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Unfortunately we have to replace the family hauler ('03 Maxima) that lost in a head-on tangle with an SUV; SUV slid on ice, into my lane (two lane, undivided) and when I braked I found out that we too were on ice. Fortunately, with many blessings, no life threatening injuries.

The task at hand is replacing the Maxima. Budget constraint is maximum of $30-$35M. Living in the North Atlantic, FWD is a requirement. While the Maxima was not bad, we would prefer a better frontal crash test rating. Looked at Volvo, which seems cramped in rear seat legroom. Thought about Subaru but also small rear seat room. The short list has come down to a choice of two- VW Passat (drove the GLX 6cyl) and the Acura TL. I think both are nice cars that exemplify differences of German vs. Japanese approach to driving. My daily driver is a Honda (third Honda for me) and I feel familiar with Honda reliability. I admit that I haven't looked at VW in years and have a question about the current state of VW reliability (comments welcome!). I know that the redesigned Passat, '06 will be introduced this summer, but I need a car sooner than August.

Anybody have experiences with either the Acura TL or the Passat and/or alternative recommendations? TIA.

Get a Honda Pilot. Has plenty of room, great milage, good and solid and fits your price range - and it's a Honda.

We had a 2000 Passat 4Motion for 4 years (lease) but didn't buy it because of the economics of the buy out. We're considering getting a FWD one instead - the 4Motion was a bit bad on gas around town. A buddy of mine has the TL too and that is a sweet car as well.

I don't think you can go wrong man. They are both good cars.

get another Porsche to replace it. Im sure the wifey wont mind :D

Are the new maximas more expensive than $35K? What about an altima?

Mike H. - I forgot to mention that we're really not SUV types. My wife drove the Accord and didn't like it.


Bluebullet - Thanks, wifey smiled at the idea of another Porsche! I think that a new Max is within target, however, this is the second Maxima we have had bad luck with ('96 was taken out by a tree; wife parked at work, tree also took out a new Lexus parked next to her), so we thought about trying something different. She drove the Altima and didn't like the feel of it.

Mike - Thanks for the Jetta feedback -anybody else about the Jetta? other ideas?

I am in almost the EXACT same boat and really like that TL. My a6 wagon is almost done and I want to buy something. That TL has 270hp which I think is close to the maxima? Real nice inside too. I think that might be it or I may get a CPO audi allroad for about 28K. Have you driven the audis? Very nice and similar to the passat (i think almost exactly the same) but def. gas guzzler. I researched this yesterday at length and the TL was #1 in the Consumer Reports best buy, reliable car section. As I recall Consumer Reports is pretty objective so the TL might be the one.

joe 68 L

go here: http://autos.msn.com/Default.aspx

I like to read the reviews to see what people really think. You can usually weed out the yahoos who you KNOW are real extreme one way or the other on a car. The "middle of the road" reviews seem pretty helpful.

If your wife didn't like the Accord, will she like the TL it is almost the same car. The TL is a great car, and I am thinking about getting one for my daily driver.

Michael

Why not a Subaru Outback Turbo ??

250 hp, 250 lbs of torque, AWD, great reliability & safety rating, plus plenty of cargo space when the rear seats are folded flat.

Would the Outback be considered an SUV?
Can't co wrong with a Camry.

The Jetta is a great car for all types of weather. I bought mine last year brand new and just crossed 10,000 miles and no problems since the first day at the dealer. We just had our fun California weather storms and suprisingly my Jetta did really well. I have the ESP which prevented the wheels from spinning and considering the weather, I was comfortable going the speed limit and felt safe in the car. It is a six-speed but the GLS model is the automatic version. Preowned with under 10K miles now you can get for 15-20k. I was thinking of selling but because of the new model release, I would lose way too much.

Since it sounds like the wifey is making the decisions here, why are you even asking for advice?

Just let her find the car SHE wants - you're only onboard to make the payments anyway...


;)

I've got a 2001 Passat with the 1.8 turbo and 5-speed. It's fun for a daily driver, with decent power and great highway gas mileage (about 33 mpg) considering it's size. It's comfortable, nice stereo, cruise, seat heaters, traction control, ABS, etc. The car has been pretty reliable, although it did have a bad coil pack which was replaced under warranty. You should be able to get a great deal now with the new model just around the corner.

The last one is $30,000.................just has to be something wrong with it.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?make=POR&distance=0&lang=&max_pr ice=40000&model=911&end_year=1998&sort_type=priceD ESC&min_price=25000&certified=&address=48104&searc h_type=used&advanced=&isp=y&start_year=1995&pager. offset=200&first_record=201

The new Dodge "hemi" powered sport wagon, called a "magnum" is in the $30K range. They are available in all wheel drive. I haven't driven one...yet.

Joe - I read Consumer Reports too and the TL is on the recommended list. As for Audi, I recently drove an allroad wagon - it's really nice but didn't make the final cut.

Mike H. - I considered Subaru, and if it was for me, would definitely look at the WRX; I think it was Consumer Reports was not impressed and rear seat room was tight. Hey, I missed your signature line before, Dr. Seuss rules!

Update - today went back to the VW and Acura dealer and spent about 30 minutes driving each car, highway and backroads. After getting home and discussing it, we discovered that we're both leaning towards the TL. Thanks much for the feedback!

My mom has a TL Type S. Other than some minor little problems like the transmission siezing up on the interestate (Warranty replaced, was a known problem) and the back arm rests falling apart (replaced for free, the dealer was embarrassed) it has been a great car. I know they dropped the Type S moniker and they all now have the same motor.

My wife drives a Volvo S60 AWD, and was involved in an accident last week with my 2 year old in the back in her car seat. Both front air-bags deployed, and both my wife and daughter walked away un-injured. I am 6'4" tall and the seat behind me is a little cramped, while I am driving, but not horrible. The Volvo is a tank, and I am very thankful that they were in it. Surprisingly it did not do much damage to the car. If I were you, I would look very seriously at a lease returned S60R, they are out there. When the lease is up on my S60, I very seriously considereing selling my Tahoe, and buying one of the new XC90's with a V-8.

Bill

These look interesting. Starts at $29K.

Mazdaspeed6

If your wife drives a 6 speed, then look at the Acura TSX as well as TL. Totally different cars, but very, very nice. Maybe don't rule out the automatic, but the car feels much better with the manual.

VW reliability is quite poor.

Infinity G35? Available in AWD and can be had <$35k. Well rated.

I second the vote on the Acura TSX. Supposed to be a very nice, very fun car (auto transmission might suck some of the fun out of it though). Less than $30k very well equipped.