I agree with the other posts and with your own thoughts too. Audi A6, but it will blow your under 60K budget pretty quickly. So that leaves the Infiniti Q50 with its 3.0 engine. I really like the styling of the Q50/60's. Great presence and of course the Audis always look nicely understated.

 

The Q50 is a good choice...

 

Easy.

BMW 340/440 Gran Coupe, Audi S4/S5 Sportback, Merc C43, or Infi Q50 Red Sport.

 

Generally a nice car, but I'd avoid the Direct Adaptive Steering option....too risky, IMO, if the electronics fail, even though there is supposedly an emergency mechanical back-up if they do fail. In fact, when I test-drove a Q50 during my review, I deliberately chose one with conventional steering on it.

(Not everyone may agree with me on this, but I tend to stick to the side of caution)

 

I would avoid not not out of concern about risk, but the steering is much better without it.

 

"decent rear room" doesn't leave a whole lot on the list.

 

The current A6 3.0T would be right under $60k before incentives and bargaining. It pretty much comes loaded already, so not much to add. I'd put that ontop of the list. One of my customers just leased a 3.0T, and it is totally wild. Brutish power, luxurious, roomy, inconspicuous, reliable, and not everyone has one. If it were me though, I'd snap up an S3, RS3, or S4. Similar power, but more affordable. If rear seat roominess was really a part of your list, I can see you writing off the 3's.

 

Has anyone here tried/heard/owned a current-gen RLX, out of curiosity?

A friend of mine came across a CPO 16 RLX Hybrid (shares similar, but not the same powertrain components as the vaunted NSX), seems like you get a lot of bang for your buck (new MSRP $65k, CPO listed for $45k) with all the Honda/Acura safety features, tons of legroom, pretty-good SH-AWD. Not "sporty" like the OP is looking for but curious how the RLX stacks up against say a 5-series or an A6? The fact that it is a less-than-common car is also a plus.

 

Are these 4 cyl. cars at that price? Because I test drove an A6 I think summer 2013 (had to been cuz I didn't have a son at the time) for the $100 gift card, and already the sticker was $68k, not even loaded....

 

 

The RLX is rated near or at the bottom of the chain. I would avoid it.

 

I did a full-review, a few years ago. I basically liked it.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...acura-rlx.html

 

So the A6 is definitely a no go. The rear leg room is smaller than the A4. With the driver seat adjusted to my driving position, I would firmly knee the drivers seat if I were to sit in the back. Whereas the A4 would have 2 inches to spare.

By chance the S5 hatchback is next to the A6 so I test drove it and really liked everything besides the purchase price or lease monthly cost. MSRP 67,750 with only 6% discount for purchase or lease (would not budge). Audi is horrible to lease, money factor is close to 6% for 36 month, 12k annually, with 61% residual. With 0 down and my current 6% tax, monthly came to $1,016

 

That's too bad about the S5 price. Audis typical have poor leases, which is really a shame for 2017. All other brands have figured a way to offer affordable leases in this segment and still protect the brand. Audi should have also figured a way by now. The real problem though is the S5/hatchback is a brand new model. Give it one year or a little more and the price will drop a lot.

 

sorry forgot to mention the. S5 hatch is 2018