Welcome back! We’ve been getting a little big for our britches with the last couple of letters, so today we’re going to bring it back down to Earth with the letter L, and take a look at a couple of FWD luxury sedans. They’re both reasonably-priced, they both run well, and they were both built this century.
I don’t have access to our page-view metrics or anything, but I can see the vote and comment totals plain as day, and it’s obvious you weren’t big fans of yesterday’s choices. No problem; they can’t always be hits. Gassers seem to be a love-it-or-hate-it-style; I’ve always liked them because they look like cartoons come to life. But the majority of you chose the little Kurtis Kraft midget, and I respect that.
That would be my choice too, actually. The car, and the trailer it comes with, are light enough to pull easily with my truck, and there’s a dirt track not far from here – since my wife probably wouldn’t let me just rip around the backyard in it.
All right; let’s get back to something less expensive, and more modern. They say cheap luxury cars are never as good of a deal as they seem, but I think you could probably be safe with these two. They’re not that cheap, and they’re both pretty reliable. Let’s check them out.
2008 Lexus ES 350 – $4,900
Engine/drivetrain: 3.5 liter dual overhead cam V6, six-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Franklin Park, IL
Odometer reading: 137,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Lexus ES has always been overshadowed by the brand’s other models; it gets dismissed as nothing more than a fancy Camry. But honestly, what’s wrong with a fancy Camry? It’s comfortable and reliable, the sort of car you can just live with without any drama. And while it probably wasn’t a great value when it was new, because, well, the Camry exists, but all these years later, depreciation has closed the price gap and you might as well just go for the Lexus.
The ES grew over the years, along with the Camry. Its V6 engine grew as well; by the time it was in its fifth generation, it was all the way up to 3.5 liters. Earlier ES sedans were available with manual transmissions, though they were incredibly rare, so it’s no surprise that this one was available only with an automatic. These cars are known to just pile on the miles, so this one, with only 137,000 of them, should have plenty of life left. The seller says it runs and drives well, but doesn’t provide any details.
It looks nice inside, and the wood and leather of the Lexus version is definitely a cut above the Camry’s velour and plastic. I really like the red-toned wood against the dark gray leather. It has power everything, of course, and the seller says it all works. Not a bad place to spend your time, if you have to commute.
Look up “nondescript” in the dictionary, and you’ll find a picture of the Lexus ES – but there’s a good chance you’ll overlook it there as well. It’s not a bad-looking car, just bland. This one is in good condition, especially for being a Chicago car. I do see a tiny bit of rust starting in the corners of the trunk lid, but as long as it looks all right underneath, you should be good.
2012 Lincoln MKZ – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: 3.5 liter dual overhead cam V6, six-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Hollywood, FL
Odometer reading: 136,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
If the Lexus ES is a fancy Toyota Camry, then the Lincoln MKZ is a fancy Ford Fusion. It’s based on the same Ford CD3 platform, and powered by the same Duratec V6. It’s part of a long line of sort of phoned-in mid-sized Lincolns, reaching all the way back to the Versailles in the late ’70s. But it works, if you think of it as just a really nice Ford.
The MKZ comes with the Fusion’s “big” engine, a 3.5 liter V6 that puts out a healthy 265 horsepower. It’s available only with a six-speed automatic, which is kind of a shame, because I’ve heard that the Fusion with a manual is a pretty nice car to drive. This ad is also light on details; all it says is it’s in “excellent condition.” Come on, folks; you’re not charged by the word. Give us some information.
It’s a little worse for wear inside; the steering wheel looks a little worn, and seat covers always make me nervous. The seats might be fine under there, but then, why the covers? On the plus side, the seller does say that everything works, including the all-important-for-Florida air conditioning.
Lincoln did a good job jazzing this car up from the Fusion; it has dramatic front and rear fascias that no one is going to mistake for some rental-counter Ford. And you don’t see nine-spoke wheels very often. I could do without the dark tint, but I do like the color. And it looks like it has been well-maintained.
I’ve always appreciated these fancy versions of everyday cars, especially in the used market. Maybe it comes from fond memories (yes, really) of a Cadillac Cimarron my family had when I was in high school. Yeah, they’re not really luxury cars, but they’re nice, and not any more mechanically complicated than their mundane siblings. And cars this old are largely free from the bullshit that afflicts so many luxury rides these days. These both feel like good deals to me. Which one do you prefer?
I would almost sell my 62K ’17 Accord V6 for that Lexus and pocket the difference. Both companies are really good at making long-living vehicles. And that Lexus is a little more luxurious than my Accord. Hmm.
I sort of knew the Lexus would win today,but I am going with the Lincoln and betting that the seat covers are not hiding anything bad.
Also,for the record,I voted for the gasser yesterday. I guess I should continue my strategy of voting for the underdog.
I honestly never understood why people thought these 2007-2012 ESs looked particularly boring. Maybe it’s because of their ubiquity. But they were pretty sleek for the day; proportions aside, the side profile didn’t look too different from a contemporary Jaguar XF.
Anyway, I’d vote for the Lexus, and not just because I have a 2025 version of the same.
Really, the interiors of both of these cars tend to hold up poorly, but at least the ES doesn’t have inherent engineering defects lurking (as the MKZ does; google Duratec internal water pump), and this particular example has fine leather, unlike probably the MKZ, where it’s being hidden.
Florida car versus Illinois car and, honestly? I like the looks of the Lincoln’s interior better, which surprise me compared to a Lexus.
The Lexus is probably fine, but Illinois rust really makes me nervous. The funny thing is, I was expecting to vote Lexus before I looked through it.
The Lexus.
Hell, I’d take a Camry…even if it cose twice as much as the Lincoln.
Lincoln a little younger, a little cheaper, and less chance of hidden rust
This was only a little bit difficult…they are both decent cars but I prefer the Lexus- it will run forever if you take care of it and you don’t have to worry about it…I mean, the Lincoln will run a long time too. Also, I’ve never really liked the grille on the MKZ’s
The Lincoln doesn’t have a chance, and I get it. But I’ll take Florida sand vs Illinois salt every day.
My thought exactly. The Lincoln got my vote solely because it was a Florida car.