Family Sedan Suggestions ...

[aigel]

So, I am wondering if I shouldn't partially retire the high mileage SUV we own and add a daily driver sedan for family duty around town and for my wife to get to work in. For camping, hunting and trips with the dogs the SUV can come out. Keeping the SUV around is about $500 / year in insurance and registration.

So, I can't really think of a lot of attractive sedans ... wondering if you have some ideas ...

1) Mid to large size, so no corolla.
2) Modern safety, specifically front, side, curtain air bags
3) Budget is $25k, but bonus points if it can be done for less
4) Reasonable fuel economy, SUV gets 14 mpg, so 50% better would be nice at 21 mpg average.
4) Extra points for a stick shift - right - that's a tall order

What do you think?

A friend has a nice 2008 BMW 535. Are the MBZ any good? How about the Japanese - Lexus? Slightly used Hyunday flagship? Or a Ford?

G

[TGTIW]

Mazda 6.

[1990C4S]

Chrysler 300 is the favorite rental car where I work. By a long shot...

[aigel]

The Mazda 6 is interesting. 4 banger with a 6 speed stick. 180hp. Not bad!

No Chrysler products for me past 1975, thanks.

How about RWD cars?

G

[carreraken]

We just picked up a new subaru legacy (our 3rd Legacy). Nicely equipped within your budget & AWD.

Only drawback is the CVT trans, but I'm warming up to it. It 'quasi-simulates' a normal auto trans.

Definitely NOT a 'performance' sedan - more of a comfortable practical commuter.

[Seahawk]

Not to be too nosy, but why a sedan option only? There are some great small SUVs out there that meet or crush all your criteria except the manual: That option is getting rare.

[aigel]

Already have an SUV. Compact SUVs are ridiculous IMHO. They offer no advantage over a sedan etiher. I'll buy a Prius first (actually a consideration here!).

The Subaru? I drove a new Outback and hated it last year. Too plasticy and that transmission would drive me insane. Also don't need AWD - will keep the 4x4 full size SUV for that.

G

[VincentVega]

New Accord 4 dr starts at 22k w/ a manual. Looks ok, safe and should get you mid 30's mpg.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by aigel

Already have an SUV. Compact SUVs are ridiculous IMHO.

Sorry I asked. Last one from me.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Sorry I asked. Last one from me.

Sorry if it came across harsh. Not my intention! Keep asking!

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Standard stuff:

Accord - new ones are big
Taurus - big and reasonably nice but boring, SHO might be fun
5-series - fun until it breaks
E-class - nice but boring
Infiniti M37/45 - most of the BMW excitement but with Japanese reliability
Lexus GS - RWD, marginally more exciting than a Camry
Acura TL - reliable but dull
Subi Legacy/Impreza/Outback/Baja - lots of Subi options, many with turbos and a stick
Audi A6 - beautiful inside, typical German reliability
Volvo S60 - somewhere between the Germans and Japanese
Mazda6 - worth a look, $25k would buy a nearly new one. In Grand Touring guise they are quite nice and pretty decent to drive.
Altima - rental car
Maxima - fancy rental car
300/Charger - rental car
Impala - rental car
Optima - rental car
Probably some other appliances that I am forgetting....

Fun stuff:

CTS-V - you can get a really nice 1st gen CTS-V with plenty of cash left over. It's a four door Corvette with a stick, how can you go wrong? They are also pretty solid reliable cars, though a little on the small side.
Subi - worth a look at the WRX, STi, Legacy GT, and XT models. All get you AWD, turbo-four, and a stick.
S60R - Also fun, can be had with a stick.
V70R - who doesn't love a fast wagon?
E55/E63 - you can get either for $25k. The E63 is a beast, the engine is an all time great. I LOVED my C63.
E39 M5 - some love them, I was personally underwhelmed.
RS6 - lots of power, not known for being reliable.
XJR - air suspension makes them a little scary.
XFR - supposedly rivaled an M5 when new, auto only.
D3 S8 - another one known for air suspension issues, but stunning cars.
Pontiac G8 - an outlier here, but RWD with V8 power. GXP added stick but are still pricey.
Lexus ISF - a little small, but it's a super sedan by Toyota.
Mazdaspeed6 - you have to go back to the previous bodystyle, but you get almost 300 HP, AWD, and a stick.

Happy shopping, let me know if I can help.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

New Accord 4 dr starts at 22k w/ a manual. Looks ok, safe and should get you mid 30's mpg.

All these manual cars will be very hard to come by locally. This is a $$$ area, so the dealers stock up on the loaded models. I don't care for the looks of the Accord. Visibility may be pretty crappy out that back. The Mazda has it beat hands down in looks IMHO. That said, resale certainly would be better on the Accord. Plans for the car however would be to drive 10+ years if it is bought new, so resale is not a big concern.

G

[wdfifteen]

A 3 year old Toyota Avalon would be my choice.

[Josh D]

BMW E39 530i Sport 5-speed if you can find one.

[mikeferg75]

Fusion ecoboost with stick, or slightly used fusion hybrid. Both great cars with different flavors.

[JavaBrewer]

My wife loves her Infiniti G37. Lots of power and good mpg on the highway. Easily in your price range if you buy a 2011/2012 model. I think a trip to a local CarMax will save you a bunch of time. They will have multiple low mile examples of all the cars mentioned on the same lot. Narrow the choices and then shop online for best prices.

[Nostril Cheese]

Check out Hyundai. They make nice stuff these days.

Cant go wrong with Mazda, Lexus or Infinti

[Scuba Steve]

We enjoy our VW CC.

[aigel]

Accord - new ones are big
Don't care for the body style.

Taurus - big and reasonably nice but boring, SHO might be fun
See above. Not a fan of very high doors and the Aston knockoff front grille.

5-series - fun until it breaks
I know this would be easy to get my wife into. Good looking cars. Buddy has this 535 and so far so good. Seems to make a lot of power. But a very nice one is still $$$.

E-class - nice but boring
The Benz used to age well. They didn't change models frequently. Now it seems like US cars in the 60s and 70 - a new look every 2 years. A 10 year old MB looks very dated. But - are they good cars? I think they may be less $ than the BMW for comparable cars?

Infiniti M37/45 - most of the BMW excitement but with Japanese reliability
Glorified Nissan. These do nothing for me. They look very very boring too.

Lexus GS - RWD, marginally more exciting than a Camry
A possibility. Struggle with the 3 foot wide center consoles on these ...

Acura TL - reliable but dull
Not pretty and yes, super boring.

Subi Legacy/Impreza/Outback/Baja - lots of Subi options, many with turbos and a stick
Not convinced on reliability and fuel economy is very poor on these - without a lot in return in performance, unless you step it up to a hot model.

Audi A6 - beautiful inside, typical German reliability
I'm scared of Audis newer than 1980 vintage.


Volvo S60 - somewhere between the Germans and Japanese
Yawn. Very ugly. Volvos used to be square. What happened???

Mazda6 - worth a look, $25k would buy a nearly new one. In Grand Touring guise they are quite nice and pretty decent to drive.
The stripped down model with 6 speed is just over 20k, about $24 out the door. This is something to go look at!

Altima - rental car
Maxima - fancy rental car
300/Charger - rental car
Impala - rental car
Optima - rental car
Probably some other appliances that I am forgetting....
Yes, all off the list.
Prius!? - I am serious, I do like to save gas. Is it too small? I won't drive it much.

CTS-V - you can get a really nice 1st gen CTS-V with plenty of cash left over. It's a four door Corvette with a stick, how can you go wrong? They are also pretty solid reliable cars, though a little on the small side.
Still seem to go for good money. The fuel efficiency is out the window - like every car in this category, but very intriguing. Let's discuss further!

Subi - worth a look at the WRX, STi, Legacy GT, and XT models. All get you AWD, turbo-four, and a stick.
See above

S60R - Also fun, can be had with a stick.
V70R - who doesn't love a fast wagon?
Looks ...

E55/E63 - you can get either for $25k. The E63 is a beast, the engine is an all time great. I LOVED my C63.
Just too much money, I am afraid. That's in gas and keeping it on the road, no?

E39 M5 - some love them, I was personally underwhelmed.
I guess it would be good for the stick? Otherwise a straight six would be preferred by me even with less power.

RS6 - lots of power, not known for being reliable.
Haha, that's an understatement.

XJR - air suspension makes them a little scary.
XFR - supposedly rivaled an M5 when new, auto only.
Jaguar ? is so not me / us ...

D3 S8 - another one known for air suspension issues, but stunning cars.
Is this an Audi? Sounds scary.

Pontiac G8 - an outlier here, but RWD with V8 power. GXP added stick but are still pricey.
Too "American" and not in a good way.

Lexus ISF - a little small, but it's a super sedan by Toyota.
I like these. A bit over the top in styling.

Mazdaspeed6 - you have to go back to the previous bodystyle, but you get almost 300 HP, AWD, and a stick.
This may be a fun idea too. Used to have a MS3 and it was wicked ...

G

[Ronbo]

Focus ST