So guy's and gal's, has anybody been out car shopping lately? We have had it with her 05 BMW 330ci convertible, and are now looking around. She is gravitating to small crossovers like the Infinity EX or the FX. Man they are really nice We also drove the new Mercedes Benz GLK, very nice, kinda expensive tho. She is also looking at 4 door cars like the Infinity's and Lexus's. It looks like the Lexus's are kinda out of our range, +$40k. We even looked at a Chevy HHR Sport , you know I was kinda surprised by it It had good power and a good ride and it was kinda well made. I looked at a 09 Audi A4 tonight, it had everything we want, Leather, AT, Power everything, heated seats. It looked really nice, anyone drive one yet? Anyway, any input is appreciated

 

The new Vue is nice.

 

Yea they are but.........I really don't want to buy a car from a company that will soon be history

 

new toyota venza

 

Looked at it yesterday. Too mini van'ish. We already have Honda Odyssey. Thanks tho.

 

You know what, I was really impressed by the Toyota Matrix XRS. I don't know if it has all the options you want, but it's a nice little ride. You might also try the Altezza (or IS 300 or whatever). I haven't driven a new one, but the older ones were pretty sweet.

As far as SUV's... has she tried the X3? I really liked it a lot. The Toyota FJ Cruiser is pretty sweet, too. One of my friends has one.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

Before my dad bought his 08 Accord Coupe we test drove a ton of cars, such as: Infinti Fx35, Ex35, G35x, BMW 328ix auto, Acura TL, Accord v6, Audi a4 (08?), and we looked at a ford mustang.

-Loved the Inifinti Fx, however one of the reason he wanted a new car was cause he was stuck driving a jeep liberty and wanted something that was better on the highway. While the FX is capable, it is bigger then it need to be for a commuter car and the need for premium gas, the less than ideal mileage, and high price tag kept that out.

-Loved the G35, but it had the same problems as the FX except for the size.

-Ex35, we didnt like all that much, felt to much like a compromise between a car and an SUV, basically combines the worst elements of both. The G35 you feel like your driving a sports car and in control, the FX you know you are in an SUV but it feels really well sorted. The best way to describe the EX for me would be unsorted.

-Werent impressed by the BMW, mostly because the auto sucked, and for +30k it didnt feel near luxiourious or powerful enough. This was before we decided to start checking out manuals though so that would have probably have fixed the power front at least.

-Acura TL wasnt too bad, but basically felt like a slightly more posh Accord, not worth the extra money.

-Accord v6 was a ton of fun. Plenty of power while still able to deliver good mileage when need, plus it took regular gas. A bit expensive for what it was though. Call it blasphemous but we liked this car almost as much as the g35.

-Audi a4, was pretty bad. Interior felt low quality for the price (infinti's pretty much blew everything out of the water in this price bracket thought). The little 1.8 in our felt underpowered (certainly compared to the mini).

-Which brings us to the Accord. 2 door, 4 cylinder, MANUAL, and it is actually pretty fun to drive. It has a lot of pep in the up revs (VTEC FTW) so you can have plenty of fun winding the **** out of it, after you are done with that it goes back to a great commuter that can cruise the highways in comfort all day long. The interior is brilliant, never mind the BS about the button heavy dash, spend a week commuting and you learn the layout real fast.

What is she using the car for? You can let that help dictatate where to look in terms of the car, and also consider where you think gas will be and if the car you are picking is acceptable for that and you needs.

 

Hey thanks for all your input She is looking for a really nice, ie, luxurious, sharp looking, car - xover, that she drives around town, that we can also take on weekend trips. Gas mileage is a concern, but anything over 18-26 is ok for us. We already both use 91 octane, so we are used to paying big bucks . The Hondas just seem too stark inside. The Acuras just to ungainly on the outside. BMW is out, thats why we are car shopping We actually like both the EX and the FX. FX would be the first choice, but kinda expensive, maybe we can talk them way down I belive the Audi is a new design for 09. This one had the Turbo, 211 hp, and the inside was very nice, all leather, and power everything. And the MSRP was only $32.5k We most likely are going to lease as she seems to like new cars every 4 years.

 

Have you looked at Volvos? I know they have the old person car reputation, but their great cars. I've had one since I got my license, and my folks have always had a bunch (they have 4 right now). They're very comfortable and quiet. Even their SUV is decent on gas (for an SUV). My S70 T5 sedan would get 26-28 on the highway, and that was with the turbo. The naturally aspirated models are even better on the petrol.

 

I have been leaning towards the GLK. Have you looked at the Volvo XC60?

It might be a candidate.

 

For a new crossover/wagon/SUV, there is a lot to like about the 2009+ Subaru Forester XT.

Comparison of the VW Tiguan, Mazda CX-7 and Forester XT:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

 

JIMINNI, short story: Got e-mail from our Lexus dealer 'bout test driving the 2010 RX. We did that last Saturday, and loved it. Told dealer to find one for us. Later in day, drove GLK. Fell in love. Told dealer to find one for us but none out there or arriving soon. This last Monday, bought Iridium Silver Metallic 2010 GLK 4Matic with premium 1/lighting/appearance/multimedia/iPod and MP3 packages. Our complaints are we would like a little bit better fuel economy and my wife wanted almond/black/burled walnut interior but we got the black with the aluminum. I was always kind of embarrassed driving her RX's but I feel right at home behind the wheel of this SUV.

 

Well, we drove the new Volvo convertible before we bought her BMW. The thing was so uninspiring to drive. Yes it was built very well but the car drove so blaa. We haven't looked at the XC60, guess we might. Is it a full size SUV?

 

I liked the GLK also. May I ask what you paid for it? Or if you don't want to thats cool too. I have been told that since they a so new they are not dealing on them? We haven't seen the new Lexus RX. I think they are a completley new car? Smaller than the old one? That's what we didn't like about the old RX, it was just to big, we already own a mini van.

 

It sounds like you are looking more high end.
But we just got my wife the suzuki SX4 crossover.

It drives like the mini but sits about a foot up.
I love it actually and will probably take it over
down the road when she's trashed it ha ha.

I'm not sure of the mpg yet, close to 30 semi-city in auto
if you don't get on it. Very zippy and a blast to drive.

 

We actually want to stay somewhere near $35k. Our friends have a Suzuki SUV, it's really nice, but it's big. Is the SX4 new?

 

Ok, looked at two more cars last night, both Audis. The A4 and their new Q5. The A4 didn't seem to peak the wifes interest, she said it looked to boxy. It would look better with some 18"s on it and lowered. Then they had a new Q5 SUV, we drove it, that car was very nice awesome nav. system, lot's of gadgets. It might be a contender, but it is priced alittle high. Anybody drive either of these cars?

 

Well it looks like my wife as decided on which new car she want's.............................a Mini Anybody have connections at one of the dealers here in CA.? She want's a S with auto, Red, Blue or maybe Silver. Shes going to buy it so modding may be done Oh no here we go again

 

buy her a spyker!!!
lol, jk
(but that would get some attention no? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzwXmPuSFNc)

but in all seriousness i really like the lexus IS, but the back seat is arguably smaller than the mini's (from my one experience back there that is)
and id suggest test driving the new audi S series for sportyness.. you never know

 

Yea we drove the IS, very nice but not considered sporty. We looked at Audis, she did not like the look of the A4 and the price of the S series was alittle out of our range. So she want's a Mini

 

It's new. We got the base. The high end Touring II package
is like 22K.(?)

When I say new I think they started in 06 or 07, but
you just do not see many of them.

I'll find the commercial, it is hilarious but I think
not 100% true (like the mini/hummer commercial)

http://www.media.suzuki.com/auto/index.php?p=429
It is the SX4 vs. Mini commercial.
I'm sure it is on youtube too.

The SX4 crossover isn't the big one. However, it is not a luxury
vehicle. However, I find it very sporty/zippy and comfortable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjiFfbP1CU4

I still prefer the MINI mind you. But I can definately see
the facinaction people had about sitting up high and looking
around when they drive.