Turn of the Millinia Car Advice

[GRAYWOLF]

OK, I will be changing jobs soon...(they are shipping my job to Ann Arbor)...and am looking to replace my 13mpg pickup truck with something slightly more fuel efficient.

I am looking at 1999-2002:
BMW 7-series
Audi A8 (maybe A6)
Infinity Q45
MB S420
Jaguar XJ

These all have around 50K-80K miles.

Primary concern is reliability at higher mileage. I know repair costs are astronomical on these cars.

Do any of you know much about any of them (common problems, things to look for, etc)?

Are there other cars I am overlooking that would be comparable? My constraints are:

Under $15K, 17mpg or better (city), big enough I (6'8") can fit comfortably with someone behind me being comfortable.

Any info would be appreciated...

[Otto Puzzell]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/07/15/164871.html

[GRAYWOLF]

Thanks! That is a cool tool. I wonder if they will expand it to include older vehicles. I wonder how much difference there is between current models and previous?

Odd that the article states the "minivans" with the most and least head room are neither minivans but actually fullsize vans!!!

[Stephen M]

If high mileage reliability is a concern, I'd put the some flavor of Lexus LS/GS 400/430 on the list. Not sure about the headroom, though.

[Jagman]

I doubt any of the vehicles on his list will attain that 17mpg number except on a long, long hiway cruise.

I'd also give a lot of thought to the LS400 for reliability and shy away from any of the Germans for the same reason. Experience speaking here...........

But your best bet for interior room would actually be an American car -  Big Lincoln or Ford for example........I know, not paragons of attractiveness, but reliable and far less expensive than the cars cited on your list.