My parents are in the market for a new car and I think they should get a grand tourer. Here's my list
mid-30s or so, definitely not to top 40 comfortable at highway speeds 2-door, but with a big trunk must be drop dead gorgeous to non-car people new cars only
And I already thought of Mustang, so don't say it. I just don't think the Mustang has the same cachet I'm looking for.
Ugh... if it weren't new car, i would have suggested SC300/SC400.
I still like the SL-series from Mercedes, but i don't think there's anything "poor man" about that.
Maybe Infinity G37 coupe?
Maybe the CTS Coupe.
In the new car market there isn't a ton out there that would be a direct match.
Off the top of my head I come up with the following list (some might be out of reach, some might be too small/not cool enough/whatever):
Challenger
370Z
G37 Coupe
Audi A5 (don't know how much they are going for, probably out of reach)
Out of those, the A5 and Challenger are my picks if they meet the requirements.
Apparently, a house in Georgia is just out that budget. It would be a bit lacking as a grand tourer though, but I suppose that's why most folks don't own GT cars.
Hmm, the SC would be great if it weren't 10 years old. It's got that big cruiser vibe that I'm looking for. The SC430 won't do because it's is a convertible. Also, it looks ridiculous. Is there a modern equivalent of an SC300?
G37 and CTS seem too small and sporty. For once I'm actually looking for a boat :)
And of these, the A5 is probably the best bet.
I need to get them in an a5 and see if they think it's too small. I always feel cramped in them.
I also just realized that I lost my formatting in the OP so my list looks all squished together. Sorry about that.
Thanks for the replies so far.
steronz wrote: Hmm, the SC would be great if it weren't 10 years old. It's got that big cruiser vibe that I'm looking for. The SC430 won't do because it's is a convertible. Also, it looks ridiculous. Is there a modern equivalent of an SC300? G37 and CTS seem too small and sporty. For once I'm actually looking for a boat :)
Oh ok.... SCs aren't really boats, though... they LOOK big in pictures, but they aren't huge. PLENTY of space for two and a big trunk, but they're surprisingly small cars.
I don't think there's a modern equivalent of an SC300, i think the closest you'd get would be the IS or GS series. Unfortunately, they're all 4 doors.
I really like the A5 suggestion. Forgot about those cars, and they're incredible looking.
steronz wrote: My parents are in the market for a new car and I think they should get a grand tourer. Here's my list
The poor mans XK is a used XK. Back to the 07 the standard car is a effectivly unchanged to the non car person.
32-35K gets you a really good 08 convertible with certification.
IMO the XK/XKR is better car then the Aston in every measurable way, except for looks. The 5.0 is amazing. Even taking cash out of the equation.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I don't think there's a modern equivalent of an SC300, i think the closest you'd get would be the IS or GS series. Unfortunately, they're all 4 doors.
IS convertible is a hardtop convertible that looks pretty coupey. But probably out of the price range.
The base A5 2.0t starts around $38K, but you might be able to get an on-lot one for a bit less.
IMHO, it's one of the most gorgeous production cars on sale today. For the purpose stated, the car I'd choose. It's be a toss-up between the Mustang and the Challenger if a more American-slant is desired.
If a 2-Door, grand-touring car with sexy curves is what you are looking for in that price range, the A5 is the ticket.
If you want something that looks and feel expensive inside, the A5 is the best option.
If you want something for grand-touring, not a racetrack, the A5 is the best option.
Just get the base model and add wheels:
So what is the poor man's A5? Kia Koupe?
Ian F wrote: The base A5 2.0t starts around $38K, but you might be able to get an on-lot one for a bit less. IMHO, it's one of the most gorgeous production cars on sale today. For the purpose stated, the car I'd choose. It's be a toss-up between the Mustang and the Challenger if a more American-slant is desired.
QFT. The A5/S5 is simply amazing looking to me. Love them and will buy one eventually once depreciation works for me. 
Datsun1500 wrote: I love the A5, went to buy an S5 when they first came out. I am 6'2 I don't fit. I tried to fit, I wanted to fit, just couldn't.
Really? That's amazing... The car is so freakin' huge on the outside... Unfortunately, I've never sat in one, so I have no direct experience. When we go to the NYIAS next month, I'll make a point to sit in one this year. I see a bunch of them on the road around central NJ. Oddly enough, A5's are not a lot more common than S5's.
A5/S5s look awesome, I think by the time they are cheap they will be way to much of a hassle to keep on the road though, but Id lease one if i was rich lol.
Miata.
new-new or almost-new?
Whats a used 6 series go for?
The SC430 won't do because it's is a convertible
Not that im recommending one but you can go your whole life pretending a convertible hardtop is not a convertible.
Hell, i drove an Eos today. Tried to put the top down, took too long, light turned green, drove to a parking lot with the roof half down, and then put it back up and was horrified by how many parts were moving. Honestly if i had an Eos i'd never put the top down. That's the nice thing about convertible hardtops, YOU CAN DO THAT!
bluej wrote: new-new or almost-new? Whats a used 6 series go for?
That was my thought too, being a BMW fanboy and all. Too much is the answer. For example, an '08 with reasonable miles is going to run mid to high 40s.
ok no one mentions the gen coupe?!?! but mentions mustangs and g37's ummm hello! new gencoupe 2013 has a better power to wieght than a g37. 8 speed autobox. leather and nav and sunroof a trunk that will hold 2 golf bogs with ease. only car in its class that the rear seat folds down not just a small pass through. oh and u get all that for 30 k 33 k if u want the track package. but grand touring would prob fit what they want more alot smoother riding but u lose the lsd and brembos.
and yes the back seat sucks. but i sold one to a guy who was 6'5 and he had enough room in it.
just get a year or two old vette and skip the midlife crisis phase completely.
otherwise, my vote goes to MB, and I'm a bimmer guy...
KATYB wrote: ok no one mentions the gen coupe?!?! but mentions mustangs and g37's ummm hello! new gencoupe 2013 has a better power to wieght than a g37. 8 speed autobox. leather and nav and sunroof a trunk that will hold 2 golf bogs with ease. only car in its class that the rear seat folds down not just a small pass through. oh and u get all that for 30 k 33 k if u want the track package. but grand touring would prob fit what they want more alot smoother riding but u lose the lsd and brembos.
Probably not quite what they're looking for. I've ridden in one Gen coupe, and it just felt like Hyundai tried to make an economy version of the G35. It still felt like an economy car, especially when it came to road noise.
Corvette.
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