Author Topic: Best Family Sedan? (Read 83057 times)

Dan · « **on:** May 13, 2011, 02:09:13 AM »

Looking into getting a mid or full size family Sedan.

Tried out the '11 Sonata which looks great on paper. Unfortunately the passenger seat is very low down and the seat can't be adjusted upward. My better half could barely see over the dash while in the passenger seat, so that pretty much nixed that. Just did some google searching and it seems many others are similarly bewildered by this problem with an otherwise ammazing looking and well priced car.

The '11 Altima looks great, is well priced, and is also very well ranked by Consumer Reports. Anyone have one?

I don't want an '11 Camry due as it's in the last year of the current plagued design and would be wary about getting a redesigned '12 Camry when it comes outbefore there are enough reviews on it.

Not too excited by the '11 Accord either.

Other opinions? Suggestions?

txtmax4 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:44:32 AM »

joey89 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:54:07 AM »

malibu

mclovin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:58:03 PM »

dodge charger. its good for family and for the driver if s/he feels like a little fun

Ergel · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:35:49 PM »

are you set on getting a new car? i would recommend buying a 2-3 year old avalon for the same price as a camry and its really a luxury vehicle with so much more space for car seat and a carriage and luggage or groceries. you just lord the new car feel which is gone after 2 months anyways

txtmax4 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:07:04 PM »

Quote from: Ergel on May 13, 2011, 04:35:49 PM

are you set on getting a new car? i would recommend buying a 2-3 year old avalon for the same price as a camry and its really a luxury vehicle with so much more space for car seat and a carriage and luggage or groceries. you just lord the new car feel which is gone after 2 months anyways

+1!!
Best value for a car is (for most cars) @ 3 yrs.

Dan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:35:12 PM »

Quote from: txtmax4 on May 13, 2011, 05:07:04 PM

+1!!
Best value for a car is (for most cars) @ 3 yrs.

I've had success negotiating prices of 20-40% off the asking prices for new cars by negotiating with hundreds of dealers nationwide. If you are a good negotiator I don't think you'll save much by buying a car that's a few years old (and probably out of warranty too).

AsherO · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:01:15 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 13, 2011, 05:35:12 PM

I've had success negotiating prices of 20-40% off the asking prices for new cars by negotiating with hundreds of dealers nationwide. If you are a good negotiator I don't think you'll save much by buying a car that's a few years old (and probably out of warranty too).

'11 Avalon?

Dan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:12:43 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on May 13, 2011, 06:01:15 PM

'11 Avalon?

Suggesting I look into it?
If I'm spending that much on a car it would probably for an Inifiniti G37x or something.

AsherO · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:18:30 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 13, 2011, 06:12:43 PM

Suggesting I look into it?
If I'm spending that much on a car it would probably for an Inifiniti G37x or something.

Well, I was suggesting a new one vs. the used option you rejected. On second thought (now that I've seen it's $10k+ more than the Camry), it doesn't make any sense to look into it.

Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:26:07 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on May 13, 2011, 06:18:30 PM

Well, I was suggesting a new one vs. the used option you rejected. On second thought (now that I've seen it's $10k+ more than the Camry), it doesn't make any sense to look into it.

I think the '11 Altima with leather seats and sunroof is a probably nice sweet spot. I just test drove it and was impressed.
Does anyone here own one?

It has the feel of an $40K Infiniti (keyless entry, tight steering, great handling) but gets much better gas mileage, uses regular fuel, has a bigger cabin/trunk than the G37, and can be had for under $22K.

Consumer Reports gave it top-notch ratings as well.

AsherO · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:57:55 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 13, 2011, 06:26:07 PM

I think the '11 Altima with leather seats and sunroof is a probably nice sweet spot. I just test drove it and was impressed.
Does anyone here own one?

It has the feel of an $40K Infiniti (keyless entry, tight steering, great handling) but gets much better gas mileage, uses regular fuel, has a bigger cabin/trunk than the G37, and can be had for under $22K.

Consumer Reports gave it top-notch ratings as well.

But can you pay with credit card?

Dan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:00:05 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on May 13, 2011, 06:57:55 PM

But can you pay with credit card?

It's about how good of a negotiator you are.
If you walk into a Nissan dealership they'll quote you $27,500++ for the car Altima 2.5S with the SL package.
I'm sure with online bargaining you can get it for 20-30% less. Yup, and maybe even charge part of it.

Jay the PRESIDENT · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:36:03 PM »

why not lease?

can pick up 2011 Accord SE with heated leather seats and alloy for around $200 month and with Honda theres $1500 damage waiver and no disposition fee

or how bout a Merecedes C300 for 399.... etc etc

and btw im not in car leasing so....got notin to gain

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:38:10 PM »

Quote from: Jay the PRESIDENT on May 13, 2011, 07:36:03 PM

why not lease?

can pick up 2011 Accord SE with heated leather seats and alloy for around $200 month and with Honda theres $1500 damage waiver and no disposition fee

or how bout a Merecedes C300 for 399.... etc etc

and btw im not in car leasing so....got notin to gain

Never really looked into leasing. I was always under the impression that if you plan to keep a car longer than 6 years or so that it made sense to purchase rather than lease. And I'm just less experienced negotiating lease prices.

Jay the PRESIDENT · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:45:10 PM »

in general leasing doesnt add up in the sense u dont gain equity and walk away with notin at the end (on the other hand you get a new car every few yrs under warrantee etc)

if u run the numbers leasing might be better option .... but i assume not as much negotiation room

bhphotoman · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:11:34 PM »

there is no room for negotiation in leasing none i say buy

txtmax4 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:43:16 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 13, 2011, 06:26:07 PM

I think the '11 Altima with leather seats and sunroof is a probably nice sweet spot. I just test drove it and was impressed.
Does anyone here own one?

It has the feel of an $40K Infiniti (keyless entry, tight steering, great handling) but gets much better gas mileage, uses regular fuel, has a bigger cabin/trunk than the G37, and can be had for under $22K.

Consumer Reports gave it top-notch ratings as well.

I rented it for a week, wasn't too impressed, 0 pickup.
If you're looking to buy, I would go with at least some power, unless you want to be dragging your wheels behind some granny 3 years down the line...

txtmax4 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:45:32 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 13, 2011, 05:35:12 PM

I've had success negotiating prices of 20-40% off the asking prices for new cars by negotiating with hundreds of dealers nationwide.

40%?! That's very impressive.
I mean, cars at 3 yrs. old are holding at 45% off their original value...

Dan · « **Reply #19 on:** May 14, 2011, 10:02:56 PM »

Quote from: txtmax4 on May 14, 2011, 09:43:16 PM

I rented it for a week, wasn't too impressed, 0 pickup.
If you're looking to buy, I would go with at least some power, unless you want to be dragging your wheels behind some granny 3 years down the line...

I didn't notice the pickup being that bad. There is also a V6 version, but you sacrifice some gas mileage and it costs a good few thousand more.