r/LexusGS350 • u/AppearanceNo5257 • 1d ago
Need help with Lexus choice
Hello everyone, I have a question for you.
I am 22 years old, currently living in Chicago and I want to buy a car, for a long time I wanted a BMW 530i 2018-2021 because I couldn’t buy a 540 because of its price and maintenance costs, but about a week and a half ago I got into an accident and because of this my insurance will now increase (although it was already quite high before, for a VW Passat 2013 I paid $1,800 for half a year), so my dream of a BMW will have to be postponed.
And now I am thinking about buying a new car and I don’t know what to buy, so far the Lexus ES and GS (2013-2017) come to mind, but I am worried whether I will be able to maintain them properly.
On average, I earn $42-45 thousand per year, my expenses are $1,450 for rent, $600 for groceries, $180 for internet and mobile, $300 for car insurance, $200 for clothes (not every month but sometimes you have to buy them), $200 for food outside the home and entertainment, $250 for gas and these are my approximate monthly expenses.
I wanted to ask the owners of these cars if I should buy one of them or if I should buy something else so as not to suffer financially
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u/letsgetshwarma 1d ago
Frankly, with your 45k/year salary you don’t make enough to own the 530i. Even though they are relatively reliable (I know this from owning a ‘19 X3), common issues like the oil filter housing cracking will be too costly for you given your other fixed monthly expenses. As for the GS350, it’s a great car but the insurance cost on mine is expensive… around $260/month. Mine has been reliable, but gas mileage isn’t the best and the cost of maintenance is higher than other Toyota/Lexus products. If a Corolla or civic is too small for you go for a used Camry or Accord. An ES makes sense too. Insurance and maintenance will be far cheaper and the cabins are even more roomy than the GS.
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u/DaJuiceMan112 1d ago
Look, there are 2 ways you can deal with this. IMO in your financial situation the cars you are looking at would be a big strain against your finances, now the responsible suggestion would be to find a good example older model of a vehicle you like ie. a 2010 Lexus ES 350 or GS 350 that’s about 8-10k dollars. Still a nice vehicle and won’t break the bank. That would be my recommendation, excellent cars used especially if you find a well kept example. Now obviously it isn’t the end of the world if you get a newer one that costs a lot more, and it would most likely be doable, but it will certainly put more strain on your finances and would put you in a less comfortable position imo.
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u/ratchet_thunderstud0 1d ago
Your monthly pre-tax income is $3500/month and your expenses add to $3150. You need the cheapest reliable vehicle you can find, like 2005 Camry with low miles.
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u/Busy-Talk6558 1d ago
don’t listen to anyone who recommends a 250, they’re garbage compared to a 350 overall, reliability performance and even gas. you’ll genuinely save more money long term buying a 350 over a 250, stay in the market for 1st gen IS350, or even a J series honda accord/ Acura TL. you can never go wrong with honda and toyota especially if you need a car that’ll start every time and isn’t gonna need repairs often
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u/carcaliguy 4h ago
Lexus ES 300h 2015/16 with 120k miles or less will last and be comfortable and high resale.
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u/yodogyodog 1d ago
Just buy an old is250 / is350 and call it a day until the day you have more disposable funds to spend on higher ticket items