mtn
MegaDork
9/20/12 3:58 p.m.
59 year old who drives 12 miles round trip every day, about half of that is stop and go.
Requirements: RWD or AWD, reliable, newer than 2008ish, auto, fun, solid, good color. Limit is ~35,000, but preferably in the 25k range.
His favorite cars so far have been a 1967 MGB, 1993 Mercedes 300E, 1995 BMW 525 (car that is being replaced) and 1991 BMW 318ic (still have, summer car). Oh, and the ergonomics of our old 2002 SAAB 9-5.
The short list is the following:
2013 Ford Fusion AWD (not out yet)
2009 - 2011 BMW 135i hardtop in LeMans Blue
Audi A5. But they still go for 30k, even for older ones
Pontiac G8 GT Pacific Slate Blue
He likes the new Lexus GS, but that’s heavy $. Ditto 2011 BMW 525i, 2013 BMW 3 series coupe (not out yet).
So... Are we missing anything? We don't think that we have, most of the suggestions you guys will make have probably already been thought of and rejected for some reason or another, but I still want to hear from the braintrust.
Sounds like the perfect solution for a hybrid or electric car. No reason to waste gas on a commute that short. That or ride a bicycle (if possible)
Ford has some decent hybrids, not sure on their pricing though, but at least they won't look and drive like a Prius.
The Volt is just out of the price range, but I do like the way they look.
Save some gas money and put it towards something really fun for the weekend/sunny Friday drive to work.
mtn
MegaDork
9/20/12 4:18 p.m.
turboswede wrote:
Sounds like the perfect solution for a hybrid or electric car. No reason to waste gas on a commute that short. That or ride a bicycle (if possible)
Ford has some decent hybrids, not sure on their pricing though, but at least they won't look and drive like a Prius.
The Volt is just out of the price range, but I do like the way they look.
Save some gas money and put it towards something really fun for the weekend/sunny Friday drive to work.
He doesn't want electric or hybrid--that being said, are there any in RWD or AWD? Bicycle is out for a number of reasons, and as far as we're concerned, the little bimmer is the perfect weekend car--good gas mileage, more smiles per mile than most everything short of a miata, and we can take the dog with.
Matt B
UltraDork
9/20/12 4:31 p.m.
I'd lean towards the little bimmer myself. Either that or the G8.
I drove a volt, they actually drive alright, the interior is terrible though, really cheap feeling ( I mainly base that statement on the seat adjustments and the mass of buttons in the center console). Id vote for the 1 series too, or if he liked the 300e maybe find a really nice 500e for that price if it doesnt have to be a newer car?
RWD or AWD with an auto you say?
^^See, that's why I like you.
mtn
MegaDork
9/20/12 5:52 p.m.
He doesn't like the styling on the 300, and we actually rented a Challenger and Charger for a week. Great cars, and they were in the running, but eventually just lost out to the others on the list for various reasons.
Travis_K wrote:
I drove a volt, they actually drive alright, the interior is terrible though, really cheap feeling ( I mainly base that statement on the seat adjustments and the mass of buttons in the center console). Id vote for the 1 series too, or if he liked the 300e maybe find a really nice 500e for that price if it doesnt have to be a newer car?
Interior is the big reason the Volt and other hybrids/electrics are out. 500e was thrown around as a contender, but ultimately he wants something newer. He's tired of a CD player thats iffy, worrying about maintenance on an older car, and all the other woes of driving a car that old.
The restyled 300 is a looker, IMO:
The CTS should be in this list, too. Two of the people in my building have the new AWD 3.6L and they both love them. Sharp looking cars (one is white, the other is black, they usually park together).
Volvo S60 is the last thing I have to add here, also a good car.
I vote for the 1 series Bimmer. I am guessing in blue.
The Lexus and Toyota highlander hybrids are AWD. Too bad they are boring as heck.
That's why I suggested the Ford hybrids as they use the Toyota tech with better interiors and they are CHEAP because everyone wants a Prius or some glammed up Camry with hip waders on.
I'm not sure I'd go for the 1 series, just kinda ugly.
What about the FR-S twins? Perhaps a little sporty, but RWD and in the price range....
mtn
MegaDork
9/21/12 8:50 a.m.
turboswede wrote:
The Lexus and Toyota highlander hybrids are AWD. Too bad they are boring as heck.
That's why I suggested the Ford hybrids as they use the Toyota tech with better interiors and they are CHEAP because everyone wants a Prius or some glammed up Camry with hip waders on.
I'm not sure I'd go for the 1 series, just kinda ugly.
What about the FR-S twins? Perhaps a little sporty, but RWD and in the price range....
Do the Ford hybrids come in AWD? I thought it was FWD only (no SUV's/Crossovers allowed).
I kinda like the styling for the 1 series, and he does too. FRS was in the running for a long time, but he ultimately decided that the ingress/egress just was a little to difficult for him on a day to day basis. I guess that 50 years of playing hockey and just living life will do that to you.
Looks like there really isn't anything we haven't thought of already.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/189681-list-of-hybrid-awd-vehicles/
Doesn't look like it.
I am betting that the '13 Fusion AWD will be a very nice car. It will fit the other parameters, and it will have a warranty...along with new tires, brakes, suspension etc.
Mustang. Brand new V6 Premium will be in that price range, plenty of scoot to be entertaining, good fuel economy should he ever want to take a longer drive, and I hear good things about the 6 speed auto.
Abarth Or Mustang or Genesis?
Slightly-used Mustang or Challenger?
