Let's beat this horse until it's dead.. one more "Which car for me" post.

[Diablo2424]

Alright TST, since noone has posted a "Which car for me" post in a while , here's one for you.

I recently (yesterday) was offered a new job in Piscataway, NJ (Rt. 18/287 intersection area). This trip according to Google Maps is 31.7 Miles (38 mins, that doesn't include traffic which is pretty bad on the 2 main roads I take (Parkway and 287)) EACH way.

I am planning on taking this new job, which I would start on Feb. 21st. The issue is I have no car at this point, so I need to get myself in something.

I've been looking for a while now and narrowed it down a little bit, but am still lost as to what I should really look for in the next 2 weeks. I was approved for a Maximum of $14,000. I would REALLY like to keep the price of the car at or under $12,000 to keep the payments easily affordable.

Here's my criteria for the car:
1) Automatic
2) 4 door
3) At least 20-25mpg highway (no SRT8's, lol)
4) Something that's not completely boring to drive, I enjoy driving a little aggressive and plan on doing basic bolt-ons to the car, would like 13's after mods
5) Not too crappy looking as I would like to take my g/f out to dinner dates on the weekend with this car
6) If possible sunroof and heated seats would be nice but not necessary
7) Maintenance and repairs costs need to be reasonable (just in case something happens)
8) DD Reliability
9) Must have ~100K miles or less (plan on keeping this DD as long as possible)


What I have narrowed it down too (suggestions are welcome, just remember I need to find one relatively close to me, and I need to buy this within the next 2 weeks).

04+ Acura TL (however I've heard of Trans issues with these, any input?)
05-06 Nissan Altima SE-R
Lexus IS 300
05+ Subaru Legacy GT
Infiniti G35
Other

Which would you choose and why?

[Elliott18t]

legacy gt

[tree-fiddy]

I would go altima se-r. I would stay away from the g35 since you're looking for cheaper maintenance and it isn't exactly the best choice with a decent amount of snow if it's a DD.

[Bates]

Finding an Altima SE-R that wasn't beat on might be a little tough but they are great cars. The VQ35 might not be as good on gas you think though. Might want to try and find a Protoge5, Mazda 3, or something more practical for what you want it for. Could also get a Sentra SE-R, but you may need to take care of some recalls (For the B15s anyway, not the B16s) the right way to drive it safely lol.

[JB'sLGT]

The reliability of the LGT 5eat drastically decreases stg 2 and after without tranny modifications. However, do not power brake the car and you should be fine.

IPT offers a valve body upgrade which is popular amongst the 5eat guys. It's a must have if you want to launch your car.

[sean3]

LGT or G35, and no autotragic.

[doug]

talking about committing insurance fraud and wanting an automatic car all in the same post. double fail!

[blkmz3]

i like your choices a lot. here are my opinions as I have a legacy GT and my dad has a G35. My close friends have 05 and 08 Acura TLs.

04+ Acura TL (however I've heard of Trans issues with these, any input?)
My one friend has an 05. Other friend has 08 with the LED tail lights. Interior is way better than the cars below. Navigation system is nice. Has all the luxuries standard. Takes premium gas. HIDs are top notch on this car along with the tsx. Very quiet and nice ride comfort. The motor is enough for daily driving. FWD FTL though. It's an Acura so expect to pay lil more for repairs. Not near BMW or Benz parts but still pricey.

05-06 Nissan Altima SE-R
Always had a thing for the SE-R. Factory Nismo exhaust. Heated seats. The VQ35 is impeccable. Hard to find with low miles. I mean they only made them 2 years. My coworker has one. Has navigation and leather. I like it.

Lexus IS 300
The 2JZ I6 is a reliable motor. The altezza tail lights only work on this car. Don't get an automatic. I test drove one. Super slow no torque. Interior is outdated. Without suspension mods the IS just doesn't feel tight stock.

05+ Subaru Legacy GT
This is my current winter car. If you get the GT which is turbo expect to put in premium. It drinks gas. AWD baby. If you want the bells and whistles get the Limited or SpecB. Fun car. Feels lot faster than 250hp. Plenty of aftermarket options for bolt ons. I get 20mpg city and 26 highway.

Infiniti G35
My dad has an 04 coupe. Again the VQ35 is solid. Takes premium. He has 89k miles on it. No problems thus far. Great torque down low for daily driving. Love the stock exhaust note. Good amount of options for modding. I assume you would want the G35x sedan.

You have a nice budget to work with.

[Sublime1304]

charger r/t...just saying. they are nice cars and you can find some at reasonable prices

[Sublime1304]

and you can get 20 mpg with those and im pretty sure it would be easy to find one with heated seats. Mine has them and they work excellent

[jpalamar]

08-09 Cobalt SS/TC. 300 HP with just a tune.

[blkmz3]

Originally Posted by jpalamar

08-09 Cobalt SS/TC. 300 HP with just a tune.

Did they make the cobalt ss in a 4 door? I'm pretty sure they were only coupes.

[Big_Jim]

get a fiero. those things are sweet.

[Mr.2jz-GE]

Is300 ;)

[Diablo2424]

Thanks for all the replies guys, the useful and not so useful ones!

I was thinking about 300C/Charger R/T... one of my old friends had one of them and idk what it was about it, but something about it just didn't catch my interest.

blkmz3: VERY useful info there, thank you! I'll definitely take all of that into consideration.

I'm going to look into some SE-R and SpecV Sentra's as well, they're just a little smaller than what I usually like, but we do have a CR-V for hauling stuff.

I looked up the Cobalt SS's all I could find in 4-door were N/A versions, and I could get over the coupe aspect, but I noticed all the Automatic's are N/A as well... if I could get it S/C or T/C def. a good contender.

If I were to get a Fiero I know it'd end up being a project and I'd want to put a 3800 Series II S/C in it... plus interior is not my style.

[RSX Type-Slow]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

get a fiero. those things are sweet.

judging by his reply, he's too new to understand this subtle joke lol.


but ot, I think LGT all the way. They are awesome cars.

[blkmz3]

just few more suggestions that I consider contenders.

2002-2003 Maxima SE (can be had with leather, heated seats, again the VQ)
2004-2005 CTS (The V version will run ya higher than 12k, gotta love the LS motors though)
2006-2007 Honda Accord (real reliable and if you get a V6 they got enough power)
2006 Jetta GLI (friend has Giac chip, it's pretty quick for small sedan)

don't get a chrysler 300C. your 24 not 44. they weigh 4000lbs and handle like boats. since u already ruled out srt-8s don't get one.

[ndubz]

04+ Acura TL
Good cars, fwd with a good amount of power, very nice inside. In this list i wouldnt buy one cuz I prefer awd or rwd but thats my preference

05-06 Nissan Altima SE-R

Great cars, car be modded to be quite fast, but still the fwd issue

Lexus IS 300

Great cars, rwd, responsive and fairly sharp steering, 2JZ so supra mods will be compatible for the most part

05+ Subaru Legacy GT

Great option, awd, turbo, will see good gains from basic modifications, lots of subaru community support

Infiniti G35

Everything thats great about the altima, just with rwd or awd so its better in all ways



If it were me here, it'd be between the Legacy GT and the G35 hands down

The LGT is the same as WRXs just a little bigger and more luxurious

the G35 is basically a 350Z sedan with some luxury

u cant go wrong either way

[Sberk06]

I would get an audi a4 or an a3

[Sublime1304]

Originally Posted by Diablo2424

Thanks for all the replies guys, the useful and not so useful ones!

I was thinking about 300C/Charger R/T... one of my old friends had one of them and idk what it was about it, but something about it just didn't catch my interest.

blkmz3: VERY useful info there, thank you! I'll definitely take all of that into consideration.

I'm going to look into some SE-R and SpecV Sentra's as well, they're just a little smaller than what I usually like, but we do have a CR-V for hauling stuff.

I looked up the Cobalt SS's all I could find in 4-door were N/A versions, and I could get over the coupe aspect, but I noticed all the Automatic's are N/A as well... if I could get it S/C or T/C def. a good contender.

If I were to get a Fiero I know it'd end up being a project and I'd want to put a 3800 Series II S/C in it... plus interior is not my style.

The charger r/t is pretty sweet. I would know obviously but it fits your description. It's a big car but sometimes it's nice having extra space. They run 14s stock and with an intake and tune you can be in the 13s.

I like the 300C but it's more for the older people. Yet I do see lots of younger people driving them. Good luck with whatever you pick