Currently, my "fun car" is a 2000 Ford Taurus wagon. We bought it 9 years ago for family trips when the kids were young. We've since added a Subaru Outback (wife's car) and take it on all our trips. The 4th gen Taurus was one of my favorite cars as I used to get them as rentals when I was just starting my career. Reliable, good power (DOHC), comfortable and cheap to fix has been my experience. I'm well versed on them and the AX4N vs AX4S transmissions, mine has the AX4N with regular fluid changes.
Talking to my boss one day, he's an accountant who has only purchased used cars and keeps them about 5 years. He generally sells them for what he paid or makes some money. He likes Merc SUVs right now. I have only purchased new cars and keep them 10+ years. The Taurus was my first used purchase and it's been a good one.
I'm now 6 years in with my Mazda CX5, it's a great vehicle but too underpowered. I knew that when I bought it and only use it for work. It'll make a great first car for my son when he starts driving.
For our next car, I've been thinking of something a bit larger. The Outback is great, except when we go camping it gets cramped. We'd like to take more trips out west (500+ miles) and are leaning in one of two directions:
2019+ Subaru Ascent
2003 - 2006 Lexus LX470 (aka Toyota Land Cruiser)
Subaru PRO - Safety/Eyesight/Mileage
Subaru CON - $40K
Lexus PRO - Bullet Proof/Cruiser/$10-15K
Lexus CON - Mileage/Safety
I'd like to hear some opinions on those that have bought used. The Lexus would be a more "interesting" car as it has character while the Subaru would be more "generic". Other than size, it should ride/handle/drive exactly like our CX5 or Outback (an appliance).
This video was an influencer as I'd been thinking about a Toyota V8 vehicle for a few months.
Talking to my boss one day, he's an accountant who has only purchased used cars and keeps them about 5 years. He generally sells them for what he paid or makes some money. He likes Merc SUVs right now. I have only purchased new cars and keep them 10+ years. The Taurus was my first used purchase and it's been a good one.
I'm now 6 years in with my Mazda CX5, it's a great vehicle but too underpowered. I knew that when I bought it and only use it for work. It'll make a great first car for my son when he starts driving.
For our next car, I've been thinking of something a bit larger. The Outback is great, except when we go camping it gets cramped. We'd like to take more trips out west (500+ miles) and are leaning in one of two directions:
2019+ Subaru Ascent
2003 - 2006 Lexus LX470 (aka Toyota Land Cruiser)
Subaru PRO - Safety/Eyesight/Mileage
Subaru CON - $40K
Lexus PRO - Bullet Proof/Cruiser/$10-15K
Lexus CON - Mileage/Safety
I'd like to hear some opinions on those that have bought used. The Lexus would be a more "interesting" car as it has character while the Subaru would be more "generic". Other than size, it should ride/handle/drive exactly like our CX5 or Outback (an appliance).
This video was an influencer as I'd been thinking about a Toyota V8 vehicle for a few months.
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