So due to family transporation needs and logistics and a car that just gave up the ghost last night (after making noises for some time that was inevitable), I need to get a new car and I need to do so fast, as in this weekend, if possible. But for the first time in my life, I don't have a particular car in mind, one that I really like and am focused on and have researched.

I knew this day was coming, but hoped it'd be a ways yet down the road. But I had given it at least a little thought, and came up with perhaps an Acura TLX, an Audi Q3 or A3, or maybe a pickup (Tacoma? Dodge?) since I drive an Acura MDX and have gotten used to a litte more elbow room than, say, my wife's Mazda CX-5 or our earlier Volvo S60. But I really have no practical need whatsoever for a truck, so it'd be more for aesthetics and roominess than utilitarian. Considered Jeep, but hear the QC on these things -- especially as it pertains to the transmission -- has really fallen.

Current car is a '06 Acura MDX...that one's being relegated to a kid's car to replace the one that died last night. I like Acuras (but not really interested in another MDX or the smaller RDX).

So if anyone wants to throw some suggestions my way, I'd be glad to do a quick Google search on 'em and see if I need to add it to this weekend's car tour, keeping in mind I probably only have time to focus on three or four models in the short timeframe I have. I'd also be glad to listen to any warnings about the models I have in mind (I hear Audis can be mechanically tempermental and parts are expensive...I read some reviews that claim Dodge trucks aren't up to snuff w/ the competition). To be honest, I'm not really sure the purpose of this post, other than I hope it'll help get me focused on what I should and shouldn't look at (heck, I'm not even sure if I'm after a sedan or truck), and, perhaps most of all, open up my mind to some possibilities that perhaps I haven't considered.

Here's what I'd like:

* $35,000'ish budget...so probably a year or two old for most of these models.
* Leather
* At least 200 HP
* Not a fan of domestics, like the general reliability of Japanese models (i.e. Acura, Mazda, etc.), like the clean European styling of the Audis and German (e.g. VW, BMW) cars
* Don't really want the SUV or mini-SUV platform (save for the Q3, which has caught my eye) as I drove this MDX for nine years (and would like to ditch the 'soccer mom' vibe ) and my wife drives a CX-5, but do appreciate the ability to cart around stuff and my dog so fold-down seats or similar would be nice...I hear some Audis have a "sportback" hatchback option?
* Reliable, reasonable costs for repair and parts, good review/owners' history, etc.

Thanks for any suggestions, tips, or advice offered.

Mazda 6 with a high trim level?

Honestly there are tons of options given what you're looking for. But I'm a cheap bastard, so 35k for a car is not a bracket I'm too familiar with.

Can I offer some unsolicited advice?

Rent/borrow a car for the next few weeks. There are very few things more expensive than a hasty vehicle purchase.

You'll save way more than the $200-300 or so expense.

If you can find any way to borrow a vehichle and not make a "zOMGgottabuyacarrightnow!!!111.com" mistake, that would be a good thing.

Not saying that you cannot or willnot find the right vehichle, but the more vehichles you look at and dealers you encounter, the more you will realize what you think you need and want, and when it right for you is farther apart than where you are today.

Ridgeline?

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:
Can I offer some unsolicited advice?

Rent/borrow a car for the next few weeks. There are very few things more expensive than a hasty vehicle purchase.

You'll save way more than the $200-300 or so expense.

I actually had given this idea some thought...I tend to research these types of things to death, so a hasty purchase is way out of my comfort zone. I'd still like to give it a shot this weekend, but I am keeping this idea in mind as a backup if I just can't pull the trigger on something with reasonable assurance that I'm doing the right thing.

Mazda 6: Thanks, it is on the Thinking-About-It list...while her car doesn't do much for me, my wife loves her CX-5 so figured the 6 might be worth a look.

I've test driven a couple Mazda6 a few years ago & had it in the running to replace my 2000 Acura TL. The Touring trim with a manual 6 speed was a peppy & fun car to drive.

Similarly with the 2.5l Mazda3, a bit quicker & more nimble due to being smaller/lighter.

4Runner?
Used Lexus GX?
Used TLX Wagon?
Used A4 All Road?
Used 3 series wagon or X1?

Q3 is not a great car. Very cheaply built inside.

If you want to go a little older you can get a 2013-14 Acura TL with less than 40k miles for about $16k

Lots of great info here

https://www.cargurus.com

Subaru Legacy 3.6R. Symmetrical AWD for the win. Well within your budget, even for an up-trim model.

Used Audi Allroad. Bring back the station wagon.

2017 Honda CR-V touring 32,000 plus wa tax, awd.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys...please keep 'em coming...lots of cars I hadn't thought of. I'm making a list, and will check it twice tonight.

I was split between a Subie (Outback or Forrester, but would have gone w/ the Outback for the nicer finish) and a Jeep Cherokee.

For a couple of reasons I went with the Jeep, but given your criteria, I'd definitely (probably) go for the Outback w/ the 3.6.

There are some great videos and other info here:

http://www.planetsubaru.com/comparison-links.htm

If you want to talk Jeep transmissions, I'm happy to do that, too, but I'm not sure it's what you're really looking for.

-Rob

If I were you, I'd get the TLX. Maybe something like this one:

https://www.garyforceacura.com...wd-19uub1f36ha009019

Good Luck

You want a truck. Despite having said you have no practical need for one, you wouldn't have mentioned a truck if you didn't want a truck. You also said no SUV because soccer mom. Which means the mini-van is probably also out. You want a truck.

I'd look at a crew cab Ford F-150, probably an XLT in your price range. I looked at the new crew cab Super Dutys in June and they have a ton of room relative to my 2015 F-350. The F-150 and Super Dutys now share the same cab. I just did a quick search on autotrader.com and there are 2,370 new 2017 Ford F-150 crew cabs for under $35,000. Many of them were under $30,000.

My dad just bought a new Tacoma and it was right around $35,000. Roomy is not a word I would use to describe it.

Go to Carmax if you have one in your area. You don't have to buy from them but they probably have the largest selection of all makes so you don't have to travel from dealership to dealership to try different ones.

Couple year old coupe E550. Like this: http://www.malonesauto.com/201...tta-GA-30067/6224105

Got a few years but miles are very manageable. To me, Merc beats the crap out of every Audi I've driven.

quote:

Originally posted by olfuzzy:
Go to Carmax if you have one in your area. You don't have to buy from them but they probably have the largest selection of all makes so you don't have to travel from dealership to dealership to try different ones.

Yup. That's what I did a few months ago. Did not end up buying from CarMax, but I was able to prune my list to a couple of choices, then went shopping for those.

V6 Accord, 2017 will be the last year for one, and deals will likely be coming as the 2018 refresh is imminent. Comfy, quiet, plenty of power, about as reliable as they come.

If you want a pickup the new Ridgeline is really slick.

If AWD is something you want I'd take a serious look at an Outback 3.6R.