near-luxury car recommendation for a co-worker

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

A coworker asked me today for a recommendation on brands and models of used high performance luxury cars. He's interested in a 2-3 year old car with 250+ hp and luxury features. Cars he mentioned include the Infiniti G35 Coupe, Acura TL and RL. He didn't specify decent headroom, but he is about 6'-4".

Doesn't sound like he wants a Mustang. I don't understand. Perhaps some of you can give me pointers.

Art

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

If he doesn't mind new, the Subaru Legacy 2.5 turbo is amazing. Luxury, 250 hp/250 torque, handling, awd, great brakes, looks great, etc. etc. etc. We almost got one, but ended up with the Forester 2.5 turbo instead. I think it starts around 27k.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 12:53 pm

I own a 00 TL. It is a pretty nice car. If your looking for 250hp+ that would put you into the type-s area (260 I think). The TL's of those years are known to have serious problems with their transmissions though. I haven't had any trouble with mine yet, but I think that is b/c of mine having less hp (~225). I would avoid the TL unless you don't what the extra power. I would go for the G35. Stephen (brother) owns one and it is considerably sportier than our TL. It is quite nice.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 12:56 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

If he doesn't mind new, the Subaru Legacy 2.5 turbo is amazing. Luxury, 250 hp/250 torque, handling, awd, great brakes, looks great, etc. etc. etc. We almost got one, but ended up with the Forester 2.5 turbo instead. I think it starts around 27k.

If the dude has some interests in a Infiniti G35 Coupe, Acura TL/RL, I highly doubt he has any interest in the Subaru Legacy, even as nice as the car is.

I would suggest Volvo S60 T5 or the Cadillac CTS 3.6L. - AB

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Goat.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 1:01 pm

Does he want something sporty at all? or just psuedo luxury?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Aaron Buckley wrote:

Cadillac CTS 3.6L. - AB

That reminds me, I want to go test-drive a CTS-V. Those cars any good?

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Wes Eargle wrote:

Goat.

They really should bring the 4 door Monaro to the US, probably wouldn't want to call it a GTO, but that would be a really nice car. That is if they fix the heater so that it works worth a damn...

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 2:04 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

That reminds me, I want to go test-drive a CTS-V. Those cars any good?

They're supposed to be quite good. Karen Rafferty, who autocrosses a SS Corvette Z06 and a SM SupraTT nationally, is a director in the Cadillac division of GM. She told me that the CTS-V on track was absolutely unbelievable. The car is supposed to have excellent brakes, handling and power. All for a price though

- AB

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Quote:

If the dude has some interests in a Infiniti G35 Coupe, Acura TL/RL, I highly doubt he has any interest in the Subaru Legacy, even as nice as the car is.

Why not? I'm not really into high-performance luxury cars, but I don't see what a Honda or Nissan will do that a Subaru won't...

(I can see at least one thing the Subaru will do better :lol:

)

You seen the size of the sunroof in the new Legacy? Have you felt the enormous surge of power from the detuned STi engine? Sat in the huge back seat & felt like taking a nap? Driven the crap out of one at a Subaru-sponsored autox? (I've done all those things)

Maybe you're talking about perception - I know the old Legacy is known for tree-huggers & lesbians, but if you haven't driven one of the new ones, you shouldn't kick it to the curb so soon.

Now if you were comparing to a BMW or a Lexus... I could understand that. :wink:

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 2:33 pm

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I own a 00 TL. It is a pretty nice car. If your looking for 250hp+ that would put you into the type-s area (260 I think). The TL's of those years are known to have serious problems with their transmissions though. I haven't had any trouble with mine yet, but I think that is b/c of mine having less hp (~225). I would avoid the TL unless you don't what the extra power. I would go for the G35. Stephen (brother) owns one and it is considerably sportier than our TL. It is quite nice.

When we were looking at cars, I test drove a new TL (and have also driven Mikes)...if there is emphasis on the PERFORMANCE that your friend is looking for in his performance luxury car, I wouldn't look there....and certainly not the RL...although I haven't driven a new one. I love our G35 Sedan with the sport package, the suspension is noticeably stiffer then the standard Sedan.....and plenty of powah!!!

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Oh, wait, the G35 is rwd, too - right? I'm thinking I've read that somewhere... so yeah, add that one to the BMW & Lexus.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 2:44 pm

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I own a 00 TL. It is a pretty nice car. If your looking for 250hp+ that would put you into the type-s area (260 I think). The TL's of those years are known to have serious problems with their transmissions though. I haven't had any trouble with mine yet, but I think that is b/c of mine having less hp (~225). I would avoid the TL unless you don't what the extra power. I would go for the G35. Stephen (brother) owns one and it is considerably sportier than our TL. It is quite nice.

When we were looking at cars, I test drove a new TL (and have also driven Mikes)...if there is emphasis on the PERFORMANCE that your friend is looking for in his performance luxury car, I wouldn't look there....and certainly not the RL...although I haven't driven a new one. I love our G35 Sedan with the sport package, the suspension is noticeably stiffer then the standard Sedan.....and plenty of powah!!!

He speaks the truth...
TL and performance don't belong in the same sentence. It is ok in a straight line though... A mazdaspeed miata got a good look at my taillights the other day. :twisted:

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 2:44 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

Oh, wait, the G35 is rwd, too - right? I'm thinking I've read that somewhere... so yeah, add that one to the BMW & Lexus.

You can also get the sedan in AWD as well.

Sean Korb · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2005 2:49 pm

1998 Lincoln Mk VIII. It's big, but handles like a police Crown Vic and has a 32V 300HP motor and RWD. Nice, quiet, and sneaky. I get 21MPG out of it for my commute.

And you can get one for $6k!

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