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My wife and I have been putting a lot of miles on her SUV because she cannot drive the manual in my 2012 TL. Whenever we go out, we have to take her truck or else I am stuck driving both ways. Also, we plan on having kids soon, and she will need to be able to drive both. I have tired to teach her, but that is another story.
Anyway, I have done some research and I like the Lexus IS-F, Audi S4, and the 2015 SRT Charger 392. The Audi and Lexus are both in the mid $40k range used and CPO, whereas the Charger is about the same price new.
I have looked at the Chevy SS and it doesn't do anything for me. What are your thoughts and recommendations?
Out of that bunch, I'd scratch the IS-F. The back seat might not be ample for a child seat. The other two would be good choices. The good news is that the fast sedan market is a target-rich environment right now. I could recommend a ton of cars, but I won't. What I will recommend is for you to test drive all the ones that you are considering, and survey the back seat while you're looking. I am sure you'll find something you'll be happy with. Happy hunting!
Was dd'ing my S2000 and Miata with 1 kid. THen came kid #2. Wnated something fast, yet reliable. I drive 25-28K miles a year.
Did shop IS-F. Looked dated. Othrewise fantastic. Amazing resale value. Looked at Used M3 Sedan...but maintenance kept me away.
Looked at SS as well. Didn't have manual option then. It does now. Fantastic under the rader car. I didn't like all the chrome though.
Saw C63..right price..but backseat was too cramped with car seats.
Bought a Mazdaspeed3. Was fun, fit stroller. Made a dumb move, sold it for a CT200h. Soulless, slow.
Then wanted manual, fast again. Shopped WRX. Really liked it. 26K bargain, but the stuff I wanted, pushed price to 32K. Looked at Sti... but has old motor.
Went back to IS-F again...saw a new 2014, Lexus of RIverside, wouldn't negotiate under MSRP. Walked away.
Rethought budget, decided to cheap. Looked at Civic Si, Accord SPort. Ended up with slow 2012 TSX Wagon.
I will be back in this predicament again in about 24 months or so:
1) GS-F used (new now is like 80K)
2) Used M5
3) Used M3
4) Used CTS-V Wagon
5) Used E63 Wagon
CTS V Sport? I was never a Dodge/Chrysler person either but the new Charger seems like a really good bang for the buck and SRT models hold their value pretty well.
CTS V Sport? I was never a Dodge/Chrysler person either but the new Charger seems like a really good bang for the buck and SRT models hold their value pretty well.
I had never considered a Charger/Dodge product before (besides drooling over Viper).
Since all the gangmembers around here drive the 300c, what not, and the Hellcat is so delicious, decided to look at the SRT at the LA Auto Show.
Comparing American to American (the SS/CTS-V vs the SRT), the SRT was SERIOUSLY plasticky and looked very low quality on the inside.
It may drive amazing. I don't know. Just took my two little ones and sat inside, plenty of room, but the workmanship left a lot to be desired at that pricerange (for my tastes).
You going to deal with car seats...rear facing at that...Most of the sedans the people are mentioning here have cramped back seats.
My vote is the Charger SRT...but admittedly Im one of the Dodge fanboys here...There are at least 3 members with Chargers...1 SRT and 2 RTs...and RTs are plenty fast to get you into trouble. Either model is very engaging to drive with ample rear seat space.
Not sure if I saw the same car as 2012 Wagon...I do not think the interior is low rent. Its full of soft touch materials and a very nice design. Yes, there is some plastic, much like there is in most cars.
I like the ISF, M3, S4, CTS-V, etc etc etc etc etc....but go take an infant carrier and a base and go try and fit them in the rear of those cars. Its gonna suck.
Obviously you're making a lot of sacrifices if you go this route, but I would suggest looking at the Subaru WRX STi.
I know it sounds dumb because they're not quite the quality of other models, but my understanding is they are quite safe and AWD is quite useful.
I have a 2.5 year old and bought a 2015 WRX in November. I love the car but it definitely lacks some of the luxury features you would have in the cars mentioned above (as will the STI).
But man is this thing fun to drive. If you don't have a long commute, you will smile the entire time the car is running, I can promise you that. It's a hell of a bargain for the $.
I have a 2.5 year old and bought a 2015 WRX in November. I love the car but it definitely lacks some of the luxury features you would have in the cars mentioned above (as will the STI).
But man is this thing fun to drive. If you don't have a long commute, you will smile the entire time the car is running, I can promise you that. It's a hell of a bargain for the $.
I've heard the bolded part specifically about the WRX. The STi, on the other hand, is quite expensive
Whatever seat the infant car seat is behind will have to be all the way up (speaking from experience in the Audi S4)..... but once they go to forward facing they should have plenty of room
If you want to save $10-12K but have leather, sunroof, navi, and AWD then a new Subaru Legacy might work. 3.6 Limited ~$32K loaded.
The A4/S4 and IS series are cramped. Having kid seats to deal with, the best option is a wagon (I had a Volvo V70 with 2 car seats). You might take a look at the V60. Now Volvo offers in their cars the option of integrated booster seats, so as the kid gets older, you just pop them up and no need to install something extra.
IS-F is fantastic but small.
Chevy SS is an excellent sleeper but gets crappy gas mileage
CTS-V is fantastic in a straight line but sucks in the turns and guzzles gas
E9X M3 is actually quite reliable
Taurus SHO is great and even better with a tune. Ford Racing tunes are now under warranty as well so this car can put out 400hp no problem. And it's a Ford so even if it does break it's cheap to fix.
I'd suggest an older E class AMG without FI or even an E500/550. They are extremely fast, very comfortable, large enough to house a family, and quite reliable. Only downside is the fuel economy is less than optimal but you can pick one up for less than $30k in good shape with relatively low miles.
IS-F is fantastic but small.
Chevy SS is an excellent sleeper but gets crappy gas mileage
CTS-V is fantastic in a straight line but sucks in the turns and guzzles gas
E9X M3 is actually quite reliable
Taurus SHO is great and even better with a tune. Ford Racing tunes are now under warranty as well so this car can put out 400hp no problem. And it's a Ford so even if it does break it's cheap to fix.
I'd suggest an older E class AMG without FI or even an E500/550. They are extremely fast, very comfortable, large enough to house a family, and quite reliable. Only downside is the fuel economy is less than optimal but you can pick one up for less than $30k in good shape with relatively low miles.
Used E350s off lease are a dime a dozen around me ... No shortage of options there.
I'm one of the other Charger fanboys being the owner of one. I'm really surprised you didn't like the interior. That's the one thing that most reviews say is the shining light of the new Charger - the top notch interior design/fit and finish. Maybe that's just in regard to comparing it to the previous gen Chargers though, I don't know. I haven't personally sat in a '15 SRT yet.
The SS does absolutely nothing for me either. It's styling is too bland and under the radar for my tastes. Great engine, handling and performance numbers, but if it does nothing visually for you, like me, well then the decision is made.
As far as the livability of having cars seats in the rear, the Charger is perfect for that. I'm 6'3" and there's plenty of room for me, the wife and the car seats without having to sacrifice comfort at all. My previous car was a Mazdaspeed6 which is more comparable in size to the other cars you listed (maybe even a bit more generous in rear seat room) and I can tell you from experience it sucks being cramped up front with those huge hulking car seats in the back, especially with two back there. The new law recommends to keep them rear facing until 2 years old. With our second on the way I decided it was time to go shopping for a full size car because one in the MS6 was cramped enough. Even with the two full size RECARO convertible car seats in the back of the Charger you can fit an adult in between them, which would not be possible with a mid-size sedan. The Charger has nice girth - That's what she said.
The Charger Scat Pack should be coming out soon which is the R/T with the 392. Priced well below the SRT but with the monster motor. The SRT does have some nice luxury/tech amenities though.
But again, I've been drinking the MOPAR Kool-Aid. I have not regretted my purchase yet which is rare for me as I was going through a different car every year or so before the Charger. Even the 5.7 will put most cars on the road to shame especially when flooring it at highway speeds. It's comfortable, reliable, powerful and it handles really well for its size - Again, TWSS.
if you want a sedan that could comfortably have rear facing child seats, i would NOT dance around anything less than a mid-size. in terms of value, my vote goes to the RLX CPO.
You could get it for like 35-40k. It is reasonably fast, with reasonable gas mileage and has the rear legroom of a 7 series, and a massive trunk for stroller, etc. It ticks many boxes now, and in 5 years from now.
the other cars seem to have at least a couple negatives that could lead to immediate regret, let alone long term regret.
Go with the SHO, mine is at an estimated 425hp and that was with only 2 grand in bolt on with a tune included. It's also AWD and plenty fast enough. Two car seats will fit in the back as well. I'm guessing my SHO is running high12's low 13's and it has more options than the TL.
