car advice

[7960]

Over the past few years the wife and I switched commutes. She went back to work and now I work at home. It doesn't make sense for her to have an suv and me to have a car.

Just trade cars, you say? I laugh in your face. Apparently you've never been married!! I suggested that but she "does like" my car and wants something "more professional." That's it...no reasoning, nothing even close to rational, just "doesn't like" my car.

So, I'll sell my car so she can get something and I'll take her SUV. I've been out of the car market for a while so I'm looking for suggestions for a "more professional" car than a 2002 maxima. No, I can't help define what "more professional" means. The only requirement is it's got to get decent highway mileage.......and be "more professional"

requirements:

- no preference for foreign or domestic
- 4-doors
- should comfortably seat 4 adults
- should fit 3 kids under 12 years old in the back seat
- decent mileage (25+ highway)
- should be used but "certified" (not all manufacturers do that)
- should be newer (2006+, possibly 2005 depending on specifics)

That's pretty much it.

Help?

[JaJae]

A Maxima isn't professional enough? Is she looking for Lincoln or Lexus or something? I don't see what's so bad about a Maxima unless it's older. Does more professional mean more expensive?

Do you have a price range?

Cadillac CTS, Acura TL, just about any Audi, Lexus ES..

[Scrum]

Not sure about the mileage, but I own an Chevy Impala and it fits the other requirements.

[7960]

Originally Posted by JaJae

A Maxima isn't professional enough? Is she looking for Lincoln or Lexus or something? I don't see what's so bad about a Maxima unless it's older.

2002, so this body style (and color)

Does more professional mean more expensive?

No idea.

Do you have a price range?

Less than $35k

Cadillac CTS, Acura TL, just about any Audi, Lexus ES..

I'm doubting she'd want a caddy but I'll check the others. Thanks.

[7960]

update:

sorry, I should have said I know the names of the "professional" makers (acura, lexus, audi, etc).....what I'm looking for is models like acura TL, lexus ES, etc.

(thanks J)

[WickedLou9]

There has to be a price range you are working with. Otherwise you are going to get answers that range from an Acura TSX to a Lexus LS430.

Oh hmm. you also want fuel milage. 4cyl Acura TSX. Certified used. 4 doors. reliable, professional looking, good resale, etc.

C&D Ten Best list for 2006
2006 Acura TSX - 10Best Cars / 2006 10Best Cars - 10Best Cars / Best/Worst Lists / High Performance / Hot Lists / Reviews / Car and Driver - Car And Driver

[7960]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

There has to be a price range you are working with. Otherwise you are going to get answers that range from an Acura TSX to a Lexus LS430.

Less than $35k

So let's call it $25k-35k.



that LS430 looks nice

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by 7960

Less than $35k

So let's call it $25k-35k.



that LS430 looks nice

For that range, the LS430 is a bit over. You probably won't find one under 40 grand... and it probably gets 20mpg on the highway.

Maybe something like the ES 350. You can get a 2006 or 2007 for just about 30 grand.

[7960]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

For that range, the LS430 is a bit over. You probably won't find one under 40 grand... and it probably gets 20mpg on the highway.

I found a 2005 with 20k miles for $31k

Maybe something like the ES 350. You can get a 2006 or 2007 for just about 30 grand.

I'll check that out. Thanks

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by 7960

I found a 2005 with 20k miles for $31k



I'll check that out. Thanks

really? thats not bad. Does it have dead hookers in the trunk or something?

[Ardentfrost]

If you're willing to spend that much on a car, why do you care about mileage at all?

I bought a new Nissan Versa last year to replace my failing Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep got 20 miles to the gallon on the highway, Versa gets 33 (rated 36, I get a real 33). I can easily fit 4 adults in the car, the backseat is huge (I've had 2 300+ lbs guys back there no problem). It's a very smooth ride, helped by the CVT (no jerking as the transmission changes gears). Keyless entry and starting means I can hop in my car and drive without ever pulling my keys out of my pocket.

I am very pleased with my purchase. And I paid 17k for it after taxes and everything.

[7960]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

really? thats not bad. Does it have dead hookers in the trunk or something?

if I leave it in the sun it'll be like they're still warm

[7960]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

If you're willing to spend that much on a car, why do you care about mileage at all?

no matter how much it costs, why buy a car that gets 18mpg when I can get a car that gets 25mpg?

I bought a new Nissan Versa...

that's a civic. she said "professional" not "college grad"

[Ardentfrost]

It's the same body type as a prius, which a lot of execs have (my director has one). Cheap no longer means teenager car anymore.

And I say "why do you care about mileage" because I've heard multiple people on the radio who drive SUVs and simply say "I don't care if I have to pay a few more bucks for gas." If you got the money for the car, you got the money for the gas.

What she wants is a luxury car. That doesn't mean "professional." It means luxury.

[Ardentfrost]

If you really do care about mileage, check out this site:

Search by Class for Fuel Efficient Cars

There is one luxury sedan that is a good deal better than all the rest. It gets hwy miles almost as good as my Versa, but then it's also Diesel. Everything else gets dismal mileage imo.

[ArrestMeRedZ28]

Subaru Legacy GT FTW

[motivez]

I'd suggest a CPO BMW but living where it snows a lot you may not want something RWD..

They age well as far as resale value. You could get an '06 5-series (like the 525i or so) for 25-30k, EPA estimates 27+ mpg highway.. but my 3 series gets ~25 city, ~35 highway, far exceeding their estimates

[7960]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

And I say "why do you care about mileage" because I've heard multiple people on the radio who drive SUVs and simply say "I don't care if I have to pay a few more bucks for gas." If you got the money for the car, you got the money for the gas.

It's time for a new car. Since we're getting one we might as well get one that gets better mileage than what she's driving now and get one on the higher end of the mileage spectrum.

What she wants is a luxury car. That doesn't mean "professional." It means luxury.

the ls430 lou mentioned earlier gets 26 highway......that's luxury and decent mileage compared to her suv now.

[Ardentfrost]

26 sucks. After tasting 33 real mpg, I'll never buy less than 30 again and hope to go up in mpg from here. With 33 I pay roughly $8 per day in gas with my commute. 26 mpg would push that up near $12 per day. That's over $1k/yr extra in gas alone.

I just view buying cars differently now than I used to. I used to say shit like "well, when I graduate and get a job I'm going to buy a BMW b/c they're good and respected cars" but that shit is stupid. I want a car that can carry people and decent payload, gets good mileage, requires little maintenance, has some amenities that I like (mine has the intelligent key stuff, bluetooth for the phone and voice dialing and all that, steering wheel controls for radio/cd and cruise control, 6 cd changer/mp3 cd player), is comfortable to drive, and comes at a decent price.

Ever since people started demanding smaller cars b/c of the gas mileage, the car companies are starting to provide the cooler features on those cars and making them more comfortable and whatnot. Like I said, I am completely satisfied with my purchase on all accounts.

Of course, I think my approach to this thread is guided by your wife just deciding she wants a luxury car.

It's a different story if you just have the money and want to spend it on something nice. I can appreciate wanting something nice, and a nice car can be that thing... but then to be ok spending $20k more for a car, then bitch about mileage makes no sense. You aren't going to make up the added cost of the car ever. From your Maxima, you'll get comparable gas mileage in the luxury range, but even if you do get better, it won't be THAT much better. Hell, even if you bought a mid-size SUV (like a Nissan Rogue or something in that area), you would never reach a point where you've spent more in car cost + gas cost.

Anyhow, it just seems like a weird thing to care about gas mileage when you're buying a car that costs that much. Just resolve yourself to get mid-20's in gas mileage, b/c that's just what most of them are. If you care about mileage, you gotta get a lighter car.

[7960]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

but then to be ok spending $20k more for a car, then bitch about mileage makes no sense.

who is bitching about mileage? She's driving an SUV now and getting probably 17mpg. We're getting a new(er) car and one of the considerations is that it gets better than that. I picked 26 because it's about a 50% improvement in mileage.

In other words if there are two cars to buy and one of them gets better mileage then why not get that one?

You aren't going to make up the added cost of the car ever.

We're not buying a car because gas is expensive. I've said this 3 times now........it's time to buy a new car, so mileage is a consideration.

Anyhow, it just seems like a weird thing to care about gas mileage when you're buying a car that costs that much. Just resolve yourself to get mid-20's in gas mileage, b/c that's just what most of them are. If you care about mileage, you gotta get a lighter car.

I don't know how to talk to you.