I'm starting to get in the market for a new daily driver. I will soon have another driver in the family and I've got to start making some plans to accommodate that.
Right now I have a 2-car garage and 3 cars. The 911SC fun car occupies 1 bay, my wife's car occupies the other and my truck parks outside. The only way I will be able to accommodate 4 cars is to pour a new parking pad to the side of the garage (teenager's car will park there) and install a 4-post lift (911 goes up top and some yet undefined car goes below). I've been planning for the lift for a few years -- only thing I need to do there is actually buy and install the lift. I will be selling my truck.
That means one of the requirements is that the as yet undefined car has to fit under the lift which means it probably has to be a sedan or coupe.
I also need the ability to haul passengers so it needs to be a 4-door. I'm a tall guy so something like a 3-series BMW is usually too small. But I'm worried that a 5-series is too long to fit in the space under the lift. I'll have to get some measurements.
Since I'm a 911 guy, I tend to prefer German cars but I have owned plenty of Japanese car toos. I've never owned a Subaru but am considering that because of the good things I've heard about them. I'm pretty open to ideas of things I haven't considered. I would prefer something sporty.
First thoughts that come to mind...
- BMW 5-Series
- Acura TL
- Audi ?
- Subaru ?
- Something else?
BMW maintenance costs are a turn off for me. Changing water pumps at every oil change is not cool.
I love BMWs but I'd want to be careful to avoid something with absurd problems. I wrench on the P-car plenty so I'm generally not afraid of doing my own work/maintenance.
As a general rule I prefer to buy used cars but if I can get a deal like 0.0% financing I will consider new.
Ok -- hit me with your suggestions.