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Meade
Of the cars you mentioned, I expect the Jetta will have the nicest interior. Of course, you'll pay for that, but if near-luxury is what your looking at, the Jetta may fit the bill. The old Jetta would've been the sportiest of the bunch, but I think the Jetta's increased size leave the Accord as the sportiest of the bunch (if you look at the Mazda6, then the Accord is 2nd sportiest).
It's tough for me to talk "sport" b/c you don't mention whether you want a 4 cyl or 6, but I can tell you the Accord and Mazda probably have much better handling than the camry.
If you wanted a top-of-the-line car, I'd say the Honda v6 w/ leather and nav would be the best combo of luxury and sport. It'll accellerate very well, handle well and have a great navigation system with voice recognition that's really cool.
I think the camry will be the most comfortable and have the best resale. Re luxury, I think it'd be more luxurious than the Accord and Mazdo, maybe tied or just below the Jetta.
Just 'cause I'm enjoying thinking about this, here's a few rankings:
MOST LUXURY TO LEAST:
1. Jetta; 2. Camry; 3. Accord; 4. Mazda6
MOST SPORTY TO LEAST
1. Mazda6; 2. Accord; 3. Jetta; 4. Camry
MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE TO LEAST
just reverse the order under "SPORTY"
Hope this helps!!!
While I love my G, and seriously considered buying it at the end of the lease, I have a strong variety seeking streak. I am thinking primarily of the 2006 Acura TL (I know it is FWD but torque steer has apparently been reduced) and the BMW 330i. Other cars I could consider are the Audi A4 3.0, the Mercedes C class (3.5), Volvo S60R and even, perhaps, the Saab 9-3. Of course, I will only consider manual transmission cars. My primary use of the car is for personal transportation to work (short commute), occasional long distance travel with family (usually 4 of us), and infrequent banzai runs on the back roads to clear the cobwebs!:)
I would appreciate your opinion on the best car for me. Thank you all very much.
I can only speak to the S60R as that was a close choice for me before picking up my G35 6MT coupe. I really liked the 'Vader' as I called it, black on black on black. It was a very nice driving car. It can be smooth and it can handle very well for a sedan. I do know they were VERY willing to deal, I think I recall about a 38k price if I were to lease it. It had every gadget in the book and for me it was a tough choice. In the end it came to number of doors, we have a 05 Murano and we wanted this car to be the "fun" car. If it were just myself, I think I would have picked the Volvo. I just loved the sleeper aspect and the dealer was a hoot.
All I can say is have some fun and go drive some cars!!
I view this as a negative - if you want to avoid torque, you can simply accellerate more slowly.
I do love the car, and my torque issues were significantly reduced when I put on new tires. Apparently, good traction on the tires reduces the pull tot he side. Anyway, 1 last comment on the TLs torque - I only notice it when trying to accellerate as fast as possible from a dead stop. I don't notice it on downshifts, curves or anything else while the car is alreadymoving.
Re the Volvo S60R, I wish I checked it out while I was looking. Not that I'd trade my TL for anything in the world, but I would've liked to have experienced the Volvo. From what I've read, it will not handle as well as the others in your search.
For that matter, while I would expect the TL to have the nicest interior of the bunch, the G35 and BMW are probably mor sport-oriented. For me (I drive like you - mainly commuting with a fun ride now and then), the TL has been perfect. SPorty enough to enjoy when there's no traffic, with an interior and soundsystem I can enjoy always.
I think I will take a serious look at the Volvo S60R also. The TL and the Audi A4 are easy to test back to back since the Infiniti dealer also carries Acura and Audi. The Volvo dealership is different, but closer to me! I seriously considered the Audi A4 and the Saab 9-5 (also test drove the 9-3) the last time around. Unfortunately, at that time, the TL was available only as an automatic.
The MT choices in the sensible sporty sedan category (the near-near-luxury class, if one can call it that) are very attractive indeed -- Accord V6 EX, MazdaSpeed 6 AWD, Legacy GT Limited, etc., --- but they can wait till after retirement!:)
...I think you would be doing her a disservice allowing her to buy a newer one which will probably just cost her money.
If she could find a 98-2000 LS400 (lexus) with low miles (under say 75,000) she would a real quality machine that would be as or even more reliable as her old Mercedes, not cost an arm and a leg, and will give her a very nice comfortable, quiet ride with lots of amenities.
Here's my question: what is more cost effective? Paying the extra $2K for the 2.0T Standard Edition or getting the dealer to trade in the tires for Michelins and selling me 16" alloys on a VE? If the upgrade is not an option, how do I convince a dealer who usually does not want to go the extra mile (most VW dealerships) to do that?
Then get on the phone and call dealers....I purchased my Prius that way and didn't wait 6 months to get ...I waited a total of 3 weeks for the next boat to come in with the color and Package I wanted, Prep and delivery...
Never forget you are not locked into the local dealer...He will still service your car (service is a seperate profit center from sales) and be happy to do it.
I've already test drove the 325 and S40, and when it comes to zip and gas mileage, i believe the S40 has it beat. Design and rep obviously goes to the BMW. I'll be going to test drive the A3 and IS 250 tomorrow morning. But i'm still a little torn. I'd appreciate the pros and cons of each and you're own personal preference. An objective opinion would be appreciated.
As it stands right now, i'm leaning toward the S40 T5 with its power, mileage, and price. IS250 and 325 would be second, with the A3 at the rear, although the edmunds review has me a little intrigued.
thanks in advance.
:confuse:
We did have a fuel pump issue after we got the car, but the dealer (Volvo @ Gwinnett Place) was VERY good. Provided a loaner and would not return the car until they were sure the problem was resolved.
While you are waiting for some input here, be sure to check out our discussions on these two vehicles. Specifically, check out the Entry-Level Performance Sedans discussion since these are two of the vehicles that have been discussed at length there.
You may also want to start up a specific comparo between them on our Sedans Comparisons board. I think lots of folks would be interested in pursuing this subject in that manner and you very well may get wider feedback that way.
Hope this helps.
IS 250 cons: Rear leg room is very small, No Memory option available with RWD, tilt steering wheel is manual not electric.
BMW 325i cons: Less smooth/quiet than IS 250, about $2500 more expensive with same features (but this includes memory seats/mirrors).
Please help me with what is a good choice or am I thinking too much about less significant features.
If you are saying you will need to get All Wheel Drive to have the memory options Etc. that you want...Pay a little extra (about the same price as the BMW) and have it all.
W/r/t the IS - what will you use the backseat for? If you have kids, then it's an important concern. In fact, if you have kids who'll ride in back, you might want to look at the G35 or Acura TL (if you can live with the FWD). If you'll only use the rear seat for short trips and carrying a gallon of milk now & then, then it's not a real negative, right?
As far as the memory option and manual steering wheel adjustments, if you will be the only driver, then this also shouldn't be an issue. My TL has manual steering wheel adjustments, and it's not an issue for me, even though my wife drives my car sometimes.
"I did hours of research before diciding on Mazda3 hatch, based on total value. Drove 2 hours to a nearby big city for better selections. Test drove the car, but was not really impressed. Some poster said it right: it feels cheap. Cheap leather, cheap panel (buttons look like toys). The design probably is more suitable for teens (I am 58). And the engine needs more power. Anyway, back to the story... Since the same dealer also sells Audi A3, I decided to give it a try. One drive and I was hooked. This is more like a car for adults! I hired a taxi ($200 one way) to pick up my A3 several days later and have been loving it ever since. I know it's 10K more, but what the heck, life is too short! For the first time in my life I discovered that driviing could be so much fun."
Interesting, you're 58 and call yourself "wunderKID". You're not Peter Pan, are you?
I just wish it has DSG, the best automatic in the world, then I think Passat is complete
Configured it the way I want, the total with option comes to $38,924. Plus, VW has this new 3.9% finance on new model.
For G35x, the total with option comes to $39,850
For M35x, it is about $10,000 more than Passat.
However, as with any European car, the reliability is my concern. Checked the JDPower, and Passat never has a very good track record.
I have driving nothing but Honda Accord so far, and I have not had any issue with it.
I like Nissan, especially their engines
I like new A3 (it has DSG) as well, but I think after I configure the way I want, total with option comes to around $34,391.
I wonder if anyone can tell me their experience with VW and is it like BMW that is expensive to repair and replace parts after warranty is expired?
Thank you very much
The new one sounds fantastic. It probably has a lot more body roll than either the M or the G, but it's probably just as luxurious as the M.
I went from Passat to TL, and while I am happy, there are definitely cerain Passat features I miss. Enjoy your ride!
It's supposed to be a customer order only color but some dealers have bought them for stock anyway. I've seen a Garnet Red with open sky at one dealer.
Good suggestion, but I'd skip the GTI and wait for the next R32. Then again, it probably won't be $$$ less than the A3, but definitely worth it.
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Avalon's are nice but they are senior citizen cars. Unless you are over 65 years old....I would look elsewhere.
Do not buy this car. I have had this car for 5 months and it already has 2 recalls. How can you have 2 recalls on a brand new model in 5 months of purchase of car! Also, the passenger air bag deactivates here and there. In addition, the 100% maintenance is only covered at the dealership where the vehicle was purchased, so if you move or purchase the car at another dealership, you will not get the same lever of service and will have to pay out of pocket for some things (or get a smoked up Saturn Ion as your loaner!). I have never dealt with ruder service departments in my life and will never buy a BMW again. The car is also lacking and things start to fall off after 4 months....do not buy!! Lots of money for little car!!
:mad:
It is 1st year of brand new design. I would not think that recalls would be that unexpected.
Krzys
Also, as far as I know, no dealership is required to provide you with a loaner. It's just a courtesy.
I'm also considering the Altima SE-R. I've got price quotes on both vehicles in the high 26K's. I'd really like to have a manual transmission, and the SE-R I'm looking at is a 6 speed.
The '06 Accord EX-V6 6 speed is another consideration, although they are a little hard to find.
Any advice is welcome -- I'd also consider 2004 or newer used cars.
I'm debating whether to buy the 06 Civic Sedan LX or the 06 Accord Sedan VP. Both are more or less the same price.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
My money would be on the SE-R or Accord, preferably the Accord if for nothing else other than interior quality compared to the other two. $30,000 will almost get you a TL, a new IS250, etc. There are a lot of choices so it's hard to recommend any one car to you without knowing more of your "must haves".
Take an extensive drive in both and pick what is best for you.
Ford, Buick, Infiniti, Acura, Honda, VW, Volvo, Subaru, and Mazda all make 4-door sedans that blend sportiness, comfort, practicality, luxury and price to various degrees. Deciding what your priorities are is the 1st step to narrowing the list.
I'm biased against American cars, so I don't really keep up with them, but I'll give you my opinion on some imports:
VW Passat & Jetta - they'll fit your bill if luxury becomes a determinative issue
Mazda6/Nissan Altima/Infiniti G35 - if sport is your top priority, check out these 2
Honda Accord/Acura TSX/TL - more balance btn luxury and sportiness, with the Acuras also having some fo the best handling you'll find in a FWD
Volvo S40T5 - a fun drive - A notch above the mazda in terms of interior
Have a friend who has a Toyota Rav-4 - they love it - great MPG - Toyota reliability - more room than you think inside.
I looked at one - but since we have a 90 pound dog there was not enough room in back.