Help choose my next car!

[gmark2000]

We're looking for a mid-sized luxury sports sedan and have narrowed it to these six choices. They should have AWD and safety features galore. As well there should a balance of luxury features, performance and value.

These are Consumer Reports ratings below.

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/3665/cars1rm.jpg

[Geologic]

Lexus IS350 purely on looks.. :cheesygri

[twboy1999]

is350
acura tl
bwm 330

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Lexus IS350 > *

Looks, reliability and performance-wise, it smokes the rest.
Road-feel is subjective and may goto the 3-Series just because its a 3-series.
base price for one is $48,900

[gmark2000]

Wow. Such a pro-Lexus crowd, including voting. The Lexus is so much more pricey compared to the Infiniti and Acura offerings. The Acura only has a single price (with or without NAV) and with this is fairly loaded in features despite being front wheel drive only.

[blue_xii]

I'll vote for the TL. Best bang for your buck from the list. G35 is a also good value but I can;t speak for reliability. I put more faith in Acura products. Plus I think the TL looks nicer inside and out.

[sandy44]

Get a Bimmer man .. Once you drive it, you never go back .. Trust me !! Go for a test drive ...

[Earthworm]

Just curious why you're not considering a Subaru Legacy GT?

[rc51]

We're in exactly the same boat..well actually the wife is..and are leaning towards the G35x. The IS350 is very nice but we're weary about just going RWD for all year driving especially thru the mountains during the winter. Also the IS350 felt rougher of a ride compared to the G35x, which seemed very comfortable and smooth, although lacking on the power side a bit.

Haven't test drove the TL yet..but the wife doesn't like the interior of it.

[Mclaren-7]

Considering your criteria, the TL would not even make it on your list because it doesn't offer AWD. The IS AWD is only available on the IS250, not 350. I would also agree with one of the previous post and check out the Legacy GT, or even the Mazdaspeed 6 for that matter, akthough it doesn't have as much "Bling" as the luxury brand.

Judging by your criteria. The top 3 choices in my opinion, in no particular order should be A4, IS250, and 325iX

One more thing, try checking out the March issue of Road and Track. They are comparing the exact cars you are looking at... AWD luxury sport sedans.

[dgmorr]

I'd go for a Volvo S60R

[TenzoR]

I'd take a look at the Legacy GT Limited myself

also if you are considering Audi, look into a VW Passat 3.6L V6 /4Motion

very nicely equipped, basically an Audi A6 but minus the cost

[Narci]

It's so mind boggling to see someone ask complete strangers on where to spend tnes of thousands of dollars online. Better questions would be which is most reliable or which has more feature for the money etc. Be specific.

Have you driven them all? A car is an extension of one's personality. If your asking people online which one to buy, you most likely don't have one (i mean sarcastically).


If your asking, I pick the 3 series because CR does not recommend it. :P

[jwinnfield]

Lexus IS250

[wylie]

I would go with the Legacy GT, for the great AWD and performance.
Personally I have narrowed my choices down to the G35 coupe or IS 350, but I am not too concerned with AWD

[evilbunny]

Must be nice to have money. You said you want AWD but some of these do not have it so why are you considering them?

I would choose the Audi first, Volvo second. The AWD Passat is also a good choice as mentioned previously.

[gmark2000]

It's so mind boggling to see someone ask complete strangers on where to spend tnes of thousands of dollars online.
This is helping me narrow my choices. And while I can't force people to vote or respond with a lenghty precis, every little bit of info from Carguide, Consumer Reports, Edmunds.com, Motor Trend, Lemon-aid Guides, etc... helps in this purchase decision.

Ultimately it's my wife and I's decision, but it will be an informed decision.

[cloudycanada]

i would go with 3 series.....i am a BMW fan
i drive an old one, but i like it .... :D (again, subjective)

others i liked includes:
TL, IS ... but then AWD becomes a question