My "What Car" thread! General Family use quickly under $25k

I dont think I have posted a What Car thread before, but I now come to you all humbly to beseach knowledge because I am kinda clueless right now...

It hasn't happened yet, but it looks like any moment now my 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland is about to be written off as a total loss. From the K&N intake to the Flowmaster exhaust and all of my hard work in between has fallen victim to a relatively minor accident by my wife a couple weeks ago. At least no one was hurt and we can all move on.

I don't know what I want to replace it with at all, which as we know is a problem with too many answers. Currently I still drive my 300ZX when needed but it only has two seats and my wife doesn't drive stick so we are stuck with a relatively boring rental that cannot last forever. 

Requirements: (subject to immediate and often change since this is off the cuff)  

  Seats for 5(?) We have a 7 year old but occasionally entertain and road trip with more. 

  Automatic Trans - not cvt or too exotic of a solution for ease of use / maintenance

  Mid sized-ish. We are not looking for a huge auto but a full sized sedan or midsized wagon perhaps?

  Fun and well appointed - My wife has dailyed my e30 autocrosser/challenge car but prefers a Cadillac or Lexus

  Overall easy to live with a easy to care for, probably not looking for anything too exotic

  She says $20-25k would be a good price, but we are pretty flexible.

Wife prefers something like her multiple Subaru Legacy wagons of the past, but I am not sure that is the easy button to smash right now... they aren't what they used to be. Not a minivan or full sized SUV, she doesn't like the minivans at all and we do not need to capabilities of a rugged offr oader tow pig, plus the mid sized Grand Cherokee was her limit on size. Like me, she prefers to have top of the line but to not stand out too much in a crowd. FYI she is 5'1" 

Me, well I am thinking about safety, reliability and longevity above all. I am a general fan of modern conveniences and creature comforts in a people mover. Of course, I love power on tap and a willing chassis that has some general sporting intentions and a bit of an aftermarket or following. Not a fanboi of any make but appreciate that many cars can have a cool factor with the right options package or features and I while I prefer awd I am open to anything.

Fuel economy, insurance costs, incidentals, etc. are not really important; we average low miles per year and have secure incomes.

I just have no clue about what to buy a suburban mom for general use that her gear head husband will also enjoy. Help, please!

My first impulse is nicest Lexus ES in your price range.  If you want a bit more sporting pretense, Lexus GS, but it'll likely have less passenger space.

If you throw away the sporting pretense, a Lexus RX will blend in pretty much anywhere.

eastsideTim said:

My first impulse is nicest Lexus ES in your price range.  If you want a bit more sporting pretense, Lexus GS, but it'll likely have less passenger space.

This was pretty much her first impulse, too, and it is admittedly a pretty good one. We are definitely more of a GS type of family; anyone know about these can recommend good years or packages to look for?

Do we like the Infiniti G37x? There is a 2013 at the local CarMax that is the first thing to catch my eye that ticks the boxes pretty well. $21k and 76k miles would work for me...

I know that they can be a bit overpriced at CarMax, but I have done business with them in the past and appreciate the atmosphere and ease of transaction. Last time I sold them a car at a premium, so I feel like we are ok with their business model.

See if  Acura TLX 2.4 DCT does anything for you.

If you're looking at the G series maybe look at the M35/M37 equivalent? I remember the G-series being a little small and the seats don't fold down. Not well versed in that era of nissan/infiniti so others might chime in with more info

In reply to lnlds :

I will look into the Acura, I appreciate the tip. I have never fallen in love with the Hondas & Acuras I have owned but cannot complain about them, either.

Mostly it would be just 3 of us and my wife and daughter are small so size isn't the biggest concern buy extra room wouldn't hurt.

In reply to tb :

For the GS, I think there are pretty much no years that are bad.  I'm not sure how it is on the GS, but as I understand, the the F-sport package on the IS has a reputation for having a considerably rougher ride without much commensurate improvement in handling, so you may want to investigate that.

The little I know about the G37 tells me it's a decent car, but I agree you'll want to check back seat space, as it will be a bit cramped.

Oh yeah, for a bit of a dark horse, for the 2013-2015 model years, Toyota tried to sharpen up the handling in the Avalon, to make it sportier.  Traditional Avalon buyers were not fans, I don't know if this has affected resale value.

Other models a quick search has me interested in:

Lexus IS250? Looks low on power and roominess but high on style and a willing chassis?

Cadillac CTS? The second generation seem refined and generally good all around. I doubt wifey would spring for the V but just maybe...

Caddy ATS is also an option? I beleive that the turbo can be tuned up nicely?

In reply to eastsideTim :

You're reading my mind, was just looking at an IS F sport...

Might be worth a drive since the road around here are terrible and a rough ride gets tiring fast.

tb said:

In reply to eastsideTim :

You're reading my mind, was just looking at an IS F sport...

 

Might be worth a drive since the road around here are terrible and a rough ride gets tiring fast.

Oh yeah, you're in PA.  I'd suggest avoiding anything with the F-Sport package unless you are at least ready to buy a set of smaller wheels.  I remember the potholes there could almost swallow a MG Midget.

Ford Flex for size comfort and Ecoboost for dad. 

Lincoln version (MKT) if mom needs more posh but the loaded Flex versions are rather posh too. 

My cousin has a G37 and it's been fine as a DD. Also had a coworker with an IS250 that didn't seem to give any trouble.

Optima/K5 or Sonata? Especially the turbo cars. Fun, quick, comfortable and not completely boring to drive.

Infiniti FX37 or QX whatever is similar to G but more SUV height of seat

John Welsh said:

Ford Flex for size comfort and Ecoboost for dad. 

Lincoln version (MKT) if mom needs more posh but the loaded Flex versions are rather posh too. 

Good Thinking, I forgot about these! I have had good experiences with the Flex and it would totally work for us (or the Lincoln). Not totally sure she would dig the style but I am certainly going to make her take a good look at them.

They actually autocross pretty well for their size, too!

Seconding the Korean options. 

Don't forget about the Camry and the Avalon. Can be optioned to be just about as nice as the ES. 

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Good to know, thanks. I am admittedly a fan of the Nissan platform and they certainly deliver in the power department. I am going to try my fit into a G37 asap

I will look into the Koreans, even though they are probably down on my list. I am not prejudiced against them and actually worked selling Kia's for a minute.

Smaller, turbo engines have always been my go to for fun to drive and own. I know that they are reliable and easy to own but I'm not sure if they have the luxury feel she is going for... It has been a while since I have really checked one out so I shouldn't cross them off of the list.

Thanks

Also forgot about the Hyundai Genesis, Equus, and the Kia Stinger and K900. Some of those are probably into your range. The Genesis for sure is. 

mtn said:

...Don't forget about the Camry and the Avalon. Can be optioned to be just about as nice as the ES. 

These are not bad suggestions, per se, but I think they are on the pass list for me. Not bad cars and certainly can be comfy and nice but they just dont do it for me...

Perhaps a bit too plain or some silly self held prejudice, but idk why I am not a fan of them.

Thanks for the ideas, though

mtn said:

Also forgot about the Hyundai Genesis, Equus, and the Kia Stinger and K900. Some of those are probably into your range. The Genesis for sure is. 

Yeah, I have seen a few in my range and I will definitely stretch her dollar range if I find the right one for me. I'm should have been thinking Korean from the beginning since I owe it to myself to give them a look over and learn a bit more about them... my knowledge is too weak 

For those who speak Korean cars, can any of you speak to the long term care and feeding of the V8 GDI engine? I'm not totally sure that the Wife would picture herself in an Equus, but I am liking what I see in terms of plenty of room, features and power in a comfy big car.

An Infiniti QX will give you G37 platform/performance in a CUV wrapper.

STM317 said:

An Infiniti QX will give you G37 platform/performance in a CUV wrapper.

She is somewhat against the idea of a CUV but I am going to work on her... they are not my favorite by any means, either, but the advantages as a family car are evident.

We all have our preferences, I suppose... I definitely appreciate the tip and will check it out.

Test drove a low mileage 2015 Caddy ATS and turbo and liked it. Checks all the boxes and has some pep...

What does the hive say? Go for it or run?