Thinking about new car, 25K budget

[waterjug]

This would be a used car, preferably from the last 3 model years, so 2010-2012. I was thinking about an infinity G37 Sedan (since they apparently don't make the G35 anymore..), but I'm undecided. Acura TL, MB C300, Audi A4, and BMW 3 series were also on my list.

My biggest determination at this point is comfort, both in the ride itself, and in the interior. My 2nd biggest would be acceleration, as I have had low torque cars my whole life and I hate taking forever to get up to speed on the highway which I am on frequently. I also hate taking forever to pass someone, as I'm usually about 15 mph over the speed limit. This also has to be something that isn't going to die in 5 years, or at 100,000 miles as I intend on keeping it for at least 8 years.

With all of that said, what do you think of the models I listed, and also are there any I missed that I should think about? I'm not trying to be a luxury snob, other makes/models may fit my description that I just have not thought of.

edit: Also I have my own stereo system I'll be installing so it has to be something that you can put an aftermarket in (if I recall older infinity's it was almost impossible)

 

[pauldun170]

You are looking at used at the 25K price point AND you want 8 years of service.
I'd knock the A4 off the list. Its the lotto with that car. Might give you herpes by the 5th year of ownership.
M3 might not have the powerband you are looking for but that depends on what your expectations are. Not sure I'd want one of the later M3's for an 8 year commitment if it was my only car.
Acura TL is a safe bet and a fine car. Kinda of typecast\stereotyped around here.
G37, fairly common. You just need to get in the habit of checking fluids on a regular basis if you want a long termer. Very common car and you'll be finding a lot "off-lease" cars.
MB C300 - Some might call it a wee bit slow. Confortable...yes. It's Lexus ES competitor

 

[waterjug]

You are looking at used at the 25K price point AND you want 8 years of service.
I'd knock the A4 off the list. Its the lotto with that car. Might give you herpes by the 5th year of ownership.
M3 might not have the powerband you are looking for but that depends on what your expectations are. Not sure I'd want one of the later M3's for an 8 year commitment if it was my only car.
Acura TL is a safe bet and a fine car. Kinda of typecast\stereotyped around here.
G37, fairly common. You just need to get in the habit of checking fluids on a regular basis if you want a long termer. Very common car and you'll be finding a lot "off-lease" cars.
MB C300 - Some might call it a wee bit slow. Confortable...yes. It's Lexus ES competitor

Thanks! I never liked Audis growing up, but their interiors are so comfortable. But if I want it to last almost a decade that's probably not happening. I can't remember the last time I saw a 6 year old Audi even. I was thinking 328, not an M3 on the BMWs.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

My biggest determination at this point is comfort, both in the ride itself, and in the interior. My 2nd biggest would be acceleration,

I was in the same position not to long ago and test drove a lot of what you listed, ended up with an Acura RL (like TL too, but wanted AWD).

when it was against the
G35 (older) or G37 - I drove both
A4 / S4 (B6)
335xi
C300
E350

Comfort/Ride and Interior Plushness I would rank:
RL > E350 > C300 > A4 > > G37 > 335xi > S4

Driving "feel" (fun to drive):
335xi > S4 > RL > G37 > A4 > C300 > E350

Acceleration (mostly on-ramps) ... just how they felt to me, don't flame if one specs out higher than another from C&D or something:
S4 > 335xi > RL = G37 > E350 > C300 = A4

Interior options / layout:
RL > E350 > C300 > 335xi = G37 > S4/A4


... I didn't think I would really like the RL (exterior styling is bland) but honestly the car moves great for its size, the seats and ride comfort were leaps and bounds above the rest.... I would consider taking a spin in one.
Stock Bose system with DVD-audio is amazing too.

 

[dbk]

2012 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with less than 10k... luxury brands at that price range would be high mileage...

 

[crabbyman]

Out of those I would feel most confident with the Acura TL.

However, I am po' boy and have never ridden in any of those vehicles.

 

[halik]

I think you can get 100k extended warranty on all of those, so reliability is not really much of a concern (plus they're about on par, maybe the acura with more of an edge).

Just test drive all of them and pick the one you like best; 335 will be the sportiest of the bunch.

Also whoever said that g37 interior is better than audi is most certainly smoking crack.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Also whoever said that g37 interior is better than audi is most certainly smoking crack.

I thought the A4 interior / ride comfort was better than the G37, but the suspension on the S4 was not geared towards comfort (obviously)... anyone who doesn't get that most certainly is smoking crack.

 

[SearchMaster]

2012 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with less than 10k... luxury brands at that price range would be high mileage...

I've been looking at G37s and for $25K you can get a pretty low mileage car. In my area, I see 25+ on Autotrader with <30K miles though they're all 09s or 10s. It's a popular lease vehicle. G37 sedans with manual transmissions are hard to find if OP is avoiding a slushbox (coupes are more common).

As for stereo replacement, that's getting harder and harder to accomplish with newer cars at least the head units. I don't think the Infiniti would offer any flexibility there.

 

[KIAman]

I wish the Gs worked on their ride comfort and NVH. I swear if they figure that out, it would be an absolute killer. This is when I was cross shopping and ended up getting my bimmer. I wouldn't get a bimmer because it is way out of the price range and used bimmers are a tossup depending on how they were maintained.

Out of all those listed, I'd go for the C300 and it fits within your budget. It has everything you are looking for except the intense acceleration but it still can go 0-60 in 6 seconds or so in the automatic. Do you really need it faster?

 

[waterjug]

I've been looking at G37s and for $25K you can get a pretty low mileage car. In my area, I see 25+ on Autotrader with <30K miles though they're all 09s or 10s. It's a popular lease vehicle. G37 sedans with manual transmissions are hard to find if OP is avoiding a slushbox (coupes are more common).

As for stereo replacement, that's getting harder and harder to accomplish with newer cars at least the head units. I don't think the Infiniti would offer any flexibility there.

Yeah that's a big thing for me, I have a very high end stereo system, I'd have to be able to install it in the vehicle

 

[waterjug]

I wish the Gs worked on their ride comfort and NVH. I swear if they figure that out, it would be an absolute killer. This is when I was cross shopping and ended up getting my bimmer. I wouldn't get a bimmer because it is way out of the price range and used bimmers are a tossup depending on how they were maintained.

Out of all those listed, I'd go for the C300 and it fits within your budget. It has everything you are looking for except the intense acceleration but it still can go 0-60 in 6 seconds or so in the automatic. Do you really need it faster?

I'm comparing it to the econoboxes I've been driving. They're probably around 10 seconds in the 0-60

 

[waterjug]

I was in the same position not to long ago and test drove a lot of what you listed, ended up with an Acura RL (like TL too, but wanted AWD).

when it was against the
G35 (older) or G37 - I drove both
A4 / S4 (B6)
335xi
C300
E350

Comfort/Ride and Interior Plushness I would rank:
RL > E350 > C300 > A4 > > G37 > 335xi > S4

Driving "feel" (fun to drive):
335xi > S4 > RL > G37 > A4 > C300 > E350

Acceleration (mostly on-ramps) ... just how they felt to me, don't flame if one specs out higher than another from C&D or something:
S4 > 335xi > RL = G37 > E350 > C300 = A4

Interior options / layout:
RL > E350 > C300 > 335xi = G37 > S4/A4


... I didn't think I would really like the RL (exterior styling is bland) but honestly the car moves great for its size, the seats and ride comfort were leaps and bounds above the rest.... I would consider taking a spin in one.
Stock Bose system with DVD-audio is amazing too.

Thanks, I'll have to look at this when i get home

 

[Dr. Detroit]

C300 - wipe that car off your list. Slow and interior is subpar and not roomy at all.Redesign happened in 2012 so they are out of your price range.
A4 - Will not last your 8yr requirement
TL - Beyond ugly - yuck!
G37 - aside from the cramped backseat, small trunk and motor that sounds like a truck - great car!

Ford Fusion Sport 3.5L AWD - 263HP
Passat CC
Hyundai Genesis Sedan
Kia Optima Turbo
Cadillac CTS 3.6L

Good luck throwing a custom stereo in any newer car, the decks are so well integrated it makes it look tacky or is near impossible.

 

[power_hour]

*removed*

 

[Imported]

Yeah that's a big thing for me, I have a very high end stereo system, I'd have to be able to install it in the vehicle

You shouldn't have a problem with the G35 then. Here was my car with its stereo when I still had it.

 

[videogames101]

2013 fusion

 

[waterjug]

You shouldn't have a problem with the G35 then. Here was my car with its stereo when I still had it.

WHOAH nice install

 

[waterjug]

C300 - wipe that car off your list. Slow and interior is subpar and not roomy at all.Redesign happened in 2012 so they are out of your price range.
A4 - Will not last your 8yr requirement
TL - Beyond ugly - yuck!
G37 - aside from the cramped backseat, small trunk and motor that sounds like a truck - great car!

Ford Fusion Sport 3.5L AWD - 263HP
Passat CC
Hyundai Genesis Sedan
Kia Optima Turbo
Cadillac CTS 3.6L

Good luck throwing a custom stereo in any newer car, the decks are so well integrated it makes it look tacky or is near impossible.

I'm not really worried about it looking tacky so much, as long as I can get it in

Hadn't thought of the CTS...

 

[Jumpem]

Not what you're looking for, but if it were me I would choose between the C-MAX or 2014 Forester.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

You shouldn't have a problem with the G35 then. Here was my car with its stereo when I still had it.

That is very nicely put together.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Acura TL. It looks great, plenty of power, and dead reliable.

 

[sontakke]

As an owner of Acura TL 2012, my suggestion would be to either get one of those or pick up a new 2013 Accord. You should be able to get 4-cyl nice Accord within your budget. From my perspective 2013 Accord > TL > 2012 Accord. My requirement for new car was no-drama 200K/15yr ownership and that ruled out lots of fun cars (aka German) from the picture thus meager selection from Acura/Lexus/Honda/Toyota

 

[Arkaign]

The new 328i with the i4 turbo is pretty entertaining, but I'm not sure any have dropped to the $25k mark yet. It's surprisingly good really.

I have to say the Camry V6 or Accord V6 should fit the bill nicely for a good driving, reliable, comfortable, and not sluggish midsize. They are quite large compared to the older models, so they feel more like a fullsize car did 10+ years ago.

 

[waterjug]

yah I'm looking at non luxury stuff now too....saw the 2012 & 2013 Ford Fusions...GREAT looking cars