Looking for suggestions

[BoberFett]

I'm coming to ATs keepers of auto knowledge, looking for suggestions on what else I might want to check out before making a final decision. I want something between fun and practical. It'll need to be a daily driver that can handle Minnesota winters but I still want some power, something to push me back in the seat a bit if I get on the accelerator. I'm leaning towards RWD or AWD, I'm kind of tired of FWD.

I started out thinking muscle car, Mustang or Challenger, but those seem like fun summer cars and not good winter cars. I went out last night and test drove an '06 330i and '09 328xi*, and an '06 and '09 A4 2.0T and '06 A6 3.2. I liked them all, but there's a good lease deal on the new A4 right now so I'm kind of leaning that way. I was also thinking of checking out the Caddy CTS and the Infinity G37. I'm looking to keep the price around $500ish/mo, so '06-'07 certified used for around $25-30K or new with good lease deals or cheap financing for around $35K seem like the right range.

So, any other suggestions? IS350? MKZ?


* To those that I've disparaged in the past about driving BMWs, yes. I'm eating crow. It's not bad if you put a little tabasco on it.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the Subaru WRX is plenty exciting and modifiable if you're into that. Subaru also has a class leading AWD system thats a better system than lots of more expensive AWD cars

 

[StepUp]

Nissan 370Z comes to mind for me.

 

[Pulsar]

The MKZ is nice, but you'll save a cool 10k by going with the new 2010 Fusion Sport AWD, which is the same vehicle without all the ritzy electronics and interior.

Or, if you go slightly more price, there's always the OMG I WANT IT Taurus Sho:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/0...-2010-ford-taurus-sho/

Mmmmmm.

I would wait till the MKS with the ecoboost is one year old and you can get it used. AWD with 365 HP.

 

[Arkaign]

Out of everything you listed, I think the G37 makes the most sense. I realize you'll be leasing, so that lessens the problematic nature of dealing with AWD+Turbo+German reliability or lack thereof with Audi/BMW in the A4 and 335.

This is an aside, but I'd sort of recommend getting something slightly (not much really, to stay at ~$500/mo for the monthly note) cheaper and buying it outright. That way you don't have mileage overages, and you end up truly owning the car without having to pay some nutty final payment. Of course, if you are the type that drives a new car every 1-3 years, forget it, leasing makes sense then. Well taken care of, most cars should give you 150k-200k of faithful service with minimal issues, provided you choose well to begin with. Certainly makes good economic sense to really get your $'s worth