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Introductory luxury sedan with nice interior

The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

Member6323

I currently have a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X with lots of interior upgrades (leather, large touchscreen, NAV, Bluetooth, rear view camera). I love the Jeep but it's too big for my parking spot. I would like something smaller but which still feels "nice" inside, including leather seats. Because I have a tight parking situation, a large screen + backup camera is important. Bluetooth is also important. NAV is not important.

During the week, I use the car for running errands, but on weekends, it's not unusual for me to go on road trips 2-3 hours away (up to 6 hours total). So, I want something that is comfortable for my 6'1 frame.

I am not a car-geek and if I read a review about one car "handling" better than another, it's likely to go over my head. So, I'm not too concerned about engine and a 4-cylinder is fine.

I was browsing on carmax.com and G25 and G37 from Infiniti seem nice. I also want to look at Audi A4. I am concerned about going with a Mercedes or BMW because of high repair costs. I don't know much about Acura but would appreciate input.

I am a bit nervous about buying a used car. Usually I would go with a new car to get a full warranty, but because I am now living in a city (downtown Chicago), I suspect my vehicle will be subject to the occasional ding, whether in the tiny parking garage in my building or out on the street. Consequently, I think used offers better value.

Thank you very much for your recommendations.

-Andy G.

Preferred Bodystyle(s): Sedan

Car Needs: Long trips / Errands about town

Primary Driver(s): Tall driver

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 40000
Maximum age: 4 years

Maximum price: US $ 27000

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Response from mkaresh

10:28 am February 9, 2015

Repair costs for an Audi can be easily as high as those for a BMW or Mercedes.

The Infiniti is a fine car. My only concern is that you might find the ride overly firm. The G37 will be far more powerful than you require. One of its strenghts is handling, which you don't care about. Since you're in Chicago, you might want all-wheel-drive. Fuel economy won't be good, if this is at all a concern.

Among Acuras, I'd suggest a look at the TSX. It's a little more compact than the Infiniti, and could be better-suited to your needs.

One car that probably isn't on your radar at all, but that is worth checking out, is the Buick Verano. It's about the size of the Acura. Rear seat room is a weakness, but it doesn't sound like you have much need for it. Buick offers the larger Regal, but I'm a little less sure of its reliability (avoid the 2011).

New a Verano with Leather Package listed for just over $27,000. It looks like you can get a 2012 or even a 2013 with about 20,000 miles for about $15,000.

My main concern is whether you'd find the Verano roomy enough, but you'll be able to determine this through a test drive.

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Buick Verano
Acura TSX

Response from Member6324

2:32 pm February 9, 2015

Audi A4 will be as pricy as BMW or Mercedes, the G37 will be much more powerful and if you are fine with a 4cyl then you may want to look at the G25. I may also recommend the lexus IS250 which is know for its reliability.

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Lexus IS

Response from Member6323

9:57 pm February 23, 2015

Thanks everyone. I ended up purchasing a 2012 G37x. It's met my needs so far, although there are two things that I really miss about my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. First, the G37x doesn't have a remote start, and I'm scared to do an after-market remote start. Second, to open the door on the G37x, you have to push a button located on the door handle, whereas the Jeep opens as soon as you grasp the handle.

But the car is fun to drive and much easier to park.

Thanks again for the input!

-Andy G

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Infiniti G

Response from mkaresh

7:23 am February 24, 2015

They are certainly fun to drive. If that had been among your priorities the G37 would have been my first recommendation.

How are roominess and ride quality?

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Response from Member6323

7:55 am February 24, 2015

Regarding roominess, I feel perfectly comfortable in the front seat. However, I have not sat in the car for more than a consecutive hour. I'll resume my 3-hour drives in June and will have a better sense of the comfort then.

I would not recommend this vehicle to someone who frequently has passengers in the back seat. The back seat area is very small.

Regarding ride quality, there really are two things that I look out for and which I feel comfortable expressing an opinion on.

1) Wind Noise. Wind noise drives me crazy and I used to have a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, which whistled at anything above 60mph. The G37x has been nice and quiet.

2) Road Feel. I used to have a 2002 Mazda ProtegeX (never again...) and you really felt the road, and NOT in a good way. It would feel like the whole car would shake anytime you ran over a pebble. With the G37x, I've been driving over roads of different quality, inclulding some pretty beaten up roads around Chicago. I've been happy that the G37x handles very smoothly and I don't constantly feel like I'm bouncing around.

I don't know the proper lingo to otherwise describe driving the vehicle, other than saying that it's fun.

A couple small annoyances:

a. I don't use the lumbar support, but I still don't like the cheap feel of the lumbar adjustment arm. It's not electronic. Rather, there is a plastic arm, on the right side of the driver seat. Feels a little too Toyota-esque.

b. Side view mirrors. This is probably an unfair complaint since I was coming from a big Jeep with big mirrors, but I find myself adjusting my left-side view mirror a couple times per trip. Slightly bigger mirrors would be helpful, although maybe that would compromise aesthetics.

-Andy G.

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Infiniti G
Hyundai Santa Fe
Mazda Protege

Response from mkaresh

10:21 am February 24, 2015

Your lingo is just fine.

I also used to own a Protege5. While I enjoyed it around town, very few new cars are nearly as rough and noisy on the highway. A G37 is far smoother and quieter.

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