Opinions needed on cars

**ufcrusher** · 12-14-2005, 01:57 PM

My Grandmom's Lexus GS400 has apparently seen its last road under her control. As such she is in the market for a new car. I just go a call from my mother to help her and the only thing that I have been told is that she is considering getting something with 4x4 capability. Since I cant see my grandmom driving an SUV, I am trying to come up with ideas for cars that might float her boat. She will want it to be new or CPO and likes nicer cars. Her last 3 cars were Caddy, Caddy, and the lexus. I forget which Caddies she had but they were the upper models.

I have some ideas, but dont want to give them as I want to see what other people come up with. The car will see some snow and needs to be exceedingly driveable as she tends to drive a lot.

Lets see what people come up with. The only concern is price...Figure $40k cap...as I think thats probably what her last few cars ran her at maximum.

**AlpineJay** · 12-14-2005, 02:17 PM

She can do any BMW xi's (I think 330xi falls under the 40K mark).

Volvo S60 AWD, or V70XC if she wants a wagon.

Any Subaru will do the trick although that won't fit too well with her previous car choices.

Infiniti G35x is another good choice. Probably my favorite of them all.

Any M-B with 4Matic (probably a C320 4Matic given the price) will fit the bill but I'm hesitant to recommend them as I've heard stories of their recent unreliability...

Do Lexuses offer 4x4/AWD on their sedan lineups? I don't think so. If so, worth a look, although unless it's the ES or the IS, it probably won't be under 40K. I think that's the same with Cadillac.

**bachviet** · 12-14-2005, 04:46 PM

The new Acura RL with SH-AWD

Infiniti G35x is a nice car but it's not as luxurious as the Lexus or Acura.

**Daedalus** · 12-14-2005, 05:21 PM

Wait, wait, back up. Grams totaled the GS? Pics and details!

I would rock the G35x...if I didn't know how good the coupe looked. Tell her to wait until the R35 AWD TT hits the market, then toss her $30k to make up the price difference and borrow the keys every chance you get.

**AlpineJay** · 12-14-2005, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by bachviet

The new Acura RL with SH-AWD

Infiniti G35x is a nice car but it's not as luxurious as the Lexus or Acura.

That's good - I was thinking that too - but would be well over the 40K mark.

**ufcrusher** · 12-14-2005, 09:02 PM

She didnt total it in a crash. It developed some mechanical problems which would cost more to fix than she wants to put into the car. Shes had this car for a while...its a 94. (I think it may actually be a GS300, since I dont think the gs400 was around in 94)

Trade in value of her car is about $6000-$7000 depending on source used to calculate it. Repair cost $3500. Makes sense to her to get a new one.

**LPMiller** · 12-15-2005, 04:48 AM

subaru Forrester LL Bean edition. Or hell, the turbo version. Both are pretty ritzy, AWD, and earn 5 star crash ratings all around.

**Jeffbx** · 12-15-2005, 05:05 AM

Lexus RX330. Small enough of an SUV to be more like a car, and it's in her price range.

**mechmike0034** · 12-15-2005, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by LPMiller

Subaru Forester LL Bean edition. Or hell, the turbo version. Both are pretty ritzy, AWD, and earn 5 star crash ratings all around.

Originally Posted by Jeffbx

Lexus RX330. Small enough of an SUV to be more like a car, and it's in her price range.

Either of these would be my choices for precisely the reasons listed, FWIW...

My little sis just bought an RX330 (not AWD) and is thrilled with it.

**OremuS** · 12-17-2005, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by bachviet

The new Acura RL with SH-AWD

Infiniti G35x is a nice car but it's not as luxurious as the Lexus or Acura.

The RL is an excellent choice, but I think that it is beyond the price point that was mentioned. The base price is around $50k from what I recall. Still an excellent choice though by any means.

**bachviet** · 12-17-2005, 08:59 AM

I don't know if www.carsdirect operates in area but it offers the base 2006 RL without CMBS/PAX/18" wheels (stock is 17") for $45,372 (close to invoice price). The base RL comes with everything including navigation.

**ufcrusher** · 12-17-2005, 09:53 AM

What do people think of the Subaru Legacy? Obviously I dont view it as being anywhere near the class of cars she is used to driving but she is asking me questions about it.

There is a family friend who owns the Suby dealership and is trying to talk her into getting a fully loaded Legacy (GT, I beleive). I personally think she wont like it and would be happier with a more luxurious car, but you never know.

**LPMiller** · 12-17-2005, 01:13 PM

fully loaded, the GT is actually fairly nice. It's not a lexus, but it's enjoyable. Can't hurt to have her test drive one and see. Personally, I think the forresters are just more comfortable and roomy, but they legacy is the same car for all intents and purposes.

**attgig** · 12-17-2005, 04:51 PM

with her previous brands:
How about the caddy SRX? if she likes her caddies, srx can be a nice SUV option.
If she liked her lexus, RX330 is aiight.

Does she want a Big SUV? or does she want to stick with sedans?

if she wants sedans (like she's thinking with the suby), There's the compact sedans with the 3series, a4, MB Cclass.
A6 quattro will go over 40 (43-45), 5series is going to be 45+, and mb is def over.

Volvo's would be nice, s60, s80 (both under 40), and XC70 would be good for a wagon. Jag X might work for her (though it is a step down).

The subaru is nice for most people (i think), but for a grandma who likes her expensive cars (few of my neighbors are like that), they will not like the lower class cars.
That said, my dad loves his forrester, but he's cool with non-luxury cars.

if she wants straight suv, there's tons of options.
consider the Infinity, jeep, Volvo, Lexus, BMW, MB, Chrysler, Acura, VW, too many to list.