Minch00

My friend's brother-in-law is looking for a new vehicle to escort clients in, his Ford Taurus isn't cutting it. So he told us to make the car buying decision for him, since he is never in town long enough to do any real testing. He gave us a cap of around 35k, but said he would be able to entertain any ideas we could give him. I was taken along since I'm the car afficiando, and am knowledgable about such things.

First stop was the Caddilac dealership. We drove a 3.6l CTS, black w/tan with the luxury package. Overall a very nice vehicle, I'm very impressed with the quality GM is producing in these vheicles. The seats were very comfortable, the fit and finish seemed great, and it had nice pickup. We only got to drive it for around five minutes and down a small deserted dead end road. I'd consider one, but only in the V form for my vehicle. But for his purposes I think it will be the overall winner.

The Acura dealership is next door, but since the brother-in-law is a hardcore Japanese auto hater, it was really for me than him. We drove the Acura RL, in silver. I really think I am in love. I've never had the pleasure of driving a car with so many awesome options. One touch sunroof, voice control, Navi, SH-AWD, keyless start, paddle shifters....the list goes on. I may have been blinded by gadgets, but as of right now this is my favorite car. We took it on about a 15 minute test drive, and he told me to test it to the limits I felt I was comfortable with to test the AWD. I was able to take a rather sharp turn at around 50mph, with no wheel slippage and almost no noticable weight transfer. It was incredible. The guages were very cool, and the Navi was easy to read and program. Acura's I-drive like system is very intuative and comfortable, within 30 seconds of sitting in the car I had adjusted the air conditioning, set a destination, and programmed the climate control by voice alone. I never thought I'd like this car as much as I did, I think my M45 dreams will have new competition. Take a look at it, I highly recommend it.

Then we drove over to the Nissan dealership to look at a new Maxima. I don't know if it was coming from the RL that did it, but this car is a piece of shit. The last-gen I test drove felt more solid and better done than this plastic covered piece of shit. The only plus was the 3.5 VQ, which is also available in the last gen I drove. Everythign about this car felt cheap, my mom's Accord LX is better made, and over 10 grand cheaper. And the fact it looks like the Sentra doesn't make it any better. I really dislike this car. Nissan


We're going to the Benz dealership today hopefully.....

dom

Alot of people feel that way after sitting in a new Max.

F23A4

Including me.....a 2002 Maxima owner.

Beltfed

Went for a ride in my brother's new RL this past weekend.......I agree, very nice car.

cob3683

Minch, which MB dealer down there are you going to? I would recommend going to the one off 17-92 instead of the one next to Conroy. Went there twice and both times had really shitty experiences.

The first time I went there was with my dad last may. He drove his SL down from Atlanta and we went up there to look at a CLK for my mom. Without seeing the car we drove up in, the salesman and general manager both treated us like shit until they found out the car we were in.

The second time I went there was to get mine serviced. While I was waiting, I looked at the C55 because I wanted to see if there was a big difference from my C32. I was in a t-shirt and khaki shorts and the salesman came up and said "Son, please don't sit in the car." I asked why and he responded with, "Because, it seems that this car is a little out of your price range and you should be looking at some of our lower options. We have a very nice selection of C230 coupes outside that...." I interrupted him and asked him to follow me to the service department to ask the rep what vehicle I was driving. When he asked the rep his response was "oh" and then walked away from me.

Go to the one off 17-92. Much nicer people and actually treat you like a customer.

Minch00

^^^^I hadn't been to the one near Conroy yet, I've always delt with the one off of 17-92. I'll be sure and keept that in mind! Thanks

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The Maxima really does feel rather low rent. I drove one for 300+ miles on a business trip (rental car) and was rather happy to be rid of it afterwards.

Xtremespeed2102

might i ask what acura dealership you went to? id like one a bit closer to home, right now i go up to lakemary/sanford for my service. i didnt care too much for them when i purchased the car. kinda annoying about the whole "younger kid" comments and my dad didnt seem to care for them quite much either, tho service hasnt been bad.

RandyMax

The CTS may not be the best car to haul people around. Headroom at the back sucks.
I am only 5'10" but my hair touches the roof when seating at the back.

mclarenf3387

The CTS has plenty of room. We just drove my cousins this weekend, with my brother, my father, him and me and there was plenty of room. We are all 6 feet and taller, my cousin being the talles at 6' 5". I was actually sitting behind him, and that was a little cramped, but he had the seat all the way back.

RandyMax

Strange. I was in the back seat of a CTS a couple of times and I hated it because of the lack of headroom. I do seat up straight though so that may make a difference.

And no I don't have a 'fro....

virtualbong

I'm still adjusting to the front end of the 05 RL. For some reason, I really don't like it at all. I like the TSX and TL front much, much better. I do like the rear end though. Not only does the RL not work for your bro in law, but its also out of his price range.

Minch00

Fountain. I've never really liked them much either, but it was right next to the Caddy dealership. I'm 6'4 and had plenty of headroom in the back of the CTS. And the RL isn't out of his price range, he's just frugal.

Fibonacci

I smell TL here.

Minch00

He won't entertain that idea for some reason

Crazy Bimmer

Ya know nissan is japanese, rite?

I agree, this gen maxima is terrible compared to the old. My brother bought one and it just feels disconnected all around. Not like his 97 maxima. My dad drove it and hated it as well.. keep in mind hes a 02 RL owner.

CTS has more room in the back than the benz or a Audi A4.

How about the 300c?

SpeedyV6

Have you thought about a G35. IMO it has a better interior than the Caddy and it performs about the same.

Fibonacci

Did you slap him with a trout?

Crazy Bimmer

I like him already

mclarenf3387

Xtremespeed2102

foutain eh? wheres that about, i recently moved here (wow almost a year now acutally) and im still searching for everything

cusdaddy

The new Maxima is a POS... My parents 1999 Maxima feels more solid and is a better drive. Nissan dropped the ball with that one.

taxidriversingh

Hi. RL looks pimp. I sat in one, those seats have so much padding on them, feels like your sitting on air. I would love to own one..... when I can afford one.

phile

Even though it's debatable (since there is rumor of a true V8 flagship coming from Acura in the near future), when you sit in the RL, you feel like you're sitting in the flagship sedan. As opposed to the other competition, such as Lexus, where you'd have to upgrade to the Lexus LS to get the same feeling, because I do feel that Lexus purposely held back on the GS in order to prevent it from stepping on the LS's toes.

Minch00

OBT, next to the 528. If you're coming from Hwy 50 it's on the left.

Xtremespeed2102

is it a big dealership? the lakemary one isnt that big, they dont move many cars

F23A4

Sorry but renting the 04-05 Maxima beats renting a Taurus or Crown Vic.

mclarenf3387

Or a Kia