£7k - Saloon - Prestige Brand - Short Journeys

[TCruise]

Hi,

So my parents sadly had their 24yr old Lexus GS300 smashed into whilst parked.

They want a prestige brand (Audi, BMW, Lexus, Merc or similar).

£7k ish
Saloon style or small SUV
Ideally up to ~10 yrs old
Parking sensors front and back are a must

Cheaper to maintain the better (I realise they should probably buy a cheaper brand, but there you go!)

It will be used for a LOT of short journeys.

Needs to be super reliable and just work.

Many thanks

[junglie]

I have had cats from all the manufacturers you mention but Lexus is your answer here.

IS250 or newer GS 300 or even a GS 450h would work.

You could get into an early RX450h too.

Anything Japanese really so don’t rule out Honda, Toyota and Nissan but it may not tick the ‘prestige’ box even though they do great, reliable cars.

Honda Legend perhaps?

[TCruise]

junglie said:

I have had cats from all the manufacturers you mention but Lexus is your answer here.

IS250 or newer GS 300 or even a GS 450h would work.

You could get into an early RX450h too.

Anything Japanese really so don t rule out Honda, Toyota and Nissan but it may not tick the prestige box even though they do great, reliable cars.

Honda Legend perhaps?

Just worried about the age of all of those, private sale, guessing I'll have to trust the seller quite a lot.

[junglie]

You could add Infiniti to the list too.

I would always choose Japanese over German now (although just bought an E350 Merc!) as, whilst the German cars have been fine but needing more maintenance, our Lexi have just got it done over and over again.

[Crudeoink]

TCruise said:

Just worried about the age of all of those, private sale, guessing I'll have to trust the seller quite a lot.

Realistically anything under 7K is going to have big miles or be old. Car prices aren't what they were

[ScoobyChris]

Nissan Leaf and some Lexus badges

Chris

[BlackStang5point0]

For something a bit more left field... Hyundai Genesis.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507224...

[Matt_T]

How about a Subaru XV or Crosstrek? I guess it depends on whether the perceive it as a premium brand or not
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18929950

[Matt_T]

BlackStang5point0 said:

For something a bit more left field... Hyundai Genesis.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507224...

Oh my goodness that is lovely!

[SlowV6]

I don't think the budget and the requirements match IMHO. <10yrs old, prestige brand, cheap to maintain but only £7k budget.

That Genesis (posh Hyundai) is a good shout but its going to be costly to run in terms of fuel and is in the highest VED band at £760 a year. It is potentially going to be VERY difficult to move on without taking a massive hit if it proves too expensive to live with.

I don't mean to be rude but if your folks budget is only £7k and "cheap to maintain" is the priority then I'd be considering a Honda Jazz or similar. It will be reliable and is ideal for short journeys.

[Chris_i8]

Mazda 3 saloon.

[eth2190]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

Lexus GS250

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0T Infiniti Q50 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509066...

S60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509036...

2.0T XE R Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509086...

3.0 XF Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502129...

It's a smidge over budget, not a prestige badge but get inside one & the level of luxury will be superior to anything else for the money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507224...