Please HELP me pick a car for my wife! PICS included

[Thai]

Please HELP me pick a car for my wife!

Hey all,

We're thinking of replacing my wife's Corolla in the near future. It has over 60k miles on it and is getting a little small for our family...we are expecting our 2nd kid (daughter) in March '09. In addition, here in Texas, everyone is driving a SUV or truck (esp. now with fuel prices low). Therefore, i want my wife in something a bit safer.

Here are the main "must haves" in our selection:
1. It must have a good crash test rating (NHTSA and IIHS).
2. It must have HIDs (of any kind)...if no HIDS, then it must be a damn good headlight! (My wife is not a good night driver.)
3. The rear seat must be of decent size.
4. There must be a trunk of decent size.
5. Fuel economy must be decent (no V8 nor big SUVs).
6. VSC and traction contro are a must.
7. Side curtain airbags is a must.
8. Automatic transmission.
9. Must have good reliability...i don't want my wife & kids to get stranded.
10. Must have power driver's seat.

Here are some of the features we want (but can live without):
1. Bluetooth capability.
2. Spare tire...in other words, i don't like run-flats.
3. Leather or leatherette type (to prevent puke stains!).
4. Relatively quiet and comfy...hard sporty ride not welcomed.
5. Memory seat is a plus
6. Homelink

It can be of any brand other than VW and Kia.

 

[Thai]

As of right now, the leading candidate is the Acura TSX. My wife drove it over the weekend and liked it. Here is what I think are the goods and bads of TSX:

Goods:
- Potentially reliable since it is an Accord overseas and is made by Honda in Japan
- Xenons standard
- Bluetooth standard
- Memory seat standard
- Rear seating space is on par with Camry
- Relatively good handling (when compared with Camry)
- GREAT crash testing scores
- Leather is standard (not the greatest quality, but leather nonetheless)
- Pretty good stock stereo (for front passengers...rear passengers suck)
- Dual zone AC
- Decent interior noise level
- Good fuel economy (21/30/25 combined)
- Compact enough that my wife feels comfortable making transition from Corolla to it
- VSC, TC, and airbags are all standard
- Homelink standard

Bads:
- Only a 4-cyl for $29k (we would buy the base model)...there are other alternatives with V6 at that price
- Relatively slow compared to other cars costing the same (or even cheaper)
- FWD (this is probably my bias, rather than my wife)
- Stereo produces good sounds (base and optional ELS) for front passengers only...rear seat passengers suffer from horrible staging and imaging (both base and ELS)!
- Trunk is a bit small...12.4 cu ft...same as my Corolla, which is OK but still tight with a stroller and groceries...Camry trunk is 15 cu ft by comparison
- Exterior look is angular and not particularly attractive in some views

 

[alaskaman]

All the Safety Goodies.......and more.

http://www.lexus.com/models/ES/?s_ocid=AllModels_ES_Display_Info

 

[Thai]

Re: All the Safety Goodies.......and more.

http://www.lexus.com/models/ES/?s_ocid=AllModels_ES_Display_Info

The problem is that the ES gets pretty expensive when you option it out. For example, a base ES does NOT come with HIDs, memory seats, nor bluetooth. I think that to get the bluetooth, you have to get the expensive Mark Levinson/NAVI upgrade. To get the HIDs, that is yet another upgrade up to the Ultra-lux package. Overall, to get these, i would have to spend at least $40,000 or more.

But, yeah, i would love to have an ES, but it is probably too expensive right now. For $40k and up, i would probably get something else rather than ES, such as Mercedes C350, BMW 328i, or Caddy CTS. Actually, just a few months ago, i was eyeing the Toyota Avalon, which i really really like. However, it is a tad too big for my wife's comfort.

 

[alaskaman]

My 2 cents is the Caddy has proven itself somewhat unreliable over the years, the Mercedes is top but pricey, the Bimmer is a hot ride no doubt. And that's the rub on the Lexus vs the Avalon it is a nice package but I did notice that it did not have curtain air bags as I was looking more closely.

 

[Thai]

And that's the rub on the Lexus vs the Avalon it is a nice package but I did notice that it did not have curtain air bags as I was looking more closely.

The '09 Avalon has side curtains AND active headrest. The '09 Camry still does not have active headrest. I think that i can haggle an '09 Avalon Limited (with everything) to around $35k out the door or less. Still, its size is still kinda big...but, i would love to buy it for me.

 

[Thai]

I actually prefer a Toyota car over a Lexus because:
1. I have a Toyota dealership within (a bit long) walking distance.
2. Toyota charges reasonably for their service...Lexus charges an arm & a leg...oh yeah, i am kinda cheap!

 

[alaskaman]

to me priority is safety both active and passive then reliability which is always a safety issue when women are traveling alone
(unless they have sophisticated weaponry at hand).

after that road feel and handling come a close second. I hear ya on the cost of Lexus and I have heard that from owners as a disatisfier.

That said, perhaps the Avalon is a good compromise though I think the new 3 Series BMW must be tempting.

 

[Spider5]

Considered the new Venza?

 

[Thai]

to me priority is safety both active and passive then reliability which is always a safety issue when women are traveling alone
(unless they have sophisticated weaponry at hand).

after that road feel and handling come a close second. I hear ya on the cost of Lexus and I have heard that from owners as a disatisfier.

That said, perhaps the Avalon is a good compromise though I think the new 3 Series BMW must be tempting.

I agree with you. This is why we're thinking of upgrading from the Corolla...i want a stouter car, esp. when my wife has to drive both my kids around town. (I must say that the Corolla has been a good car for us, but those darn fullsize trucks and Suburbans are everywhere here in TX!)

Reliability is important to us...thus, i have eliminated VW and Kia. However, to be honest, i am really on looking at Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and Infiniti. Mercedes and BMW are kinda 'iffy' in terms of reliability, but my wife does not drive very far anyway to work. Hell, if we get the BMW 3 series, i may force her to drive my G (which she hates!) and i drive the bimmer! Again, these cars are just too expensive for what you get...remember, my wife is not into sporty driving...thus, handling and steering feel are not at the top of the list.

Infiniti cars are just not to my liking for some reason...Infiniti (and Nissan) just does not do much for me...don't ask me why. Lexus and Toyota cars would be ideal since they tend to be on the luxury side and have proven reliability. However, i can't find the "just right size & price" car from them. Acura is OK..."near luxury" really does apply to them. I don't care so much for their appearance, esp. the new bucktooth nose. But, they are relatively good value cars.

You can tell that i am really trying to think of every possible angle on this car purchase.

 

[K.C.]

Considered the new Venza?

I Second the Venza. :awais:

 

[Thai]

Considered the new Venza?

Yeah, i thought about that, but my wife is not too crazy about it's appearance. We thought about this, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, etc.. She had a Highlander once (previous gen) and liked it.

EDIT: i just "build" a Venza...hmmm, pretty reasonable price for the 4-cyl with Premium pkg and JBL (for bluetooth capability).

Hmm, this may warrant a look...thanks for the suggestion!

 

[alaskaman]

I happen to think that the 06 and 07 Infiniti GS 35 is one of a handful of truly superior vehicles built.

Good luck. I think that every guy here understands how you are approaching your important decision.

 

[Uneek]

Something with a trunk, G35 Journey or G35x, or the Toyota Avalon. Both have HIDs.

SUV-ish, Mazda CX-9, Venza, RAV4 or Highlander. RAV and HL doesn't have HIDs though. A fully loaded Venza V6 AWD is about $36k, only missing option was the panoramic roof (which I personally careful).

IMO, right now is a great time to buy a car for anyone who needs one.

 

[Thai]

Something with a trunk, G35 Journey or G35x, or the Toyota Avalon. Both have HIDs.

SUV-ish, Mazda CX-9, Venza, RAV4 or Highlander. RAV and HL doesn't have HIDs though. A fully loaded Venza V6 AWD is about $36k, only missing option was the panoramic roof (which I personally careful).

IMO, right now is a great time to buy a car for anyone who needs one.

Well, the CX9 is a bit too big. RAV4 and HL are out due to no HIDs. I am trying to stay around $30k. Why? Well, my wife works in a hospital...and hospital parking lots are tight with high risk of dings and whatnots. Thus, i don't want to get anything too expensive, nor too big. She likes the Corolla for it's size and "dingability"...in other words, I won't have a heart attack if there is a ding on the door. This is also why the Avalon has been ruled out even though we both love it. It is too wide.

I need to take a closer look at the Venza in real life to see how big it is. I agree with you...it's a good time to buy, esp. now that Toyota is losing profits too!

 

[endosj3]

I say go TSX...I was actually looking at the before I decided on the 4runner cuz I've always loved them. They are basically fully loaded right from the factory and you can't say no to Acura reliability.

P.S. Love the Martin Logan avatar. I'm a big ML fan

 

[Thai]

They are basically fully loaded right from the factory and you can't say no to Acura reliability.

P.S. Love the Martin Logan avatar. I'm a big ML fan

Yup, i like the way Acura/Honda are built. Yup #2, i love my ML speakers.

 

[alaskaman]

if size is the issue the G35 might be purfect. I would consider an 07. take the top off the price and get into the parking space in safety and style.

 

[Thai]

if size is the issue the G35 might be purfect. I would consider an 07. take the top off the price and get into the parking space in safety and style.

Well, i am not a fan of used cars...i know, it is financially prudent to buy used cars, but for me (anal retentive!), it is like buying an old used bed mattress...you just don't know what the previous owner(s) did with it. Some day, i will get over this phobia...some day.

I am not making this easy for you guys to give me advice, am i??!!

 

[endosj3]

Yup, i like the way Acura/Honda are built. Yup #2, i love my ML speakers.

What ML's do you have? I've always been a big fan of the Clarity floorstanding but sadly they don't make them anymore.