First List of Child Haulers under $35K
05-26-2008 | 02:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: PA
First List of Child Haulers under $35K
Basically looking for an 08 or 09...Would be a sedan or small crossover since the wife will get the full SUV (her choice). My plan would be to add a lot of electronic options to it (upgraded stereo, Ipod interface, possible navigation (if it doesn't push the price too much over 35K). I prefer comfort over performance, however I think I want something a little peppier then the 2004 TSX I had. Also, fit and finish is important to me (the TSX was decent, but there were rattles). Anyhow, this is what I came up with so far...
Acura TL
Audi A4 Sedan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS250
Mazda 6
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Pontiac G8
Toyota Avalon
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60
Oh...And any suggestions for a crossover or SUV for the wife under $35?
Acura TL
Audi A4 Sedan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS250
Mazda 6
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Pontiac G8
Toyota Avalon
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60
Oh...And any suggestions for a crossover or SUV for the wife under $35?
05-26-2008 | 02:50 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,918
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From: PA
Originally Posted by dom
Get an Camcordtima and call it a day. 
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05-26-2008 | 02:59 PM
#11
Registered but harmless
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,859
Likes: 1,151
From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by Whiskers
...My plan would be to add a lot of electronic options to it (upgraded stereo, Ipod interface, possible navigation (if it doesn't push the price too much over 35K). I prefer comfort over performance, however I think I want something a little peppier then the 2004 TSX I had. Also, fit and finish is important to me (the TSX was decent, but there were rattles). Anyhow, this is what I came up with so far...
Acura TL
Audi A4 Sedan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS250
Mazda 6
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Pontiac G8
Toyota Avalon
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60
Acura TL
Audi A4 Sedan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G35
Lexus IS250
Mazda 6
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Pontiac G8
Toyota Avalon
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60
My thoughts on a few from your list:
Acura TL - Lots of $$ to upgrade electronics unless you DIY, but I like and have a stock version of the current generation.
Audi A4 Sedan - Rear passenger area is small
Lexus IS250 - Rear passenger area is really small and car is slow
Pontiac G8 - heavy car with good rear seating, but MPG is not good on either V6 or V8
Toyota Avalon - big car on inside and out, flaccid suspension and unknown as far as upgrading electronics
Volvo S60 - Scarier than VW for maintenance and reliability, but right sized
Also, I hate "cross-over SUVs" and wouldn't get a Murano or CX unless the dealer paid me-- less convenient packaging and heavier than sedans.
Last edited by Will Y.; 05-26-2008 at 03:02 PM.
05-26-2008 | 03:18 PM
#12
08 TL's are great cars.
New A4 is sexy as hell, should be decent on gas too, Audi options can get pricey though.
Not a fan of the G35 or Maxima cause I don't like Nissan interiors at all.
Accord/Avalon, I would take accord because it's sportier
IS250 is slow and small
Mazda, I know 3 people now that have had terrible experiences with them and am basing my advice away from them solely on that.
New A4 is sexy as hell, should be decent on gas too, Audi options can get pricey though.
Not a fan of the G35 or Maxima cause I don't like Nissan interiors at all.
Accord/Avalon, I would take accord because it's sportier
IS250 is slow and small
Mazda, I know 3 people now that have had terrible experiences with them and am basing my advice away from them solely on that.
05-26-2008 | 03:38 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,918
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From: PA
Originally Posted by The Dougler
08 TL's are great cars.
New A4 is sexy as hell, should be decent on gas too, Audi options can get pricey though.
Not a fan of the G35 or Maxima cause I don't like Nissan interiors at all.
Accord/Avalon, I would take accord because it's sportier
IS250 is slow and small
Mazda, I know 3 people now that have had terrible experiences with them and am basing my advice away from them solely on that.
New A4 is sexy as hell, should be decent on gas too, Audi options can get pricey though.
Not a fan of the G35 or Maxima cause I don't like Nissan interiors at all.
Accord/Avalon, I would take accord because it's sportier
IS250 is slow and small
Mazda, I know 3 people now that have had terrible experiences with them and am basing my advice away from them solely on that.
05-26-2008 | 04:17 PM
#19
Senior Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 17,903
Likes: 1,672
Originally Posted by Whiskers
Basically looking for an 08 or 09...Would be a sedan or small crossover since the wife will get the full SUV (her choice). My plan would be to add a lot of electronic options to it (upgraded stereo, Ipod interface, possible navigation (if it doesn't push the price too much over 35K). I prefer comfort over performance, however I think I want something a little peppier then the 2004 TSX I had. Also, fit and finish is important to me (the TSX was decent, but there were rattles). Anyhow, this is what I came up with so far...
Honda Accord
Nissan Murano
Oh...And any suggestions for a crossover or SUV for the wife under $35?
Honda Accord
Nissan Murano
Oh...And any suggestions for a crossover or SUV for the wife under $35?
As far a the Accord goes, Whiskers is right: There are already tons of 8Gs on road...at least here in Central NJ. But they are nice and work better as family haulers than my relatively small 07 model.
where do I sign up?
05-26-2008 | 07:25 PM
#30
Originally Posted by Whiskers
The only goodie seems to be the Nav and the V6....
Interior Features
Leather-Trimmed Seats
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control System
Driver's Seat With 8-Way Power Adjustment
Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
Heated Front Seats
Power Lumbar Support
Air Conditioning with Air Filtration System
Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's Window
Power Door Locks
Cruise Control
Center Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage Compartment
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise and Audio Controls
Interface Dial with Scrolling and Multi-Line Display
Blue Ambient Console Lighting
270-watt AM/FM/6-Disc In-Dash Premium Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer
XM® Satellite Radio4
Radio Data System (RDS) (I have no idea what that is)
MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability
MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack
Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC) (I think this actually sucks)
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
Maintenance Minder™ System
Exterior Temperature Indicator
Oh, and Navi, Remote start and backup camera and one touch moon roof.
All for ~35K and Honda has the 2.9% interest going on right now.
05-26-2008 | 09:24 PM
#33
I shoot people
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 22,503
Likes: 3,063
From: Vancouver BC
Originally Posted by Mongolian
My coworker bought an Accord EX-L V6 Sedan for $28,xxx out the door this weekend. I thought this was an awesome price. It was like $400 above invoice. Definitely a nice car.
WOW!! That's great! and it has the cylinder deactivation feature...
05-26-2008 | 10:03 PM
#36
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
As for you being too old for Subies, better to have a mid-life crisis now than later. Is this only your second or third Car Talk thread ever? 
The 2009 Forester is very nice. As much as I like the G8, if you don't get the GT or the V8, then might as well get a Malibu. Those are damn quiet inside and well made too. And what about the ES350? I'd take that over an IS250, the ES350s are very comfortable. IMO the ES350 is worth the little extra. Its got some power, and its bigger, comfier and costs less than the IS350 at least.
If you do want a TL though I think now is the best time to get them.... the 09's are going to be ugly as hell I'm sure (unless you like Acura's new guillotine grill). Either way I don't think they can improve much from the 08's exterior, especially with the direction they're going with their designs.
What about the new Santa Fe? I think it looks great inside and out, and I recently was working on a 2007 Hyundai Tucson and it was really comfortable inside, and felt well built. Surprised me a lot.
The 2009 Forester is very nice. As much as I like the G8, if you don't get the GT or the V8, then might as well get a Malibu. Those are damn quiet inside and well made too. And what about the ES350? I'd take that over an IS250, the ES350s are very comfortable. IMO the ES350 is worth the little extra. Its got some power, and its bigger, comfier and costs less than the IS350 at least.
If you do want a TL though I think now is the best time to get them.... the 09's are going to be ugly as hell I'm sure (unless you like Acura's new guillotine grill). Either way I don't think they can improve much from the 08's exterior, especially with the direction they're going with their designs.
What about the new Santa Fe? I think it looks great inside and out, and I recently was working on a 2007 Hyundai Tucson and it was really comfortable inside, and felt well built. Surprised me a lot.
05-26-2008 | 10:04 PM
#38
What Would Don Draper Do?
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,223
Likes: 1
From: Houston
IS is going to be very small, whiskers, if you're planning on using it to drive your son. too small if you're planning on another kid in the future.
i guess you're writing off the G8 since it doesn't have navi?
how about the hyundai genesis? it should be available by the time you get here.
lots of options in your price range.
i guess you're writing off the G8 since it doesn't have navi?
how about the hyundai genesis? it should be available by the time you get here.
lots of options in your price range.
05-27-2008 | 02:25 AM
#40
Thread Starter
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,918
Likes: 1,236
From: PA
Originally Posted by F23A4
Well, I have the two above (07 EX-L V6 and 05 SL AWD, respectively)....and of all the family haulers of have ever owned, the Murano seemed to cover the most bases (so to speak). It has great room, comfort, is quick, rides decently, handles respectably and brakes good. From what I have read, the 08 model does each of these better than my 05 with the exception of braking. However, loading one up will result in pushing the price to the $40k mark.
As far a the Accord goes, Whiskers is right: There are already tons of 8Gs on road...at least here in Central NJ. But they are nice and work better as family haulers than my relatively small 07 model.
As far a the Accord goes, Whiskers is right: There are already tons of 8Gs on road...at least here in Central NJ. But they are nice and work better as family haulers than my relatively small 07 model.