u/Low_Fly754

Hey guys, facing a serious daily driver dilemma and need your honest takes.

Looking for a reliable ride for the next 3 to 5 years. I hate Facebook Marketplace, so both of these are sitting at local dealerships right now.

• The 2021 Sentra S (6MT) has ~58k miles (~94k km). It's modern and bulletproof with the manual, but means taking on a loan (~$10.7k USD / $14.6k CAD before tax).
• The 2009 Lexus ES 350 has ~126k miles (~203k km). It’s a clean 1-owner car, and I can buy it 100% cash (~$5.1k USD / $6.9k CAD all-in) to stay debt-free, but it’s older.

All the basic info is in the image. If you wanted to stay financially smart without risking a total lemon, which route would you take and why?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to buy my first Lexus and I would love your expert opinion. I'm located in Ottawa, Canada, and with gas prices rising, I’m trying to balance long-term reliability with daily costs. I want a dependable "Point A to Point B" car that I can keep for 3 to 5 years without financing a newer vehicle.
I found a 2009 Lexus ES 350 at a local Toyota dealership. Here are the specs converted for easier reading:
Price: ~$5,150 USD ($6,995 CAD)

Mileage: ~126,100 miles (203,000 km)

Condition: One owner, zero accidents, safety inspection just completed by the Toyota dealer.

Engine: 3.5L V6 (2GR-FE) / FWD / 6-Speed Automatic.

Features: Leather, heated/power seats, sunroof, push-button start, dual-zone climate.

My main questions for the community:
Fuel Choice: I know the manual for the 2009 model recommends Premium (91). For those of you with this specific year/engine, are you running 87 Octane (Regular)? Does it significantly affect your MPG or long-term engine health?

Reliability at this mileage: It has 126k miles. Is it realistic to expect another 5 years of trouble-free driving if I maintain it well? Any specific "red flags" I should check for on a 2009 model?

Value: Does $5,150 USD seem like a fair price for a clean, one-owner ES 350 from a dealership in today's market?

I really appreciate any advice you can give to a potential first-time Lexus owner!