another what car to get :)

How about the G35? You may be able to get one only slightly used for $25k. I have the 6mt version which feels just as fast as the 5.0 it replaced. I also have the IS300, which I also like a lot. Both cars are 6 cyl, rear wheel drive, and double wishbone up front. Both cars also come with limited slip differentials. The G35 is bigger and faster, while the IS300 is smaller and more nimble. The build quality on the IS is first rate. I always marvel at how well the body panels fit when I detail the car. The G35 is also well put together, but it just doesn't feel the same. I particularly do not like the way the weatherstripping sticks out of the car's doors, and that plastic bottom rocker panel (like an Audi) is a pain to keep clean.



The other cars you mentioned are also great cars, but I favor the feel of rear wheel drive cars.
 
I'm partial to Acuras, but I only buy coupes and had 2 Legend Coupes and now have a CLS 6 speed coupe. The TL is a very nice car, and the used prices are low. The S version has 260hp and more features than anything in it's price range.

I drove the G35 coupes and they just didn't have the refinement of the Acura and the interior felt cheaper, esp for a $30k+ car.

I'm very much biased agianst most domestics, and anything European for the prices the reliability is disappointing IMO. Reliability and carefree car ownership is near #1 with me, plus Acura gives you a little more sport than most Hondas/Toyotas.

Drive a TL Type S before you decide.
 
Probably the best price would be on a used Oldsmobile Intrigue since they are "orphans" and share almost all components with other GM lines. They are well appointed and comfortable, handle reasonably well, and get fair gas milage. And you did say "It doesn't have to be a speedracer or anything, it's my commuter car."
 
Greg said:
For me personally, I would rather get a used "nicer" car that has taken the bulk of the depreciation as opposed to the new car whose resale is going to go down significantly in the next year or two. I think you will get a better "bang for your buck" with a 3-4 year old nicer car in the same price as a brand new cars that you suggested.
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Ok, I agree for the most part, but I would like to get a car that's 1-3 yrs old for under $25K, $23K would be ideal. The thing is that the TL-S, IS300, G35, etc go for ~$27K+ for 1-2 yrs old. I can't justify spending $25K on a 4 yr old car even though I would be getting a better "bang for the buck". With the mileage of a 4 yr old car the buck is too high for me.

I haven't found any 2003 Mazda 6s cars listed, the only ones I found so far are a 4cyl AT and a 4cyl manual for $19K at the dealer, doh. I'm not too crazy about getting a 2003 since it was the first year for the Mazda 6. The 2004 probably has a lot of fixes from real world testing of the 2003.



I already have my performance machine (bike), so I'm more than willing to settle for a 'value' car.
 
Have you ever tried out a Focus?The new Mazda 3 is basically a reskinned Focus with great handling.Reviews on it has been pretty good and it should be within your price range
 
I bought a 2000 Pontiac GTP for a little over 10K. It had 32K on the clock. Leather, power everything, 6 speaker stereo, sun roof, 4 doors and the super charger it has is great. I totaled my 97Z and needed more of a family car. So 240HP and 260# of Torque stock worked well for me. Toss a 3.4 pulley on it and have 265HP and 300#'s of torque for only 80 bucks. I get over 20MPG and I drive like it still was my Z.





Great Value, Great Power, hassle free.
 
I guess cars cost more in CA, here in TX the TL prices are not near that, in the low $20's. My local dealer has an 02 TL for $23k. (20k miles) personal sellers are even cheaper.

good luck.
 
Yeah, I'll post some pics once I sell my car and get a new one, the Mazda 6s is most appealing. Insurance for it is ok too, same as the Accord.



enough about what car :)...how about financing? What kind of score do I need to get the low APR from the dealer, something insane like 820? I'd like to get the 1.9% for 48 months. My score is in the 720-850 bracket. I can get a loan from my credit union fairly easy for 3.49% too.
 
rather than 05 mazda 6 and nissan altima, i'd suggest an 04 towards the end of the summer. they will be clearing them out and you should be able to find a great deal. we bought an 03 I35 last october fully loaded except navi for well under invoice.



if you want something nicer, the maxima has a more well-appointed interior than the altima. used G35s go for <$25k. ES300 is probably around the same; ES330 probably still high 20's used.
 
Alright, I know that you said that you probably didn't want a Euro car, but you said you'd be willing to listen, so I'm going to suggest one. :p A Saab 9-5 Aero. You should be able to pick up a 2001 or even a 2002 for well within your budget. Saabs depreciate like crazy their first couple of years, so that's why you can pick up a 40K car for 20-25K two or three years later. They are one of the most reliable European cars out there and are a blast to drive. Comfortable, safe, big enough for a family down the road (which it sounds like is a consideration for you) and very fast. Best of all, you won't see yourself at every stoplight.



The cons are they are fairly rare, so it might take awhile to find the one you want, and they are FWD (which might not be a con for you at all). Maintenance issues are few, mostly isolated to the Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) and the Saab Information Display (SID - a cosmetic issue, not a mechanical one). The good thing about the Aeros is that the Mitsubishi high output turbo has been very reliable and is not prone to failure, unlike the Garrett unit on the LPT engines.



Anyway, if you want to check them out, go to www.saabnet.com





Mike
 
First year shouldn't be too big of an issue now with the Mazda 6. They have had them out since last summer in Japan, and they are selling really well there. Don't know what the long term reliability will be yet, but it shouldn't lose its value too quickly, as it is such a beautiful, well handling car. :xyxthumbs
 
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