Help me pick out a new car for my wife <80k

[saeyedoc]

My wife is looking for a new car. She is currently driving a 2010 C350 and hates it. The problem is she is all over the place with what she wants in a car. She wants something that is sporty to drive, luxurious and not too common and that looks good, 4 doors. We would like to spend <80k, open to pre-owned.
We test drove a Jag XF yesterday, nice interior, good power, but the handling is too soft.
Looked at a few Audis, test drove the S4, which I liked alot. She liked the look of the A7. She likes the A8 too (had one in the past). She loved the Allroad with the 2.7T she had several years ago which is why I thought she would like the S4. She did like how it drives, but doesnt' like that it looks too similar to every other A4 on the road.
Will test drive a Panamera this weekend.
I'm trying to convince her that since she doesn't need a big car, she will get better performance with something smaller. Given her driving habits (doesn't drive much, wants good acceleration on the highway), I think a supercharged or turbo 6 like in the S4 would be a better choice than a big V8.
Anything else we should be looking at? None of the current BMW's appeal to me and I just got out of a 335i that was in the shop way too much. I like the look of the CLS, but I think the MB is too soft.
I'm not interested in super premium brands like Maserati or AM, not reliable enough, maintenance costs too high.

[gonzo]

Cayman....

Cayenne S?
Well optioned and scoots for 80k or less.

[Litos]

SRT8 Jeep Cherokee
Cadillac CTSV


those are great for the price, but if you can swing it, get a Merc ML63 and call it a day.......






http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/25/2...iew-road-test/

[bunnn]

If there was a car that met all her criteria, and fall into that price range(new or used). It would likely end up being common. That said, the options mentioned above are your best bet. I've driven both those car back to back from my M3, and they felt nothing like a big car/suv. Although, I don't think the panamera is everyone's cup of tea. The waitlist on the new cayenne's are a PITA, too.

[Red Bread]

Is that really the ML63 interior? That has to be some terrible Kleemann or Brabus abomination, right?

[M3WC]

New CLS.

Done.

[txz4]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Is that really the ML63 interior? That has to be some terrible Kleemann or Brabus abomination, right?

pedals appear to have a B on them?

thats also the old interior...

[saeyedoc]

Let's leave SUV's out of the equation. 4 door sedans or hatchbacks only.

[sanf]

Infiniti M models or lease a Panamera Turbo, which total $ will still be under 80k. you are opened up to a whole new game if you don't mind leasing.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by sanf

Infiniti M models or lease a Panamera Turbo, which total $ will still be under 80k. you are opened up to a whole new game if you don't mind leasing.

Open to leasing, but still want cars that I can buy for <80k, not 80k in lease payments over 3 years. Infiniti M looks good on paper, but not appealing visually.

[sanf]

oh yea. i dont mean leasing something for 80k in total payment. that would be some car. haha. probably a rolls royce or something.

For Audi, did you check out the new A6?

[Q4P]

Just some options to consider even though they may not fit your specs;

Bmw 550i, M3 Sedan
Mercedes CLS 550, E550
Audi A7, A6, S4
Lexus GS
Cadillac CTS-V
Jaguar XF
Panamera S

[miiipilot]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Is that really the ML63 interior? That has to be some terrible Kleemann or Brabus abomination, right?

Wow that's horrible. Looks cheap for a 100G car.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Questforpower

Just some options to consider even though they may not fit your specs;

Bmw 550i, M3 Sedan
Mercedes CLS 550, E550
Audi A7, A6, S4
Lexus GS
Cadillac CTS-V
Jaguar XF
Panamera S

550i too heavy and soft, M3 I like personally but she wants something different, too many 3-series around here.
I'll have her look at the CLS, E class too boring visually
Audis- all of your suggestions are in the running, for the $ hard to beat S4 performance wise
Lexus too soft
Cadillac- doesn't like the styling or visibility
XF- see original post, test drove one yesterday
Panamera- will test drive one (V6) this weekend, new S out of my price range, maybe used though

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

XF- see original post, test drove one yesterday

Well how about XF Supercharged? It comes with different suspension and 20' wheels, so ride should be sportier, also great standard equipment: heated and cooled seat, heated steering wheel, touch screen navigation, back-up camera, HID, 16-way power memory seats, and the best sound system - B&Q.

[rdub315]

C63 AMG would be at the top of my list, but would also check out the M3, A7, and Panamera for sure. Hell, I'd even consider the CTS-V sedan and wagon.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Well how about XF Supercharged? It comes with different suspension and 20' wheels, so ride should be sportier, also great standard equipment: heated and cooled seat, heated steering wheel, touch screen navigation, back-up camera, HID, 16-way power memory seats, and the best sound system - B&Q.

I thought the XF-R was the only one with a different suspension. The XF we test drove had the B&W system, very nice indeed. The free maintenance is a nice touch with the Jag.

[bmw-nj]

Used cl63 amg

[E82tt6]

A7 or Panamera would be the best fit IMHO. My god mother had similar requirements, and just picked up an A7 and loves it.

[wisesoul]

Audi S4 in Sprint Blue with Titanium Package. No A4 looks like that. M3 Coupe, 335is,CLK 63 Black Series used

[Cdnrockies]

Looked at a CLS550 on Tuesday and was quite impressed with the new interior. It is a considerable improvement over the previous generation. I assume you meant the E class is boring on the outside? The CLS is the essentially the same car with a slightly different exterior. I didn't have time to drive it yet, but it supposedly is significantly improved over the last gen that drove like a land yacht in non-AMG form.

That being said, nothing in the class can touch the Pana interior or performance. The looks are definitely polarizing, but you can't say that it doesn't stand out and draw attention. Pana is obviously more expensive but there are some good examples that are on the used market now that it's been around a couple of years.

Imo, the Pana is the better car and would be my first choice (even though the wife may end up in the CLS...lol. )

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Let's leave SUV's out of the equation. 4 door sedans or hatchbacks only.

Seriously just go test drive the new CLS550, starts at $71k.

Beautiful inside and out. Plenty of power with the twin turbo V8.

It blows your wifes old C350 away.