OT - Looking for a fun family car

DoubleEgger

The wifey had a Mustang GT and we traded it for a Lexus GS300. She loves that car. After driving the Mustang, her car requirements were rear wheel and 300+hp. This car fits the bill perfectly. The interior is nicer than other brands $90k+ cars. Lexus holds it’s value so well that it’s one of the cheaper brands to own in the long run. The service is next level. Can’t say enough good things about Lexus. 

Eoin

TEXASBGE2018 said:

nolaegghead said:

OP asks for car suggestions, gets a bunch SUV and trucks suggested.  Welcome to forum-think.

That’s because for the large majority of people there are pretty much zero cars left still being manufactured that appeal to them. Why do you think all the automobile manufactures are switching over to 95% crossovers and suvs. It’s because A) there is more profit for them, and B ) nobody wants a car when they can get a crossover with more utility and the same mpg.

The usual SUV suspects here are just higher, not actually got any more room in than an equvalent hatch / estate. The height ruins the fun, they either have hard suspension to stop them rolling in the bends, or they roll. Fun family car depends on budget, AMG C or E wagon is fun and practical, or M5 or just a nice big engined 5 series. What's the US equivalent size car to a 5 series, or are they not very nice / not much fun?

Hairless_Hand

BMW X5. I drove one about a year ago and it made driving fun again. 

lousubcap

@Eoin - The US BMW 5 Series is about the same as the European version however, I am sure there are engine gas/diesel differences.  The M5 is quite a machine but I would opt for the M3 although either will put a hurt on your wallet (even worse than here   ).

MaskedMarvel

WRX STI... one of my dream cars..

RRP

Unless I missed it, you didn't specify new or used? Also is mpg a big issue? Do you plan to keep it for several years? About how many miles do you drive a year?

alaskanassasin

M2 looks like a blast.

GrateEggspectations

@MaskedMarvel: Would be fun, but the STI is more than I’d like to spend. Also likely too small for the fam. 

@RRP: Either, really. I had never bought new until about four years ago, when while attempting to buy a one year old used car, I found that brand new was actually cheaper (at least in that exact scenario). MPG not a huge factor, as my wife runs a business and many miles would be tax deductible. We tend to keep our cars 5 years or so. 

SaltySam

Got my oldest an Altima.  CRAZY mpg for a four door.  Sensible, reliable.  He can’t go too fast in it.  

Boring for him = fun for me!

Eoin

lousubcap said:

@Eoin - The US BMW 5 Series is about the same as the European version however, I am sure there are engine gas/diesel differences.  The M5 is quite a machine but I would opt for the M3 although either will put a hurt on your wallet (even worse than here   ).

@lousubcap I was wondering if there is a US brand that is equivalent im size to a 5 series (and not rubbish)? I like my BMW as a daily driver, fast comfortable mile muncher. Had it 5 years now, I normally sell after 4 years for a change but I'm keeping this one longer.

alaskanassasin

US brands are stopping the production of cars all together!

alaskanassasin

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna869256

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/11/26/business/gm-cars-dropping-production/index.html

 

littlerascal56

alaskanassasin said:

US brands are stopping the production of cars all together!

And my F150 King Ranch drives and rides better than my company car (Lexus sedan).  With the cheap fuel prices, it’s no wonder corporate is buying PU’s and SUV/Crossovers!

Botch

SaltySam said:

Got my oldest an Altima.  CRAZY mpg for a four door.  Sensible, reliable.  He can’t go too fast in it.  

Boring for him = fun for me!

We rented an Altima, years ago, with obviously a peppier engine, that thing screamed!  Not a bad recc for the OP.  

GATraveller

YEMTrey said:

I sure love mine. Not the best gas mileage but amazingly reliable and unstoppable off road. 

lousubcap

@Eoin - regarding autos, I am just the opposite-I can't stand the car buying experience here.  I have owned my current BMW 540i 6-speed for 15+ years (bought it off a lease).  185 K miles on the clock.

The German steel prior I bought second-hand as well and kept for 29+ years til an engine fire sent it to the bone yard.  Yes I'm old but still enjoy the three pedal drive.  FWIW-

BGEChicago

Love my:


mine is silver but identical... With a supercharger it will get you to the grocery store real quick, one downside average MPG is 11.....

dmourati

I looked at the Outback but didn't like it at all. Felt squishy to me. I would up with an Audi A4 Avant. Love it. Now called the allroad.

Phatchris

Maybe a Durango would work

pgprescott

The big four door trucks are simply awesome. Totally different experience from the sports car but very comfortable, powerful, and exhilarating at times and circumstances. 

Kcheves

Hairless_Hand said:

BMW X5. I drove one about a year ago and it made driving fun again. 

I have an E70 X5 diesel. Its a great car, but the SCR (urea-injection) emmisions system has lots of issues.  BMW has extended the warranty on critical components, but will not be selling diesels in the USA starting next year.  I love everything else about the car, and would consider getting a gasoline version next time around.

buzd504

Audi Q5 quattro.

thetrim

I saw one of these in the local Wawa parking lot today.  Interestingly, my nickname in high school was super snake.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a33542/shelby-f-150-super-snake/

fishlessman

really like this thing, the four wheel drive on it is pretty much freaky  unstoppable.  the supercharged jaguar engine has a nice sound to it. im averaging 14.8 mpg but its getting over 20 mpg if i stay on the highway at 75 mph

for a family i would be looking at the hondas

nolaegghead

buzd504 said:

Audi Q5 quattro.

We have one and it's the first SUV that I've really liked.  Drives like a car 

saluki2007

I haven't been in one for a couple of years, but the Nissan Maxima used to be a fun car to drive with room.

MaskedMarvel

One Of my best friends had a Toyota fourrunner. They bought it new off the lot, drove the hell out of it in inner-city Washington DC crazy rush-hour traffic, put 250,000 miles on it, and then traded in and got $22,000 back. :-) He said it had zero mechanical issues, and they only had to change the brake pads and the belts. Pretty strong recommendation :-)

if not an STI, we’re looking at the 4Runner here - the black logo  version is  pretty sweet looking...

fishlessman

this was fun, but they kind of tip over

the only other one ive looked at was a caddilac ext, really practical but finding one were an ex wife or girlfriend didnt key all the body panels is hard to do.  literally looked at 6 caddie trucks and all were keyed or the doors were kicked in, chevy makes the same truck but those are ripe for rust

TEXASBGE2018

MaskedMarvel said:

One Of my best friends had a Toyota fourrunner. They bought it new off the lot, drove the hell out of it in inner-city Washington DC crazy rush-hour traffic, put 250,000 miles on it, and then traded in and got $22,000 back. :-) He said it had zero mechanical issues, and they only had to change the brake pads and the belts. Pretty strong recommendation :-)

if not an STI, we’re looking at the 4Runner here - the black logo  version is  pretty sweet looking...

I am not trying to argue with you. But I find that extremely unlikely that he got $22K back for a 4runner with 250K miles on it. I have a 2005 4runner currently with the same mileage and same circumstances you mentioned (no mechanical issues) and the most I can get for mine is about $4K and that's selling private party to some painter or parent looking for a 1st car for their kid. Trade in is about $1,500. Now if he put about $50K in aftermarket suspension, tires, wench, interior upgrades and basically made it a SHTF vehicle, maybe just maybe someone would pay $15k for it. but no way on a trade in. If that really did happen I would love to get more information cause I am looking to get rid of mine within the next year for a new one.

nolaegghead

TEXASBGE2018 said:

MaskedMarvel said:

One Of my best friends had a Toyota fourrunner. They bought it new off the lot, drove the hell out of it in inner-city Washington DC crazy rush-hour traffic, put 250,000 miles on it, and then traded in and got $22,000 back. :-) He said it had zero mechanical issues, and they only had to change the brake pads and the belts. Pretty strong recommendation :-)

if not an STI, we’re looking at the 4Runner here - the black logo  version is  pretty sweet looking...

I am not trying to argue with you. But I find that extremely unlikely that he got $22K back for a 4runner with 250K miles on it. I have a 2005 4runner currently with the same mileage and same circumstances you mentioned (no mechanical issues) and the most I can get for mine is about $4K and that's selling private party to some painter or parent looking for a 1st car for their kid. Trade in is about $1,500. Now if he put about $50K in aftermarket suspension, tires, wench, interior upgrades and basically made it a SHTF vehicle, maybe just maybe someone would pay $15k for it. but no way on a trade in. If that really did happen I would love to get more information cause I am looking to get rid of mine within the next year for a new one.

I bought a 5 year old work truck with that milage.  The milage ding is not even close to the age depreciation.