It's not for me, but someone else and these are the preliminary choices:

2006 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro
2005-2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan
2006-2007 Volvo S60 2.5T or T5
2007 Volvo S40 T5 AWD

The person who is buying currently has an '03 Acura TL Type-S.

Few other notes about cars NOT on this list...
Current TL - too bland
3 Series - maintenance issues and poor ratings with exception of 2006 for some reason; still may consider one
Lexus/Toyota - none really appeal to this person
Cadillac CTS - may also be considered

I figured I can get some decent, somewhat unbiased input here since no Toyota product is on the list... haha If you guys have any additional thoughts or anything to add to the list, lets hear it!

 

Depends on that person's driving needs. If he or she does not need the Audi's AWD Quattro traction and sure-footedness for bad weather, or Volvo's admittedly safer crashworthiness, I'd go with the G35. More reliable than the Euro cars, although interior quality and paint job don't match the Audi's. The VW/Audi DSG (Direct-Shift-Gearbox), is a delight to drive, though, if the car you're looking at has it....that feature alone sells some VW's and Audis.

Other cars not on your list?

First, the most obvious alternative, if she likes the RWD G35 and wants/needs more traction, is the G35X AWD.

Second, you mentioned that she doesn't want a Toyota/Lexus product, but if she likes the RWD G35, the Lexus IS300 is a great alternative. Extremely well-built and reliable as sin, especially after 2002, but not good in bad weather, even with traction control and all-season tires (I know....I had one). There is also the newer IS250 AWD for bad weather.

Third, used Saab 9-3's and 9-5's, due to relative unpopularity as new cars, can often be had at bargain prices. They all have turbo engines for added punch, FWD for good traction, good body solidness, and good crash-safety ratings, and an unusual look and feel to them both visually and in their driving quirks. But, obviously, they are not the cars for everyone, and their reliability varies sharply by year and model.....check Consumer Reports carefully for the specific car you look at.

Fourth, look at the Hyundai Azera. (don't laugh...I'm serious). The Azera has the same set-up she is used to with her TL.....V6, FWD, and four doors. It is bargain-priced, even as a new car, and has a warranty longer than Bill Clinton's list of girl friends.....you may be able to get a brand-new one for the price of those used Euro models on the list. Its first-year reliability record was excellent, it has high owner satisfation ratings, and it is well-designed and built.....athough it is not considered an "enthusiast" car from a ride-handling standpoint, and the one I reviewed had some rear-end road and tire noise.

 

I say G35 all the way reliable, plenty of power and available in AWD if that's a must, not a fan of Audi or volvo.

 

I guess I left some things out. The car does not need to be AWD, it would merely just be a nice option to have. We live in an area of CA where weather is never really THAT bad to necessitate AWD.

RWD vs AWD VS FWD is also not really an issue and this car will not be tracked at all and not really drive hard, just a lot of highway miles. It'll be a commuter so while gas milage is something to think about its not the definitive factor in buying a car. The car will see ~500 miles per week...

The IS300 would be nice, but she wants something within factory warranty with the ability to purchase an extended warranty if need be. It also must have reasonable milage - nothing over 20k.

The Hyundai might be something to consider too and I am sure she had not given that much though at all. The Saab, as you said is quirky, and did not appeal.

We purchased the Consumer Report and based on that alone, kind of narrowed the list to the above, BUT she's not really sold on anything really and there is still the fact she needs to go out and look and drive these vehicles for herself to determine what she likes.

 

stay away from the germans.

 

Well, just thought I'd update this thread. The car was actually for my mom and my parents are usually those who dont like to buy brand new, they prefer previous year lease returns, etc with low miles - they believe it depreciates less... Anyway, my mom ended getting a 2008 Camry - brand new. Sadly though the car is three days old and has been anything but problem free...

I have been less than impressed by this car to this point. There was a little fiasco at the dealer - while prepping the original car, the guy doing it scraped the passenger side while backing up; she obviously got a different car... We get home and a few hours later, what do we notice? Condensation in the headlights (both sides)! Then yesterday afternoon, my mom is sitting in the drive way with the car on trying to load some CDs and what happens? She pushes a button and the whole car shuts down - electrical system and all - car would not start. So, my parents call the dealer (they are like 5 mins from our house), guy comes out and changes a fuse or something (I wasnt around while this happened) and tells us to make an appointment for the headlights...

So much for that Toyota quality - honestly, this car feels a bit cheap compared to some other cars we looked at and the interior lighting looks really gimicky or something. So overall, to this point, I'm a little disappointed - my one consolation in all of this? At least it isn't my car... haha

We did test drive a Volvo S40 T5, which is surprisingly nice and the engine is not bad on that car with pretty good midrange power. Audi may have been a winner had my dad fit in the car a little bit better. There was not much headroom for him in there (he's 6'2"-6'3") but this car felt the most solid I would say. And the G35 is nice car as well, but my g/f having had an '05 coupe and dealing with the rattles advised against the sedan - though all the loaner sedans we ever had seemed to be just fine.

Anyway, sorry for the short novel, but thanks to those who had input!

 

I typically congratulate people when they get a new car, but the problems you describe does not call for celebration.

I hope everything gets fixed, and that the car becomes trouble-free for a very long time thereafter...

 

stay away from the japanese.

 

Whats wrong with german cars?
I own a 06' 2.0 A4 and it fits me in this bad weather of Michigan.
No problems , its all good =D

 

I cannot recommend anything b/c this makes no sense.
He thinks the CURRENT TL is bland? His is much blander.
3, you can find good used ones. Is it more of a chance, yes but they are not totally unreliable.
Lexus-nothing appeals? Yes the old G35, Audi and Volvo do?
CTS-I cannot recommend the last version.

Out that list, I really like the 07 Volvo S60 T5 AWD. But he can't say the 3 has poor reliablity/maintenance and not a Volvo.
The G35 is a great drive but that interior is just
A FWD I-4, turbo Audi is nice to look at but doesn't do much for me.

Well out his list, the Volvo S60 T5 AWD gets my vote....

 

Why not a S60R?

 

Have you driven one, Mike?
Volvos are good cars in some ways, particularly in safety-related issues, but then can, and usually do, drive and steer like they are full of novicaine. Their stiff suspensions, while providing a firm ride, strangely don't do much for steering feel or response. I haven't been in a Volvo product yet I actually ENJOYED driving.

 

Makes no sense to you, maybe, but to my mom (who this was for), it made sense. Her '03 TL Type S was bland, thus one of the reasons to get a new car. The 3 Series if definitely not a totally unreliable car, but the reason she believes this is she had a BMW previously, as did my dad in the late 80s and early 90s and the remember some of the maintenance woes, so her perception is slightly biased about BMW and reliability.

And yes, the style of Lexus did not appeal to her as she doesnt want to own my grandparents' car (literally), though she ended up getting a '08 Camry for some reason (mainly impulse I guess). And yes, the G35 appealed to her as did the Volvos purely for aesthetic reasons - the G, believe it or not is not a bad looking vehicle... For my mom, as with many other women I surmise, most of the appeal in the car are the aesthetics regardless of interior fit and finish, etc.

The Volvo was a surprisingly decent ride when we test drove it it was fairly responsive. However, as you mentioned, we did more research and the Volvos definitely aren't the most reliable cars on the road either.

 

How do you define "responsive"?

Se my response above to 1SICKLEX....most of the Volvos I've driven, IMO, have slow, numb, dead-feeling steering and handling, despite their firm underpinnings and relatively stiff rides. BMWs, they are not.

 

Ive been around both German and Jap cars my whole life, also been working on cars for a couple of years now...

If i was to buy a used car that I was going to keep. It would NEVER be German. Upkeep costs is just too high compared to Japanese.

The G35 is by far superior to the others anyways.

(friend has a 07 A4- Stay away)