than I'm paying for my Mirage.
Lexus and Toyota make high quality vehicles. My driver's ed car was a 1999 Toyota Corolla, and the car felt solid, and had great ease-of-use all around. I just drove my Mirage to the local yard waste spot, and was talking to my neighbour for a minute who has a newer Corolla. Probably better bet for a 1 million-mile car with a Corolla new, than an A series Mercedes new.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 42.2 mpg (US) ... 17.9 km/L ... 5.6 L/100 km ... 50.7 mpg (Imp)