Sedan life

All,

Bear with me, long post since this is a big step. I am returning to the states at the end of the year and will be picking up a new car for myself (wife’s SUV stored w/family). I have agreed with my wife that I will finally give in and get a sedan to accommodate the kids and guests. My wife has been great enough to put up with me driving sports cars for our last 7 years with kids. I have never owned anything other than a RWD sports car and jumping into a sedan as a daily driver has its trepidation.

I have driven and bought FWD cars in the past (’97 Probe GT new for wife, great car BTW, I know hard to believe), but do feel they take the edge of fun driving. I also have always shifted for myself and think I would prefer to continue to do so, but might miss out on some interesting stuff.

Here are some guidelines I have set for myself; cost less than $20k (leaving room for a sports car to follow), room for the family (two boys, one still in a car seat for another 2-3 years), daily driver for me so needs to resemble reliability, FUN TO DRIVE. I don’t roll over cars very often, so not worried about leases etc. I also am pretty particular about maintaining my cars, so driving higher miles doesn’t really bother me. I am conscious about newer cars with their complexity and potential big $$ with off warranty issues.

Some of the cars I am looking at and would like your feedback on are:

Audi: 1993-95, S4/S6, 5spd(POS-Tough reputation, AWD, space, power. NEG-older, maint) , 2001-2, S4, 6spd, Avant or sedan(POS-quick, AWD, great looking. NEG-possible maint $$, small) 2005-7, A4, 2.0, 6spd, Ultrasport or S-Line(POS-great motor, AWD. NEG-not exciting, maint?)

BMW: 2001-3, 530i, 5spd, sport pkg(POS-decent power, space, build, handling. NEG-maint?) 2004-5, 330i, 5spd, ZHP(POS--decent power, solid build, great handling. NEG-smaller) 1991-95, M5, 5spd(POS-power, solid build, icon. NEG-daily driver?, maint $$, older) 1997, M3, 5spd(POS-good power, handling. NEG-finding one not beat on, rear frame cracks)

Mazda: RX-8, manual(POS-chassis. NEG-power, mpg??, backseat space)

MB: 1988-94, 500E/E500, (POS-power, icon, hey it’s part Porsche. NEG-Auto only) 1986-88, 190 2.3 16, 5spd(POS-not slow, good handling. NEG-old, not fast)

Volvo: 2004-05, V-70 R, 6spd(POS-quick, AWD, space. NEG-) 2001-06, V-70 T-5, 5spd(POS-quick, space. NEG-FWD) 1995-97, 850 T5-R, Auto (only)(POS-quick, looks. NEG-FWD, Auto only) 1996-2000, V70 T5, 5spd(POS-quick, looks, space. NEG-FWD) 1998-2000, V70 R, Auto (only)(POS-quick, looks, AWD. NEG-Auto only)

Subaru: 2005-up, Legacy GT, 5spd(POS-quick, AWD, reliable NEG-smaller, mpg) 2004-up WRX wagon, 5spd(POS-quick, AWD, reliable NEG-smaller, is there one not modded?)

Fire away and thanks all for your help!

CTS-V

GTO

JFX001 wrote: CTS-V GTO

Those two or a M3. A CTS-V went hauling by me the other day and I just could not take my eyes off it. Nothing like a nice Caddy with a rippin' V8.

for the WRX you have "smaller" as a NEG.

Take at look at the 08+ WRX. They're bigger inside than the earlier ones and have much larger backseats (comparable to the older Legacy).

The '08's you could pick up for well under $20k well-equipped since everyone ditched them when the more powerful 09 came out. Plus you can still find them mostly stock around here. They're not as fast as the 09+, but just as fast as all the previous ones, and with more room and a better rear suspension.

09+ WRX is ONLY available with a manual tranny, btw....

Seems like it fits most of your criteria...

then again, I'm a bit biased.

You didn't list any negatives for the volvo v70 - does that one fit the bill?

m5 you cant go wrong

Subaru: 2005-up, Legacy GT, 5spd(POS-quick, AWD, reliable NEG-smaller, mpg)

This would be my choice. In fact I've been on the lookout for a good one.

Umm, guess I missed the V70R drawbacks. I guess like any of the other new high tech stuff is long term maintenance costs, particularly the V70's 4-C suspension. I've heard some complaints with that.

I don't really "need" a wagon, a sedan fits the bill. It's just that a hot rod wagon seems kind of fun. I did realize the WRX and Legacy really don't differ that much in rear seat space, that it is really more of cargo space.

Honestly I have the most experience with Volvos and Subies (I am probably biased also) and really lack the nuts and bolts knowledge with the others.

Stay away from a 3 series if you will have to put 2 car seats back there with regularity and you're taller than 5'8" or so. Rear seats are very small. I vote 5er, preferrably an E60 545i/6, which if you don't mind buying with higher mileage (50k+) fits under your price cap. Just be sure to budget for rear tires annually.

I didn't see an Infiniti G35 on the list. The M45 is also a nice car but auto only and likely over budget.

I have not heard good things about the E60 and reliability. They were a big step in complexity over the E39 and the Bangle styling leaves me flat. But you have a point in that it's one of the few RWD sports sedan out there.

I had not really thought about the G35, valid choice, RWD, manual, decent hp... Not really exciting, but I have no experience with them. I would be inclined to think they're reliable, but I relly don't know.

As for those before who suggested the CTS-V, I hear you. I was actually considering getting one before I found out I was moving overseas. It would have to be the later 400hp one and those are hard to find under $25k, let alone $20k. Would be cool though.

If you're going to have a sports car later, then go big or go home.... For kids and adult passengers, space is great.

My own daily driver cost me $7500, and has cost me $150 0in repairs in 3 years...

Lots of room up here:

But LOADS of room back here:

Look for an '00-01 with the sport package. You will be amazed at the handling prowess of the car. they get smaller around you the faster you go in the twisties. Just amazing.

Spend between $10-13k on them, swap to Akebono Euro brake pads to keep the wheels from turning black, and make sure the radiator/upper control arms have been looked at. these cars are VERY easy to DIY and the parts are actually quite cheap.

http://www.midatlantic7s.com/

I would definitely buy a CTS-V, in my part of the country you can get a really clean well cared for CTS-V for around $20k. If not the caddy than I would do the 05 up Legacy GT. They are both great cars and you couldn't go wrong with either. Its hard to have more fun in a sedan than either of those cars...

Lexus IS300.

/thread

Alfa Milano

What's the logic for a sedan over a wagon?

Yea, coming from left field with the Milano, I like that. BUT, not ready to do a Milano as a daily driver. Don't get me wrong, I love Alfa (owned 3), but if I was going to drive one daily it would have to be older. They were much more maintainable prior to ~'86.

No real decision on wagon vs sedan, just there seems to be some cool vehicles in on or the other configuration. My wife has an SUV (Volvo XC90), we have two kids and a big dog. My overriding factor is it needs to be an involving car to drive.

While in Japan I've had to drive a little Nissan Pulsar (not the US model) crapmobile and it had just sucked the driving life out of me. I sold my Porsche 944S2 when I moved out here with Koni coil over dbl adjustable suspension, big brakes, chipped motor, LSD, etc. That car was electric when ever I drove it, not overpowering, but very fun.

530i

I bought one a five years ago when they costs quite bit more. It was a 3 year old 2002 with 36k on it. I got sport with auto. Auto is not ideal for sporting car, but I needed a nice daily driver with enough room for a famlily and confort. Plus the wife only drives auto.

Right now I have 105k on the E39. I love the car. The engine and drive train have been solid. I get 29 mpg in the car I can easily carry 4. The car will also hold well in the turns and wil cruise at 85 if let it.

Downsides. Electrical accessort junk.
Rear sunshade clips broke. New shade is $500+ and is the only way to fix the $2 clips.
Sunroof. Failed twice. Once under CPO warrenty and fixed. Last time wa probably 2 years ago. I just don't open it any more since I don't want spend the $$$ to fix it. Maybe one day.
Power seats - They don't move properly. looked on the net and I think I can fix it easlily with no parts and maybe 1 hour worth of work. I just have not done it. Power window regulator failure - Fixed $160 part. Took maybe 2 hours going very slowly following a step by step proceedure on the net. AC controler relay failure - This happen years ago. Turned out to be a $80 part and $15 min fix.

The good news is the internet support community for BMW is strong so if you can DIY you maintian the car for reasonable cost.

Pros.. even after 105k miles the car is rock solid and still well balanced. Interior is holding up well and motor is just so smooth. Plenty of power when you need it a well. The chassis very well balanced for car of its size. The truck is even big enough for alot of stuff. I plan to keep this car to at LEAST 150k. At that point I might move on, but it depends what the condidtion is and how these next 45k miles turn out. Also it will depend on how much money I can dig up for newer car. This one is paid off.

94-96 Impala SS. Sorry, auto only but cheap to maintain and easliy under the budget.

4cylndrfury wrote: Lexus IS300. /thread

Why pay more than a BMW for something that wants to be a 3 series? I drove several when I was shopping, and they were nice cars, but I could find same-year E46 325is with half the mileage for the same price all day long.

Duke wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: Lexus IS300. /thread

Why pay more than a BMW for something that wants to be a 3 series? I drove several when I was shopping, and they were nice cars, but I could find same-year E46 325is with half the mileage for the same price all day long.

Because..... 2JZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!11111!!!1!1one!1!

I test drove a $18k CTS-V. It was a fun car, but beat as hell. Also the insides didn't hold up very well, all of the rubber feeling paint on the nav radi was peeling off. As $18k is the top of my self imposed budget, I tested a 6 cyl CTS with a manual trans. A lot less fun and I can't find one that isn't as base as they come. We just got rid of a Audi A4 that was to small to put a car seat behind one of the front seats, it fit fine in the center and a small bolster seat next to it, but the kid in the bolster seat will hate life after any drive over 10 mins.

I personally am going to buy a Mazdaspeed6. It is a little larger then the A4 in the back seat, but i don't need to have the kids in there other then to pick up and drop off at child care.

GS400/430 - big, comfortable, fast and reliable.

If you need a manual, a 2005 and up G35.

From personal experience, LS400. Faster and more reliable that about anything and everything on your list. And it gets 26 MPG. The GS400's look pretty nice too if you want something a little smaller, but I've never driven one of those.

Prowlerflyer, what did you end up with?

I know this is an old thread, but I came across it through a search and I'm a curious guy...

I would vote for WRX/Legacy wagon.

Am I the only one who immediately thought P71 ?