New or Used: A Sedan For All Seasons Edition

Steve writes:

I’ve been stuck trying to find the right car for several months. This car would replace a 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited, that I’m driving because my wife just didn’t like the ergonomics and heavy steering input. Legroom on the passenger side of the Tribeca is awful for long drives. This car would supplement my wife’s 07 Lexus RX350.

Criteria: 4 door, used, under $25k, automatic, reliable, comfortable for long family (of 3) drives, better mileage than the RX350 and decent handling. FWD or AWD are ok, but I can’t manage RWD in the New England winter with my very steep driveway (otherwise I’d prefer RWD). My commute is a mere 3 miles of 40 MPH suburban roads, but I want to use this car instead of the RX350 on longer drives from Boston to Vermont etc. So it needs to be almost as comfortable as the RX350. Here’s the real nice to have: a little more fun for me. That means reasonable handling and lack of body lean in turns…not a Camry. But roads in my area are pothole city, so a compromise is needed. Here’s what I looked at:

* 07-08 or 09 Acura TSX. Nice size, interior, great mileage, handling/ride compromise is good. Light on power. Honda reliable.

Steve Answers:

So in essence you want Lexus reliability, BMW fun, Volvo comfort, Acura TSX sportiness, Subaru’s all-wheel drive, and the ride of a W124 Mercedes. Did we forget to mention the rear seat room of a long-wheelbase Jaguar? If you weren’t so stingy with maintenance costs I would probably push you in that direction. But somehow I don’t see you throwing a few extra thousand on Brembo brakes and an upgraded audio system. To tell you the truth I wouldn’t do it either.

I do like certain German cars…. ‘old’ German cars. None of the new stuff interests me since I can get the near-new for less than the cost of a Camry. An Audi A6 Avant with a long warranty may be a consideration as would an A4 Avant. The seats and interiors on today’s Audi’s are exceptional and you can always get a warranty to handle the inferior German workmanship.

You can also get a car that is far off the beaten path. One that has been pushed into obscurity due to a long model run from the prior generation and a complete lack of marketing push from their prior owners . If I lived in your neck of the woods I would consider a 2008 Volvo S80. The T6 and V8 versions come standard with all-wheel-drive, and both can likely be had for around the $25k range with a great warranty to boot. Those who knock them have never driven one. I have and I think you would appreciate it far more than the typical alphabet soup of luxury cars. Drive one.

Sajeev answers:

I admit it: today I’m gonna be a complete shill for an automaker. And while that makes me feel dirty, while the conflict tears me apart inside, this ride must be on your short list.

Why all the fuss of trying to fit a depreciated German/Japanese luxury car into your (lifetime) budget when you clearly need a more mundane sedan? As reviews (mine is forthcoming) around the country show, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata fits the bill. Compared to a TSX, the Hyundai’s direct injected mill and six speed auto is more than adequate. It has all the luxury car toys available, with an interior that comes disturbingly close to the one in your Lexus. Yes, really. Get the SE model for reasonable, Acura-like road feel and 35MPG is yours for the taking. $25k gets you a nicely loaded model with great financing (should you choose to invest your money in higher yield places than a depreciating asset) and a stupid awesome warranty.

But it’s still a Hyundai, serviced by some of the worst dealers out there. I get it. If you can clear that hurdle, my recommendation holds water.

Need help with a car buying conundrum? Email your particulars to mehta@ttac.com, and let TTAC’s collective wisdom make the decision easier… or possibly much, much harder.