Looking for a new car

[Tdbo]

Currently contemplating replacing my daily driver (2000 Ford Taurus with 196K.) My commute is approximately 140 highway miles/day and I want to find something that will last until my retirement (5 years.) I also want something confortable because at 6'4" 275 lbs, I'm a big boy. Here is what I have come up with so far:
Chevrolet: Impala, Malibu (have placed these on the list because I currently have $2750 in GM Card rebate. If I went with either, it would definitely be a price driven decision.)
Ford: Taurus (Really like but big ?s about gas mileage), Fusion/Milan (I like the Mercury version slightly better.)
Honda: Accord LX 4 cyl 4D . Frankly, not crazy about Toyota alternatives.
My wife is all ga-ga over the 2011 Sonata (I'm really not.)
I would consider a VW Jetta TDI but really have misgivings about quality and service issues.
If I went with the Taurus or Sonata, I would probably sit out a year because I have had really lousy luck with major redesigns. I really want to thoughtfully explore my options since I know what I would do otherwise: it would come down to Ford/Honda and sale would go to the lowest bidder. Open for sugggestions/Input. Thanks.

 

[silverrat]

Malibu is nice

 

[rszappa1]

2010 hona Accord...

 

[rszappa1]

Make that 2010 Honda Accord...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I would love to be the proud owner of the last Mercury Gran Marquis De Sade. A very refined and reliable car - and my favorite full size rental in FLA. Next up would be the LeSabre - also very nice. Be sure to get the dual exhaust and the leather though! Next up from GM and a fwd would be the LeSabre - also very nice. On another front, a gently used BMW 540i is my car nut buddy's #1 pick. Absolutely forget the VW which has parts made in every third world nation around the continent.

 

[bretfraz]

I'm about your size so I know how you feel. The Impala is a nice car for long distance driving. Good knee and legroom, easy to get in and out. The Malibu is nice, too, but not as easy to enter/exit, and the lower roofline might affect your headroom. Test out a Malibu side-by-side with an Impala to see how you like it.

The Accord LX is a perfectly fine, perfectly bland, motorized box. Same with the Camry LE. Check to see if the seat cushion has enough thigh support for you; it's borderline for me.

You hit the nail on the head re: the TDI Jetta. On paper, it would be a great car for you. A friend of mine had one and experienced no problems in the 3 years he owned it. Still, I understand your concern.

I can't comment on the new Taurus and new Sonata as I haven't driven them. As soon as we get them on our lot, I'll take one for a spin.

If you like the Fusion and Malibu, check out the Nissan Altima. I sell a lot of them and they're comfy cars but fun to drive.

What about a Chrysler 300? They're available in AWD if you want that, and deals are smokin' lately.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Up until about a month ago I would go with Honda Accord, but seeing the new 2011 Sonata styling in person, I would serious consider it if I was buying a family sedan now.

If you remove the Hyundai and Sonata names from the car, people will think it is an expensive European car.

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I would love to be the proud owner of the last Mercury Gran Marquis De Sade. A very refined and reliable car - and my favorite full size rental in FLA. Next up would be the LeSabre - also very nice. Be sure to get the dual exhaust and the leather though! Next up from GM and a fwd would be the LeSabre - also very nice. On another front, a gently used BMW 540i is my car nut buddy's #1 pick. Absolutely forget the VW which has parts made in every third world nation around the continent.

I'd have no problem with the Grand Marquis (My wife would, though.) It's interesting you would bring up the Buick, I was looking at a 2003 Park Avenue with 61K for $7K. The only issue was that the previous owner got too close to something with the driver's side of the car and creased both doors. I wouldn't take the BMW on a bet.

 

[Steve S]

Gas mileage should be a major deciding factor .Gas won't get cheaper.

 

[roadrunner1]

we bought an 06 merc milan new and with 65,000mi. with no issues, never once been to the dealer for anything.
v-6 premier and have seen 32.5 mpg on the hwy on a long trip to ny ny

 

[Tdbo]

[

What about a Chrysler 300? They're available in AWD if you want that, and deals are smokin' lately.

My experience is Chryslers (I've owned 3) is that the transmissions tend to start smokin' too.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Yeah, i know what your talking about, my family has lost 2 Chryslers to transmission failure, i tend to steer clear of them for that reason.

 

[Tdbo]

It is. At least 3 (perhaps 4) of the cars mentioned should pull 30 mpg on the highway. Even the 2003 Park Avenue that I looked at would pull 30. I had a 2005 LeSabre (rental) that I drove on my daily commute and got 34 mpg.

 

[cos]

I'd recommend the "best bangs for the buck":

1)Malibu - because of your GM card savings
2)Fusion - best car I've ever owned

Both will have rebates and/or low cost financing which will drop the price w-a-y below the price of an Accord. I too considered an Accord back in '06, it was literally thousands $$ more and later had a big manual transmission problem/recall, I'm so glad I went with a Ford.

 

[JimPghPA]

Grand Marquis, very reliable, comfortable (especially for your size), nice highway car, not as great of a gas millage car as the others, but a real pleasure to drive.

 

[bodeh6]

Subaru Legacy. The new one is nice.

 

[Panzerman]

I really like the New Ford Taurus. That is a sweet car built on Fords newest platform. If you buy the newest platform car, it will be awhile before the current design is "dated". With the 3.5, I cant see the fuel being any worse than you are currently getting and the power is way higher. Take one for a ride. They are really a nice car. I ussually buy program cars, that come in from 24 month leases or rental companies, Iam hoping for a bunch of the new 2010 Taurus's getting dumped on the market. I will be waiting for a new Taurus design and be after one in two years. The Lincoln MKS is on the same platform and I just saw a special on two year leases for them, so a bunch will get dumped in two years too.

 

[757guy]

The new Buick LaCrosse is getting rave reviews. Available in AWD as well. American made, you get to use your GM discount, and a fantastic sedan to boot.

 

[Tdbo]

This would probably be my #1 pick just on the "drool" factor alone but I cannot see a 3.5 in a Ford pulling 30 hwy (what I'm presently getting.) If I went Taurus, I would not buy for at least a year and even though my current car is running great, I'm not sure that it is going to go another year without putting major $ in it, thus the exploration at options.

 

[SrDriver]

For a car I would be "ga-ga over the 2011 Sonata" too. New Direct Injection Engine and 6 speed auto should give you around 35 mpg on the commute.

I have a GM Card too with a couple of Thousand on it and just bought a new 2010 Santa Fe rather than going with GM.