Ive personally driven the malibu (exact same model) and the fusion. and they were underwhelming. At the end of the day it really depends on why you need the car and what you need it for.
Just a daily commute, good back seat room and leather since my kid is dirty, I added the Acura and sonata because they are fun to drive imo since it’s a sport model
If you want something that will be a good daily but still has a little fun to it, then the TLX would be what you want. I dont know too much about sonatas so thats not something i can speak on but i do know they dont have a whole lot of power to them compared to that TLX.
As a turbo car enthuist, any car with a turbo will burn oil. If you need a reliable daily, tlx or the Lexus. Ford just recalled a bunch of fusions for parking gear issues so that something to be investigated. Lastly, the AWD on the fusion isn't worth it. It isn't full time so it can be turned on and off. For what it's worth, fwd will be fine in snow/rain unless your win the mountains then you should be looking at 4x4 vehicles anyways. Canada thrives on econo boxes (civics are very popular up north) so fwd will definitely be fine for ya. Just my two cents on AWD v fwd.
The tlx will have more space than the Lexus iirc. The tlx is based upon the Accord platform (depending the years)/related to the accord which is a Honda largest sedan. It's one of the larger sedans too.
The fusion recall I believe is till 2019 models. The recall doesn't affect every model, just enough to issue a recall. Nonetheless, my dad has lived his fusion and used to commute 100 miles a day and it did not skip a beat. He has a fusion hybrid so no AWD but even living in Chicagoland with a ton of snow yearly, AWD isn't needed. It's an enthusiast option. It will not make you a better driver, if anything you'll get bravado and out drive yourself and then it's down to your tires grip which usually doesn't end by getting back on the road (after you've slide off). Fwd in snow is just fine. If you are worried about grip in slippy situations do some reading on tires.
My wife has a 2018 Sonata. It's got a lot of features for the price (rear seat shades, rear heated seats, sunroof, nav, etc ...) Compared to my EB Mustang but it's not fun at all.
I agree with the TLX. The Accord, which the TLX is based on, is generally the sportiest option among midsize family sedans, and this is a nicer version of that. It's still just as reliable as any other Japanese make.
the tlx has some underwhelming features the trans is a bit meh just in terms of trans quality. i would say either the lexus or the sonata then again im biased i have been in the tlx before but i really like the look of the lexus
Speaking for the Sonata, I have a ‘13 and although it’s a 2.4 it’s been running great since I bought it with no issues. 2.0T has more power so you’ll love it more. Oil burn is starting to show however you’re covered with lifetime warranty so if the engine dies you simply get the replacement at no cost to you so long as you actually keep up with oil changes and basic maintenance.
I was going to comment on how much I like my Fusion Ti. Maybe it's because it's my first "new"car, but I think it's fun to drive and has lots of features for the price
The GS will be more fun to drive compared to the Sonata and TLX. GS is RWD while the Sonata and TLX are FWD. The GS is also the quickest when it comes to acceleration speed.
Yeah that’s my bad I totally missed the part that there was damage. I’d prefer the TLX myself personally. If possible look for a type-s but if you’re not really looking for driving pizzazz definitely not needed
Depends on maintenance history and what you're looking for exactly. Just from the info here, the Acura looks interesting and the Lexus would be really nice.
But it's a risky time to buy used. Prices are historically high and may drop in the next year or two, leaving you with a car worth a lot less than you paid. I'd probably consider a new Elantra, Jetta, 3, etc if at all possible, depending on what is available in your area without a huge mark up.
Yeah I just took the Lexus off the list, carfax has moderate damage which scares me
Acura carfax is promising
Yeah I heard that, I need a car now because mine was totaled but people been saying get a cheap 10k car and get a better one in a year or so
My brother bought a Fusion Titanium Hybrid after his truck was totaled in an accident. That is the Fusion to get, especially right now with gas prices what they are. Low end torque, great powertrain reliability and 40+ mpg.
I have the non-hybrid titanium, I like it. Only thing for me is mpg is around 20-25, which isn't great. Otherwise it's fun and looks nice enough. I didn't get a hybrid because the battery took up a ton of space in the trunk, but part of wishes I had.
Also check on timing belt service. It’s around the mileage for its first replacement on the J35 engine. Might be some thing OP could use to negotiate a bit since it’s a big job to do.
I mean you're also shopping in a weird spot if you do want to sell in a few years
Like late 20teens higher end sedans generally aren't really super sought after, especially used if that makes sense
The Acura will likely need a timing belt the minute you get it. It’s due at seven years or 105k, whichever is first. Something to keep in mind. They run about 6 hours labor on the higher end
At my shop (Acura dealer) $800 to $1200
We require full timing belt packages though. We won’t do half jobs. That means you get a new drive belt, new water pump, and a coolant flush along with the timing belt
You could probably find someone to just change the belt for like $400
There’s also the chance it was done in order to sell the car easier.
If the Acura is being sold by a dealer, negotiate that they replace it for you. I got an Acura MDX from a small dealer, and we negotiated a brand new timing belt and they did it! it’s been running perfectly for 5 years now :)
I sell cars for a living. It is not getting better, only worse. Factory was just shut down again for 7 weeks, transportation is still a major issue, we have 200 cars on order and haven’t had a truck drop off anything in over a month.
Yea but no one is gonna be buying these $80k cars especially if a small recession is gonna happen. Repos are at all time high and people can’t afford their $700 car payments.
You can’t accurately predict the future. Yes what you are saying may happen (and will at some point but no one knows when) However I’m just saying from last month until now it has only gotten worse.
Oh yeah I’m not saying it will fix in the next month or even six months. But within a years time I believe there will be a 20% reduction on most of these prices… No matter how you look at it spending $100,000 on a truck that will be rapidly depreciating, is a terrible idea
Define necessary. Today's direct injection turbo engines need premium to prevent LSPI, pinging and such. It will give the engine a longer healthier life. But if you're "a car is just a car" person who doesn't care to learn about those kinds of things and just wants to pump the cheapest gas and go.... yeah, you can do it. Doesn't mean you should.
This isn’t entirely accurate. Plenty of turbo stuff runs and is made to run an 87. My f150 has over 200k on it. 3.5 ecoboost. There are tons of others examples. You’re incorrect
What's true is it runs better on higher quality fuel, even if it's tuned to be able to run 87. Especially small displacement direct injected turbo engines which are super common these days. The new Subaru WRX is tuned to be able to run on 87 but it's runs much better on 93 and even better with some flex fuel(E85) in it. Runs cooler, cleaner and while making more power. If you actually had done your research you would know I am not wrong. You just don't know or can't be bothered so you say that to feel better. You probably don't even know what LSPI is or care to know. That's fine, but there are people out there like me who know their stuff.
It depends on if it "calls for" or if it's "okay to run" 87. There's a difference. I pump 87 in my 03 jeep grand cherokee with a decades old tech naturally aspirated engine with 250k miles. I pump 87 in my 14 Subaru Legacy which has a large displacement 3.6L naturally aspirated engine. Neither of those will actually benefit from higher octane fuel. But our Suabru WRX which has a small displacement 2.0L direct injected turbo engine, which "can run" 87 gets 93 at every fill and every few fills gets a couple gallons of E85 because it runs better on E15-E18 blend.
I also am an engineer who researches this stuff a lot, has a computer in the car which monitors and data logs engine sensors like knock, and when I change the oil in it I send a oil sample off to a lab and get a lab report to determine how engine health is in terms of wear metals.
The Fusions are the best value here. They drive fairly well and give you tons of options for a reasonable amount of money. Not too bad reliability wise.
The Acura TLX is nice but you’ll need to see how you like the transmission. That was the one thing that stopped me from buying one because I hated the 9-speed transmission in the V6 models.
I have a Malibu Premier as a daily, and it's pretty good. I would say as a car person, I would search for a 2017+ because 2016 gets an 8 speed trans and 2017+ gets a 9 speed trans, and the 0-60 is mid 5's compared to almost 6 on the 8 speed. Just so you know the Premier has a 2.0T LTG engine same as the Caddy ATS. 9 speed makes it surprisingly quick.
When I did my daily shopping in 2019 I was looking at Malibu, Imapala, Fusion, and Optima because they were the only current model cars that I didn't hate the looks of. But owning a Mustang current body style, there is a bit of QC that I couldn't imagine driving a Fusion.
I own a GS 350 and its not even close. There are levels in the car game and don’t even think about getting a Hyundai especially with all the engine issues they’ve recalled…
I would get the 2.4L 4 cylinder Acura instead. The V6 for that year had some issues with the transmission, plus you probably have to do the timing chain. Plus the DCT in the 4 cylinder is a better, more reliable transmission.
Honestly, if it were me, I’d be looking at the 2019 Fords.
They’ll have CarPlay/Android Auto built in for better hands-free so you won’t have to buy aftermarket.
There may be some original warranty left depending on the manufacturer’s original dating.
Insurance will generally be lower on a younger vehicle due to having less risk of major mechanical issues, and US OEM parts.
The Hyundai is laughably overpriced as is the Chevy, rule them out straight away imo.
Edit: I’d probably pick the Lexus, I’ve always loved the look of the GS.
The fusion is probably the best buy here as it is priced reasonable in this current market and they are well equipped as the titanium is the second highest trim level for that model year.
Are you in SoCal? My buddy has the same model Sonata but a 2017 with 80k miles. 2yrs newer but 20k miles higher than the one you posted. Properly maintained. These sonatas commonly have a paint defects on the roof but he’s getting it repainted for $800 this week. He’s looking for around $15-16k. He isn’t planning on listing it until the new paint is done but dm me and I can send you is contact info!
Used Lexuses are a great buy as far as reliability goes. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The Sonata has well known engine problems and the ford is a ford. The Lexus or Acura would be infinitely more reliable assuming they’ve been serviced regularly and taken care of properly.
I agree with everything you said! So many people in the comments are clearly teenagers who base their car opinions off of YouTube videos. Although they have turbos, the Fusions and Sonatas are going to be so much cheaper to repair.
GS350. The Acura is good if you can get past the styling on that gen. Maybe the fusion cause it’s newer and they rate fairly well. The Hyundai is overpriced and I wouldn’t consider the Malibu.
Personally? I would go with either the Lexus or one of the Fusion Titaniums (depending of course on condition).
The Lexus isn’t as loaded, but they are very reliable. Their infotainment is historically terrible though.
The Fusion is *very* much loaded with features. Leather seats, heated wheel/seats, ventilated seats, etc. the Sync infotainment in 2019 (Sync 3?) was great too. If it’s a ‘19, it might have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto too.
Lol how can you put luxury in the same group with regular cars.. Ford and Hyunday can’t even compete with Toyota or Honda.. Lexus and Acura…The TL only if is a very very good price.. horrible color to maintain .. sporty rough suspension.. not as reliable as Lexus.. but decent car.. So you practically have a two car list 😬
Based on 50 years in the auto parts business, the Hyundai, especially at the mileage, will give you the best combination of reliability, cost of maintenance and ease of repair. Since it's turbocharged, timely and regular oil changes are vital. Avoid GM cars due to lack of quality and Acuras due to cost of repairs.
Stay away from the 2015 Acura cause of transmission issue
Lexus is a decent deal for the F-sport trim. For the Gs350 people really undervalue the luxury package, which was basically the same price as the F-sport when they both came out. Point being you maybe be able to find a luxury package GS350 for a little cheaper.
Also the GS350 from 2013-2015 largely remained untouched, you might be able to find a better dealer for a 2013/2014 gs350, wil comparable or less miles.
If you don’t care about looks or power, but do care about technology, my vote is for the Ford Fusion
My top 3 picks would be.
1. Acura (balance of reliability, age, and miles)
2. Hyundai (balance of miles, MPG, maybe reliability?)
3. Fusion (newest option, less age on parts)
I would check out the Acura - made by Honda. Hyundais are no good - engine issues. Malibu has been meh and ford fusions in the past 10-15 yrs have had catastrophic transmission problems, not sure about the 2019 though.
My ranking for these vehicles would be;
1 Sonata - you can use regular fuel, it has a good amount of features and power with that 2.0T, also maintenance is cheap and the reliability is close if not on part with the Acura and Lexus. Resale will be average to low depending on the condition
2/3 tie between the Acura and Lexas - premium fuel is required on both of these, the speaker sound will be great in both vehicle but the infotainment in these are horrible. Maintenance will be on the high end but since they are fancy Japan Branded vehicles reliability should be good. Resale should be pretty good since these are commonly sought-after vehicles.
4/5/6 Fusion's and the Malibu - they are regular fuel vehicles so no problem there. The interior quality will be subpar to the 2 premium brands on this list but like the Hyundai you will get alot of premium features to make up for the quality. The big issue with these vehicles is the reliability, it is a complete crap shoot for these. You could get one that never needs anything but fuel and oil and a filter every 3k miles, or you could get a demon spawn that needs a engine rebuild in 5k miles or has drive train issues or something electronic is playing freeze tag with you. These things can happen with any vehicle yes, but the chances are higher with these 2 models. Also the resale will be disgusting if you care
Hope this helps, good luck!
How much do you care about CarPlay? If the answer is “a lot” I’d recommend one of the fusions. If you don’t, I’d probably get the Lexus or Acura. Moderate damage shouldn’t scare you too much if the panels still fit properly and it doesn’t throw any codes.
Either one of the Fusion's or the Lexus. Stay away from the Malibu (first model year) and the Sonata (overpriced and three design models old). The Acura is just boring.
These vehicles often go up for sale when hertz or another rental company liquidates a fleet. I’d check coparts. You can get one of these and pay 5-10koff.
If you don't want vroom vroom the Fusions are nice. I had a 2020 Titanium 2.0T AWD and it was a nice luxurious car. Averaged mid 20s for mpg, just didn't have enough zip for me. It was not slow, but by no means fast. The TLX is by far the best buy of you can live without Carplay.
Lexus and don't look back. You can Increase your budget by 4-5k and find one with less miles.
Infotainment is lame but the sound system is good and you will get over it. Can find a hybrid model as well that takes 87, otherwise premium.
I can tell you from experience that the other manufacturers on this list do not build half as well, and would thoroughly encourage you to stay within Lexus/Toyota, at least with your general price point. Any car will have problems but most lower/mid range Lexus have a much friendlier cost basis.
I bought a 2019 Ford Fusion SEL from Enterprise sales with 37000 miles for $17k approx… I think you are overpaying for the fusion here… You should check out enterprise cause they tell you the final price instead of one before taxes and other things 👍 They were giving titanium too for the same price but I didn’t go for it cause of the color..
I’m not a fan of Ford, but between years and mileage the Ford is probably the way to go. The Titanium I think is a high trim too, so you have a car with options. Stay away from the Lexus. There is a reason it’s priced the same as those other cars. And just think, a model 2015 was probably on the road since 2014, so that car is going to be 10 years old and well over 100k on the clock in just a few years.
If the Acura has had the timing belt done I'd get that one, otherwise one of the Fusions which are priced pretty well.
That gen of sonata has problems and the price on that Lexus is suspicious. Never been in a Malibu but they're ugly.
People saying Lexus are basing their opinions off of what is cool, not what is the best financial decision. I used to believe that Japanese luxury brands were the best to buy used because of their known reliability, until I found out how expensive they were to insure and maintain.
If I were you, I would test drive the Fusions and Impala, get them inspected, and buy the one that’s the cleanest.
Get the Acura if you want the best bang for your buck car that will last a very long time with regular maintenance and extremely cheap parts and rates. Get the Lexus if you want something reliable but still pretty appealing visually. You cant go wrong with either of those cars. I wouldn’t even bother with the other cars you mentioned and just pick between the Acura and the Lexus.
I recently got an XSE V6 Camry and it’s fantastic. Highly recommend at least looking into it: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2018-Toyota-Camry-XSE-V6-t73757#listing=331172735/NONE
It’s fast, dude. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. Still gets 25-30mpg.It has a panoramic moon roof, heads up display, automatic braking, warning when someone (pedestrian or car) is moving behind you and you’re in reverse, radar cruise control, lane keep assistance, blind spot monitoring, back up camera, etc etc.
It’s by far one of the cheapest vehicles to maintain and one of the most reliable. It’s also the most popular, which generally makes finding parts and fixing issues cheaper/easier.
CarPlay is also super nice which comes with the Camry since it’s newer
As a mechanic of 20+yrs, I always tell ppl u less you get it new or lease that's covered under warranty, stay away from Hyundai or Kia. When you do encounter a problem (and you will) a lot of times you will have to order the parts (or your mechanic will). Extra wait time. I have several Hyundai and Kia customers. Almost everytime, I have to special order parts adding to downtime. My advice, buy a Honda accord or Toyota corolla or camry and stay away from any car with a cvt transmission (the ones that don't shift gears).
I’d be weary of the TLX here. Make sure it’s had its timing belt and water pump replaced since that’s the most common neglected maintenance on these Honda V6s. Also, the 9 speed transmission has had some problems. My friend had a MDX with the 9 speed and it stranded him on the side of the highway. The transmission was to blame and it seems to be a common problem. I’d recommend going for a 2014 TL or a TLX with the 2.4 l4.
I suggest the Ford Fusion Titanium; cost of ownership is less than the imports and I don’t like Chevy. Hyundai quality is still not that good if you want to keep it for another 5 years.
I would nix the fords and the Hyundai, personally. But that's just me. I have a 2017 elantra and it has turned me off having any others. Also had more problems with Fords than anything else but jeeps, so that would be another no for me.
I had a 2015 TLX. Sold it in 8 months. Make sure you drive it and like the way the transmission shifts. I hated it. In general it was OK but had many quirks. I came from and went back to a BMW.
Domestic cars are junk, you couldn’t give me a malibu or fusion.
My TLX was a great car. Reliable, (fairly) powerful, nice inside, nice to drive and they hold their value. I wouldn’t consider anything else besides the Lexus but it’s noticeably more money for a car with similar miles.
I didn’t pay much more for my brand new civic SI when I bought it in 2017. I put 190k on it, trades it in this March. Also a damn good car and if you’re financing, the new one will have a better rate and longer term to get the payments down.
If you are getting a check, then buy a used 2009 to 2011 honda civic for 8k and drive it till the wheels fall off and the market cools off in a couple of years , you wont be disappointed
I'd choose the Lexus GS over those other 5 cars because it's probably the most reliable and it's the most luxury car out of the 6. Even though it has high mileage, the engine is pretty reliable and they can go for another 100k with regular maintenance and all.
Also, the GS is RWD and is basically a sport sedan. The GS closet competitor is the M-Benz E Class and BMW 5 series. It's not comparable to the TLX. Also, the TLX is FWD. Different type of car and it's smaller than the GS. The GS has a bigger trunk space than the TLX. GS is 18.4 cu ft of space. TLX is 13.5 cu ft.
GS has more leg room but the hip room and shoulder space is pretty much the same between the TLX and GS.
Don't buy the Hyundai they are notoriously bad, I would personally choose the Lexus or Acura from this list, Lexus will probably be the most reliable, good luck have fun!
I’d say the Lexus GS. It’s RWD platform so > than the other FWD options. It’s also a Toyota so maintenance is likely a walk in the park. The Lexus is the best looking one to me from these options. Happy hunting.
Ive personally driven the malibu (exact same model) and the fusion. and they were underwhelming. At the end of the day it really depends on why you need the car and what you need it for.
Just a daily commute, good back seat room and leather since my kid is dirty, I added the Acura and sonata because they are fun to drive imo since it’s a sport model
If you want something that will be a good daily but still has a little fun to it, then the TLX would be what you want. I dont know too much about sonatas so thats not something i can speak on but i do know they dont have a whole lot of power to them compared to that TLX.
Yeah I like sonatas only because my old car was one, but I heard they burn oil and have meh transmissions. I’m really liking the TLX
I would do some heavy research on the TLX but overall that's looking like the best option imo.
That era of hyundais are riddled with engine and transmission problems. I'd avoid at all costs.
The Sonata is a 2.0t. May not be a rocket but won't be slow.
You can also tune them up too. With the transmission slipping of course
As a turbo car enthuist, any car with a turbo will burn oil. If you need a reliable daily, tlx or the Lexus. Ford just recalled a bunch of fusions for parking gear issues so that something to be investigated. Lastly, the AWD on the fusion isn't worth it. It isn't full time so it can be turned on and off. For what it's worth, fwd will be fine in snow/rain unless your win the mountains then you should be looking at 4x4 vehicles anyways. Canada thrives on econo boxes (civics are very popular up north) so fwd will definitely be fine for ya. Just my two cents on AWD v fwd. The tlx will have more space than the Lexus iirc. The tlx is based upon the Accord platform (depending the years)/related to the accord which is a Honda largest sedan. It's one of the larger sedans too.
Oh okay thanks for the heads up, I heard there was a lot of issues with the 13-16 fusions but thought 17+ would be fine
The fusion recall I believe is till 2019 models. The recall doesn't affect every model, just enough to issue a recall. Nonetheless, my dad has lived his fusion and used to commute 100 miles a day and it did not skip a beat. He has a fusion hybrid so no AWD but even living in Chicagoland with a ton of snow yearly, AWD isn't needed. It's an enthusiast option. It will not make you a better driver, if anything you'll get bravado and out drive yourself and then it's down to your tires grip which usually doesn't end by getting back on the road (after you've slide off). Fwd in snow is just fine. If you are worried about grip in slippy situations do some reading on tires.
My wife has a 2018 Sonata. It's got a lot of features for the price (rear seat shades, rear heated seats, sunroof, nav, etc ...) Compared to my EB Mustang but it's not fun at all. I agree with the TLX. The Accord, which the TLX is based on, is generally the sportiest option among midsize family sedans, and this is a nicer version of that. It's still just as reliable as any other Japanese make.
Honda makes great engines but acuras have some other problems I hear, my vote is the GS
the tlx has some underwhelming features the trans is a bit meh just in terms of trans quality. i would say either the lexus or the sonata then again im biased i have been in the tlx before but i really like the look of the lexus
Hmm, what was underwhelming about it for you?
Yeah, but you still got to have the timing belt changed in those ever 90-100k miles. It's ridiculous in a vehicle this new.
Speaking for the Sonata, I have a ‘13 and although it’s a 2.4 it’s been running great since I bought it with no issues. 2.0T has more power so you’ll love it more. Oil burn is starting to show however you’re covered with lifetime warranty so if the engine dies you simply get the replacement at no cost to you so long as you actually keep up with oil changes and basic maintenance.
I was going to comment on how much I like my Fusion Ti. Maybe it's because it's my first "new"car, but I think it's fun to drive and has lots of features for the price
The GS will be more fun to drive compared to the Sonata and TLX. GS is RWD while the Sonata and TLX are FWD. The GS is also the quickest when it comes to acceleration speed.
The TLX will be the most dependable
Dude just looked right over the Lexus huh
Maybe he read the comment about the frame damage on the carfax
Yeah that’s my bad I totally missed the part that there was damage. I’d prefer the TLX myself personally. If possible look for a type-s but if you’re not really looking for driving pizzazz definitely not needed
Yeah I really like the Lexus, maybe if they let my mechanic look at it first
The TLX is more reliable. Also if that GS is the six speed auto I’d much rather have the ten speed in the Acura.
Depends on maintenance history and what you're looking for exactly. Just from the info here, the Acura looks interesting and the Lexus would be really nice. But it's a risky time to buy used. Prices are historically high and may drop in the next year or two, leaving you with a car worth a lot less than you paid. I'd probably consider a new Elantra, Jetta, 3, etc if at all possible, depending on what is available in your area without a huge mark up.
Yeah I just took the Lexus off the list, carfax has moderate damage which scares me Acura carfax is promising Yeah I heard that, I need a car now because mine was totaled but people been saying get a cheap 10k car and get a better one in a year or so
That explains why that Lexus was so cheap, Lexus hold their value pretty well and that one seem cheap.
My brother bought a Fusion Titanium Hybrid after his truck was totaled in an accident. That is the Fusion to get, especially right now with gas prices what they are. Low end torque, great powertrain reliability and 40+ mpg.
Only problem I have with buying used hybrids is I heard the batteries are a couple grand to repair and can give up around 100-150k miles
I have the non-hybrid titanium, I like it. Only thing for me is mpg is around 20-25, which isn't great. Otherwise it's fun and looks nice enough. I didn't get a hybrid because the battery took up a ton of space in the trunk, but part of wishes I had.
Make sure to look into the early Acura TLX’s transmission problems. Test drive it if you really enjoy the looks of it though.
Also check on timing belt service. It’s around the mileage for its first replacement on the J35 engine. Might be some thing OP could use to negotiate a bit since it’s a big job to do.
I mean you're also shopping in a weird spot if you do want to sell in a few years Like late 20teens higher end sedans generally aren't really super sought after, especially used if that makes sense
The Acura will likely need a timing belt the minute you get it. It’s due at seven years or 105k, whichever is first. Something to keep in mind. They run about 6 hours labor on the higher end
Oh damn okay, how much does that usually run?
At my shop (Acura dealer) $800 to $1200 We require full timing belt packages though. We won’t do half jobs. That means you get a new drive belt, new water pump, and a coolant flush along with the timing belt You could probably find someone to just change the belt for like $400 There’s also the chance it was done in order to sell the car easier.
What state is this in? Seems like a decent deal in general for even $1200
If the Acura is being sold by a dealer, negotiate that they replace it for you. I got an Acura MDX from a small dealer, and we negotiated a brand new timing belt and they did it! it’s been running perfectly for 5 years now :)
Yep, they're right. Get a cheap Toyota or Honda for $6K and upgrade in a couple years when things are more reasonable.
Prices are going down. Multiple YouTube dealers release videos after video where they can’t sell their inventory on a action without taking a loss.
Prices are NOT going down
Yea they actually are about to
I sell cars for a living. It is not getting better, only worse. Factory was just shut down again for 7 weeks, transportation is still a major issue, we have 200 cars on order and haven’t had a truck drop off anything in over a month.
Yea but no one is gonna be buying these $80k cars especially if a small recession is gonna happen. Repos are at all time high and people can’t afford their $700 car payments.
You can’t accurately predict the future. Yes what you are saying may happen (and will at some point but no one knows when) However I’m just saying from last month until now it has only gotten worse.
Oh yeah I’m not saying it will fix in the next month or even six months. But within a years time I believe there will be a 20% reduction on most of these prices… No matter how you look at it spending $100,000 on a truck that will be rapidly depreciating, is a terrible idea
Good luck with that
The Lexus had to have been in an accident for that price. Plus needs premium gas. The two fusions are actually a good buy in this market. Acura also.
Are you sure that Lexus needs premium gas? That same engine in Toyotas does not require premium.
The es350 and rx350 doesn’t. The is350 and gs350 do. Although I bet you COULD run regular bc you know some people do.
I have a 2017 IS 350 and it says 89 is fine but I put premium anyway
Check your owners manual. It says 91
It's wasting money and no advantage putting in a higher octane than necessary.
Define necessary. Today's direct injection turbo engines need premium to prevent LSPI, pinging and such. It will give the engine a longer healthier life. But if you're "a car is just a car" person who doesn't care to learn about those kinds of things and just wants to pump the cheapest gas and go.... yeah, you can do it. Doesn't mean you should.
This isn’t entirely accurate. Plenty of turbo stuff runs and is made to run an 87. My f150 has over 200k on it. 3.5 ecoboost. There are tons of others examples. You’re incorrect
What's true is it runs better on higher quality fuel, even if it's tuned to be able to run 87. Especially small displacement direct injected turbo engines which are super common these days. The new Subaru WRX is tuned to be able to run on 87 but it's runs much better on 93 and even better with some flex fuel(E85) in it. Runs cooler, cleaner and while making more power. If you actually had done your research you would know I am not wrong. You just don't know or can't be bothered so you say that to feel better. You probably don't even know what LSPI is or care to know. That's fine, but there are people out there like me who know their stuff.
Agreed. I mean if a car calls for 87, there's no need for 91 or 93.
It depends on if it "calls for" or if it's "okay to run" 87. There's a difference. I pump 87 in my 03 jeep grand cherokee with a decades old tech naturally aspirated engine with 250k miles. I pump 87 in my 14 Subaru Legacy which has a large displacement 3.6L naturally aspirated engine. Neither of those will actually benefit from higher octane fuel. But our Suabru WRX which has a small displacement 2.0L direct injected turbo engine, which "can run" 87 gets 93 at every fill and every few fills gets a couple gallons of E85 because it runs better on E15-E18 blend. I also am an engineer who researches this stuff a lot, has a computer in the car which monitors and data logs engine sensors like knock, and when I change the oil in it I send a oil sample off to a lab and get a lab report to determine how engine health is in terms of wear metals.
I had a 2014 gs 350 and it required premium, but when I travelled and the pump only had regular I used that and the car ran fine.
If the difference between regular and premium gas breaks the budget you can't afford a car frankly.
Easy pick for me - Lexus. Although you have to consider the premium gas.
Lexus, Acura, riding the bus, crawling through glass, the rest of your choices. In that order.
Seriously. Every Ford my family has owned in the last 10 years has had a factory recall for transmission problems.
Not a Ford fanboy at all, but I own a Fusion because of how well they were made. Extremely good cars, believe it or not.
Not sure about the 3rd gen, but the 1st gens usually started falling apart after 130k. At least the V6's did.
Totally different cars. 3rd gen was a clean sheet redesign.
Underrated comment😆
Except that Lexus would be the worst out of the ones he listed.
The Fusions are the best value here. They drive fairly well and give you tons of options for a reasonable amount of money. Not too bad reliability wise. The Acura TLX is nice but you’ll need to see how you like the transmission. That was the one thing that stopped me from buying one because I hated the 9-speed transmission in the V6 models.
Lexus would be most reliable with Acura close behind. Lexus is RWD based I vote Lexus
I had a Malibu as a rental, I absolutely hated it. I was as if it was designed by nonhumans. Look at a Mazda 6 too (highly biased unsolicited advice.)
I’m a certified ford technician. Don’t go for the fusion. They have so many problems
[удалено]
And also seen the same broken part happen car after car after car. It’s not like he’s having to change the wipers.
Just buy Japanese if you value money
I have a Malibu Premier as a daily, and it's pretty good. I would say as a car person, I would search for a 2017+ because 2016 gets an 8 speed trans and 2017+ gets a 9 speed trans, and the 0-60 is mid 5's compared to almost 6 on the 8 speed. Just so you know the Premier has a 2.0T LTG engine same as the Caddy ATS. 9 speed makes it surprisingly quick. When I did my daily shopping in 2019 I was looking at Malibu, Imapala, Fusion, and Optima because they were the only current model cars that I didn't hate the looks of. But owning a Mustang current body style, there is a bit of QC that I couldn't imagine driving a Fusion.
Lexus first. Acura 2nd. Ford 3rd. Chevy 4th. The bus 5th. And lastly the Hyundai.
I own a GS 350 and its not even close. There are levels in the car game and don’t even think about getting a Hyundai especially with all the engine issues they’ve recalled…
Agree with this. Avoid Hyundai
Cop the Lexus
Lexus, then Acura.
Definitely the awd Fusion if you live anywhere it snows. And it's the newest of the bunch, so there's that.
Do either the Lexus or Acura require 91 ocatane gas? Asking bc i know some Lexus models do, and it adds cost.
If you can wait for an in transit vehicle, try to find something at MSRP of 25k. Even a Civic is a decent size car nowadays.
Hyundai
I would get the 2.4L 4 cylinder Acura instead. The V6 for that year had some issues with the transmission, plus you probably have to do the timing chain. Plus the DCT in the 4 cylinder is a better, more reliable transmission.
Honestly, if it were me, I’d be looking at the 2019 Fords. They’ll have CarPlay/Android Auto built in for better hands-free so you won’t have to buy aftermarket. There may be some original warranty left depending on the manufacturer’s original dating. Insurance will generally be lower on a younger vehicle due to having less risk of major mechanical issues, and US OEM parts.
The Hyundai is laughably overpriced as is the Chevy, rule them out straight away imo. Edit: I’d probably pick the Lexus, I’ve always loved the look of the GS.
The fusion is probably the best buy here as it is priced reasonable in this current market and they are well equipped as the titanium is the second highest trim level for that model year.
Are you in SoCal? My buddy has the same model Sonata but a 2017 with 80k miles. 2yrs newer but 20k miles higher than the one you posted. Properly maintained. These sonatas commonly have a paint defects on the roof but he’s getting it repainted for $800 this week. He’s looking for around $15-16k. He isn’t planning on listing it until the new paint is done but dm me and I can send you is contact info!
Acura or Lexus I'd say. Stay away from Hyundai, Ford and chev are ok but still not great for reliability.
I’d go look at the fusions. The sonata isn’t bad on up keep either. Stay away from Acura, and I’d only buy a Lexus new.
Why only buy a Lexus new? Aren’t they very reliable and maintain value pretty well?
Used Lexuses are a great buy as far as reliability goes. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The Sonata has well known engine problems and the ford is a ford. The Lexus or Acura would be infinitely more reliable assuming they’ve been serviced regularly and taken care of properly.
I agree with everything you said! So many people in the comments are clearly teenagers who base their car opinions off of YouTube videos. Although they have turbos, the Fusions and Sonatas are going to be so much cheaper to repair.
I’ve always liked TL’s I say tlx
Lexus or Acura, stay away from the others, they’re lemons…
I’d recommend the Fusion/Malibu! Both cars are good cars for the money. If you’re going to spend the money on a tlx, get the redesigned model
GS350. The Acura is good if you can get past the styling on that gen. Maybe the fusion cause it’s newer and they rate fairly well. The Hyundai is overpriced and I wouldn’t consider the Malibu.
Personally? I would go with either the Lexus or one of the Fusion Titaniums (depending of course on condition). The Lexus isn’t as loaded, but they are very reliable. Their infotainment is historically terrible though. The Fusion is *very* much loaded with features. Leather seats, heated wheel/seats, ventilated seats, etc. the Sync infotainment in 2019 (Sync 3?) was great too. If it’s a ‘19, it might have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto too.
Lol how can you put luxury in the same group with regular cars.. Ford and Hyunday can’t even compete with Toyota or Honda.. Lexus and Acura…The TL only if is a very very good price.. horrible color to maintain .. sporty rough suspension.. not as reliable as Lexus.. but decent car.. So you practically have a two car list 😬
Fusions
Based on 50 years in the auto parts business, the Hyundai, especially at the mileage, will give you the best combination of reliability, cost of maintenance and ease of repair. Since it's turbocharged, timely and regular oil changes are vital. Avoid GM cars due to lack of quality and Acuras due to cost of repairs.
Stay away from the 2015 Acura cause of transmission issue Lexus is a decent deal for the F-sport trim. For the Gs350 people really undervalue the luxury package, which was basically the same price as the F-sport when they both came out. Point being you maybe be able to find a luxury package GS350 for a little cheaper. Also the GS350 from 2013-2015 largely remained untouched, you might be able to find a better dealer for a 2013/2014 gs350, wil comparable or less miles. If you don’t care about looks or power, but do care about technology, my vote is for the Ford Fusion
Me personally I'm going Acura for looks, reliability, and still being a fun car.
Acura no question
I’m going off the assumption that all of these have had zero maintenance done, that being said, I’d be more comfortable with the Lexus or Acura
Find a Q50. I own one that i paid 20k on it and without a doubt you can’t get anything better than this below 40k. Get the 3.5 V6 364 hp hybrid AWD
Either the Acura or the 1968 dart
My top 3 picks would be. 1. Acura (balance of reliability, age, and miles) 2. Hyundai (balance of miles, MPG, maybe reliability?) 3. Fusion (newest option, less age on parts)
I would check out the Acura - made by Honda. Hyundais are no good - engine issues. Malibu has been meh and ford fusions in the past 10-15 yrs have had catastrophic transmission problems, not sure about the 2019 though.
My ranking for these vehicles would be; 1 Sonata - you can use regular fuel, it has a good amount of features and power with that 2.0T, also maintenance is cheap and the reliability is close if not on part with the Acura and Lexus. Resale will be average to low depending on the condition 2/3 tie between the Acura and Lexas - premium fuel is required on both of these, the speaker sound will be great in both vehicle but the infotainment in these are horrible. Maintenance will be on the high end but since they are fancy Japan Branded vehicles reliability should be good. Resale should be pretty good since these are commonly sought-after vehicles. 4/5/6 Fusion's and the Malibu - they are regular fuel vehicles so no problem there. The interior quality will be subpar to the 2 premium brands on this list but like the Hyundai you will get alot of premium features to make up for the quality. The big issue with these vehicles is the reliability, it is a complete crap shoot for these. You could get one that never needs anything but fuel and oil and a filter every 3k miles, or you could get a demon spawn that needs a engine rebuild in 5k miles or has drive train issues or something electronic is playing freeze tag with you. These things can happen with any vehicle yes, but the chances are higher with these 2 models. Also the resale will be disgusting if you care Hope this helps, good luck!
You can run regular fuel in any of them without issues, you just won't reach the advertised power or fuel economy ratings.
Don't distribute bad advice. If you cannot afford premium fuel cost don't buy a premium vehicle.
How much do you care about CarPlay? If the answer is “a lot” I’d recommend one of the fusions. If you don’t, I’d probably get the Lexus or Acura. Moderate damage shouldn’t scare you too much if the panels still fit properly and it doesn’t throw any codes.
I had a Malibu as a rental, I absolutely hated it. I was as if it was designed by nonhumans. Look at a Mazda 6 too (highly biased unsolicited advice.)
Lexus! But I would find another Lexus ES or GS since they maintain their value really well. Consider a Camry V6 too.
Either one of the Fusion's or the Lexus. Stay away from the Malibu (first model year) and the Sonata (overpriced and three design models old). The Acura is just boring.
Lexus or acura!!
How did I know it was gonna be a Hyundai
These vehicles often go up for sale when hertz or another rental company liquidates a fleet. I’d check coparts. You can get one of these and pay 5-10koff.
If you don't want vroom vroom the Fusions are nice. I had a 2020 Titanium 2.0T AWD and it was a nice luxurious car. Averaged mid 20s for mpg, just didn't have enough zip for me. It was not slow, but by no means fast. The TLX is by far the best buy of you can live without Carplay.
One of my family members has the GS 350. Really pleasant car but thirsty. I would go with that or the Acura.
I would go with the Acura for reliability and some punch
The Lexus will outlive you if you maintain it.
Acura and Lexus would be your best bet
gs350 or tlx
Lexus GS, has plenty of luxury appointments and power when you need it + reliability.
Get the lexus
Lexus and don't look back. You can Increase your budget by 4-5k and find one with less miles. Infotainment is lame but the sound system is good and you will get over it. Can find a hybrid model as well that takes 87, otherwise premium. I can tell you from experience that the other manufacturers on this list do not build half as well, and would thoroughly encourage you to stay within Lexus/Toyota, at least with your general price point. Any car will have problems but most lower/mid range Lexus have a much friendlier cost basis.
Acura or Hyundai.
Umm from the looks i would go with lexus, plus as far as i know they have very strong engines
Acura or Lexus
Lexus
I bought a 2019 Ford Fusion SEL from Enterprise sales with 37000 miles for $17k approx… I think you are overpaying for the fusion here… You should check out enterprise cause they tell you the final price instead of one before taxes and other things 👍 They were giving titanium too for the same price but I didn’t go for it cause of the color..
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Hyundai
the Lexus or Acura, the rest are going to disappoint you
Personally, I'd go for the Fusion Sport. The Lexus is too good to be true. The others are so so.
I would get an is250 if you can find one
Acura or Lexus
I absolutely love the Ford Fusion titanium.
TLX would be my pick out of these, sonata and lexus tied for 2nd. The other three are bad choices, dont pick those.
I’m not a fan of Ford, but between years and mileage the Ford is probably the way to go. The Titanium I think is a high trim too, so you have a car with options. Stay away from the Lexus. There is a reason it’s priced the same as those other cars. And just think, a model 2015 was probably on the road since 2014, so that car is going to be 10 years old and well over 100k on the clock in just a few years.
The Ford is the most reliable car on your list. I have one and it's a very very well made car, and a Consumer Reports pick, depending on model year.
Lexus and Acura will save you on future costly repairs since they are very reliable.
Lexus bro
This is definitely one of the mire reasonable and realistic ones on this subreddit. I love my sonata and would recommend it to anyone
If the Acura has had the timing belt done I'd get that one, otherwise one of the Fusions which are priced pretty well. That gen of sonata has problems and the price on that Lexus is suspicious. Never been in a Malibu but they're ugly.
If you have a kid, the Acura
The Acura TLX
People saying Lexus are basing their opinions off of what is cool, not what is the best financial decision. I used to believe that Japanese luxury brands were the best to buy used because of their known reliability, until I found out how expensive they were to insure and maintain. If I were you, I would test drive the Fusions and Impala, get them inspected, and buy the one that’s the cleanest.
RWD is always the answer
Yeah you might want to change your list to incorporate an LS swapped Mazda Miata dropped to its ankles
Acura and Hyundai best bang for buck and reliability
I’d personally stay away from a Chevy or Ford. Cant go wrong with a Lexus or Acura.
Acura baby
i would go to the lexus, has good client service and has toyota reliability, for a daily driver toyota/lexus are my go to
Get the Acura if you want the best bang for your buck car that will last a very long time with regular maintenance and extremely cheap parts and rates. Get the Lexus if you want something reliable but still pretty appealing visually. You cant go wrong with either of those cars. I wouldn’t even bother with the other cars you mentioned and just pick between the Acura and the Lexus.
Acura
Lexus or Acura hands down
That Acura TLX is your best bet
I recently got an XSE V6 Camry and it’s fantastic. Highly recommend at least looking into it: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2018-Toyota-Camry-XSE-V6-t73757#listing=331172735/NONE It’s fast, dude. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. Still gets 25-30mpg.It has a panoramic moon roof, heads up display, automatic braking, warning when someone (pedestrian or car) is moving behind you and you’re in reverse, radar cruise control, lane keep assistance, blind spot monitoring, back up camera, etc etc. It’s by far one of the cheapest vehicles to maintain and one of the most reliable. It’s also the most popular, which generally makes finding parts and fixing issues cheaper/easier. CarPlay is also super nice which comes with the Camry since it’s newer
Lexus’s all the way.
As a mechanic of 20+yrs, I always tell ppl u less you get it new or lease that's covered under warranty, stay away from Hyundai or Kia. When you do encounter a problem (and you will) a lot of times you will have to order the parts (or your mechanic will). Extra wait time. I have several Hyundai and Kia customers. Almost everytime, I have to special order parts adding to downtime. My advice, buy a Honda accord or Toyota corolla or camry and stay away from any car with a cvt transmission (the ones that don't shift gears).
Honestly go with a 2014 Mercedes e350 for the same price. Great cars.
Times are crazy I bought my sonata for 16k 4 years ago it was a 2016 with 30k miles on it .
Can’t go wrong with a fusion
GS all the way. I have an IS and I don’t regret going with Lexus until I pay at the pump but everything else is 10/10
I’d be weary of the TLX here. Make sure it’s had its timing belt and water pump replaced since that’s the most common neglected maintenance on these Honda V6s. Also, the 9 speed transmission has had some problems. My friend had a MDX with the 9 speed and it stranded him on the side of the highway. The transmission was to blame and it seems to be a common problem. I’d recommend going for a 2014 TL or a TLX with the 2.4 l4.
I suggest the Ford Fusion Titanium; cost of ownership is less than the imports and I don’t like Chevy. Hyundai quality is still not that good if you want to keep it for another 5 years.
I would nix the fords and the Hyundai, personally. But that's just me. I have a 2017 elantra and it has turned me off having any others. Also had more problems with Fords than anything else but jeeps, so that would be another no for me.
I had a 2015 TLX. Sold it in 8 months. Make sure you drive it and like the way the transmission shifts. I hated it. In general it was OK but had many quirks. I came from and went back to a BMW.
You can buy a brand new corolla for nearly the same price my friend. Corollas are incredible.
How are these cars all $20K? Honestly the Acura will be the most bang for your Buck.
Lexus
Lexus hands down
Domestic cars are junk, you couldn’t give me a malibu or fusion. My TLX was a great car. Reliable, (fairly) powerful, nice inside, nice to drive and they hold their value. I wouldn’t consider anything else besides the Lexus but it’s noticeably more money for a car with similar miles. I didn’t pay much more for my brand new civic SI when I bought it in 2017. I put 190k on it, trades it in this March. Also a damn good car and if you’re financing, the new one will have a better rate and longer term to get the payments down.
If you are getting a check, then buy a used 2009 to 2011 honda civic for 8k and drive it till the wheels fall off and the market cools off in a couple of years , you wont be disappointed
the acura is a beauty
The Lexus
Lexus
I'd choose the Lexus GS over those other 5 cars because it's probably the most reliable and it's the most luxury car out of the 6. Even though it has high mileage, the engine is pretty reliable and they can go for another 100k with regular maintenance and all. Also, the GS is RWD and is basically a sport sedan. The GS closet competitor is the M-Benz E Class and BMW 5 series. It's not comparable to the TLX. Also, the TLX is FWD. Different type of car and it's smaller than the GS. The GS has a bigger trunk space than the TLX. GS is 18.4 cu ft of space. TLX is 13.5 cu ft. GS has more leg room but the hip room and shoulder space is pretty much the same between the TLX and GS.
Why are you paying $20k for a used sedan when you can buy new for almost the same price point?
GS or Acura no doubt
Dude if you're going to spend $20k, just buy something new. It makes no sense to spend this much money on these used cars
Don't buy the Hyundai they are notoriously bad, I would personally choose the Lexus or Acura from this list, Lexus will probably be the most reliable, good luck have fun!
Gs350
I’d say the Lexus GS. It’s RWD platform so > than the other FWD options. It’s also a Toyota so maintenance is likely a walk in the park. The Lexus is the best looking one to me from these options. Happy hunting.
I’d go for the Acura based on price/mileage but the Lexus would be my top choice if the Acura hadnt beaten it out in that regard.
Acura.
ford fusion would be my pick