Need a 4-5 passenger car... what should I buy?

[WA 2 FST]

I just sold my beater S-10 truck b/c I just wasn't driving it much at all. It was nice and all, but it went to a young man at my church who needed something like that a lot more than I did.

Right now I have the L, the Z06 and my wife has a Trailblazer SS. As you can see, two of the vehicles are useless for family... which may beg the ? as to why I have them, I know. That's for another discussion, and I won't bore anyone with the details of it. For now, the L and the Z06 stay.

I don't need another SUV. Here are a few vehicles I've considered:

'05 Mercedes C55 AMG... pros: 4-door is a big convenience, these things have depreciated like a rock. Auto trans is good for the wife. cons: it's a Mercedes, and I don't really like the uppity stigma that goes along with that.
I have driven one recently and I liked it. Huge trunk, and I was surprised at the room in the backseat...there's plenty of it, especially considering a short driver like myself who will have the front seat(s) moved forward.
'04-05 BMW M3... pros: great performance, SMG trans (auto mode for wife), great looks cons: more uppity stigma I could do without, only 2 doors, making rear seat entry/egress a pain
'06-07 Dodge Charger SRT8/Chrysler 300C SRT8 ... drove one of these, too. pros: Great power, good shifting trans. Huge interior compared to the smaller C-class/3-series Euro cars. 4 doors is great. Auto trans is great. Cons: It's a Dodge/Chysler product. Never owned one, and it makes me a bit nervous.
'06 Pontiac GTO... pros: great powertrain, and good auto trans., really like the interior layout and room for a small sedan, by far the cheapest of these... I can get a new, untitled '06 for $27-28k. cons: styling is not at the top of my list, 2 doors is not ideal.

What else is out there guys?

[Mark #2]

I just sold my beater S-10 truck b/c I just wasn't driving it much at all. It was nice and all, but it went to a young man at my church who needed something like that a lot more than I did.

Right now I have the L, the Z06 and my wife has a Trailblazer SS. As you can see, two of the vehicles are useless for family... which may beg the ? as to why I have them, I know. That's for another discussion, and I won't bore anyone with the details of it. For now, the L and the Z06 stay.

I don't need another SUV. Here are a few vehicles I've considered:

'05 Mercedes C55 AMG... pros: 4-door is a big convenience, these things have depreciated like a rock. Auto trans is good for the wife. cons: it's a Mercedes, and I don't really like the uppity stigma that goes along with that.
I have driven one recently and I liked it. Huge trunk, and I was surprised at the room in the backseat...there's plenty of it, especially considering a short driver like myself who will have the front seat(s) moved forward.
'04-05 BMW M3... pros: great performance, SMG trans (auto mode for wife), great looks cons: more uppity stigma I could do without, only 2 doors, making rear seat entry/egress a pain
'06-07 Dodge Charger SRT8/Chrysler 300C SRT8 ... drove one of these, too. pros: Great power, good shifting trans. Huge interior compared to the smaller C-class/3-series Euro cars. 4 doors is great. Auto trans is great. Cons: It's a Dodge/Chysler product. Never owned one, and it makes me a bit nervous.
'06 Pontiac GTO... pros: great powertrain, and good auto trans., really like the interior layout and room for a small sedan, by far the cheapest of these... I can get a new, untitled '06 for $27-28k. cons: styling is not at the top of my list, 2 doors is not ideal.

What else is out there guys?
I looked a one of these recently.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/SUVs_Wagons/2007_Acura_RDX.S181.A10515.html

[tiffo60]

Lexus makes some nice vehicles and the women usually love them, and everyone I know that owns them sings there praises, and there very reliable:cool:

[L8 APEX]

4 doors is a must.

[SILVER2000SVT]

I've seen several late model BMW M3's with 4 doors.

[charlie]

4 doors is a must.

Never owned one.... I hope I never will. But on the other hand, I do like the looks of the Dodge wagon. :rll::rll:

Charlie

[99WhiteBeast]

Nissan Maxima or Infinity G35 -basically the same ride

[L8 APEX]

ANything Dodge is going to suck gas if that is a consideration. Lifetime warranty on a family sled is an interesting idea. Maybe just a Hemi wagon.

[WA 2 FST]

Infiniti G35 sedan... definitely should consider that one as well.

BMW M3's do not come in 4 doors. I don't know where you've seen them, but they do not exist like that from the factory.

Terry... yes, 4 doors really is a must.

No lifetime warranty on SRT-8 models. Those are really all that interest me at the moment.

[L8 APEX]

Just have to get an M5 or AMG E55 then:icon_cool:

[Ohmsby]

Nissan Maxima or Infinity G35 -basically the same ride

+1 the g-35 is a nice ride

[WA 2 FST]

Just have to get an M5 or AMG E55 then:icon_cool:

Uh, I don't have that kind of $$ to spend. Otherwise, you're right... either of those would be awesome.

[L8 APEX]

Find a G35 and put it to bed.

[02BOLT]

Wes,
I don't know what your time frame is, but the new M3 with the 420 HP V-8 will be offered in sedan form. Should be a really sweet ride, but will probably base in the mid $50K's, which is a tad higher than some of the cars you mentioned.

I looked at and drove a Charger SRT8, and really liked it. It had plenty of room, sounded good, shifted nicely(as you mentioned)and pulled hard for a 4000+ lb vehicle. It will flat embarrass a lot of "fast" coupes, bone stock. Furthermore, I personally dig the looks of the SRT8 Chargers. Not so much the base Charger, but the SRT8's, IMO, look bada$$.

My only complaints with the SRT8 is that it could use more tire, the interior is OK, but kinda sparse looking(dash and centerstack), and there is absolutely no way(currently) to tune the damn things. Still, a cool car though.

I wound up going with a 2007 Montego Blue BMW X3 with the "M" Sport package, and 19" "Y" spoke wheels, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Rosso 235/45 front and 255/40 rear tires. My wife is the primary driver of the vehicle, and I didn't want every Tom, Dick, and Harry trying to race her at every other light, if I had gone the Charger route. I ain't gonna lie though, I wanted that damn Charger, but just felt it would've been selfish on my part, because we really needed something more practical. Despite the cavernous interior of the Charger, it just wasn't as practical to Mary. The Bimmer is surprisingly fun to drive, handles well, and with 260 HP(30 hp increase from '06) and the 6-speed AT, she runs pretty dadgum good. Most importantly for me, however, Mary loves the thing.:cool:

Long story short, if 4 doors would be more convenient, and you can get a good deal on one for well under sticker, I wouldn't be scared of the SRT8. They're underpinned by Mercedes E class, if I'm not mistaken, and have the E55 AMG's 5 speed tranny(or some iteration of it), which ought to be a good thing(right?). Any how, that's just my .02......

Goodluck with your decision bro......:tu:

[98Cobra]

Scratch the GTO off your list. While it does have four comfortable seats, the rear two take forever to get in or out of because the front seats are on the slowest power motor I have ever seen. Also, the trunk will not fir anything larger than a duffel bag, and the rear seats do not fold down to offer more storage.

[BlackLight]

Buy a Harely Truck?

haha I'd go with the SRT8, maybe an older BMW 740i or 750i, those things are really nice.

[BlackLight]

Here.... a Dinan BMW 850i...twin turbo V-12!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-8-Series-1991-BMW-850i-Dinan-Modified-V12-Turbo_W0QQitemZ200135486670QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6130 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Beaudee]

Gto is nice but sucks gettin in and out,no head room,and the only way to move the seats is electrically.They all have alignment problems also.I would reccomend the 300 srt-8!http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3DChrysler%2520300C%2520SRT8%26fr2%3Dtab-web%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501&w=600&h=450&imgurl=www.allsportauto.com%2Fphotoautre%2Fchrysle r%2F300c_srt8%2F2005_chrysler_300c_srt8_06_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allsportauto.com%2Fdetailpho to.php3%3Fzl_id%3D12625%26amp%3Bzl_idMD%3D1203&size=51.5kB&name=2005_chrysler_300c_srt8_06_m.jpg&p=Chrysler+300C+SRT8&type=jpeg&no=8&tt=5,773&oid=314716c7a906125a&ei=UTF-8 .Love the look and room in one of these.Its a nice pimp daddy ride.

[WA 2 FST]

I wish the price of low-mileage, '03-04 E55 AMGs was a little lower. I have found some 25-28k mile ones for mid-$40k which is more than I'd like to spend.

I don't need the size of a 7-series BMW or S-class Merc. This is something I will drive, and my wife would use occasionally. She really likes her 400hp Trailblazer.

Thanks for the input guys!

[L8 APEX]

Get a Marauder and F with people!:D

[bma04ltng]

I almost bought a '07 Subaru Legacy Spec B, its nice check it out.

All wheel drive, turbo boxter.:tu:

[wesman]

I wish the price of low-mileage, '03-04 E55 AMGs was a little lower. I have found some 25-28k mile ones for mid-$40k which is more than I'd like to spend.

I don't need the size of a 7-series BMW or S-class Merc. This is something I will drive, and my wife would use occasionally. She really likes her 400hp Trailblazer.

Thanks for the input guys!


Too bad you don't want a 7-series, the wife drives a 745LI. It's a sweet ride, every bell and whistle you can imagine and tons of room out back and in the trunk. It also has decent speed for a 5k # sedan.

The I version is a bit smaller if all you've seen is the LI version. I personally like the LI and the foot rests it came with :twitch:

--wes

[WA 2 FST]

Couldn't pass up a great deal on a new, never-been-titled, 20 miles on the odometer, '06 Chrysler 300C SRT8. I got a new car with full warranty... it's just a year old, for 12k off sticker.

It's the Silver Slate Metallic color. It's not quite as dark as the DSG L color, but its not a light silver, either.

The sucker is super smooth with tons of interior and trunk room. I must be getting old if I like that stuff. :icon_lol:

[L8 APEX]

You were set on that from the begining. All of the 300's were 6.1's right? That smaller Hemi really sucked balls.

[wesman]

Nice ride Wes, the SRT-8's are nice.

The next car/truck I buy will likely be a Dodge/Chrysler.

--wes

[WA 2 FST]

You were set on that from the begining. All of the 300's were 6.1's right? That smaller Hemi really sucked balls.

Well, it has everything I wanted and for low 30s, it was hard to pass up.

It is a 6.1... 425hp.

[WA 2 FST]

Nice ride Wes, the SRT-8's are nice.

The next car/truck I buy will likely be a Dodge/Chrysler.

--wes

I've never owned a Dodge/Chysler... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

[L8 APEX]

I am intersted in the new Callenger or Camaro maybe. I dunno about the Camaro though. I would have a vette first.

[dboat]

I am intersted in the new Callenger or Camaro maybe. I dunno about the Camaro though. I would have a vette first.

+1

[L-Fever]

+1

Me like new challenger too! :icon_mrgreen:

[Beaudee]

Couldn't pass up a great deal on a new, never-been-titled, 20 miles on the odometer, '06 Chrysler 300C SRT8. I got a new car with full warranty... it's just a year old, for 12k off sticker.

It's the Silver Slate Metallic color. It's not quite as dark as the DSG L color, but its not a light silver, either.

The sucker is super smooth with tons of interior and trunk room. I must be getting old if I like that stuff. :icon_lol:

Nice choice for the family.I loved the looks of that car ever since it came out.:tu:

[02HemiWho?]

ive drivin the 300 srt-8 before, its real smooth and roomy, also got some get up and go when u want, good choice...

i just saw that u had a lingenfelter corvette, ive never seen one around here, i drove a guys from indiana, it was black with purple flames, 850 hp or something like that, it was amazing...

[BC Lightning]

i just saw that u had a lingenfelter corvette, ive never seen one around here,

Saw Wes run an 11.3 spinning what seemed to be the entire 1/4 mile track and trapping 133mph in his TT Lingenfelter Z06

[WA 2 FST]

Yeah, mine is not the 427ci Stage 3 TT setup, but the Stage 2 (built motor, but stock displacement...346ci). It puts out 600+rwhp at only 10-11psi of boost. I've ridden in the 427 car and it is faster on the top-end without a doubt, but it would take a top 1% driver to beat me to 100mph... it spins so badly deep into 3rd gear, and the one I was in had 345mm wide tires.

Quickest I've been in mine is 11.21 @ 135mph on the same tires I drove it to the track with and run every day (Nitto DRs). Best thing is that the car sounds completely stock, and looks stock looking as well.

If I ever get a wild hair, I may put a boost controller on it... but really there is so little need. But at 14psi, it should put out ~650rwhp with no issues.

Michael... how's the truck coming along? I know you've changed blowers 2-3x now. :)

[L8 APEX]

There is a guy trying to sell his black 427TT in Dallas now. I have ridden in one and it is worth every penny.

[02HemiWho?]

thats awesome, yea it wasnt easy to drive at first, had to give it alot of gas before lettin off the clutch or it would stall, but it was a beast... :evil

[Lyfisin]

Grats on the new ride Wes! :tu: