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  • aussiesmg

    Nov. 28, 2010 8:28 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    OK, my use is for business, we transport people and I drive at least 1000 miles a week, so far and with great success I have used and worn out many Town Cars.

    These have been great, reliable, roomy, reasonable economy and cheap parts made them perfect for the job.

    Problem, I am sick of driving automatic lounge rooms, I am seeking something with reasonable economy, enough room and not too expensive to maintain, and can handle the constant use.

    I do want manual and prefer RWD but can accept AWD.

    Choices so far CTS-V, Subaru GT errrrrr.....ummmm

    G8 GXP would be amazing but not at $38K

    That's seriously about it, BMW, Mercedes are too demanding on parts and in reality give a poor impression for the business (too successful) Lexus do not inspire me.

    Votes or ideas welcome

  • Giant Purple Snorklewacker

    Nov. 28, 2010 8:35 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

    Lux minivan?

    Diesel Excursion ?

  • aussiesmg

    Nov. 28, 2010 8:41 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    I am seeking something fun to drive

  • aussiesmg

    Nov. 28, 2010 8:49 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    I am considering that but have so many projects already, seriously a 300 hp mustang engine and manual trans into a town car would be perfect

  • sachilles

    Nov. 28, 2010 8:49 a.m. sachilles Dork

    I assume 4 doors is also required? Subura Legacy Spec B, Dodge Charger, Volvo? Acura?

    Of your list, I'd love to have a CTS-V.

  • Type Q

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:28 a.m. Type Q HalfDork

    Is an Infinity G35 sedan available with a manual? Is it large enough for hauling people comfortably in the back?

  • JFX001

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:37 a.m. JFX001 SuperDork

    Mercury Marauder/Crown Vic with a 5 speed swap?

    http://www.racecar2000.com/classifieds/view-ad-17977.html

  • JtspellS

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:42 a.m. JtspellS Reader

    Late model 9-5, can look at Audi's if you want to look a cock and be on the side of the road a lot.

    Of your choices though if you could find a GXP i would go for it.

  • RoosterSauce

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:45 a.m. RoosterSauce Reader

    CTS-V is the logical choice. I know a guy in Chicago that wants to get rid of his, if he hasn't already.

  • aussiesmg

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:48 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    JFX001 wrote:

    Mercury Marauder/Crown Vic with a 5 speed swap?

    http://www.racecar2000.com/classifieds/view-ad-17977.html

    4 doors are a must

    Awesome car but the cage might be a problem for my clients...lol

    Charger rear door is too low and I have doubts about the Chrysler reliability for such high mileage, can anyone positively state these cars are reliable enough

  • internetautomart

    Nov. 28, 2010 9:58 a.m. internetautomart SuperDork

    suburban with a stick?

  • Nov. 28, 2010 10:12 a.m. paul Reader

    mazdaspeed 6?...

    4-door fwd hatchbacks like the mazda3 wouldn't be considered?

  • pigeon

    Nov. 28, 2010 10:24 a.m. pigeon Dork

    How about a Volvo S60R? Turbo 5, all wheel drive (front biased), 5 or 6 speed manual available depending on year, comfortable and well appointed. I don't know how well it would hold up to 50k/year use though. The rear seats are probably a little small for your needs, but so are the CTS-V rear seats.

    Really though you are at cross-purposes. There's a reason innumerable fleets run Town Cars - comfortable, reliable, cheap to maintain people transport.

  • jrw1621

    Nov. 28, 2010 10:34 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

    Well, fun is a relative term, does manual trans factor in here? In a lot of the big cities the 2nd gen scion xb is very popular for taxi service.

  • PubBurgers

    Nov. 28, 2010 11:17 a.m. PubBurgers Dork

    Volvo 740 wagon? Does it need to be a newer car or just not a total pile?

  • aussiesmg

    Nov. 28, 2010 11:45 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    pigeon wrote:

    Really though you are at cross-purposes. There's a reason innumerable fleets run Town Cars - comfortable, reliable, cheap to maintain people transport.

    That is why I have driven them for 10 years, but I need something different, I am so tired of the luxo-barges

    No pile, it has to be a nice looking car, mid 90s and newer, lower mileage

  • Junkyard_Dog

    Nov. 28, 2010 11:52 a.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

    S60R would fit the bill. The electronics are typically European but better than the Germans for reliability. Volvos laugh at high miles.

    If the CTS-V is a litle tight how about an STS-V? Not sure how the supercharged Northstar might hold up. Any Caddy guys know the answer?

  • Sonic

    Nov. 28, 2010 11:56 a.m. Sonic Dork

    Acura TL? Fun to drive for what it is, plenty of room in the back seat, Honda reliability (just remember to change the transmission fluid), reasonable parts prices

  • Giant Purple Snorklewacker

    Nov. 28, 2010 12:27 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

    Infinity Q45

  • jrw1621

    Nov. 28, 2010 12:33 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

    Staying with my Scion theme, what about the little Suzuki SX4 which has your desired AWD?
    I suspect that they have "good enough" rear ingress and egress which likely is very important to you.

  • neon4891

    Nov. 28, 2010 12:38 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

    jrw1621 wrote:

    Staying with my Scion theme, what about the little Suzuki SX4 which has your desired AWD?

    Back seat is too small for regular adult use. Thats why I stopped looking at them.

    Compared to my neon, there is about the same front leg room, but the back is a bit smaller

  • jrw1621

    Nov. 28, 2010 1:11 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

    My wife has a '07 Nissan Versa SL. That car has a freakishly large rear seat. The rear is actually more comfortable that the front, even behind a tall driver. Stripper versions of these can be bought for $13k, new. Used should be down into the below $10. Yes, they are basic cars but in/egress is very very good and there is limo like leg room.

    Edit: I should probably add that Versas are highly functional but I would not really call one sporty or fun. Maybe compared to a Towne Car they could be seen as fun given the stick shift capability but that would be about it.

  • pete240z

    Nov. 28, 2010 2:14 p.m. pete240z SuperDork

    I hate to say it but ebay has a slew of 2009-2010 Grand Marquis' with 15,000-20,000 miles and selling under $19,000. They had one 2009 with 20,000 miles for $15,000 near me.

    Yes, they are ex-rental cars but who really drove those? And you still have some sort of warranty? You can run them forever. I imagine for the money these are practical?

  • Teh E36 M3

    Nov. 28, 2010 2:39 p.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

    Infiniti G35 or G35x four door? WRX wagon? Forester XT? Legacy GT?

  • GTwannaB

    Nov. 28, 2010 6:44 p.m. GTwannaB Reader

    Sonic wrote:

    Acura TL? Fun to drive for what it is, plenty of room in the back seat, Honda reliability (just remember to change the transmission fluid), reasonable parts prices

    +1 - nice ride, nice torque, my friend had a couple of clutch issues though.

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