It's not much of a surprise that I'm in the market for another used car. This cycle occurs every 2-4 years and usually results in me loosing money on the deal. Not that I'm over paying for the cars I buy, but after selling my car and getting a new one, the exchange always results in more money being applied to the car fund.
This time around I'm looking for a four-door vehicle that comfortable seats 4 adults. I'm considering several cars and SUVs including the 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2003-2007 Lexus GX470, 2006-2008 Lexus GS430, 2003-2007 Lexus LX470, and Acura MDX. I've owned both Acura's and Lexus cars before, and noticed the quality differences between the two. That's not to say that there are not Lexus vehicles that have less than stellar build quality. For instance, the Lexus GX470 has some of the worst leather I've seen in their model lineup. It doesn't hold up well, as I've witnessed on several 2004 and 2005 used SUVs. And the numerous Acura RLs i've looked at have held up poorly to the daily use of buttons/controls. They seem to also show signs of wear on the leather and plastic inside the cabin.
Since my past cars have been the premium products from Lexus (LS430 Ultra luxury edition and the SC430), my standards are quite high. My search for an affordable, clean used luxury car will continue...
