My wife is pretty drawn to the Mazda 6. From everything I`ve read, it sounds like they are a little more "fun" to drive than most of the other cars in that segment. The newer Impalas are pretty sharp.
I know the Camry`s are good cars, but boy are they just so blah in every way
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Having driven numerous examples of all of the cars that I mentioned:
Mazda6:
The most fun to drive and some argue looks the best, but I really think that it could use more power, that`s its only fault. Best steering, best left foot brake modulation. Good examples just look the part. If I remember correctly I had the best visibility outside of the Mazda.
Engine Options: I-4 Only
Interior: Super simple design, will age well when taken care of, will be the least out of date in 10 years
Lighting:
Chevrolet Impala:
Engine Options: I-4 or V6
Interior: Plastics are cheap, fit is not on par with the Mazda or Toyota. I am not sure Chevy has hit the timeless design that Mazda has.
Toyota Camry:
Engine Options: I-4 or V6
Interior: Plastics are refined for a nice fit, plastics don`t ever finish well. The buttons in the Toyota are my preference, they feel like they are the best quality as far as actual engagement is concerned.
Bluetooth: The Toyota and Mazda are easiest to connect, I am not sure which the driver sounds best to the other end of the phone call.
Backup Camera: Screen resolution goes to the Chevy, but it finger prints the most easily. Quickest screen to appear from park to reverse goes to the Toyota, then Mazda, Chevy can tend to lag (maybe they have fixed it with software upgrade).
Infotainment: Chevy`s is the most attractive, but I think it will age the most in terms of looks. User interface goes to the Toyota as it is very intuitive, and just easy to use. The Mazda infotainment is a happy medium, it takes some thinking, but learning it is quick.
Lighting: Mazda Bi-Xenon functions the best, and quickest to react to on/off high/low flash.
Interior noise: If I remember correctly my ear said that the Chevy was the most quiet.
If I had $20k
cash to spend on a vehicle, I`d go for a 2008-2011 Lexus GS350 from the little old man or lady from Pasadena that is being sold on Craigslist, and then invest the money I saved (I`d guess around $4k-$6k), find a reputable independent repair shop, and put the money I saved into the vehicle to make it road worthy for another 100K miles, whilst getting many bells and whistles, a good looking car, a reliable car, and a car that was still built in Lexus` *built to last* philosophy.
However, you are not me, nor am I,you. The Mazda drives the best, the Chevy looks the best, and the Toyota is the Toyota. It may be boring, but it will be the most reliable. You and your wife should just pop into a dealership where they have all three and ask to test drive them, I recommend going to a dealership that you don`t see the exact car at, you`re just test driving. Don`t tell the salesman that you are ready to buy, just say that you are doing your homework/research. He will most likely be more forthright and efficient with you. Once you find out which car she likes best, to drive (remember this may not be the exact one she wants), begin searching for the actual car that meets your desires/need. Get all your paper work together when you find the car, test drive it, talk to sales, get a PPI, and buy it if passes PPI.
You may already know all of that, but I wanted to share because the less time one spends at a dealership the better they are, mentally. haha
Edit**
The S60 is a good choice, more on the luxury side of the spectrum. The only thing is future running costs, but if you don`t mind them, go with the Volvo. I like their standard dual single touch window auto roll down/up. Volvo is like the Toyota of the European cars, simple, robust and most reliable.
The Subaru`s are good cars, I quite enjoyed driving them, the only thing is that their paint systems are soft, but slightly harder than Honda and Acura. The redeeming qualities to the Subaru`s are their Toyota based infotainment systems and their standard all wheel drive.
Honda and Acura are good choices, their fit and finish have gone done and seem cheaper than they used to be. Their infotainment systems are riddled with nuances, they are my least favorite behind Chryslers U-Connect and third behind Cadillac`s Cue or Que as my least favorite.