Wife's car is due for replacement. Currently has an '03 Highlander V6 4WD w/ 165K on it. Car has been absolutely trouble-free which is obviously why I'm thinking another Toyota.

Wife wants something "sporty but practical". Needs to be an automatic. She can drive a manual but doesn't want a manual daily-driver. Needs to be 4-door. No German shit. I just don't trust 'em. New or used.

Only 2 cars come to mind, IS350 & '15 WRX (1st year of CVT transmission. Is it worth a damn?). She drove the WRX and absolutely loved it. In fact, we are going back tonight to drive it again. My thoughts are the suspension will get old to her rapidly. Naturally, it's stiff. I pushed her to drive the IS350 (gotta be the 350. Toyota 2.5 in the IS250 isn't worth a shit plus has a 7.9 0-60 while the IS350 has a 5.7 0-60 with only a 1 mpg drop). She says the car feels "too stuffy". I get her to drive another one at a different dealership and even though she like this one (1st salesman was too pushy and made her felt uncomfortable and even though the car was 150 degrees inside he kept turning down the a/c so she could hear how quiet it is inside. shitty salesman.) she felt the car was "too frou-frou" for her.

Not trying to talk her out of buying the WRX especially since I could have fun with it I think in the long run I think the IS350 would be a better fit for her. Problem is I can't think of any other cars that might fit her desires. I want her to drive a couple more choices before deciding. What about the new Chevy SS? Worth a damn (as least as good as Chevy can be)?

Any other suggestions?

7/2/2014 12:52:08 PM

I feel like the lexus is going to be more reliable.

7/2/2014 12:56:23 PM

Yeah, I agree.

And never mind the SS. Only available with black leather interior. She refuses to have black leather again. Will only have a light interior. Sorry, GM, bad choice.

I find it hard to believe the market is this limited.

[Edited on July 2, 2014 at 12:58 PM. Reason : -]

7/2/2014 12:57:47 PM

My wife has an IS250. Agree about the motor. It's honestly too small for us plus car seat. If you are looking at late model stuff, what about a Lexus GS300/350? Much more car for the same money. The dealership experience is pleasant too. If she's in a Highlander she might like a RX330/350 but that kinda seems like an old lady car. A cousin of mine has an Acura RDX turbo. She likes it.

What about a G37s sedan? I had a G35s sedan in the newer body style and it was a fun car. SHO Taurus?

7/2/2014 1:25:27 PM

Is this a price range here? A WRX with a few options is 30k, an IS350 with options is 45k...not sure they're really comparable. Depending on your level of sportiness:

> Honda - Accord V6, brought up given you thought the WRX ride would get old
> Nissan - Maxima, ignore the NMSJ comments here, it's not a bad car and on paper, seems like a good fit
> Toyota - ......nothing that I'd recommend, even given the criteria at hand
> Kia - Optima Turbo
> Hyundai - Sonata Turbo
> Subuaru - wrx, 6cyl Legacy?

Honestly, if you're looking for a 4-door, japanese sedan that is sporty, your choices are very limited to the WRX and family sedans with 6 cylinders.

* Forgot Infiniti exists, see previous post *

[Edited on July 2, 2014 at 3:10 PM. Reason : ]

7/2/2014 3:10:21 PM

Car and Driver hated the WRX CVT and said that anyone that bought a WRX with the CVT deserved what they got, haha.

Is FWD out of the question? I've heard fantastic things about the driving experience you get with the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord Sport. Those might be worth a lot.

Are you talking about a new '15 Lexus IS350, or a lightly used previous generation. The earlier gen IS350s have been clocked hitting 60 in 4.9 seconds, considerably quicker than the 5.7 you quoted.

7/2/2014 3:50:36 PM

I vote Mazda 6 or something Korean

[Edited on July 2, 2014 at 3:54 PM. Reason : .]

7/2/2014 3:53:58 PM

It's worth noting (since most vehicles being mentioned have a lot of power) that for 2015 the Hyundai Sonata's turbo engine produces 245 hp, down from 274 hp for all previous years. I wouldn't be surprised if the Optima suffers the same fate. (very strange move Koreans...doubt it pays off).

7/2/2014 4:41:58 PM

Suzuki Kizashi, use the money you save to take your wife on a nice vacation.





Yes, this is a serious post....

7/2/2014 5:13:44 PM

Quote :

"[quote] "I dunno how you got the impression that the Kia's power numbers are optimistic""

MT data:

'11 optima: 274 hp; 15.7 sec @ 90.7 mph; 12.7 lb/hp
'11 optima: 274 hp; 15.0 sec @ 96 mph; 13 lb/hp (C&D)
'12 sonata: 274 hp; 15.4 sec @ 91.5 mph; 12.2 lb/hp

'12 camry: 268 hp; 14.2 sec @ 100.6 mph; 12.6 lb/hp
'12 passat vr6: 280 hp; 14.2 sec @ 100.9 mph; 12.6 lb/hp
'13 accord: 278 hp;14.0 sec @ 101.4 mph; 12.1 lb/hp
'13 maxima: 290 hp; 14.3 sec @ 97.7 mph; 12.2 lb/hp
'13 altima: 270 hp; 14.6 sec @ 100 mph; 12.4 lb/hp
'97 type r; 15.3 sec @ 93.4 mph; 13.3 lb/hp
[/quote]

7/2/2014 6:49:58 PM

The IS350, though more refined than the IS250, still leaves me skeptical on reliability... That car loves to go through front tires, brakes, and probably other suspension bits; perhaps this is the norm for heavier sedans but I found the maintenance experience annoying coming from lighter coupes.

Stay away from an IS250. Seriously. If you are determined to get an ISx50 model, get the 350 and remember you gotta pay to play.

Look at Ford Fusion Sport with the 3.5L v6. My friend loves hers to death.


[Edited on July 2, 2014 at 7:17 PM. Reason : /]

7/2/2014 7:07:14 PM

Are Volvos out of the question? S60 or S80?

7/2/2014 7:12:01 PM

Quote :

"Are Volvos out of the question? S60 or S80?"

No. Haven't even given Volvo a thought since I don't think of them as sporty. I'll check 'em out.

Quote :

"The IS350, though more refined than the IS250, still leaves me skeptical on reliability..."

There is no difference between the two other than the engine.

Quote :

"I vote Mazda 6"

Good suggestion if Mazda got their stuff together and are now producing a decent interior?

Quote :

"Car and Driver hated the WRX CVT and said that anyone that bought a WRX with the CVT deserved what they got, haha."

I believe this is the same transmission from the Forrester which has proven itself?

Quote :

"Is FWD out of the question?"

Not at all. I showed her the Honda Accord and she said it still looks like the same Accord from the early '90's. haha

Quote :

"Are you talking about a new '15 Lexus IS350, or a lightly used previous generation. The earlier gen IS350s have been clocked hitting 60 in 4.9 seconds, considerably quicker than the 5.7 you quoted. "

Yes. Actually wanting a used car with the exception of the WRX since only way to get an auto is to buy new. I've been looking at '11-'13 IS350s.

Quote :

"If you are looking at late model stuff, what about a Lexus GS300/350? Much more car for the same money. The dealership experience is pleasant too. "

I love the GS350 but she said it looks "too big". If she thinks the IS350 is to fluffy she'll feel the same about the GS.

Quote :

"> Kia - Optima Turbo > Hyundai - Sonata Turbo"

She likes the look of the Optima. I've never pointed out the Sonata. I'm still not sure of their reliability, though. I keep cars for the long haul and don't want one to only be worth $1000 at the end of it's 100K warranty.



So, need to check out:
Mazda 6
Kia Optima
Nissan Maxima
Volvo S60 & 80

Thanks so far. This shit is aggravating the shit outta me. I wouldn't care at all if I weren't the one working on it.

7/2/2014 8:17:21 PM

Quote :

"There is no difference between the two other than the engine."

Wrong. Brakes on the 350 are bigger and offer much better feedback. The transmission is also slightly different, but both are still 6spd slushboxes with paddle shifters... There's other smaller things to note, but those are the major things that you are paying for when you upgrade to the 350.

Suspension bits are the same for both (wheelbearings, etc.)

But it's not even in consideration so no worries :p

[Edited on July 2, 2014 at 8:38 PM. Reason : .]

7/2/2014 8:30:45 PM

IS350 all the way. New design that came out is just stunning. RWD, 300+hp, subtle and it will hold value better than any other car out there.

If you really want something sporty, jap and fun for a female...used ISF can be a good choice too.

[Edited on July 3, 2014 at 12:39 PM. Reason : f]

7/3/2014 12:37:25 PM

ford fusion

7/3/2014 12:54:26 PM

Quote :

"if Mazda got their stuff together and are now producing a decent interior?"

its at least competitive with other options in its class

7/3/2014 6:44:20 PM

Acura TSX? Cadillac ATS? Buick Regal Turbo?

Just throwing some ideas out that haven't yet been mentioned.

I would say Acura ILX 2.4 but, like the Civic Si from which it borrows its drivetrain, it's manual-only.

7/3/2014 11:45:23 PM

I also like Acura TSX wagons.

7/4/2014 6:51:18 AM

^As do I. My next car will more than likely be a wagon, and one of those will be a strong candidate if so.

7/4/2014 11:32:28 AM

Quote :

"IS350 all the way. New design that came out is just stunning. RWD, 300+hp, subtle and it will hold value better than any other car out there."

Agreed, but he just said that he's not considering the new IS's. Also the IS's 3.5 V6 power rating hasn't budged in a long time.

Quote :

"I believe this is the same transmission from the Forrester which has proven itself?"

C&D's comment wasn't implying that it's unreliable. More so that it sucks a lot of fun out of the car.

7/7/2014 8:13:12 AM

^Ahh, now that I can understand especially since it's a half second slower with the auto.

So we didn't go drive the WRX again. Didn't have time that night. She still wants to, though. Every car mentioned here is out except for the IS350 & WRX. Hopefully she'll come to her senses.

7/7/2014 9:48:35 PM

Gs450h

I drove one and fell in love. No clutches in the transmission just 2 200hp electric motors.

The car is quick but I wouldn't say nimble. Just felt like the perfect highway car.

Btw I flogged the piss out of the one I drove and it got 27mpg anyway.

7/8/2014 5:15:31 AM

If she won't go manual for the WRX my vote is for the Lexus.

7/8/2014 8:16:42 AM

in starfire pearl i might add...

7/8/2014 3:35:27 PM

If you're not buying new don't sweat it. If she wants the WRX and decides a year later that it's not for her, that's fine. You're not going to take a massive hit, most likely. Consider it the cost of 1 year usage plus the choice.

It's really only a big deal if you're buying new and taking that depreciation hit when you drive off the lot...

7/9/2014 12:55:53 AM

He clearly said that if he was buying a WRX it would be new.

Also, pre-2015, WRXs haven't been available with an automatic transmission since 2006. So there's that.

7/9/2014 8:32:03 AM

Clearly I hadn't reread the first post.

7/9/2014 11:46:16 PM

^^^resale would be a cinch on a WRX equipped with a manual. But who in the hell is gonna want to buy a used WRX with an automatic?

^^correct. Have to buy a new WRX simply because of the automatic.



Thanks for the help so far. Hopefully we'll make it back to the Subaru dealership this Sat. as they should now have an auto WRX limited.

7/10/2014 8:43:21 AM

Yeah WRXs hold their value great, with a manual. Depreciation will be greater for an automatic, esp a CVT

7/10/2014 9:07:57 AM

I'm buying a new car for the wife. I've manually searching at dealerships for price. Is there a search website that would list the price by dealerships all over the US? I looked at cars.com so far.

8/8/2014 4:12:34 PM

Truecar.com maybe?

8/8/2014 4:55:11 PM

i really want to drive a new wrx

may get rid of the mazda ..

8/10/2014 10:53:49 AM

we're thinking about a new car, as well, but only if we can get $0 down and 60-month financing at 0% APR...i won't consider a new car under any other conditions because it doesn't make sense (for me) to pay the premium for new

mazda is currently running the deal on almost all of its cars...i'd love to upgrade the 2010 mazda3 hatchback to a 2015, but that's the only one they're NOT running the promotion on

i think all of their cars come with skyactiv engines now (and they're all "version 2")...the CX-5 is pretty attractive, and that one is eligible, so that's what i'm considering

my question is whether there's a way to haggle down the price of a new car that's on the lot AND get the $0/0% deal, or if it's generally accepted that you can pick one or the other (better price or better terms)

i'm not willing to trade in my mazda3 hatch because i know they won't give me anywhere near what i can get for it private party and if i don't have to pay anything down or pay interest, there's no reason for me to give it to them for pennies on the dollar

8/10/2014 8:02:00 PM