Lady, are you dead set on buying a NEW car for your 16 year old daughter? Honestly, I'd keep her in the Maxima for a year and then get her a new car. If you're mostly concerned about SAFETY and that's why you want her out of the 11-year old car, I'd buy a 2-3 year used 3-series, C-class, or Volvo S60. My friend has gotten into two accidents in his BMW 325i. The first time, his dad was driving, slammed into someone taking an overly eager left turn at 55 mph. Car caught on fire, front was smashed to all heck, the dad had not a scratch or bruise on him. Basically, the car gave its life for the dad's. Second one happened a few weeks ago, friend was taking an overly eager left turn when a Geo without its headlights on slammed into his front left. Again, no problems. I turned him onto Germans when he was all about Japanese only, and now he won't consider anything but a German because of the safety factor. (This is not to say that non-German cars are unsafe, BTW.)

 

Thanks for the poll, Sick!

Let me clear up the 16 year old thing. The car is NOT going to be hers. (I keep hearing that parents around here buy new Lexi or Beamers for their high school kids, but I haven't actually MET one of those parents).

It will still be our car. However, at 16 she can get a permit, and she will probably want to do so. At 17 she could drive to school - the car will not be used by us much of the time and I am sure we will get talked into loaning it unless there are major reasons to say no.

I don't want a superfast car for her - which is why I don't really see her in the GX - it has a monster V8 that knocks you back with a tap on the gas pedal. My concern is not that she will be a daredevil, but that she could be inattentive, or get flustered and hit the wrong thing as a new driver. I don't worry about her drag racing (although who knows what happens to people's personalities when they get behind the wheel?) We have had several teen deaths in our town in the last year or two, and they have been more girls driving to school and club activities around dangerous curves and bad weather than boys showing off.

Incendiary - I did not want to get into why no German cars, but let's just say that I've had more of my relatives burned in fire by Germans than can ever be saved by their cars, and my father would turn over in his grave if I bought one. Thanks for the info, but it's not a performance issue.

Thanks everybody for all the tips!

 

Cool cool, in that case, I say check out the Acura RL. You can probably get one for like $40k. At that price, there's absolutely no better car for the money (bang for your buck, and at your price point). If you have to pay much more than $42.5k, I'll make another suggestion.

 

SL, I'd add the upcoming ES350 to your list. You might also want to consider a CPO LS430.

In addition to the Acura RL, I'd also look at the Acura TL - lots of bang for the buck.

 

LOL, that is exactly what is happening. Everybody loves it, but nobody buys it.

RL over GS300? Probably.

RL over GS350? No way. Crack is a powerful drug

 

The only reason I wouldn't pick up an RL for myself is because I'm not as interested in a non-German lux car. If I were, you can bet your sweet patooties I'd pick one up if the price were right. $40-41k and I'd sign for sure.

 

I also vote for the Avalon/ES350 coming up soon. The avalon is a GREAT drive. It has a nice 280 horse V6, plenty of pick up, a comfy ride (as long as you don't get the touring model), and it is a LOT of luxury for not a lot of $$$ (relatively speaking). There is LOTS of rear cabin space, reclining rear seats (this is a godsend, it is so comfortable), superb 3 person rear seating (no drivetrain hump, so sitting in the middle is no longer a big deal). The car is FWD yet it doesn't feel "floaty" while driving it. It drives nicer than the current ES, it very detailed and looks clean clean clean on the interior. It will satisfy all of your needs, including the new nav and a pemium 13 speaker audio setup. Good luck on your hunt!

 

I would wait for the GS 350 awd I just ove the way they look and those New Acuras look so much like the Hondas you might as well get a honda if you go that route.

 

If horsepower has any consideration in this purchase than consider this article:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...603130350/1148

 

I'd say Acura RL. The AWD that spins the rear outside wheel during turns helps out a little in twists and turns which adds to the excitement of the car. There is so much technology stuff you can get the RL, and it's safe too.

I'd also add the Infiniti M35x to your list.

 

Most of the previous choices are suitable....except for one. I can agree with most of them ( having reviewed and test-driven some of them myself ) but before you buy any of them, go take a look at the Subaru Outback L.L. Bean or VDC models.....VDC if you want stability control. You will be astounded at what they offer for 32-34K......an interior worthy of $40-45K cars, one of the best AWD systems on the planet that will laugh at slippery roads, ( though not as advanced as the SHD AWD system in the much more expensive Acura RL ), an H6 250 HP engine, just-perfect height between the average sedan and the average SUV, and many winter features like electrically heated seats, lower windshield, and mirrors. A 4-door sedan or turbo version is available if you want the sedan body style or more power....the turbo adds more torque but not more HP. I don't think there is a better overall bargain on the road today than the entire Outback model line.....which starts at 24-25K.

IMO the Lexus IS250 AWD, for winter, would be an exception to my general recommendation of the previous cars discussed here...for two main reasons. First, the car has quite low ground clearance and might hang up in deep snow. Second, the 55-series all-season tire option that the last IS300 had and that Lexus SHOULD ( IMO ) have kept for this car is now gone...the lower 45-series high-performance tires the new car comes with are not particularly suited to slippery roads in spite of the AWD....and ride stiffer than the 55's. Of course, ride quality is a personal taste...you might not mind it. You could put winter tires on, but they might not be easy to find in the original size....and I generally don't recommend changing factory tire sizes for several reasons.

The GS300 AWD, while pricier than the IS250 AWD, would be overall better-suited for your needs IMO.The Acura RL is a superb AWD car but pricey...though discounts are available due to low sales. The Infiniti M35X and 45X are also superb cars but pricey...and the smaller, cheaper G35X ( about the IS250 AWD's price range ) lacks paint and interior quality...though the new Rosewood console is nice.

You mentioned the Buick Lucerne.....I would avoid it. GM is hyping this car a lot more than it deserves. It has what in my opinion is second-rate build quality and uses cheap materials which, in the top-line version, are cleverly coated with a layer of flash to try and make them LOOK expensive.

The Hyundai Azera, like the Outbacks is IMO a great bargain, but has more-than-expected road noise for a car of this class and, being brand-new has an unproven reliability record, although Hyundai in general, with the exception of the Tuscon, is building at least fairly reliable cars these days, with some.....such as the Sonata...well above average.

 

No problem. I do have to LOL at everyone here suggesting you to buy a RL, when they know they wouldn't spend THEIR money on it. So why tell you to buy it?

MMarshall brings up a good point with the Subies. You seem very happy with your GX. Lexus didn't offer AWD cars before. They do now for people like you that are happy with the brand and want to stay in the Lexus family. We didn't have the choice before for an AWD Lexus car.

Thus I strongly recommend the GS 350. Or maybe a GS 300 AWD at a great price when the 350 hits our shores this fall.

 

I too would add the M35X. It's an exceptional vehicle, nice ride, nice power and nice styling. The RL is overpriced and not selling so you should be able to get a really good deal on one. From what I understand they are moving at prices near invoice. You may also consider the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT. As some have mentioned Subarus, the Legacy is as much luxury as you'll get and performance wise, the 2.5GT is pretty good! The Lucerne...Well Im not too sure about FWD V8s...assuming thats what you want.

 

The Acura RL. The New GS has touchy brakes

 

So far poll results favor a Lexus that won't be built for another 6 months, with an Accura that I should be able to get cheaply because nobody wants it running second!

Sick - I was gungho on the RL when I read the specs, but a peek at a couple of their bulletin boards gives me second thoughts - let's say not even the owners are fanboys You make a good point.

Thanks for the headsup on the IS tires. I just assume that all cars today come with all weather radials - and you know what they say about the word assume. My Ford Explorer originally came with Goodyear Wranglers and I find even the huge Michelin all weather radials on my GX kind of wimpy. I wouldn't want to take anything other than at least all weathers out in the snow - 4 bald tires are not that much better than two bald tires.

A look at the Suburu is a great suggestion - Thanks, Marshall! I had rejected them many years ago as a "station wagon" when I wanted an SUV, but now that I am actually considering a CAR they might be worth a look - hubby will be shocked at that!

As far as Infiniti - I am spoiled by having so many car dealers close by, with Infiniti being the one exception. Too much hassle for service, unless I really thought I had to have one.