Well--with a baby on the way I am looking to possibly dump my 2001 cls for a 4door.(I am assuming the CLS is not a good car for lugging around an infant)
I can get all Nissan/Infinity products for under invoice...--
As well as all gm,mazda,ford...---I am looking to spend between 20-24000----the good news ? I will get a 5/6 speed...
My choices off the top of my head are...
Nissan Altima SE
VW Passat
Audi A4(not sure if this will meet the price requirements)
G35---(this is my first choice but out of the price range unless I get a used one)

Any other suggestions? TL is a little too expensive...and the 6cyl accord 4 door doesnt come in a 6 speed..

 

mazda 6?

 

You're going to laugh, but you should look at the Volvo S60 T5 (247HP). They have a $4,500 dealer incentive on the '03s and you'll never find a better or safer car for hauling an infant. They also have subsidized financing going on right now. I have a TL-S and an MDX and am trading the MDX for a V70R. I never really took Volvo seriously before but their cars are really incredibly put together. The XC90 and R's are gaining Volvo a lot of recognition and their about to launch the new S50. Plan on keeping it a while though because their resale values aren't great.

 

you maybe could find a deal on a used certified lexus gs, i just got one and OH MAN DO I LOVE IT. as far as having a baby in a cl... you damn sure can do it. baby seats are small so they don't take up much space and the trunk is more enough to have a stroller and other crap in. make sure you get the matching leather car seat for the cl if you keep it, looks pimp! if you love the cl you don't HAVE to get rid of it because of the baby. i had the cl-s and an s2000 so i needed more room for sure. thats why i got a gs. i won't be buying any new cars soon... i love the cl and i love the gs so i'm fine in the car dept.

i drove the new altima when i went to boston and i hated it with a passion. the thing felt cheap all over. before i drove one i like them but damn...i'd swear the car was built by ford. i know they don't look all that hot but get an accord or a camry if you don't like a used gs.

 

Maybe a Maxima, not the new one though. I hear those are good 4 doors with shifters. Probably get a good deal. I like the Maxima better than the Altima. Not many 6 cyl/6speeds out there until recently.

 

just noticed u wanted a stick......WHY!

 

drive the Volvo....i think you will be pleasantly surprised!

 

Yeah my bro has a volvo. Not a very sexy and hot car, but very nice ride and interior is sweet. Power is pretty good too.

 

For $20k-$24k he can get a new Volvo??

 

volvo s60 MSRP is about 27g. So since he can get below invoice, dunno. It not too far of a ballpark figure. The S40 is about 24 g MSRP. That is the smaller one.

 

who makes volvo? GM or ford? o---I could also get a Saab at a hefty discount...being its GM--(brother in law works for GM)--
As far as why do I want a stick? Shiiiitttt....y ask y? Sticks own!
I figure if I am going to sacrifice and get a four door its going to have something that I have missed ever since I got my CLS...a stick!

 

BarryH--where did u hear about a 4500 dealer incentive>? on a volvo s60? I think those cars look pimp...wouldnt mind having one..

 

I'd avoid SAAB if at all possible - they haven't been the same since GM took over. A million electrical problems and my mom's engine seized at about 50K miles. Just made like crap and they feel like it too.

 

OK ... I'll say it ... have you looke at the TSX 6MT?

 

Is the TSX going to be in his price range? Edmunds has them going for $26,900

 

Get the Altima. Probably the best choice out of the group. The Volvo would be tops, but I am not exactly sure about that price range requirement.

Otherwise, search Carmax.com and get yourself a used Truck - but why would you want an Automatic? Get a truck and be happy!

 

Don't follow the logic unless its baby #4.

I have baby #3 due next month and I just sold my 2001 CLS for a 2003 manual CLS and I am loving it. The CL has more than enough room in the back for a baby seat and the trunk is big. The wife has a 4 door that seats 5 that we can take if we all go somewhere. If I have to take the kids, my oldest is big enough for the front seat. I had a Prelude before. so the CL seems gigantic. The baby seat was tight in the Prelude, but it fit.

If you aren't careful with your logic, you're gonna end up with a minivan or an SUV. Both are modern day station wagons, which I consider to be automotive hell.

 

get a new saab 9-3 those are tits!

 

actually it's the opposite....GM has changed Saab from a unreliable electrical nightmares, to a semi-reliable car....maybe your mom just had bad luck.

 

hmmm---great suggestions guys...I have about 7 months to work with here before baby! I still dont know where that fella saw a 4500 rebate on the volvo's...I guess my concern with the cl is if (god forbid) I got into a accident with the baby in the backseat It would be tough to get out...

 

How about a Subaru Impreza WRX? Right now it doesn't have that baby looking headlights anymore, it looks a lot better now. I am not too sure about its MSRP, but I guess it is around $24,000. Try that one. Oh but it doesn't come with six speed does it?
Wow this is a tough one, Honda Accord is very nice, and you could get a LX V6 for $22,000 but still it doesn't have a 6 speed. Yeah a Mazda 6 s would do it, hey before you decide, test drive these three would you?

 

MAXIMA ALL THE WAY QUICK AS HELL AND TONS OF FEATURES

 

I be he. I'm getting a V70R so I've been spending a lot of time at Volvo dealerships. There's a $4,500 dealer incentive on 2003 S60's because the '04s are already out. That's on top of any discount you negotiate and they also have 1.9% financing going on. You should be able to get an S60 for about $6-6.5K off.

 

From Cars.com

Customer Rebates and Incentives: 1.9% – 2.9% financing; see complete terms and details.
Dealer Incentives:
2.4 Base: $5,000;
2.5T and T5: $4,500;
2.4 ASR and 2.4T: $4,000
Dealer incentives are factory-to-dealer cash-incentive programs. Dealers are not obligated to share these incentives with consumers; read terms and conditions.


Hope this helps!

 

We used our '01 CL with an infant, and then dumped it for a '03 CL 6 speed. We just bought the Evenflo car seat with removable base. The CL seat folds ahead enough to get the infant carrier in and out.

I know a 4 door would be easier, but it isn't that bad with 2 doors..... My 2 cents....

 

The CL is rated as one of the best for crashes. The entire cabin area remains intact (unlike other vehicles that crumple in the cabin area).

Check out the National Highway Traffic page for more info.....

 

the altima is getting a new interior for 2004 so i'd check that one out and the brand new legacy is a nice looking car in n out, just have to wait for prices on that one.

 

Too bad its out of your price range or I'd say wait for a '04 TL 6spd!

Only problem with finding a car in your price range and a 6spd is that most will be smaller than the CL I think. The CL is a pretty big coupe... Don't know if you want to give up all that space for a much smaller car with 4 doors.