Another "what car" thread?

Ok,

I have a 2002 Silverado Extended Cab, and the wife has a 2007 Yukon. Pretty much 2 gas guzzling vehicles.

I would like to get a sedan that would be better on gas as I am the main toddler transporter in the mornings and come home every day at lunch to let the dogs out. I know “every guy needs a truck” but the Yukon will pull the boat or anything we need it to, and besides, I plan on putting a roof rack and hitch on the car for a carrier if needed.

That out of the way, I would also like this to be somewhat sporty and fun to drive. Would also like to do an occasional autocross with it here and there.

I found an Acura TL that I want, but it is a 6MT (EVEN BETTER) but the wife shot that down. She is on board with a car now, but I can’t get her to budge on the stick. Below is my short list, please let me know if I am leaving anything off: (Want enough room to possibly fit 3 car seats in the back. Will only need (2) shortly but don’t want to sell myself short and have to get another vehicle)

2004-2008 Acura TL 2004-2008 Acura TSX (Would be a tight fit, but with the right seats, 3 may be doable) Camry (I like the 2007+ SE models but would consider an older one if it was sporty enough) Accord (Not crazy about the Accord styling for some reason)

Specs needed would be reliable, automatic, under $7500, possibly fit 3 car seats, be somewhat sporty (so I don’t have to give my man card up), and be good on gas.

What are your thoughts?

First, stop worrying so much about the "man card" and "every man needs a truck" thing. Get the car you need/want, not what makes you a man...however that's defined. Personally, I don't understand the whole man card, man cave, man everything bit, but that's just me.

If you want something sporty, the Camry is NOT it. It's as reliable as the sunrise, but as appliance like as a car can get. The Honda/Acuras on your list are good choices. Mazda 6 would be a good choice too. Might be able to find an older G35 in your price range.

In reply to Klayfish:

I agree, that shouldn't even be in consideration. Now the Camry, I like the SE with the small body kit, but the resale value on those makes it hard to find without high miles.

E90 BMW 328i.

How long until you can step down to 2 car seats? I'm not sure the TL will do 3 across, and with that requirement you're looking at significantly larger cars. The Chrysler LX cars (Charger/300) would seem to be the obvious answer, but that doesn't get you much of an MPG bump. P71 Crown Vic would also be an answer, but again, not much of an MPG bump.

I have one that is (2) and another one due in October. No need for 3 just yet, just trying to prepare for all options.

I have found a site that states the TL will do it and lists the seats that will fit (albeit that isn't a large number of seat options).

The MPG won't be spectacular, but consider a GM W-body (Regal, Grand Prix, Impala) with the 3.8 supercharged Buick V6 or the LS4 V8. I picked up a Regal with 120,000 miles on the clock for half your budget. $7.5K ought to get you one of the nicest examples out there. They handle somewhat better than you might think, although I found the rear tires are prone to break loose in the rain if you manage to get a parade lap around Road Atlanta all to yourself and drive it a bit too hard. Or so I heard.

Some other possibilities:

Hemi powered Chrysler LX platform cars (Charger, Magnum, 300C) are starting to turn up in that price range in decent shape.

Nissan Maxima.

5 series BMW.

If you NEED and auto and you NEED room for seats I'd abandon truly sporty an go looking for something from Chrysler with a huge back seat and a very big V8. I would personally be hunting for a Dodge Magnum RT. If you're only doing occasional autocross and aren't too concerned about topping the time sheets you can have a great deal of fun in one.

MadScientistMatt wrote: The MPG won't be spectacular, but consider a GM W-body (Regal, Grand Prix, Impala) with the 3.8 supercharged Buick V6 or the LS4 V8. I picked up a Regal with 120,000 miles on the clock for half your budget. $7.5K ought to get you one of the nicest examples out there. They handle somewhat better than you might think, although I found the rear tires are prone to break loose in the rain if you manage to get a parade lap around Road Atlanta all to yourself and drive it a bit too hard. Or so I heard.

Actually not a bad thought. One of the last of the Bonneville SSEis would fall easily into that price range. They're quite large, very nice inside, and at least somewhat sporty. Wife had one, and we really liked it.

Infiniti Q45 might also be worth a look here. Have M37's gotten that cheap yet?

I would maybe consider the Charger of that family, but it looks like they may have tranny problems?

Why are the 06+ Impalas so cheap?

NoleFan wrote: Why are the 06+ Impalas so cheap?

Probably their reputation as fleet / rental cars.

I'm done with lots of car seats, how do you feel about a Mazda 5. It does a lot of things well, it's just not as quiet as a proper sedan. My wife is ready for a sedan again.

I like the G37 Infinity or GS Lexus.

In reply to akylekoz:

NO Mazda 5 :)

As someone with 3 young kids (6, 3, .9): Minivan. We have both a Mazda 5 and a Chrysler Town & Country.. Keep an additional fun vehicle that can double as transporting a kid or two (I have a Miata & an Rx-8), but with 3 car seats, you'll want a LARGE vehicle, even though one of those seats will soon be a booster. Also, sliding doors keep your & others' cars dent free when the kids are big enough to open the door themselves... And they will.

Edit: I should actually answer the question, though. If standard were an option, I'd vote for a WRX wagon or similar, but I hated the auto in my old legacy wagon. A Mazda6 will probably be the sportiest, but an auto will suck the fun out of anything like that as well.

I can't help on the child seats but we have loved our '08 TL. Fun to drive, surprisingly quick, trouble-free, excellent highway mileage, not such good mileage in town (18-19.) Takes premium.

NoleFan wrote: In reply to akylekoz: NO Mazda 5 :)

It does do a lot of things very well. We owned one for two years until a parking lot hit to the rear quarter totalled it, great car. BUT...it was a bit slow, and that is coming from a stick model. I can't imagine how slow the automatic version is.

I am the current owner of a 2006 TL and it has been a pretty good/fun car for the last 18 months. I did get it right around 95k so had to bear the brunt of the routine maintenance (105k is a biggie, water pump/timing belt, spark plugs, fluid changes, etc.). It does use Premium, and I can only manage about 19-20 mpg in mixed driving, but it definitely has some "go" to it.

Honestly though I have been considering moving on, either due to my automotive ADD or it just being un-exciting as a commuter (I need a manual in my life). A Type-S would probably be even more fun (manual too, but I saw that was a no go). I would say drive the TL/G-35/Lexus GS and see if one speaks to you.

In reply to CobraSpdRH:

The 04-08 TL and TSX are just beautiful cars to me. I hate that the wife shut down the manual, but hey I guess I will work with what I have. I have a local wholesaler keeping an eye out for me at the Orlando auction.

How many miles are on yours now?

NoleFan wrote: In reply to CobraSpdRH: The 04-08 TL and TSX are just beautiful cars to me. I hate that the wife shut down the manual, but hey I guess I will work with what I have. I have a local wholesaler keeping an eye out for me at the Orlando auction. How many miles are on yours now?

I'm at 109k. Since I purchased at 95k I've done front brakes, battery, motor mounts, the 105k service mentioned above and am currently chasing down an A/C leak somewhere in the system, but it's never let me down. I picked it up private party for $9k knowing it would need some work done, but it was a 1 owner and well taken care of.

Nice screen name by the way (from a FSU season ticket holder) :)

A vasectomy quick so you can stick with two. This will be key to all future car purchases.

Now that's out of the way, if you want sportier and more fun look toward Nissan/Mazda/VW. If your desire is comfortably going every day with no more maintenance than an anvil get the Honda/Toyota.

In reply to CobraSpdRH:

Where are you located? We are in South GA. Season ticket holders here as well.

In reply to KyAllroad:

Haha, I know, and 2 would be ideal for me. Just trying to prepare for what life may throw at me.

I have a good friend that moved out to Texas, trying to talk him into selling me his 06 Accord just because I know the history.

NoleFan wrote: In reply to CobraSpdRH: Where are you located? We are in South GA. Season ticket holders here as well.

We are down in the Tampa Bay area (Clearwater to be exact)