Best Company Vehicle ~$35k

Yup, and they fixed exactly those gripes for 2005:

Digi:

They said this in 2004 as well (before the quality fix), so if people thought the G35 was bad, I don't think you'll find many who consider the 350Z a luxury car. No offense

Unfortunately, you can never really shake a bad rep. Look at Hyundai. They've made huge strides in quality to be one of the leaders now, but they were just so crappy in the past that there's nothing they can do. I'm usually willing to give people/companies a second chance, but I doubt I'd drive one if it was free.

Now that I think about it, Mize, if the car is going to be driving clients around, go for a Bimmer or Merc, even if it's smaller/underpowered/expensive.

 

Audi interiors don't hold a candle to MB interiors. Go to a MB dealership and take the C230 (under $30k) for a test-drive, then trot down the road to an Audi dealership and take an a4 for a testdrive. Absolutely no comparrison. that's xactly what I did when I was making my car choice and, although in the Audi I felt like I had a btter connection to the road (still certainly not BMW quality) it's substandard interior really killed the deal after I went home and thought about it. Also, with the sport package the C-series connects you with the road quit well. Of course, there still nothing better than the Ultimate Driving Machine if you drive for thrills (and dont have $200k).

Also, you should go chck out a lesux IS300. absolute shit interior. that car is not a lexus.


and another thing, the C320 will smoooooothly accelerate from 0-60 in 6.9 (auto) or 6.8 (manual). Also, it goes from 60-100 dangerously fast. It has plenty of room and comfort for front passenger but if you're carrying rear passengers as well then space gets tight. If you're going to be shuffling lots of people around in the back seat then go with an E, in which case it would cost too much for the power you're looking for and you'd be much btter off with a 300 for the price.

 

Make sure you get the HEMI one. With 20's and spinners.

Its got to be white, with gold where the chrome is. Or maybe purple with gold chrome.

 

Can't be a pimp daddy w/o the bling.

 

Lincoln LS? Might not be as fun to drive as the Acura RL, but it's spacious with fold down rear seats and it's domestic and it's $33k

 

Mize, have you considered the 2006 Infiniti M35 at all? It's very quick and sporty (0-60 in 6.3 vs. >6.8 for the RL, A6, 530i, STS), and has a great interior.

I'll agree, though, that the 300C offers some serious value. It looks a bit more "serious" as well for business purposes.

Sage, is this the interior you were talking about? Sorry, I don't see what's so amazing about it. To each his own, I suppose.

 

The new Lexus IS300 will be available in the Fall. It will have an all new V6 that may be the same V6 in the new Avalon.

http://www.lexus-europe.com/about_lexus/news_and_events/geneva_4.asp

 

have you guys sat in and driven the g-35 coupe? lumbar support and lack thereof have no bearing on the actual comfort level of the vehicle.

There is a heck of a lot more overall support and comfort sitting in that than in similarly priced bmw's and merc's and others.

the best seats I have sat in belong to the FX series and the Saab 9-5 Aero

 

Isn't there a V8 version as well coming out? Maybe I'm thinking of a different model...

 

Lexus had a project TRD IS300 V8 where they shoehorned the 4.5L Lexus V8 in there and showed it at various autoshows including the LA Autoshow which was where I saw it in person. I'm not aware of any production V8 version being available anytime soon.

This all new 2006 IS250/IS300/IS350 will have a V6 with various displacements. The previous generation had an inline 6, the same one used in the non-turbo Supra. More details of what the US market will get will be officially revealed this week at the NY Autoshow. Word has it that the IS350 will have the same new 3.5L V6 used in the 2005 Avalon except it may be tuned for a little bit more power around 300hp. The IS300 will probably have around 250hp while the IS250 will have around 220hp. Pricing for the IS350 is around $42K and it will only come fully loaded. Base price for the IS250 is around $25K and the IS300 will probably be the same as the current IS which is around $30K to start.

 

Please Sage, I doubt you are very qualified to be giving out opinions when it comes to luxury cars. I don't find the Mercedes name to offer much value to the regular consumer who wants to pay for a car that gives them what they need.

Get a 300C, it has Chrysler and Mercedes throughout, but the car looks good and has some ncie power to boot. It is a really good value for the price.

The new IS300 should be pretty good, I'm still waiting to see the turbo version of the new motor and if it will make it into a new Toyota sports car. Not the concept supercar shown at the auto shows, but a new Supra. One can hope.

 

Which throws up the question, what is a "regular consumer"? Everyone has different needs...

 

I've found that the 300C has cut corners on the interior to provide for such a powerful car so inexpensively.

The dodge magnum was even worse.

 

I admit I have no idea what cars cost in USA, but I get the feeling that most cars discussed here are economically off target.
The way I have understood it, what is wanted here is a sedan with reasonable oomph, comfortable and big enough to lug customers around (which should exclude most stiff sports cars) and with folding rear seats. The impression on the customer is also of importance; neither a pile-o-crap nor a too posh car is wanted. Finally, an Asian car might be tricky with protectionist customers.

I know I said this earlier in the thread, but it was probably lost in another discussion. And, risking to sound like a half-blind nationalist: Have you considered the Volvo S80?
It is roomy, but not extravagant, and has a usable back seat - that folds. It's possible that you can also fold the right front seat, but I'm not sure.

If I have understood the NA car market correctly, Volvos are considered "sensible" cars and are known primarily for their safety (many BMW and Mercedes cars still have no whiplash protection, for example; I would never buy a car without it) - not likely to offend a customer. Also, Volvo is owned by Ford.

If you want power, there is an inline 6 cylinder version with twin turbo (the only one of its kind in the world that is mounted sideways, which is likely not the correct English terminology). Though I have trouble understanding why anyone would ever, outside the racing track, feel the need for anything more than the 2.5T model.

I have never actually driven an S80, but last summer I drove its little sister the S60 for a week. It was great for long trips. Also surprisingly economic with the gas even with automatic gearbox, if that is a concern for NA drivers where gas is cheap. (This was with the weakest engine, the 2.4 litre one without turbo. However, I never felt the need for more power - but then again, I am a pretty non-agressive driver.)

It is likely not as good a car as for example the BMW 5-series or the Mercedes E-class, but it is considerably cheaper.

Quality-wise, the S80 had problems the first years, which is probably reflected in statistics. But I understand that a few years ago they really came to grips and quality is now in another league.

To sum it up, not a sports car. But a rather relaxed, comfortable, roomy sedan with good quality and safety.