Topic: Good comfortable car for lots of highway driving?

[Snowman]

Just another one post wonder 

[dkaz]

I wonder if people sign up for a new account on forums, post a question, then just lurk for s**ts and giggles.

He's laughing at us right now.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Could be read the posts

[dmac79]

Sorry I had a busy couple of days but I read through everyone's suggestions I appreciate it.

Basically, we have a car allowance plus are paid for business mileage, which is pretty generous - and of the 40k kilometers I do in a year probably 30k are business.  The mileage we are paid covers everything so I won't have a separate gas card anymore.  Fuel economy is nice but I wouldn't say it's the priority.

But there is definitely a lot of choices to look at.  I'll be hitting the dealerships sometime this week to look and test drive some.

A few people suggested Buick and I always associated Buick with the nice soft, bouncy suspension where you don't even feel the road - but I'm just early 30's and don't think I'm at the Buick stage of my life just yet.

I really like the Genesis I think they look awesome.  Looks like the base one is around $45k, but I'll definitely check it out, if there's some sort of deals I might be able to swing it.  I'm a little torn, part of me wants to spoil myself a bit and get something nice, but the kind of places I drive I also just think of rock chips and broken windshields, and with the luxury brands any kind of maintenance is so expensive.  I don't know how the Genesis fits in when it comes to getting things fixed, it's a luxury car, but not a luxury brand.  So I don't know if it's cheaper, or still on par with European cars for repair costs?  I work with a guy who has a BMW X5 and he had to get one of the whole xenon headlight assembly things replaced and he said it was over $2 grand, ouch.

Thanks again for all the good info!

[ArticSteve]

You originally stated between 30 and 40K, preferable closer to 30K.

Assume you are financing the vehicle. You should be getting into something that is easy to get rid of if you need it gone.  Since you are only in your 30's you can put up with some discomfort. 

Since gas isn't critical I remove my suggestion of diesel Passat.

I'd be looking at a 2015 TLX AWD base.  Residuals are great.

[HeliDriver]

It's not your grandfather's Buick any more. I hear they're a pretty solid choice these days, and GM dealers are everywhere. Probably worth a test drive.

[ArticSteve]

It's not your grandfather's Buick any more. I hear they're a pretty solid choice these days, and GM dealers are everywhere. Probably worth a test drive.

The problem is if you buy it, you keep it.   

[HeliDriver]

It's not your grandfather's Buick any more. I hear they're a pretty solid choice these days, and GM dealers are everywhere. Probably worth a test drive.

The problem is if you buy it, you keep it.

Is GM still done with leasing?

[ArticSteve]

How about something like a used Impala? You'd get to pretend you're in a rental every day ;-)
They are so cheap used it might be worth considering.

I think USED might be the way to go.  After all the mileage is going to be high so buying an already depreciated domestic is a great option.  Although, if your financing thru an outside lender, then the equation changes yet again.

[ArticSteve]

Is GM still done with leasing?



Not at all, but the residuals are crap. Besides, 40K km yearly is too much for leasing so scratch the TLX idea.

[ArticSteve]

Upon closer inspection, the OPs age and possible credit score (not saying it's bad/but the lenders are gonna be watching Alberta hard, I think Careener nailed it with used.

[dkaz]

A few people suggested Buick and I always associated Buick with the nice soft, bouncy suspension where you don't even feel the road - but I'm just early 30's and don't think I'm at the Buick stage of my life just yet.

It's not your grandfather's Buick any more. I hear they're a pretty solid choice these days, and GM dealers are everywhere. Probably worth a test drive.

Yup. Look ma, three pedals



And a snail like object in the engine bay:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lWf8bF5_lc

[HeliDriver]

I've always wanted an Accord sedan with the 4-banger and a stick. Doesn't fit into my lifestyle now, but might be my choice if I were in the OP's shoes. Not exciting to drive, but certainly enjoyable to drive. And even the base car is more luxurious than an Acura Legend of not too long ago.

Priced in the low $30s, IIRC, and should still be in great shape and even worth something after six years and 240,000 kms.

[dmac79]

Well I mean within that budget money isn't an issue.  My credit should be pretty solid and I have enough cash in the bank for a pretty substantial down payment.

I mean I'm not necessarily opposed to used.  I learned a lesson - I bought a Kia Forte new in 2011 and then I got a new job with a company car like a year and a half later, I paid something like $27k for it new and sold it for $18k with only 14 000 km on it.  It's probably not rational I just always picture the person who owned the car before me just drove the out of it and treated it like crap and I don't know enough about cars to spot the signs of that when looking.  But I mean with certified pre-owned and getting something still under warranty it should be ok.

I rented an impala when I was in California last year and thought it was pretty comfortable.  Honestly a lot of the technology and fancy features on higher trim levels are not really important to me - like sunroofs, paddle shifters, navigation, etc.  As long as it has a USB port so I can play music and Bluetooth for the cell phone that's pretty much good for me.

You save so much - so on Chevy Canada the lowest level V6 impala is about $34 000 new.  I was looking on go auto here and I see a 2013 Impala V6 with 55 000km for $16 000.

[ArticSteve]

You save so much - so on Chevy Canada the lowest level V6 impala is about $34 000 new.  I was looking on go auto here and I see a 2013 Impala V6 with 55 000km for $16 000.

There are two different Impalas.  The one on the Chevy website is for sure the new one.  I suspect the 2013 is the older fleet version so that would be out.

[mmret]

OP do you have cash?

The early 9th gen Accords have been around long enough now that there should be some selection I'd think.

Gas not critical....you can expense it I guess? Get a V6

[Solstice2006]

I am your age, but would have no problems buying a Buick.  But, if you want to look at another premium brand, this works too...

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Acura/TL/Kitchener/Ontario/5_21386748_ON20070802122150043/?ursrc=hl&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=2_15_39

2014 Acura TL, before it was replaced by the TLX.  Some good deals out there, and CPO at 0.9%.

[mmret]

^^ good one too if you can get it on the cheap. AWD will be nice in Alberta I assume.

The hwy mileage is kind of meh though, as I know from experience.

[ArticSteve]

That one in KW is a front driver.   No deal there.   

[Solstice2006]

Well you cant have it all...