Ask the Car People.SM


Help Me Choose!

3351 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 6:43 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 306 of 336

#3045 of 3351 Re: I Never Knew Car Buying Could Be So Stressful! [sebring95] by suydam

Feb 02, 2013 (5:13 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Feb 01, 2013 10:35 am)
Try the new Avalon hybrid. It's getting good reviews.

#3046 of 3351 Re: I Never Knew Car Buying Could Be So Stressful! [red0624] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Feb 02, 2013 (7:03 am)

Replying to: red0624 (Feb 01, 2013 9:44 am)
I don't know where you live... but, you couldn't sell a FWD Audi around here... What you'd save on a slightly lower purchase price and gas would be lost on re-sale...
 
The Audi is surprisingly roomy... not as small as you think, if you haven't been in the latest model..

#3047 of 3351 Re: I Never Knew Car Buying Could Be So Stressful! [red0624] by mah52

Feb 02, 2013 (7:19 am)

Replying to: red0624 (Jan 31, 2013 2:31 pm)
If you can wait until June, consider the new IS 250 or 350. Not a hybrid, but has an economy setting, and the back seats split and fold down to accommodate your real estate signs.

#3048 of 3351 Re: Trying to chose sporty sedan... [redlinez] by plekto

Feb 03, 2013 (11:07 am)

Replying to: redlinez (Jan 25, 2013 7:25 pm)
I'd personally recommend looking at used cars a level up. For instance, the Accord in the U.S. is actually a model in-between the Civic and the Accord in Japan. What the rest of the world gets as the "Accord" is actually sold as the Acura TSX in the U.S.
 
The solution then, would be to consider the real Accord, or a 2-3 year old TSX for the price of a new Civic. Better features, a bit more bling/status (never hurts), and a ton less depreciation and initial registration and taxes. These cars also are generally built better and have more safety features as well. Lastly, let some other fool eat the initial depreciation.
 
Other cars to consider would be a similar used G37, a used Lexus IS, a used Volvo S60, or a used Cadillac CTS. All of these give you close to a proper sports-luxury feel and meet all of your criteria and then some.
 
As for my favorite pick, it would be the CTS. GM's European division basically stole a bunch of BMW and Mercedes engineers years ago and designed the car to be a BMW 5 Series clone. Which it does very very well. The engine and car design is in Germany and the assembly and electricals (the weak part on German cars) is done in North America. (Canada, IIRC?) It also depreciates the fastest, which means used models are all over the place for $20K.
 
www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&listingId=335- 730846
 
What's to note is that this is the direct injection model with the bigger engine. In 4 years, the price has dropped by almost 40%. It still drives like a $40K car, though. This is for CPO. If you want used, $18-20K is a more realistic number.

#3049 of 3351 Re: Trying to chose sporty sedan... [plekto] by redlinez

Feb 03, 2013 (11:52 am)

Replying to: plekto (Feb 03, 2013 11:07 am)
I finally ended up with a 2013 Mazdaspeed3 in velocity red. So far I'm loving it. Got a great deal too

#3050 of 3351 Re: I Never Knew Car Buying Could Be So Stressful! [red0624] by plekto

Feb 03, 2013 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: red0624 (Jan 31, 2013 2:31 pm)
My mother is in the same boat as you are. She wants a nice car that does al of that and has a bit of bling as well.
 
There are four ways to obtain status with a car.
1 - Spend a ton of money of something that gives you status and beauty.
2 - Buy something that is bleeding-edge technology (hybrid/etc)
3 - Have it do something that other normal cars can't. 4WD, convertible, or similar.
4 - The car does an end-run around normal cars/is alternative fuel.
 
The first is obvious but painful on the pocketbook. A hybrid is actually not good for the environment (toxic batteries) and has less and less status gain, and most convertibles are sold at an outrageous premium. The frugal way to get status/bling currently is a Diesel fuel vehicle. A car with a CDI/TDI engine. Same MPG as a hybrid but no batteries.
 
In my mother's case, she liked the A3 TDI a lot. Much, much more than the 300H. Also, the 2012 Audi A4 wagon (CPO of course) is on the short list to buy. They aren't offering it as a 2013 model (it will return in 2014 though, refreshed and updated), unfortunately, but it's an even better choice. She liked the VW Passat TDI as well.

#3051 of 3351 b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random by bunit23

Feb 06, 2013 (2:40 pm)

I have this going one another forum and thought I would bring this to a more universal sight too.
  
I will be purchasing a car in the near future and I am going for CPO. I really want an AWD, so the S4 is my first choice. I heard the Quattro is sick. The car will mostly be used for Road trips and Weekend driving. I have a older Nissan Maxima that is my daily driver. My main issue with the Audi is that most people state that it will be costly and frequent, in the future, and I plan on keeping the car for a long time. My 96 Maxima currently has 171k on it.
  
I live in San Antonio Tx and it can get pretty hot. Are there any reasons I should avoid the Audi besides costly repairs??? I am not a wrencher, but I am not afraid to dig in.
  
I am open to other cars too
  
Please give me suggestions!!!
  
So far the cars that caught my eyes are:
  
Infiniti G37x (looks cheap in most areas, but still a great ride)
  
Lexus GS350 (Never owned a Toyota and this one seems pretty nice)
  
Audi B8 S4 (so far has all the specs I want and I like to have cars I don't see on the road all the time)
  
***BMW 335xi is not on my radar because I see way too many BMW's out here. I don't want to join the club.***
  
________________________________________________________
Subaru Impreza or Lancer Evo are interesting too, but I'm looking for a little more luxury

#3052 of 3351 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by sallier

Feb 06, 2013 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 2:40 pm)
This is to bunit23 & the preceding writer w/4 ways to status - I would like to add
a 5th way which bunit & I almost agree on - which are the actual dynamics of the
car - if the review says something like: agile, responsive wheel, grips corners, firm
suspension - just plain sporty to drive - that's my kind of "status-y car". And I'm the white-haired mom. The car I'm looking at is 2010, 2011 low mileage Infiniti
FX35 (not FX 37 - the 2013). It has the bling - especially w/Premium & Tech
packages but it certainly seems to have the "sport". If I could get a new Passat
wagon I'd probably go that route but not made for the States!! Car&Driver LOVE
Audi's - but for me, the repair issue keeps me away. - I'd also appreciate any other ideas

#3053 of 3351 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by boomchek

Feb 06, 2013 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 2:40 pm)
The Lexus will be the cheapest to maintain but also the blandest, but it will be well appointed and luxurious. I also think it might hold up in value the best over time.
 
The Audi will be fun to the drive, especially an S4 but yes, maintenance might be steep unless you have a decent mechanic that knows what they're doing once warranty runs out and you do not neglect it.
 
I personally am not a fan of The G37 sedans as I think they're a tad outdated and don't feel as good as German sports sedans (I've been in the car business almost a decade and drove almost everything).
 
I have a 3 series BMW (07 328i) and love it because handling wise it's very hard to beat. Personally that's what I would choose (your 335xi).

#3054 of 3351 Re: b8 S4 vs G37x vs GS350 vs random [bunit23] by qbrozen

Feb 06, 2013 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: bunit23 (Feb 06, 2013 2:40 pm)
Well, BMW would still be my choice. I see just as many Audis.
 
The other possibility is a low-mileage S60R. I'm not sure you can find one CPO anymore, though. Possibly an '07 that was previously CPO... which would make you the 3rd owner. Anyway, its not as fast in a straight line as the 335 or s4, but the adjustable suspension works great and the throne is superior.
 
What about something like an E550 4matic?

Messages Page 306 of 336

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement