Needs to be new, fun to drive, "nice" interior and comfortably seat 4 (one rear facing car seat).

I have test driven so far:
1. BMW 328i - Fun and basic interior (I won't get many options if I go with this)
2. Infinity Q50 - More power than the others but didn't feel like the same interior finish
3. Audi A4 - It felt under-powered (compared to the others) but I liked the interior the best.
4. Acura TL - I did not like the steering on this, I am coming from a 2007 Accord and felt like a posh version of what I already have.

I am going to drive the Volvo S60 today after work. Anything else I should try? Of the cars listed what would you choose? Any hidden pros or cons I might not be thinking of?

Thanks for the input.

9/23/2013 10:58:38 AM

Also test drive:

Cadillac CTS (new gen)
Cadillac ATS
Lexus IS
MB C-Class

None of them would be better than the BMW in terms of fun, but you might as well drive all the cars in that class of vehicles.

Actually, having said that, both Cadillacs are getting rave reviews from all over the place in terms of driving dynamics, and just might equal the BMW. And they come with powerful engines--far more than the A4's and 328's--and very nice interiors.

So your limit is what, 40k?

From your existing list, I would go with the BMW. Or if I wanted more space I would go with the Q50. And I would look at the Cadillacs and he compare between the 3 manufacturers.

I am surprised the A5 SportBack doesn't come to the US... because that would have been awesome. Google it to see what it is if you don't know and are curious.


[Edited on September 23, 2013 at 12:35 PM. Reason : ]

9/23/2013 12:21:33 PM

It is going to be a company car (leased) that I am going to have to put a little into for most of these options (either through the down payment or a little each month). I am hoping to keep the lease amount around $400/month but can probably get a little more included by my employer if maintenance is included (so far that is the BMW and Volvo).

I haven't considered the Cadillac's due to the fact that is what my grandfather always drove. I realize a lot has changed but the stigma they are trying to erase is still in my mind. I will probably go take a look this week.

I am not a fan of the Lexus styling and lack of power - probably not going to waste people's time going there.

Everything I have read says the C-Class power is anemic but the finishing is nice - not really what I am looking for.

Thanks for the feedback. The sales guy for BMW is working the numbers to see if he can get it in my range (that I am willing to do). I am waiting to see how that comes back before I get any prices on the others. Are there any good websites for determining lease amounts, it seems like there are way too many hidden variables to get a good read on what I should be paying?

9/23/2013 12:39:28 PM

^if they value interior gadgets, the BMW isn't a good choice

you might like the volvo, its got a great cabin. i didn't get to drive it except in a parking lot so i'm nos sure how the handling feels.

9/23/2013 12:40:14 PM

Lexus IS is a new generation which was just released and looks much better than the previous gen. And it comes with the same engine as the last gen, 306 hp, which is far more powerful than the 328. Don't know about the driving dynamics of the new gen.

If you go test drive the CTS, make sure it is available. Website still lists it as a future vehicle and says coming fall 2013. And might I add, the ATS and new CTS both look amazing, very sexy and aggressive at the same time, if you opt for the performance packages.

S60... would you go for T5 or T6? T5 FWD should be off your list, so there is T5 AWD and T6 which is AWD only. I test drove the last gen S60 R (AWD) and it was a lot of fun to drive; it was a 6-sp manual. The T6 has the same power level as the previous S60 R (300 hp) so it should be fun and in fact should be better than previous gen. T5 has 250 hp so it should be decent as well.

9/23/2013 1:02:33 PM

FWD is fine depending on what they want in a car, its even better for some things

9/23/2013 1:07:48 PM

I knew I was forgetting one manufacturer... their model is

the most powerful
the largest in interior volume
and the cheapest

of all the cars on this page!

Hyundai Genesis 3.8

For fun to drive factor, you should go drive it. I am guessing it is somewhere mid-pack. And it has this going it for it too:

Quote :

"More than 83,000 owners and lessees of 2013 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles, each answered 233 questions on their experience after 90 days. Here’s one impressive finding from the J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Initial Quality Study: The Hyundai Genesis is the Highest Ranked Midsize Premium Car in Initial Quality."

Sounds like a winner, except for the fun to drive factor, which you have to judge.

9/23/2013 1:29:55 PM

I would definitely agree with others and go test drive the Cadillacs. The Lexus IS has been getting rave reviews as well (though personally I think it looks hideous) so it's probably worth a look.

9/23/2013 1:45:43 PM

From what I gather, you just want a fun interior

New ford explorer or new focus, maybe even a Toyota corolla or Kia soul is right up your alley

9/23/2013 2:00:59 PM

^He said it's a company car though, if they're offering 400/mo doubtful they would approve an economy car.

I assume Jaguar XF would be out of the price range?

9/23/2013 6:51:02 PM

ISx50 isn't a bad car, but that car was a maintenance hog on the front suspension. Maybe that's just how most modern cars are these days though. IDK.

Oh and be wary of the 6 disk cd changer. They like to fail and you have to (more or less) get a proprietary unit to replace it. My IS was on it's 3 one in 5 years I had it. Common problem.



[Edited on September 23, 2013 at 8:05 PM. Reason : .]

9/23/2013 8:03:21 PM

Quote :

"rear facing car seat"

ha! better stick with the Genesis. all the other ones probably have the rear seat room of a corolla

9/23/2013 10:03:03 PM

New honda accord. They look pretty goo and have the room for a car seat. The navigation is pretty good as well

9/23/2013 10:04:51 PM

Genesis until the warranty runs out.
Then the head unit will run you $6k to fix....

9/23/2013 10:18:39 PM

When you buy a car make it something that makes you smile.

Nothing else really matter.

9/23/2013 10:19:54 PM

cadillac ats turbo is a pretty cool car. since you're leasing i'd say you can likely pass up maintenance since the car will be new and under warranty

9/24/2013 8:32:25 AM

I went through this same thing a year ago. Same goals. Same price point. Same range as you're describing. Hemmed and hawed for a while, did a ton of reading. Test drives. Forums.

Got the BMW, and at the moment I cannot see myself ever purchasing a non-BMW car ever again.

Quote :

"When you buy a car make it something that makes you smile. Nothing else really matter."

9/24/2013 9:13:46 AM

Yeah but you don't own an F30

9/24/2013 9:22:17 AM

Drove the volvo last night, It was the T6 and while it had some power the steering wasn't as responsive as the BMW and Audi. I am going to keep it on the list in case the numbers don't work out for the cars I like a little better. It does get a few bonus points for the safety factor, but I drive it with the kids so little that I am putting that as a lower requirement (not that the other cars aren't safe too).

I also test drove the Corolla last night too, inside finish is top notch, acceleration and handling were on par with the 3 series. On top of everything else that this car has going for it the A/C blows ice cold when you crank it up! I have a new front-runner.

I am going to Cadillac tonight to finish out what I am going to look at. Thanks for all of the input.

9/24/2013 9:30:13 AM

Quote :

"I also test drove the Corolla last night too, inside finish is top notch, acceleration and handling were on par with the 3 series."

you've lost us all

[Edited on September 24, 2013 at 9:38 AM. Reason : if you like a corolla, you'll probably think the vw gti is the greatest car ever]

9/24/2013 9:33:12 AM

steering feel is one of your priorities and the corolla is your front runner?

now you just aren't making any goddamn sense

9/24/2013 9:50:09 AM

Dafuq?

Why the hell would you drive a corolla??? The Acura TL felt too pedestrian (because its just a gussied up Accord according to you), but corolla is good enough? Fun to drive? Nice interior?

Quote :

"acceleration and handling were on par with the 3 series."

Corolla, the world's greatest sports sedan... who would've thought!

Well if a corolla is fun to drive and has a nice interior, do you know how many cars that opens up for you?

Mazda 3
Civic
Lancer
Sentra
Elantra
Forte
Mazda 6
Accord
Altima
Imprezza
Legacy
Kizashi
Camry
Optima
Sonata
Azera

And that's not even touching the European and American cars.

Just get the corolla, or if you want something fancy, powerful, and with good performance, get a new Accord V6. They have nearly 300 hp and a nice interior--but obviously can't compete with the Corolla because the Corolla handles and accelerates on par with the 3-series.

P.S. what about the Hyundai Genesis Accent?

[Edited on September 24, 2013 at 9:55 AM. Reason : ]

9/24/2013 9:51:59 AM

Quote :

"I also test drove the Corolla last night too, inside finish is top notch, acceleration and handling were on par with the 3 series. On top of everything else that this car has going for it the A/C blows ice cold when you crank it up! I have a new front-runner. "

hahahahahaha


Dude, if you like the Corolla, go get one. If you think that it's even attempting to play the same sport as a 3-series, you should go get yourself a Toyota and save a bunch of money upfront and throughout your ownership of the car. It is exactly the right car for you.

9/24/2013 10:01:20 AM

if he wants to save money up front and on maintenance and have a better fit and finish (and american made!), he should by a hyundai accent and not a corolla

9/24/2013 10:02:50 AM

By the way the Corolla was a joke based off the post:

Quote :

"From what I gather, you just want a fun interior New ford explorer or new focus, maybe even a Toyota corolla or Kia soul is right up your alley"

I did not test drive one, my mother in law has one and it checks none of the boxes I am looking for. Now back to the serious side of the search...

9/24/2013 10:10:01 AM

Ok

Hyundai Genesis

Cheaper
More spacious
More powerful

Than all cars in this thread

9/24/2013 10:15:18 AM

A lot of push for the Hyundai... I guess I will have another test drive to do.

9/24/2013 10:30:43 AM

Check out the Infiniti M37x. I love mine.

9/24/2013 3:45:48 PM

I think that's out of his range. The cars he is looking at range from low to high 30s.

9/24/2013 4:23:38 PM

if the 4 door genesis is as bad as the coupe, you're in for a lot of disappointment


the coupe is absolute bullshit

9/24/2013 4:29:20 PM

Yeah the M37 is above where I want to be. I don't have to drive enough that I want to put a lot of personal $ into this.

9/24/2013 4:41:32 PM

I just purchased a genesis sedan with the 5.0 V8. Definitely has the fun factor with 430hp but also has decent gas milage with the 8 speed auto. Im 6'3 250lbs and I have plenty of room up front. I drive 150 miles a day and it has been great so far.

9/24/2013 8:15:09 PM

Really, though. I was serious about the HU. My brother had a '10 Genesis. The HU went bad at 61,000 and the dealership wanted 6k for a new one. It is fully integrated and they would not offer any assistance or customer service warranty.

9/24/2013 8:19:44 PM

looks like you can shove a run-of-the-mill double DIN up in there

http://carphotos3.cardomain.com/images/0015/38/83/15468338_large.jpg

9/24/2013 9:04:25 PM

My brother waited for one of the moments when it wasn't freaking out, and took it to carmax.

But screw $6k for a radio when it is a week out of warranty.

[Edited on September 24, 2013 at 9:56 PM. Reason : .]

9/24/2013 9:55:41 PM

I thought all Hyundais had a 100k mile warranty? Or is that just powertrain?

9/25/2013 10:14:51 AM

Just power train.

9/25/2013 10:34:16 AM

Bumper to bumper is either 3/36 or 5/60. Can't remember which right now (I should know this as it is relevant to my ownership).

9/25/2013 12:40:35 PM

60k iirc

9/25/2013 1:20:25 PM

drivetrain is 10/100 and bumper to bumper is 5/60.

9/25/2013 10:11:36 PM

well that blows

9/26/2013 8:52:22 AM

^That blows? Is there a better warranty out there?

9/26/2013 9:01:56 AM

lol, sorry. No blows about the head unit.

9/26/2013 9:38:18 AM

CTS review and first drive impressions for the OP

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/24/2014-cadillac-cts-review-first-drive/

9/26/2013 9:54:25 AM

Hammered out a good deal on the CTS, the A4 is getting close. I don't think BMW and I are going to get there unless I decide to drop more of my own coin than I set as my original limit. I am going to go back and look at the Q50 tonight and start the negotiations there.

As many times as I have done this it is hard to deal with the underhandedness of car dealers and the lease aspect just adds more of a smoke and mirrors aspect to the pricing. It is just such hard work to get a good deal.

9/26/2013 11:46:56 AM

Was it the new CTS or the old one? New one in link above your post.

Did you decide not to look at the Genesis?

9/26/2013 11:53:24 AM

It is a 2013 CTS, not the new one, I don't think they are on the lots yet.

I am still planning on looking at the Genisis but I am skeptical (I was about the Cadillac too, though).

9/26/2013 1:17:24 PM

I see. Did they tell you when the new one will be on sale? It is not more than a month away. Check out the link I posted,, and if it intrigues you, it might be worth waiting, depending on when it goes on sale.

Lexus IS250/IS350?

9/26/2013 1:26:24 PM

I might be ending this with a vehicle that wasn't on my radar. Just test drove the X1 and the numbers work out well. Do any of you have any experience with them?

9/27/2013 4:13:45 PM

528iT >>> X1

[Edited on September 27, 2013 at 6:37 PM. Reason : hell, as big as the 328i is now, 328iT >> x1]

9/27/2013 6:34:45 PM