Need a Grown Up Car....

[clintofio]

So I've for years been in the, "drive cheap, paid-for cars until you get rich, then drive whatever the crap you want once you're rich" camp.

But I'm starting to realize my battered old F-150 rust bucket (which always gets me A to B) is making it difficult to create a good impression on high-level people, and that it might be more important for me to not handicap myself as far as first impressions go when meeting people for lunch and picking up executives from the airport, etc... So, reluctantly, I'm car shopping.

I'm thinking a used Cadillac CTS, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac SRX, Nissan Murano etc... something that's got a little style and class, and is in the 20-30 MPG range, and maybe 12-18K in price tag.

Any of you car dudes have any recommendations for a classy, but on a budget ride? I'm thinking medium/large car or small SUV that doesn't look like a teenager or girl would drive it.

Things to check out and things to avoid would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[clintofio]

And believe it or not, the Hyundai Sonata 2011 or 2012 model has kind of got my attention as well... my car dealer friends speaks extremely highly of them.... never thought I'd be interested in a Hyundai but I am.

[oef24]

My vote goes to the Cadi line.

O

[Pokeguyjai]

Class and budget, hard to beat American but they don't last as long as the imports.

Hyundai has a lot of soccer mom to it.

In Texas? Maybe a Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed? Think Hi-lux battle wagon. Or another F-150 but those aren't exactly cheap.

[TennDECA]

Check out the new Kia Optima.

[nw-outlaw]

Newer super crew f150 or lexus is250 or is350.

[Custom II]

And believe it or not, the Hyundai Sonata 2011 or 2012 model has kind of got my attention as well... my car dealer friends speaks extremely highly of them.... never thought I'd be interested in a Hyundai but I am.

One of my associates has a 2012 Sonata, and she loves it. Granted, it's still a Hyundai, but they don't look terrible. Not a bad 'stepping stone' car, if you will.

[NateR]

Last I looked at the used market, you could find an Audi A4 or BMW 325i near the upper end of that price range. Another possibility is the Infiniti G35 sedan. Not sure if you could do a Lexus for $18k, but that's another thought.

Or you could do the totally reasonable, responsible, boring thing, and pick up a lightly used Toyota Camry.

N

[LawDog]

Toyota Camry? They aren't flashy, but they are suitable for driving clients around and seem to fit your criteria regarding cost and mileage.

I am a firm believer in selecting "flagship" vehicles. Every manufacturer has a vehicle that is their standard bearer. The F-150 exemplifies the flagship vehicle for Ford. Makers sink a disproportionate amount of resources into these vehicles, and they get the best advance R&D. The cheapest, economy trim level F-150 still benefits from all of the design forethought that goes into the best trucks that Ford makes. The Tacoma is Toyota's flagship truck. The Camry is their flagship car.

[Texican_gal]

Cadillac, Audi, big SUV, yes, but a Camry seems a little non-exciting. You should go bigger, sportier, more luxurious.

[barrowcadbury]

The Lexus IS350 is essentially a Camry underneath, giving the reliability of a tried and true drivetrain with the luxury a Tier One business operator requires.

I'd vote for a CTS-V though... Classy, but still fun when you don't need to be classy...

[barrowcadbury]

Pre-owned Audi A8 (preferably the L model) would be another one to look at.

[David Bowman]

Used late model 3 series BMW. Comes in two or four doors, easy to work on yourself and are super classy with good mileage to boot.

[Jeremy]

Lincoln MKZ or LS should work. If you still want your pickup, Lincoln Mark LT. New Ford Taurus and Taurus SHO or Mecury counterparts are very nice as well.

[michael]

The Buick LaCrosse (new body style) is phenominal. I've had them twice for rentals, and they are a great road car. Classy, handles well, fast, and gets 24+mpg. It is my favorite big luxury car, even over Mercedes or BMW.

[CaptBeach]

Find you a USED low mileage current body style 4x4 F150 King Ranch or higher end, optioned out F150 Lariat Super Crew...Texas is FORD TRUCK country...should not be hard to find...add some bling, custom wrap centered around your company product line, maybe the bark pattern off your blinds some small well done advertising on the door or tailgate...run it in the company name...or put the truck in the company name (have the company buy it, then LEASE a new Caddy or BMW...talk to your accountant...should be a complete write off...also seems like Obama may have extended the tax credits for capital and equipment acquisitions and upgrades..seems like I remember something that particularly applied to trucks that high end F250-350 crews fit snuggly into...nothing says $$$$ like a Diesel 4x4 F350 Crew Long Bed Lariat...yes its $50K...but if you get to write it off as a business expense and or amortize it over 2-3-4 years...sounds more cost effective too doesn't it...call one of the commercial truck guys at a LARGE Ford dealership...they'll know all about the business end of owning/leasing...

Capt Beach

[Jack Rumbaugh]

I would also look at the Volvo S60. Mine has been such a great car, I'm seriously considering buying another lease return in the fall.

[AlwaysVigilant]

2006ish

Toyota 4 Runner
Acura MDX
Acura RL, TL
BMW 3,5
Audi A6
Mercedes C

If you go a little older the options double...say 03-04...then you get into really nice stuff...like E class Mercs, etc. I would recommend that only with a mechanic you trust checking them over.

[Grey Man]

I like the buicks but being from MN I've sworn to never own one . . .because then I would HAVE to drive slow, have an ice auger in the back and talk with an accent. :(

[clintofio]

Find you a USED low mileage current body style 4x4 F150 King Ranch or higher end, optioned out F150 Lariat Super Crew...Texas is FORD TRUCK country...should not be hard to find...add some bling, custom wrap centered around your company product line, maybe the bark pattern off your blinds some small well done advertising on the door or tailgate...run it in the company name...or put the truck in the company name (have the company buy it, then LEASE a new Caddy or BMW...talk to your accountant...should be a complete write off...also seems like Obama may have extended the tax credits for capital and equipment acquisitions and upgrades..seems like I remember something that particularly applied to trucks that high end F250-350 crews fit snuggly into...nothing says $$$$ like a Diesel 4x4 F350 Crew Long Bed Lariat...yes its $50K...but if you get to write it off as a business expense and or amortize it over 2-3-4 years...sounds more cost effective too doesn't it...call one of the commercial truck guys at a LARGE Ford dealership...they'll know all about the business end of owning/leasing...

Capt Beach

Got the promo truck covered Cap

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/376743_478343818843051_1575686667_n.jpg

[clintofio]

Check out the new Kia Optima.

Wow those don't look anything like the Kia's I remember mocking... the new ones look pretty cool! Thanks for the tip.

[clintofio]

Drove a 2007 Lucerne yesterday with only 20,500 miles... it was like a brand new car and kind of hit the sweet spot of what I'm looking for, it's really tempting me.

[TFA303]

Toyota Avalon (mine's an '06) is very classy looking, has tons of room and loads of power, plus good mileage. The XLS or Limited is what you want.

[pangloss]

Well, no one else has suggested Subaru, so I'll suggest a Subaru Legacy 3.6R (or a Legacy Spec B if you can find one). Subarus are extremely reliable and handle very well. Beauty of AWD and so forth.

[ERN]

Huge fan of Caddy SRX some of the older ones even have seven passenger seating (for midgets).

[silversport]

Take a drive in a new Malibu 2.0 Turbo...nothing says turbo on it and at the prices they are selling for, I'm not sure there is a better sedan in a class of good sedans ( some that were mentioned above)...I was quite surprised and it is what the GF just bought...fits me and I'm 6'6" tall...

Bill

[firebird6]

Some people think of a car is like a suit of clothes. If clothes do not make the man, then nether should the car. I have a client who drives a Bentley and has a Masarati. Yet, if I drove too much luxury car then he would be paying me too much. Too little and somehow I would be a failure. If you're single some women will choose you if you have a high end car and reject you if you don't. I have a certified used BMW 3 series, a subaru my wife drives, and my mothers 1995 buick regal with 80,000 original miles I drive to Court once a week. You can't please everybody. These days its hard to please anybody. So please yourself for once.

Next time I buy something cool and fun for me, a small truck to be practical and the wife gets another subaru and F*%K everyone else. I bought the damn thing and I paid for it. Buy what you want. If the clients are that stuck up you don't want em anyway.

[rlmono]

If you're looking american made to support our workers , toyota camry is the most american made car.... as a matter of fact, 4 out of 5 top US made cars are japanese. 2 cents

[michael]

I like the buicks but being from MN I've sworn to never own one . . .because then I would HAVE to drive slow, have an ice auger in the back and talk with an accent. :(

I ran 100+ for days in the rental, shuttling my wife to appointments on a recruiting trip. It pegs out at 131 with the limiter, but had PLENTY left, and was very stable at speed. The new LaCrosse ain't your daddy's Buick.:tongue:

[Steve Paulson]

Buick would be a great choice for a classier/comfier car that won't break the bank. But your line of work just kinda screams TRUCK (that's a bitchin' looking logo truck, btw!). If it's for clients to ride around in, it's all about the impression you want to leave them with. For what you do and who you're talking about, it'd be hard to beat a neatly styled F150 crew cab with leather seats. Black the windows, maybe do a full dynamat install (yourself if you're handy) for easier conversation going down the road. Sure, it's not going to get you the gas mileage you're talking about unless you can get into one of those Ecoboost models, but it sure would be a sweet ride that would be capable of taking Mr. Cabela straight from the airport out into the field to see if he can spot your blind.

:wink:

[AZBanks]

Cadillac CTS-V.

[Claybob]

Check out the newer explorers or even the expedition, surprisingly you could option out an Expedition in 2009 and it would have cost more than the Lincoln Navigator. Also talk to dealerships about their demo vehicles, slightly used newish vehicles with a discount.

[CaptBeach]

Clint,

If it was me...I would take the promo truck and leather it up...add satnav, kick ass tunes, heated seats and run it...personal car would be BMW lease...

[CLEANDEAN]

30059
My vote goes to the Cadi line.

OUsed SRX !

[WadeP]

Clint,

If it was me...I would take the promo truck and leather it up...add satnav, kick ass tunes, heated seats and run it...personal car would be BMW lease...

I agree with CaptBeach. A successful businessman does not pick up clients in a Hyundai or a Toyota, no matter how new or nice they are.

[Jesse 8]

I'm in a similar spot. I've managed to find a loaded 2008 Tacoma with 55k (albeit with the short bed) for 18,900 in my AO. Now I just have to nail this internship and in a few months I'll have the green to buy it, or another one after this one sells. There are deals to be had in the used market

[clintofio]

Used SRX !

The SRX seems to be really getting my attention lately.

[BillyOblivion]

Clint,

If it was me...I would take the promo truck and leather it up...add satnav, kick ass tunes, heated seats and run it...personal car would be BMW lease...

Wouldn't you want cooled seats in Texas?

[SheepDog68]

While Texas is truck country a lot of business in Texas is done while riding around in the seat of a nice Cadillac or after being transported in same.

SD

[SheepDog68]

Wouldn't you want cooled seats in Texas?

Not sure about cooled sets, but I would vote for a light colored vehicle to help with the temps. (25 years away from the deep south and I am still driving white or very light colored vehicles!!)

SD

[silversport]

The CTS sourced SRX or the newer version...I bet you like the CTS sourced version...nice driver as well as having the utility attached to it...seem to be holding their prices better than most US vehicles...

Bill

[clintofio]

I ended up going with a low mileage, certified used 2009 Lincoln MKZ. It's metallic silver with premium wheels, black leather, microsoft sync bluetooth system, heated and cooled seats etc... etc... It's pretty sweet. Will post a pic up when it gets back from window tinting.

[AlwaysVigilant]

Congrats. Nice car and should serve your purpose well...success to your first impressions my friend.

[Steve Paulson]

Congratulations! May it serve you well.

[ChuteTheMall]

While Texas is truck country a lot of business in Texas is done while riding around in the seat of a nice Cadillac or after being transported in same.

SD

Do they still mount longhorn steer horns above the grill?

:facepalm:

[SheepDog68]

Do they still mount longhorn steer horns above the grill?

:facepalm:

Not any of the ones I was ever around, but maybe you could get it done some place if you wanted.

SD

[Mayflower]

It's an outdoor products company... so I'm inclined to suggest an outdoor type of vehicle.