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Need a new ski car - Page 4

post #91 of 107
5/3/06 at 9:17am
About a month ago Carmax had leftover 05 Liberty Diesels at really good prices.
I haven't looked recently.
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post #92 of 107
5/4/06 at 5:27pm
I test-drove a G35 and love it. While you're at the Infiniti dealer, you may also want to check out the M35. It runs on the same engine as the G35 and also comes in AWD. It's a bit bigger, more luxurious, and has several tech features that I want (laser-assisted cruise control!!!!, lane departure warning, voice activated everything, etc.). It runs about $8K more than the G35, but I think it's worth it and will probably buy one for my wife during the summer.
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post #93 of 107
5/4/06 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sroh
I test-drove a G35 and love it. While you're at the Infiniti dealer, you may also want to check out the M35. It runs on the same engine as the G35 and also comes in AWD. It's a bit bigger, more luxurious, and has several tech features that I want (laser-assisted cruise control!!!!, lane departure warning, voice activated everything, etc.). It runs about $8K more than the G35, but I think it's worth it and will probably buy one for my wife during the summer.
The M35x is one awesome machine. In its class it is the value.
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post #94 of 107
5/19/06 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 

New Ski Car Update

Brief update. Demoed these cars:

1) Lexus IS 250
2) Infiniti G35x
3) BMW 325xi
4) Audi A4
5) Subaru Legacy GT
6) Acura RL

All are great so couldn't go wrong with any of them. Each has pro's and cons and I still need to re-test drive some of them. Since will be car for myself and my daughter she needs to be in back seat in her car seat (tormenting the sales person).

Acura RL - $50,000 -too expensive, so it's of list unless I win the lottery. Unbelievable car. Rides smooth, interior is great, wow. But just too expensive. It really compares to the BMW 5 series, Audi A6, and upper model Lexus's.

Subaru Legacy GT (Speedy-Ru as my daughter called it). Wow, it's a bullet and handles well. Interior is somewhat roomy but I was unimpressed with the luxury. It's too cheap looking, but will go back and see again. Least expensive.

Audi A4 - drives very nicely, dependable AWD, reasonable gas mileage. Back seat was too tight for my daughter, but the salesperson might have had the seat back too far. It's close but may not have all that I want.

BMW 325xi - yes the 330xi has a better engine, but this was none too shabby and would suffice for me. Need a longer test drive up into the mountains and need to see how car seat fits in back. A nice machine. Price goes up with the options, but may be feasible.

Infiniti G35x - more power than the Audi or Subaru, but less than Speedy-Ru. Roomiest of the bunch. Reclining back seats, lots of room back there. Only automatic but with ability to shift yourself. Did well up in the mountains. Interior not up to Lexus, Audi or BMW, but better than Subaru.

Lexus IS 250 - slowest of the bunch from 0-60, but probably enough power for me as I won't be on a track. Accelerated well from 30-60 or 50-80. Most luxurious interior. Need to see how car seat fits in back. Smoothest ride, bet ergonomics, best interior. At top of list for now.

Will probably drop Legacy depending on re-look at interior. So down to four. Lexus and Infiniti do not have local shops but could get maintenance at local Toyota or Nissan dealers if wanted. I think BMW charges for name recognition, but it is a fine drive. Audi's back seat is my biggest problem. More test drives next month with car seat and expert 4 year old opinion. :
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post #95 of 107
5/20/06 at 4:46am
subaru forester, good size, good mpg, great handling, great saftey etc etc
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post #96 of 107
5/20/06 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
Lexus IS 250 - slowest of the bunch from 0-60, but probably enough power for me as I won't be on a track. Accelerated well from 30-60 or 50-80. Most luxurious interior. Need to see how car seat fits in back. Smoothest ride, bet ergonomics, best interior. At top of list for now.

Will probably drop Legacy depending on re-look at interior. So down to four. Lexus and Infiniti do not have local shops but could get maintenance at local Toyota or Nissan dealers if wanted. I think BMW charges for name recognition, but it is a fine drive. Audi's back seat is my biggest problem. More test drives next month with car seat and expert 4 year old opinion. :
If the Audi's back seat is too small...the Lexus will be tiny. Did you check it out?

What about the Mazdaspeed6?
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post #97 of 107
5/20/06 at 7:12am
Thread Starter 
I did but not with car seat in there. And it also depends on how far passenger seat is forward. So if just two in the car, either will be OK. Need mom in front seat and car seat behind her to see best/worst case scenario.

Phil, I think you like G35x (from your posts). What are your pro's/con's of each car (briefly). As a Subaru employee (I think), did I short change the Legacy interior? I'll check back later today. Gotta get outta here for now. Thanks
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post #98 of 107
5/20/06 at 8:22am
We ended up with a Saab 9-3. more luxury than Subaru; better gas mileage and still speedy and fun. the turbo makes the little engine that could, especially at altitude. (more punch than the BMW 3 series going uphill at our altitude despite less rated HP and a whole lot cheaper)
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post #99 of 107
5/20/06 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
I did but not with car seat in there. And it also depends on how far passenger seat is forward. So if just two in the car, either will be OK. Need mom in front seat and car seat behind her to see best/worst case scenario.

Phil, I think you like G35x (from your posts). What are your pro's/con's of each car (briefly). As a Subaru employee (I think), did I short change the Legacy interior? I'll check back later today. Gotta get outta here for now. Thanks
I am swamped here. I will check in later with my +/- for your list. Prolly tonight.
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post #100 of 107
5/20/06 at 10:56am
Not close to the front range, but we know a bit about snow here in Syracuse. If you liked the RL, don't overlook the TL. Sure it's FWD only, but invest the $17,000 difference in snow tires, ski passes, roof box, and a trip to ski the alps. My Dad tested the RL and said he wouldn't consider it after driving my 2004 TL. Surprisingly, he said the interior of the RL was not noticeably larger. The TL has a great, huge interior - My teenage kids don't mind sitting in the backseats on 6-hour trips to NH, even when I have the front seats all the way back. And the sound system....unbelievable. I've driven mine all over New York/New England in rain or shine, snow, ice, etc. With Blizzaks it's better than my 4WD Suburban. Only issue will be clearance in a really blower storm, but you're going to run into that issue with any of the cars you're looking at. Do not get the manual tranny. It comes with summer-only tires that are a liability even in light rain. The 5-speed auto has a manual shift mode (like the Infiniti) but I never use it because the auto is great. Even provides downshifts when you tap the brakes going downhill to provide engine braking. I didn't get the nav system and I'm glad I didn't. Only downside is the trunk...it's a lot smaller than any other car I've had in that size, but that's the only gripe so far.
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post #101 of 107
5/21/06 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
Phil, I think you like G35x (from your posts). What are your pro's/con's of each car (briefly). As a Subaru employee (I think), did I short change the Legacy interior? I'll check back later today. Gotta get outta here for now. Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
Brief update. Demoed these cars:

Lexus IS 250 slowest of the bunch from 0-60, but probably enough power for me as I won't be on a track. Accelerated well from 30-60 or 50-80. Most luxurious interior. Need to see how car seat fits in back. Smoothest ride, bet ergonomics, best interior. At top of list for now.
+Best resale value
+nice styling
+manual transmission
-Tiny rear seat


Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
2) Infiniti G35x more power than the Audi or Subaru, but less than Speedy-Ru. Roomiest of the bunch. Reclining back seats, lots of room back there. Only automatic but with ability to shift yourself. Did well up in the mountains. Interior not up to Lexus, Audi or BMW, but better than Subaru.
+Awesome motor
+Large interior
+Great AWD system
+VG Nav system
-Due for redesign
-No manual for AWD



Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
3) BMW 325xi yes the 330xi has a better engine, but this was none too shabby and would suffice for me. Need a longer test drive up into the mountains and need to see how car seat fits in back. A nice machine. Price goes up with the options, but may be feasible.
+Butter smooth motor
+Great handling
+Maintentence inc
+VG resale value
-Small backseat
-Can get pricey when you get what you want

Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
4) Audi A4 drives very nicely, dependable AWD, reasonable gas mileage. Back seat was too tight for my daughter, but the salesperson might have had the seat back too far. It's close but may not have all that I want.
+Nice Turbo motor
+Great interiors
-A3 w/ DSG would be my choice from Audi
-Cramped rear seat

Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
5) Subaru Legacy GT(Speedy-Ru as my daughter called it). Wow, it's a bullet and handles well. Interior is somewhat roomy but I was unimpressed with the luxury. It's too cheap looking, but will go back and see again. Least expensive.
+Best dollar value
+Quick as hell
+Great AWD
+Low cost to own
+Sleeper
-Shortest warranty (3/36K)
-Pass power seat, not enough adjustment


Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpdad
6) Acura RL Acura RL - $50,000 -too expensive, so it's of list unless I win the lottery. Unbelievable car. Rides smooth, interior is great, wow. But just too expensive. It really compares to the BMW 5 series, Audi A6, and upper model Lexus's.
+Only get it one way, no options
-Only get it one way, no options
-Soul-less
-M35x is a nicer machine and you don’t neet to get it loaded
[/quote]

IMHO
Best Dollar value: Subaru Legacy GT
Best car overall: Infiniti G35x
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post #102 of 107
5/21/06 at 10:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Phil. I agree with your synopsis. Although I didn't really feel the Acura was soulless, but I may have been somewhat star struck in a car of that class (also first car I tested). Lexus IS 250 AWD only in automatic I believe. Not a bad car in the bunch, but which is best for me? I need to try them again to see what my second opinions are. Next month.
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post #103 of 107
5/22/06 at 2:40am
Although I ended up buying a IS 250 awd I seriously looked at the Sub Legacy. In the end, I knew the Legacy was a great deal and had more muscle. But for the amount of money I was spending, I'm not ashamed to admit I wanted "the badge", styling and luxury of the Lexus.

Subaru makes great performing cars, but their new styling direction is just wrong. Like you, I also thought the Legacy interior was really lacking. For as much as the Legacy cost, it felt cheap. But boy does it perform...

I couldn't bring myself to look at the Infinitis despite the great reviews. I'm surprised that so many people find them attractive, I personally think the G35 4 door is hideous (but the 2 door coupe looks ok). The new G35 thats coming out later this year is a small improvement.

I love the look of the Audis, but the reliability and price scared me. With the BMW xi, I think the current styling is going to look dated quickly and with the options I wanted it was pretty spendy.

In the end, it basically came down to the IS and Legacy. IS won on snob appeal, styling and I liked some of the gadgets like the keyless entry/start and ventilated seats. Lexus knows how to do interiors like no other. I think the Legacy is clearly the better performer though.
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post #104 of 107
5/22/06 at 3:25am
Wow, I just checked back into this site. You still haven't purchased a car ???

For god sakes just buy something. People buy houses faster then this.

It just a car for gods sake, the important thing is safety. If you need to show off go buy the BMW, or Audi if you want the best value for the money do what most people in snow country do, buy the Subaru.

The way your doing this, makes me think you plan to make this the last car you ever buy.

Just buy something and move on.

Sorry for the rant
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post #105 of 107
5/22/06 at 6:36am
Thread Starter 
Not me. I could take longer buying a pair of skis. No, but really with only one day every week to test drive and can only test drive one or two cars a day, it takes a while. Especially since I was skiing on that one day until 5/11 . You should lighten-up though. Find better and more important things to get annoyed about = like why you aren't skiing until May BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
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post #106 of 107
5/22/06 at 9:02am
I have been working on our race car or things around the house in my free time, now that skiing ended for me back on Apr 9th. Time to move on... lol

Glad you were still getting in some runs in May.
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post #107 of 107
5/27/06 at 3:44am
As much as you are analyzing this, a Subaru might be in your future
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