Acura RLs from 2004-06 have decent power, luxury features and, most importantly, are a comfortable ride.Honda
No one likes commuting, especially when you're stuck in glacial gridlock on the strained roads in and around Toronto – some of the worst traffic in North America. But you need that job, so you might as well put some music on, grin and bear it.
You know what might make that commute less painful? Being swaddled in leather seats behind the wheel of a big, powerful luxury car. That's what. Whether your drive is stop-and-go or clear sailing, a larger upmarket vehicle will always make the journey better. Only you can't afford much more than a Ford Fiesta. No worries. There are plenty of luxo-barges out there on the used-car market for less than $12,000. You need it to be reliable, too? Then let's focus on the Asian market, which has proven overall to be superior when it comes to dependability.
Sensible
Until this year, the flagship Acura (Honda's upmarket brand) has been the RL, which was redesigned and renamed the RLX. You'll find a few RLs on the market from the 2004-2006 model years for our prices. And you'll be getting a solid car with luxury features and decent power, especially if you find something 2005 or newer, when it was redesigned with a 300-horsepower V-6. It's quiet on the highway, has comfy leather seats and decent handling for a larger car; it also came with optional all-wheel drive, so keep an eye out for those. It suffered from a few recalls concerning air bags and inadvertent application of the brakes, so you'll want to make sure those are taken care of. It's marked as a "good bet" by Consumer Reports.
Of course, you must also consider Lexus. The Toyota spinoff company is renowned for its smooth, quiet cars, and the big LS 430 is deserving of the flagship moniker. It's so smooth that some complain it doesn't give enough of a driving experience. But if you want serenity, it's hard to beat the rear-wheel-drive LS. You can find one from 2002-2004 for what you want to pay and, if you look hard enough, you'll find a boatload of luxury options, such as massaging seats, a power-operated sunscreen and a Mark Levinson stereo system, along with a standard 4.3-litre V-8 that puts out as much as 290 horsepower, depending on the year you find. Couple that power with a near-silent and cosseting ride and you've got one of the best highway cruisers. Again, another "good bet."
Indispensable
If you want more grunt and sportiness than the Lexus, look for an Infiniti Q45, available in limited numbers in the 2002-2004 range. Along with the expected comfort, convenience and luxury features – and many you wouldn't expect – the big rear-wheel-driver has a standard 340-horsepower, 4.5-litre V-8 under that hood, which gets this big sedan up to 100 km/h in just over six seconds. It has sharper handling than the LS, especially considering its girth, though it'll still feel like you're floating on a cloud. Features include voice-activated climate controls, run-flat tires and the car industry's brightest headlights for its time. It does have a few recalls, including one for a faulty circuit board that may cause the engine to stop running, but otherwise, you should have a reliable and luxurious chariot for your daily grind.
Questionable
The real nonsense here? Not buying one of these cars because they don't have the cachet of a German brand. Pretty well any vehicle made by these manufacturers have reliability records that put their German counterparts to shame. No used car is without its risks when it comes to repairs, but you'll be limiting that risk considerably with a Japanese luxury car. Just look for something with as few kilometres on it as possible.
Like us on Facebook
Add us to your circles.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter.