Sportier Car For My Wife

[psycho_freke]

I need some suggestions on purchasing a vehicle for my wife. Here's the rundown:

My wife owns an '08 Camry, but recently drove a '11 Maxima as a rental for about a month fell in love with it. She's not satisfied with her car anymore. Problem is the '11 Maxima is over $30k (a little out of our price range). She drove an Acura TL Type S and wasn't impressed. I want to find her something that performs as well as the Maxima that we can finance for under $18k. Her dream car is a '94 Supra (but you know the odds of finding one of those in this price range...). Any suggestions on what we could look for that might satisfy her desire for the type of handling and power/torque the maxima provides? It has to be quick, responsive, and able to grip the corners well. It also needs to be able to provide power and any given range (if you hit the accelerator at 80, it should respond) and get 18+MPG city.

I know this is a tall order, I just wonder if there is a car out there that can fill it within our budget.

[psycho_freke]

Before just throwing something out there, please know that they made a lot of changes in the Maxima in '09. The older Maximas just don't compare....

[David88vert]

Come buy the 95 Supra TT that I have here. It's been converted to a single T-78 though.

[Destineal]

Forced Induction Camry?

[Bacon]

Try Carmax for that Maxima.

[MaxJav9669]

The only thing i can think of that performs like a Maxima is a Maxima and the Taurus SHO is the only 4-door i've seen that compaired to the Maxima or g37 but, those are more expensive than the Maxima, so my only suggestion is a 6th Gen Maxima.

[Deke]

What year TL Type-S did she drive? My mom used to drive an 02 Type-S (two gens ago), and I know that the last gen base TL was sportier than it.

What about a G35 sedan?

[Bacon]

G35 sedans can be had for a decent price.

[Destineal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T_IDMDUtCw

[slostang]

Mustang

[Destineal]

Maybe

[psycho_freke]

I hate to sound negative on some of my responses, but she's a bit difficult. She's very specific in what she wants in a car, and most of my responses are based on what she and I have discussed.
I think she needs to just get over it, finish paying off her car, and buy a decent suspension kit and turbo kit for it. That's just me though.

MaxJav9669 -> She doesn't like the 6th gen. She says it's ugly. Couldn't even get her to test drive it. I doubt the handling and response would be as great as the 7th Gen though.

David -> I'm not sure how financing would work with a Private Party Seller, but I'm sure she would be interested if the supra is clean and in decent shape for the right price.
She would never let the kids in a ride like that with shoes, food, or drinks! LOL
-edit- She's very interested in the Supra, but would only own one as a second car that we went in without the crumbsnatchers. Guess it's just not in the cards right now.

Destineal -> No, it's not forced induction. I tried to talk her into that. She's still not satisfied with the way the car handles compared to the Max. Maybe if I showed her some vids like the one
you showed me she might be interested in doing it.

Slostang -> No way you're gonna talk her into a Mustang, much less a V6. Ford is a dirty word in this house :) Besides her dad had an '05 V6 Stang and it couldn't touch the new Max.

Deke -> The TL was an '08 model (our favorite model). We both agree that all the new Acura's with the big chrome shield on the front are ugly as hell. I don't know about the G35, but the
G37 we looked at didn't have any leg room in the back. It wouldn't matter if we didn't have kids :\ and for some reason she doesn't seem to keen on the way the G35 looks, but maybe if I got
her into one she would be interested.

[GA Scooby]

04-05 STI?

[psycho_freke]

04-05 STI?

She wants an automatic (of all things). I've tried like hell to teach her to drive a manual, and she can do it if she puts her mind to it... she's just paranoid she's gonna do somethin' wrong and screw up the car. This is also part of the reason she backed off of the supra when I told her about it.

And I was right, she doesn't like the look of the G35.
I've about come to the conclusion that if it isn't a 7th Gen Max, she just doesn't want it :\

[GA Scooby]

She wants an automatic (of all things). I've tried like hell to teach her to drive a manual, and she can do it if she puts her mind to it... she's just paranoid she's gonna do somethin' wrong and screw up the car. This is also part of the reason she backed off of the supra when I told her about it.

And I was right, she doesn't like the look of the G35.
I've about come to the conclusion that if it isn't a 7th Gen Max, she just doesn't want it :\

350z maybe that's the only thing I can think of that comes in auto. She put you in a tough spot lol.

[MaxJav9669]

anyone throw out the Mazda 6 Sport with the 3.7?

272 Hp, 269 ft/lb torque
6-Speed Auto
17c/25h can bring that above 18 easily with a CAI or K&N filter
More room than a Maxima
weights the same

[Echonova]

2007 Subaru Legacy GT... Not sure what they go for, but should be close to your ballpark.

Turbo charged
4wd
5 speed automatic
19/25 mpg
240-ish hp

Only downside is the back seat isn't the biggest, but it is bigger than a G37

[psycho_freke]

350z maybe that's the only thing I can think of that comes in auto. She put you in a tough spot lol.

350z ain't gonna work with kids. She'd love to have one of those. She didn't really put me in a tough spot, I just went out on a limb hoping to find her something that comes close to what she wants. Since I couldn't come up with anything, I thought I'd ask you guys :)



anyone throw out the Mazda 6 Sport with the 3.7?

272 Hp, 269 ft/lb torque
6-Speed Auto
17c/25h can bring that above 18 easily with a CAI or K&N filter
More room than a Maxima
weights the same


Tried that one... She doesn't like the way it looks :rolleyes:



2007 Subaru Legacy GT... Not sure what they go for, but should be close to your ballpark.

Turbo charged
4wd
5 speed automatic
19/25 mpg
240-ish hp

Only downside is the back seat isn't the biggest, but it is bigger than a G37

I'll give it a shot... see what she says... price range seems to be within reach...
She doesn't like the way most Subys look. Not sure if she'll go for it...
I'm about ready to give up, LOL

[Genji-Sama]

IDK if ti's been suggested, but the IS300/250/350

[psycho_freke]

IDK if ti's been suggested, but the IS300/250/350

Those can be had for under $18k? I dunno if she'll go for that though. One thing she keeps saying is
that she's lost her faith in Toyota since she's had her Camry. She's already had to replace a rear hub
bearing, the cruise is unpredictable (sometimes taking off too fast), her driver's side visor has fallen off,
and the radio keeps spitting out CD's when the car is off. Sometimes the radio also displays that there
is a CD in it when there isn't one and it won't take one.

[MaxJav9669]

Those can be had for under $18k? I dunno if she'll go for that though. One thing she keeps saying is
that she's lost her faith in Toyota since she's had her Camry. She's already had to replace a rear hub
bearing, the cruise is unpredictable (sometimes taking off too fast), her driver's side visor has fallen off,
and the radio keeps spitting out CD's when the car is off. Sometimes the radio also displays that there
is a CD in it when there isn't one and it won't take one.

wow and you say Ford is a dirty word at your house? Mabye you should actually go test drive a new Ford. Mustang don't count unless it's the 2011. My brother's '02 Explorer has never had a problem and he thinks it's ok to go 9000 miles and 11 month between oil changes yet it's still as reliable as my Maxima and still has all it's power. I think the only thing broken is the driver side map light's bulb. I don't see what you would lose just test driving one.

[Sunkenkarma]

Ahem, Chrysler 300C srt8, im sure thats enough power for her, and they have automatic for an option. Ive seen them less than 18k >.>.

[NJSC]

e46 M3 4D

[psycho_freke]

I give up. Nothin is gonna make this girl happy but a 7th Gen Maxima...

-edit- Actually the '08+ Camaro SS would do the trick... but we'd have to have seperate insurance policies to afford the insurance with my driving record! LOL!

[Genji-Sama]

wow and you say Ford is a dirty word at your house? Mabye you should actually go test drive a new Ford. Mustang don't count unless it's the 2011. My brother's '02 Explorer has never had a problem and he thinks it's ok to go 9000 miles and 11 month between oil changes yet it's still as reliable as my Maxima and still has all it's power. I think the only thing broken is the driver side map light's bulb. I don't see what you would lose just test driving one.

Lol, amuricah boy, stay out of this. She obviously has good taste if she's steering away from dumb-estics. :goodjob: oh and congrats :goodjob:

[NJSC]

she doesn't like the m3?

[Theycall_Metue]

let her pick.
wasting your time.

[psycho_freke]

wow and you say Ford is a dirty word at your house? Mabye you should actually go test drive a new Ford. Mustang don't count unless it's the 2011. My brother's '02 Explorer has never had a problem and he thinks it's ok to go 9000 miles and 11 month between oil changes yet it's still as reliable as my Maxima and still has all it's power. I think the only thing broken is the driver side map light's bulb. I don't see what you would lose just test driving one.

I love how people always do the Ford truck comparison. Trucks are the only thing Ford can really make worth a damn. She doesn't want a truck :)


Lol, amuricah boy, stay out of this. She obviously has good taste if she's steering away from dumb-estics. :goodjob: oh and congrats :goodjob:

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Genji-Sama again." :goodjob:


she doesn't like the m3?

She likes the M3, but about 3 years ago we looked at a '99 M3 convertible and she didn't like how small the backseat was (we know it's because it was convertible).
The major problem was that they wanted $15k for a 10 year old car. We felt that was asking a little much... she's thinking she won't be able to afford one that's not
old as hell. That was her feedback anyway.


let her pick.
wasting your time.

I'm not trying to make the decision for her, just trying to broaden the playing field and give her more options to choose from.

[MaxJav9669]

Lol, amuricah boy, stay out of this. She obviously has good taste if she's steering away from dumb-estics. :goodjob: oh and congrats :goodjob:

well these dumb-estics are catching up with quality wise with imports, I'd bet that my dad's 3800 lb fusion could outrun your Integra, not sure how but that thing has some damn good high end acceleration.

[MaxJav9669]

[QUOTE=psycho_freke;39260336]I love how people always do the Ford truck comparison. Trucks are the only thing Ford can really make worth a damn. She doesn't want a truck :)[QUOTE]
No, my rule is: If you don't have the balls or ovaries to go test drive something recent then shut up about a car company because you haven't tired the new stuff and don't have a valid information about the company's new products. Are you scared that America could very possibly make a better car than Toyota, Honda, or Nissan?

[psycho_freke]

well these dumb-estics are catching up with quality wise with imports, I'd bet that my dad's 3800 lb fusion could outrun your Integra, not sure how but that thing has some damn good high end acceleration.

LOL that's another classic "My Dad's car, or "my mom's car". What about your car? Either way, that's alot of talk when you have no idea if he has an LS, GSR, PMITR, ect. or what kind of mods he has. You also didn't mention whether your dad has the 2.5L Duratec I4, 3.0L Duratec Flex Fuel V6, or 3.5L Duratec V6. Here's the spec sheet http://www.ford.com/cars/fusion/specifications/engine/
Since the base has a curb weight of 3285lbs, I'm assuming he has the V6.




I love how people always do the Ford truck comparison. Trucks are the only thing Ford can really make worth a damn. She doesn't want a truck :)
No, my rule is: If you don't have the balls or ovaries to go test drive something recent then shut up about a car company because you haven't tired the new stuff and don't have a valid information about the company's new products. Are you scared that America could very possibly make a better car than Toyota, Honda, or Nissan?

I would absolutely love to see American cars beat imports in quality, technology, longevity, and value retention. I like the idea of keeping our money here in America where it belongs (oh wait...the Import companies have factories here now too, don't they. Doesn't that kinda make them... American made? BUT Foreign engineered :)
I don't think the big 3 have quite made it to the standard of the Japanese and European cars yet though. When they do, I may switch. For now, I'm happy with imports.

-edit- Besides, who says we all have to follow YOUR rules :crazy:

[MaxJav9669]

well let me ask you this, do you like the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 in terms of handling?

[psycho_freke]

well let me ask you this, do you like the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 in terms of handling?

I don't know, I haven't driven either. Never was a big Mazda fan... Besides, we all know Ford and Mazda have been shaking hands for years. One classic example is the mid 90's ranger and the mid 90's Mazda Pickup... exactly the same vehicle. (Kinda like the Honda Passport really isn't a Honda, but an Isuzu in disguise). The only reason I even considered looking at them was because my cousin in the midwest owns a speed6.

[MaxJav9669]

The Mazda 6 and Fusion have the same platform, and the Mazda 3 and the Focus have the same platforms. Most people would say that Ford hasn't caught Honda or Nissan just yet but, Ford does have Toyota beaten. If you don't think that Ford quality has come up you have to look at the fact that the Mustang is using one of the smallest engines in the past 20 years but is making more power than any of the base V8s have ever had, Motor Trend tested one at K&N Filter's dyno and got 308 whp/ 287 tq. Only time can test the quality of a vehicle. But, i wouldn't trust a car company that's been having recalls left and right like Toyota has recently.

[alpine_aw11]

Lol, amuricah boy, stay out of this. She obviously has good taste if she's steering away from dumb-estics. :goodjob: oh and congrats :goodjob:

Lol, don't talk like you actually know anything about American cars. Just sayin.

[Genji-Sama]

well these dumb-estics are catching up with quality wise with imports, I'd bet that my dad's 3800 lb fusion could outrun your Integra, not sure how but that thing has some damn good high end acceleration.
Teehee, you just wait. My new toy will gladly take that bet in 2 months :goodjob:


Lol, don't talk like you actually know anything about American cars. Just sayin.
Lol, I don't, I'm just messin cuz he's a good friend

[psycho_freke]

The Mazda 6 and Fusion have the same platform, and the Mazda 3 and the Focus have the same platforms. Most people would say that Ford hasn't caught Honda or Nissan just yet but, Ford does have Toyota beaten. If you don't think that Ford quality has come up you have to look at the fact that the Mustang is using one of the smallest engines in the past 20 years but is making more power than any of the base V8s have ever had, Motor Trend tested one at K&N Filter's dyno and got 308 whp/ 287 tq. Only time can test the quality of a vehicle. But, i wouldn't trust a car company that's been having recalls left and right like Toyota has recently.

I won't deny that Ford is doing something right. I drove an '09 Focus that I borrowed from someone for a couple months while my Teg was down. It still wasn't great compared to what I was used to out of Honda, but I'll admit that Ford has come a ways since it's earlier days. My wife and I are both there with ya on the trust issue with Toyota. That's another part of why she wants another car.

[MaxJav9669]

'09 Focus is still the same as the earlier focuses but, just had some restyling stuff done. And really it's probably best you guys didn't get the Maxima, the CVT trasmission is basically rubber belts and pulleys and is supposedly just something to go wrong with the car.

[iamdallas]

If she doesn't need seats grab a 99-05 mx5. They're cheap, reliable, affordable, and easy to maintain. Plus its a convertable.

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[psycho_freke]

If she doesn't need seats grab a 99-05 mx5. They're cheap, reliable, affordable, and easy to maintain. Plus its a convertable.

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She definitely needs back seats. We have kids. . .

[iamdallas]

...

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[Genji-Sama]

'09 Focus is still the same as the earlier focuses but, just had some restyling stuff done. And really it's probably best you guys didn't get the Maxima, the CVT trasmission is basically rubber belts and pulleys and is supposedly just something to go wrong with the car.

Whoa, whoa , whoa don't bash the CVT trannies, those are truly a work of art. They are designed to maintain RPMs at the point where the motor is making max torque/whp and the shift points are barely noticeable. They need to engineer something like that for manual trannies, but i will admit they are super temperamental and you have to use that expensive tranny fluid, but when they work they work


If she doesn't need seats grab a 99-05 mx5. They're cheap, reliable, affordable, and easy to maintain. Plus its a convertable.

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LOLOL, completely out of left field, you must really love ur miata

[MaxJav9669]

Yeah, i realize what they do, they're no fun, gotta feel that thing shift. I've gotten so used to my transmission i can make it shift into whatever gear i want and it's an Auto.

[One_Bad_SHO]

What about the Maximas smaller cousin... the Altima SE-R. Its pretty quick and has a nice aggressive look to it.

[iamdallas]

Whoa, whoa , whoa don't bash the CVT trannies, those are truly a work of art. They are designed to maintain RPMs at the point where the motor is making max torque/whp and the shift points are barely noticeable. They need to engineer something like that for manual trannies, but i will admit they are super temperamental and you have to use that expensive tranny fluid, but when they work they work



LOLOL, completely out of left field, you must really love ur miata

hahahaha.... I guess I do. :facepalm:

[psycho_freke]

What about the Maximas smaller cousin... the Altima SE-R. Its pretty quick and has a nice aggressive look to it.

She won't settle for an Altima.... i already tried...