Shopping for a New Car

[Zanatos]

After 10 short years, I am starting to look at possible replacements for my 2003 Acura TL Type S.

I want a fast, reliable, sporty sedan with all-wheel-drive that I can afford without going on a diet of peanut butter sandwiches.

What do you think of these three options?

BMW 335i xDrive Sedan
Cadillac ATS 3.6L
Ford Taurus SHO 3.6 AWD

[Wrider]

Maybe throw in the Audi Allroad?

[AOK303]

first are you buying new or used? and the SHO all wheel drive is curb city in the winter

the bmw and caddy are fun to drive cars audi's S4 would be in that same catagory and its SUPERCHARGED fun ... you could throw in the new TL-SH and the RLX and IS350 if you want JAp

[Snazzy]

Why not a WRX or STi? There are only 50 billion used/new ones in CO lol

It isn't AWD, but a fun FWD car I think is the turbo 6spd Dodge Dart. Like a large Fiat Abarth.

[Grant H.]

Honestly, the new SHO's look pretty slick.

I would give them a solid look. Twin Turbo v6's are a blast.

[~Barn~]

Just throwin' it out there...

[buddahson]

335xi by far. Reasonably quick out of the box, and takes well to a tune. I think it's a pretty classy car as well. Please remember, just because you drive a bmw doesn't mean you have to drive like a d-bag.

[sag]

plus one for 3 series or a4. maybe a c class 4matic. make sure you just go drive them though so you know what you absolutely want and/or could pass on. lots of cars will certainly be more peppy than a first gen type s but slower and a lot cheaper than a 335 or s4. if the service costs scare you too much for the germans, i would take a look at the g37x and the lexus 250/350s.

[AOK303]

335xi by far. Reasonably quick out of the box, and takes well to a tune. I think it's a pretty classy car as well. Please remember, just because you drive a bmw doesn't mean you have to drive like a d-bag.

these do not work well with a tune... high fail rate of highpressurefuelpump and Turbo lag if you do the Software update. they also ran into the issue like audi had on the 2.7s4 motor of one turbo going bad leading the other to fail

huge class action law suit N54 motor but they did extend the warranty due to this but its not a closed case yet

[AOK303]

the gx37 is like driving a grandmothers car unless you chip it and the inside feels ... meh, the SHO has shown to not have a great winter ride, and C series 4matic have a under power feel unless you go AMG version the is250awd not worth it if you want sport ride the 350awd is nice but price for it a lil step but still in the same class as a 335xi and S4.

I looked at both the s4 and 335xi
i did test drive a 350is and ISF
my friend owns a C series 4omatic which we will not take to go boarding in the mountains

the caddy i never did get to test drive i do like there higher end cars not sure how an ats falls into the group does it have the corvette package you can get for brakes and suspension?

[birchyboy]

Have you looked at a new TL SH-AWD? I've got one for a service loaner right now, and I've got to say I'm pretty impressed.

[tecknojoe]

S4 with dual clutch transmission. Well, if you're into that sorta thing

[madvlad]

Come test drive the new Q50 hybrid. It's AWD, 360HP, damn fun car.

[GMR]

If you can afford it, definitely go with the ATS I know I would if I could. The SHO would also be a good choice, and that Q50 sounds good as well, and the TL. You could go with an STi but like Audis and bimmers, everyone I've known to own one ran into too many issues for it to be worth it.

[tecknojoe]

I'm still amazed at how bad of a reputation the audis have. Mine was great

[UHATEIT]

I am actively shopping around myself and was also looking for an awd hatchback. I have already gone to 4 dealerships over the past 2 weeks and am interested in the Subaru WRX. Unfortunately there are NONE to be found in the state, so there is no way to test drive one. GO and Groove both said I can put a $500 deposit down and pre-order a 2014 which willa rrive in late October to November. Which is a long time to wait for a car I've never driven.

I was also very unsatisfied at how PLAIN the WRX is inside. There are absolutely no options, looks plain as shit (might as well be a Jeep) at the $26K base price. Then if you want fog lights or sunroof you're around $28K for the premium and then $30K for the limited with leather. Granted I am sure someone will chime in and say you can get a Limited for $28500 or whatever, this seems like an overpriced car to me tho it looks awesome.

Also it only comes in a 5speed (I do not need an STI nor do I want that much power at all) and only comes with 17 inch rims as well with summer tires that will have to be swapped immediatly upon purchase to be able to use the car in good snow in November when the car arrives. Seems like a total joke!

I currently have a 2011 Mazda 3 hatchback, which is a lease and the very first time I have ever leased a car as I typically do not keep anything beyond 2-3 years. That lease expires in March 2014 and I will have the option to buy it out for $13K. I am thinking despite it being only fwd, that it may be best money-wise to just buy out the lease at 13K and put on some snow tires (I have a spare set of mazda rims from a prior mazda) which will run me maybe $400 installed rather than getting into a car at $28K plus taxes and higher insurance. granted the WRX wagon looks fuckin gorgeous especially in white which is what I would order, there really is nothing wrong with the mazda 3 hatch I have other than it being fwd only. But there are plenty of people who rock fwd around this state and still do fine so maybe I should just deal with my fwd and save the money?

I also baby my mazda so it has low miles and is in great condition and this is my 4th Mazda as well and on the other 3 absolutely nothing has ever broken on them nor on this one so I would feel confident this car would last up to 100K no problem.

[tecknojoe]

I really liked the limited wrx (~$29k). I thought they did a great job on the interior compared to the crappy base model

With the lease, you'll want to look into your options. Since you have the buy out option, you'll likely be able to sell it. Most leases keep a running tab on your buyout cost. For example, I can buy out mine right now for $x amount, then next month after I pay my monthy, it's slightly less. See if you can get a payoff quote. List it for sale at whatever price you think you can get. if it sells for 15k and you owe 13k, you can have the buyer cut a check directly to mazda and you keep the extra cash. It's a good way to end your lease, end your time in the car, and walk away with your own money that otherwise, the dealer would take when you turn the car back in.

[UHATEIT]

I have talked to the bank and the dealership about everything. Right now I owe $13800 but they would give me $15000 if I wanted to trade it in and put the extra $1200 onto something else, tho I keep thinking that keeping the Mazda and just getting snow tires for winter may be the best option rather than jumping into a 28K+ car with new car taxes and crap interior and only a 5spd and 17s. By the time I make my last 6 payments or so the cost owed at end of lease will be under 13K (so have been advised if going to buy it out just wait until then as the payoff is less) I do really like the WRX, and I agree the limited looks much better (in the pics since they have jack shit at any dealership in the state for the wrx), tho to more than double a new loan for that car when mine is pretty fresh condition with low miles since I hardly drive and I baby the car I would just have to deal without AWD.

While I know many will say AWD is the way to go, do any of you feel it is an absolutely necessity in CO. I never go offroading/camping, only drive to Copper/Loveland to snowboard maybe 6 times in the winter and typically do it when its not snowing or ride with others anyways. I do commute 8 miles only to work and honestly they plow the roads very well where I drive (Hampden Ave and 225 to DTC)

I have been a debating whore back and forth for the last few months about this. I was dead set that the WRX was what i wanted (just based on looks alone) without ever driving one or seeing one at a dealership. Only recently is when I went and there are no WRX left, you have to wait for the 2014 to arrive, tho I did like the option of guarenteeing you one of the stock by ordering it and picking the options you want from the factory. I have also checked out the Mazdaspeed 3 stock that is 2013 models and what is left at Groove Mazda (I had a Mazdaspeed 3 prior to my current regular 3) and while they have great deals and can get it fully loaded with all options/nav/leather/6spd/18s, it would run around 25K but I would still be with FWD and need snow tires in winter since they come with crap summer ones.

[mxer]

If you have good tires and aren't stupid, AWD is NOT a necessity. AWD just helps you get going and slightly helps in turning. You stop like any other car.

If anything, it hinders you since you think your car is invincible (I have an STI).

If he's looking at BMWs and Caddys, there's no way he would stoop to the build quality of an econobox impreza.

Go for a used Cayenne turbo...best of everything.

[birchyboy]

The necessity of AWD is a purely personal decision. I grew up in Maine and only owned a 4x4 for a short period of time. I never needed AWD or 4WD because I used common sense while driving. CO's snowfall (except for the mountains) is much less than Maine and driving is overall much easier in the winter months.

[asp_125]

There's only a handful of days that you absolutely need AWD 4WD. The usual case is that you're stuck in traffic with the idiots without snow tires it doesn't matter. I have an A3 with AWD and DSG but it's too light and tends to float on deep snow; moreso than when I had my Murano with AWD and traction control.

[Sully]

There's only a handful of days that you absolutely need AWD 4WD. The usual case is that you're stuck in traffic with the idiots without snow tires it doesn't matter. I have an A3 with AWD and DSG but it's too light and tends to float on deep snow; moreso than when I had my Murano with AWD and traction control.

I also have AWD, and a heavy pimp mobile with 300hp . I put snow tires on in the winter and get around amazingly .. However, like Jeff said above, the usual case is that you're stuck behind some dipstick who has donuts for tires and is going nowhere fast, blocking everyone. Sooo much FAIL!

[UHATEIT]

There's only a handful of days that you absolutely need AWD 4WD. The usual case is that you're stuck in traffic with the idiots without snow tires it doesn't matter. I have an A3 with AWD and DSG but it's too light and tends to float on deep snow; moreso than when I had my Murano with AWD and traction control.

I was on Hampden in a snowstorm this year on a decent slope and a 4wd Nissan Pathfinder was in front of me, all 4 wheels spinning and thank god I was able to keep momentum and went past him in the left hand turning lane to then get back in front of him. You are correct even with 4wd you still need good tires, my fwd with crap ass summer tires went right by but they are cheap (dealership tires) and worn out now so they won't work this winter if we get any decent snow). The trick is not to stop on a hill! Scariest part of my drive to work is the 225 overpass from Parker Rd up and over to 225 Southbound. It's only 2 lanes and somewhat steep if the snow/ice is bad and it just take one car to lose it for that whole thing to be a shit show.


My wife drives an AWD Mazda CX-7 which is fwd until it registers the slip then sends 50/50 to front and rear. That thing is heavy as hell and is a beast in even deep snow. Also good tires does make a difference for sure.

[Sully]

Scariest part of my drive to work is the 225 overpass from Parker Rd up and over to 225 Southbound. It's only 2 lanes and somewhat steep if the snow/ice is bad and it just take one car to lose it for that whole thing to be a shit show.

You can proceed past the overpass and go under 225 and turn left at Peoria to get onto I-225 or take the dam road