| Author | Message | ||
     Orman1649 |
The wife and I are looking at new cars. Any suggestions? So far we have driven a Caddy ATS, Lincoln MKZ, Chrysler 300C and Optima SX-L. My opinion so far is the MKZ is in the lead followed by the 300/SX-L with the ATS bringing up the rear. Comfort - MKZ Road Noise - MKZ/300 Build Quality - MKZ/SX-L Price - SX-L Even though we live in the PNW, my wife fell in love with the cooled seats of the MKZ. I believe they are truly cooled and not just ventilated. You can't even get ventilated seats in the ATS and I didn't really like the interior (it wasn't nearly as nice as I thought it should be and I wasn't really impressed with the seat comfort) so that is out, however, we may still look at the CTS and XTS. I haven't decided if I care more about fuel economy or performance yet. Performance winner is hands down 300c but economy is hands down MKZ hybrid. There is a real lack of get up and go with the hybrid though. The SX-L is a really great car for the money but I think we would rather spend a few more bucks and get something a little more "luxurious" The 300 was nice but not as smooth as the MKZ. I very much liked the added power though. It felt a little cheap though. The door that hides a compartment in the center console seemed "difficult" to close and there was a panel on the top of the dash that was warped or not installed properly. Not all that impressed with the Audi A4 & A5 and cooled/ventilated seats are not available. We plan on taking a look at Lexus this weekend. | ||
| Cowboy |
Toyota avalon | ||
| Kyrocket |
Give us an idea of what you'll be using it for; just the two of you? Any pets, kids, gear of any sort? To and from work, if so, short jaunt or are you a mega-miler? Just curious, and I also agree with Cowboy, why no Toyotas? I think that new Venza is pretty sharp. | ||
| Orman1649 |
1 very young child atm but another in the not too distant future I think. Mostly to and from work which isn't far but we may take some trips in it. We are specifically looking for a 4 door car. We already have an '02 Denali. I'm not specifically ruling any specific brands out yet but I never thought of a Toyota as a luxury car. Will check into them. Thanks! (Message edited by orman1649 on April 26, 2013) (Message edited by orman1649 on April 26, 2013) | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the 14 Grand Cherokee diesel. Should be later this year, already on jeep.com, and rated for 30 mpg. All season, all luxury, and great mileage along with outstanding performance from the accounts I've read. | ||
| Cowboy |
The Avalon is bolt for bolt and nut for nut a Lexus, | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
If I was shopping for myself I'd be looking at a Chrysler 300C, which is now hugely better since the Lancia engineers reworked the underpinnings & available in AWD. The SRT8 is only a few hundred more. | ||
| Blake |
I'm with Cowboy. Skip the silly luxury status car. Put the savings towards something meaningful. College fund, retirement, property in the country, some serious prepping, a nice vacation... | ||
| Brumbear |
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/A udi_A6/ Audi is just sexy and if I had the coin BAM!!!!! | ||
| Reepicheep |
I just got a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero (Turbo V6) with 47k miles on it for $9000. It's half Saab, half ruined by GM. But still half Saab. And did I mention $9K? It will go nicely with your Buell (another great companies bought and run into the ground). (And for the record, I realize Saab had serious financial troubles before GM bought them. The difference is Saab was putting themselves out of business making really special cars, and GM put them out of business trying to make them build crap). (Message edited by reepicheep on April 26, 2013) | ||
| Nukeblue |
if you like the 300c try the srt8 on for size. mega torque baby! and like grump said, still in yer price range | ||
| 6gears |
My wife is hooked on the Range Rover Evoque. | ||
| Brumbear |
The evoque is nice but there is O visibility in the back windows SUCK yes there is a back up sensor array but that don't help when your movin. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Evoque ? I grew up with Landy's & have owned various models but that abortion is just a hairdresser's Range Rover . | ||
| Britchri10 |
@ Grumpy: +1. I could see us in a Range Rover (If I had the coin) but even my wife wouldn't be seen dead in an Evoque. I still want a 110! Chris C | ||
| Blake |
Nothin like a nice crew cab 4x4 diesel truck. No matter what fancy high-falutin' car others might have, they'll always look up to you. | ||
| Cowboy |
King ranch dooly | ||
| Blake |
How the heck do you park a dooly in town? I have nightmares of such things. LOL | ||
| Kyrocket |
Well, coming from a father of three let me show you a little bit of your future  If that next one comes soon check out your future car for trunk space for a fold up stroller. Also, some cars are easier than others for installing car seats, some have anchors out in the open, some you have to dig for. It's a PITA to dig for them. One word, LEATHER, don't know how you feel about it but gross as it sounds it is much easier to clean projectile vomit off leather than cloth. I've had to do it recently  Cowboy is right again about the Lexus/Toyota, if you like the Lexus wait a couple years and get the identical Avalon. I've got a '96 Avalon with 182K+ miles on it that I've had since it had 100K and I've replaced the starter and both front axles, grand total, about $600 and I've had it 10 years now. Just my .02, good luck in your search. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Listen to Blake. That's what I always do.  All modern cars are luxury cars, it seems to me. Some are just more expensive than others. | ||
| 86129squids |
I'd be looking at "new-ish" used cars- do you really want to take the depreciation hit once you drive that new car off the lot?! There are plenty of great options for your needs on the used market, and your dollar value won't be wasted... my view on 4 wheeled vehicles is that they are mainly utilitarian, no need to blow a sum of money that represents a small mortgage. Of course I'm still driving a 1992 Nissan hardbody king-cab, absolutely no problems- it'll probably outlast me. I have no need for a "family" type vehicle, so there you have it. With 1 kid and potentially another in the future, I'd get something comfortably adequate, and stash away the remaining $$$ for the kids down the road. Good luck, post up your progress... | ||
| Mnrider |
The MKZ is great car and it sounds like you want it the most. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
do you really want to take the depreciation hit once you drive that new car off the lot?! Not a problem if you keep the vehicle .....long term. My 98 S-10 is hovering around 9 cents a mile in miles/purchase cost. Do the math.........YMMV......  | ||
| 86129squids |
Good point. I bought my Nissan used, about 4-5 years after it was sold new- wonder what my cost per mile works out to be now. Still, that's a hard pill to swallow, watching that new price change to the used value in a year. I do still appreciate that "new car smell", but I understand that one can buy that in an aerosol can nowadays. Once I took my mom to visit my Sis in Little Rock- Sis and Mom both were concerned that my crappy old truck wouldn't make it, wanted me to trade... I was carrying Mom, my dog, my Buell, essentially all that I valued most. Once I got to LR, I made arrangements to have an exhaust leak fixed- then asked where to get a good detail job done. After the exhaust fix and a DAMN nice detail job, the truck looked real close to new. Drove back to Mom's home down I40 with everything, running 75-80ish the whole time, nary the first huccup. Both Mom and Sis changed their tune, once my minor investments in the crappy old Nissan proved themselves. Orman, good luck and good hunting! | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Let's say you buy a $25,000 car, take the other $25K you would have spent and invest it. By the time your child is 18, his/her college will be paid for. Just a thought. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've bought three new cars my whole life. 2005 Magnum R/T Hemi. Totalled by a stop-sign runner. In my garage being disassembled as a Hemi donor for my '72 Satellite. 2005 Ram 2500 Cummins. Given away in the divorce (small price to pay...). 1991 Dodge Daytona C/S Competition Package. One of 150 built, one of 26 with these options, documented by Chrysler, 74k original miles. Sitting in the garage. Probably drive it to the store today because it wants exercise I'm one of those who, if I buy new, keeps them pretty much forever. And Johnny has a good idea...but you need to know where/how to invest that 25k, reliably, because in today's market it could just as easily turn into 26k. Or 0k. And that's the challenge. | ||
| Two_seasons |
I'll throw in my $0.02 here. I'd go and look at the 7 series BMW, price it out, then go down to the Mercury store and buy the MKZ. Take the diff $ and buy the CF 1190RS from Erik. That, I believe, would be a great investment  . | ||
| Sifo |
A car will almost always be the worst major "investment" you ever make. OK, motorcycles tend to be worse, but I think you get my drift. Knowing that, if you are financially set, go for what makes you happy. If investing that extra cash well would changer your life in the future, I would rethink it. Beyond that, luxury cars don't have much appeal to me, so I have little to say. The thought of a ventilated seat though... That can make a huge difference.  | ||
| 7873jake |
Just went through this whole process and found some saddening, maddening things. Most $30-40k sedans have a crappy back seat. Audi A4/A5, BMW 3's, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes C-class, etc etc. The previous model year's Avalon was spacious, smooth, affordable and well regarded. The 'new' Avalon is nice but didn't seem as big as the 'old' one. Several SUVs caught our attention but didn't really hold us. MDX, X3/X5, Q5. Ventured in to other areas like VW TDI Jetta wagon and liked them but, again, the back seat was tight. Ditto on the Audi Allroad. Found a great deal on a 2012 low mileage fully loaded Subaru Outback with every option. Missed the deal by about 30 minutes but really liked the 2013 also. I'm 6'3" and found it roomy in every seat. Doesn't have the cachet of 'luxury' brand, I know. Did have a blast with a little WRX STi while there...ohhhhh my. I've satisfied my desire to own such highly depreciable 'assets' (oxymoronic statement) and since all of my cars rarely leave my driveway before racking at least 150k-200k miles, my wife will probably get her Outback wagon. In a year or two, I'll probably go get the WRX STi I want and keep an old truck on the side for mule work. Yeah, riiight. | ||
| Etennuly |
Ahhhgghhhh......it don't matter what you buy. You are spoiled. Once you have spent a few years in a Denali very few vehicles are nearly as comfortable, roomy, quiet, smooth riding, and toting a great sound system that will blow your mind or let you hear a pin drop. I had an '03 XL 6.0 AWD that would do 18+ MPG at 80 on the Interstates. I loved that thing but had to let it go riding the economic curves of a couple of years ago. Now everything I ride in is still compared to the Denali. | ||
| Macbuell |
I'd check out the Nissan Maxima if I were you. Just a nice as those cars mentioned but thousands cheaper, IMO. |
