Hey guys and gals.

First off, I'm not new to the automotive forums. I come from contour.org, a forum for Ford Contours/Mystiques/Mondeos. I want to cut all the bs information off the web, and go straight to the enthusiasts and owners to get the real deal, thus I come to you.

Straight and simple, my mother is nearing retirement and looking for a luxury vehicle. We started with BMW 3 series, Jaguar X-type, G35 sedan,Volvo S60, Acura TL, and Mercedes C-class.

We have narrowed it to Acura TL, G35, Volvo S60 and the Benz.

So my main questions:

1.) Ideally, with knowledge of this platform. What can we get w/$20k i.e. year and mileage?

2.) What are the known issues on this platform?

3.) Does Infiniti offer something like an extended warranty service, and what is the general consensus on this? Again, this vehicle is for an older woman. We reside in Metro Detroit, so idealy the vehicle should be able to handle snow, well.

4.) Best to purchase at dealership? Seems like most dealerships offer better vehicles in the luxury vehicle realm. Furthermore, with extended warranty, it is definitely an ease of mind.

Appreciate any additional info. you folks can offer me. I apologize for the newbie question, and hope I don't get hit by search-*****!!!

Best Regards,

-Neil

Edit: Hah, I see you guys do indeed have search **** @ post right under mine. Fine, can somebody lead the way to where this info. is attainable, i.e. perhaps a sticky set up where there is consensus info???

 

the tl is front drive negative for me. the c in c class mercedes = cheap the g has more power than any of the choices. 60k warranty on the g but w only 20k budget that is a high milage g or a cheap class mercedes. for the record problems w\ the g none. daily grins priceless

 

i would go to a private auction and try to get the tl. The exterior and interior look nice and clean. Last year around this time I remember the tl's went for about 23k. Good luck.

 

Neil,

When I was looking at getting a car for my wife, two of the cars she liked were the Volvo S60 and the G35 sedan. After driving the Volvo and the G35, she decided on the G. The only thing is that she is 25, and your mom is probably 30 years older than that, so I don't know what kind of car your mom would like. Only she knows that. But as for reliability, I think I read somewhere that the G35 is the most reliable Infiniti model, far more reliable than the Volvos. And we have had zero problems with our G35 since we got it.

On a side note, we bought our 2003 G35, near perfect cond. with 23K miles for $18,500 from a private party. Most of the other '03-04 G35's for that price had 45K miles or more. But I think for $20,000 you can find an '03-04 with resonable mileage. The TL is going to have great reliablity also, so I would suggest you have your mom drive the TL and the G35 and decided based on that.

 

Oh and if you want a car that can handle snow, have your mom look for an 04 G35X with the AWD. We have the X and it handles the snow like a dream.

 

I guess I didn't specifically answer your questions:

1) For around $20K you can get an '03 or '04 with moderate mileage (30-50K), but like I said I got my '03 with 23K miles for $18,500.

2) Some minor issues such as going through brake pads every 25K miles on the earlier years, but nothing major. Search for TSBs through InfinitiHelp.com

3a) Infiniti does sell an extended warranty if you car is past the basic 4 yr/60K miles warranty. They call it the Premier Warranty or something, normally goes for around $2000. IMO it's not needed, car is very reliable.

3b) If you are going to be in snow, I would suggest looking for an "X" model for AWD.

4) The only reason to purchase from a dealership is if you want to pay an extra few thousand in unneeded dealer charges and taxes. I always purchase mine from private party. Just have the car checked out by a mechanic to make sure there are no problems you can't see, and run a Carfax check.