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which one would you get?
I really liked IS300. its powerfull and solid car. TL or TL-S is also nice and little more space at the front. I am a single man so I dont worry that much about rear seats.

I was considering BMW 3series also but my friends say they are expensive to take care off. if it breaks it would cost lot of money.

btw I will be getting a used one. probably 2002 or 2003 between 40K-80K miles.

what would you do ?  

I was ALSO considering Volvo S40 , Audi A4 and Honda Accord. I think Audi's are like BMW not easy to fix when it gets old. Volvo's are nice also if I can find a clean car. Honda's are reliable and have nothing to say.  

I think you're right to look at the IS300 or TL - I have friends with these cars and they have many good things to say about them.  Personally, I like the IS - classy, sporty car.  

I would take an IS300.  The 3 series are costly to maintain and I would stay away.  I would not take a 2002-2003 TL as I would much prefer a sports sedan (an IS300 with a 5 speed manual) to an automatic semi-luxury sedan.  

I am trying to keep the car under 50K miles. IS300 and Acuras are little expensive. maybe its better to get 2DR Accord EX.  

Nothing (seriously) wrong with acords.  Some of the 98-02's had automatic transmission failure issues, however.  

NOW... I found Mercedes C240 4dr sedan or C230 sport coupe as my new deals. Even cheaper thn same year same milage Lexus IS300.

Mercedes 2002 less thn 50K miles sells for less thn $15000. again maintanence cost is the issue. but I dont think I will be spending for a car with less thn 50K miles on it.

what do you think ? should I get the Mercedes instead    

C-Class has terrible reliability.  The Lexus/Acuras are much better.  

And  what  about Japanese cars  such  as  Toyota and Subaru Outback and  Legasy  

Toyotas are great cars, as are Subarus, as far as reliability goes.  

What's your price range?  You seem to be considering everything from hondas to BMWs.  The price spread between those cars of similar years is huge.  Do you prefer a newer car with a "lesser" badge?  An older car that's more expensive to maintain with a premium badge?  How important is performance and handling?  Quick, well-handling cars are easy to come by, but some are clearly superior when you really hammer it--but usually for a price.  If you outline your priorities and price expectations, perhaps I can offer better advice.  

i bought my daughter a new 04 volvo s40...........i bought it for the safety factor. It drives like a dream and powerful. The only thing is the tires wear VERY quickly and brakes went before two years..I called volvo to find out why i was changing tires so much and brakes so soon and they couldnt give me an explanation. My mecanic said it wasnt unusual for this car.But later that year a new model came out and it has been new and improved ever since. I dont know much about the newer model but i would only recommend it on handling not maintanence.  

i have inhereted a 96 lexus E300.........low milage and excellent shape .does anyone know how expensive maintence is ? will i be able to keep it ?  

Any car can be a victim of poor maintenance, no matter how traditionally reliable.  But assuming that the owners of teh ES300 that you inherited covered the basics, your Lexus should be extremely reliable.  Toyota (owners of Lexus) is known for supurlative reliability.  Lexis is even better, and their dealer network is widely considered the best in the country for customer satisfaction.  

The reality is that your ES300 is a gussied-up Toyota camry, which isn't a bad thing.  The engine, chassis, and the majority of behind-the-scenes mechanical and electronic componentry is exactly the same as that in the Camry.  Even more careful build-quality, superior interior materials and styling, and superior chassis refinement/sound dampening separate the Camry and ES300.  I'm sure you're already aware of the easy-going, luxurious character of your Lexus.  Rest assured that it's probably one of the most reliable cars sold in America at the time.  

Keep it, and you'll be rewarded with another 10 years of reliable service if properly maintained, which is cheap in comparison to German premium brands. Sell it, and you'll get a handsom price because they retain their value so well.  

I don't understand the concept of buying used luxury cars when maintanance cost is an issue. Why not drop your sights a little and buy something like a brand new Sonata. For the prices you are talking about,  you could buy a loaded Sonata and a new boat or a new motorcycle too. I realize there is more to buying a car than just transportation, but what do we really want?