[NEWMAN'SOWN]

So the day has finally come. The 98 B5 is finally showing it's age, the engine still runs, but I think the cam tensioner is going out, it makes wierd noises randomly, and the interior is just starting to fall apart. The air conditioner vent in the middle is gone, the trim is deteriorating, and the leather seats are getting holes in them after 105,000 miles, not to mention the posessed sunroof. Anyways back on topic, I am looking for a car, that has room for five people, lower insurance rates and no more than 6 cylinders.
Choices so far

1. Volkswagen Passat B6 3.6 4motion or no?

Plus: Already familiar with passats, drives nice.
Cons: Unsure about reliability, not so sure about a B6

2.Infiniti G35

Plus really fun to drive, great reliability
Cons: Not really sure what kind of crowd drives the G35, somewhat not so great interior

3.Audi A4

Plus It an audi! similar to passat, great styling
Cons reliability questionable, really small interior

4.BMW 3 series convertible (previous generation) or sedan current generation

pros: interior reliability, styling, interior, and driving experience
cons: BMW douche image, price

Any thoughts or even ideas of similar cars are appreciated. :thumbup:

 

[psm0110]

The A4 interior should be close to your old Passat interior in size. If you think it's small, the BMW is sure to be cramped. The G35 is a solid car, and against the new Passat you're looking at nearly the same Maxima vs Passat choice I made 8 years ago. The VW is going to give you the most people hauling functionality while still be fun enough.

 

[JayTheSnork]

moved.

 

[S_Klass]

I went from the B5.5 to a M35 and I'm lovin' it.

 

[Sullie]

I just replaced my wife's 10 year old Camry with an '08 Accord EX-L V6 w/Navi, I like this car a lot. Other cars on my list were the M35x, M45, G35, 3-series, etc. I test drove A LOT of cars and I was very impressed with the M35x. The main reason I bought the Accord was price, miles and features for the money plus I figured maintenance would be reasonable.

One I just missed pulling the trigger on was a 3-year old Acura RL w/20k miles for $22k. I called the dealership in Cincinnati (100 miles away from me) and I was just going to buy it (had a clear carfax, etc.) but I was called to work with a down server on a Saturday and the damn car sold on that day. I called Monday and it was gone. Grrr.

I test drove an RL here in Indy (it was priced too high, too many miles, a little beat up) but I really liked this car quite a bit and it seems like an insane steal for the money. I honestly don't understand why these cars are so inexpensive, I think it's a fantanstic car.

I would give the RL a look. Nice power, all wheel drive, fantastic value for the money, I liked the handling and it's got every feature you would want. The only thing I didn't like about any the cars I tested was that there were all automatic. The car is for my wife and that's what she prefers so that's what I was looking at.

Good luck!

 

[holywar0902]

out of the options listed in the OP i would go with the g35. You can get a used one for a fairly good price, it has one of the top engines ever, i like the interior, and i believe they are all wheel drive. only thing i would want is a navi. I dont know if that was an option or not

 

[dirtyjers]

out of those, the A4. everyone i know that drives a G35 sedan is a douche and wants to race everyone in daddy's car. i've never been a fan of 3 series, for similar reasons to the G35. unless of course you get the 335xi then people know that you're a serious man.

 

[Tom Parish]

The latest Jetta is very close in interior room to a B5 Passat and the TDi can't be beat for mileage. Plus, there are lots of deals out there as VW dealers are really hurting.:thumbup:

 

[beaumisbro]

x2 on the TDI, GL Alex

 

[Sharky]

I'm going to catch hell for this, but what about the latest Ford Tortise?

 

[S_Klass]

I drove the RL, didn't like it. If you consider the RL, I highly recommend the M35 instead.

I tested the RL's SH AWD and spun 360 it during the test drive...

 

[JTninja]

Depends on what you need it for. Is this a DD for work? Family car?

3 Series seem to be good cars, they're rated very well, and dominate every test CARandDRIVER has them in, beating many rivals like the A4 and G35.

If you're willing, you can find these decently cheap these days....

 

[VAGguy]

I'm going to catch hell for this, but what about the latest Ford Tortise?

X2 I'll catch hell with ya. Three letters. S H O


Or even the Lincoln MKS, VERY nice.

 

[Tom Parish]

Hell, a brand new G8 GXP 6MT is way cheaper than any BMW and about on a par with a loaded G35.

And yes Sharky you suck for recommending the tortise.

 

[traubenberg]

Of the cars listed, I'd pick the G35 sedan. I was weighing G35 6MT against a Passat 5MT when I bought my first Passat. The VQ35 motor in the Infiniti is awesome, but the douchbag at the dealership couldn't get his head out of his ass long enough to find a manual trans, so I told him to bugger off, turned around and went straight to the VW dealership.

I'd rock a G8 6MT all night long. They're practically giving them away now.

How small are the five people that you're hauling around? I ask because a friend as work has a 3-series BMW and there's no way you're fitting five normal sized humans in there. Ever. (Are all your friends Hobbits? Seriously, that would alleviate the space problem.)

 

[sptsdn]

G35 of those listed. Rented a G37 for a week and loved it. I'm not a fan of the styling but the ride, power, and reliability make up for it. I drove the RWD model so I imagine the AWD saps a bit of the power but there seemed to be enough of it that it shouldn't be an issue (if you need AWD that is).

As others noted, take a look at the M35 as well. It's a bigger car so I doubt it will be as "fun to drive" but it would make for a better long-distance cruiser. I've looked at a few of the M's but found them to be too big. To me, the G is just about right.

And as a Saab owner, I have to (reluctantly) suggest the 9-3 or 9-5. Some owners have had serious issues but then again, so have several VW owners when it some to their cars. My Saab and Passat have been on par with one another when it comes to reliability. Major advantage to the Saab is the acquisition cost - these things are cheap to buy. They are a bit crude and the materials are cheap, but they are efficient and safe. However, between the Infiniti and a Saab, I would strongly suggest the Infiniti; the Infiniti would likely result in a carefree ownership experience unlike the European competition.

 

[YetAnother20V]

I'd rock a G8 6MT all night long. They're practically giving them away now.

Link por favor ...

AFAIK, the reg G8 or GT does not come in manual. The GXP does and they won't give them away even if you hold a gun to their head.

I feel you are thinking of the GTO. Which, by all means is a great buy and they 'are' giving them away. Even the 6.0L ones.

 

[YetAnother20V]

NEWMAN'SOWN, what is your budget? That will decide what you can buy. The newer G35 are better looking than the old ones, the older BMWs are better looking than the new ones, that picture you posted is an S4 not an A4.

I have been in older G35 and 3series, there simply isn't much room in there. The newer A4's (B8) are bigger but pricey. The newer Jettas though bigger are not as big as the B5.5 in room inside. Plus I think it looks ugly.

I like the M35, but new ones are big money. I like the PQ46 Passat but time and again we heard from fellow forum members that it is not built as tightly as the B5.5 and B5.5 is not standard in terms of tightness.

If new, I would get a base (or very lightly loaded) model A4 to keep prices down and look great.

 

[PassitTurbo]

Just to give ideas, how about Acura TL, TSX, Honda Accord, Subaru?

 

[NEWMAN'SOWN]

thanks for all the help everyone. I am going to do a few test drives today, I was kind of surprised no one reccomended a B6. :lol: From what you guys have said so far, I am leaning more towards either the a4, or g35, but I am still really drawn to the 3 series/B6 passat. I am trying to keep the budget at 20 or under, so that kind of limits my choices, but I will be paying for the car in whole and the B5 is paid off in full, so we will see what happens. :driving: