[99RioGT]

OK, so I'm looking to sell my mustang - just not getting enough use out of it with 3 kids and my wife not being able to drive stick.

What does everyone else have for a DD besides the stang?
I'm looking for something that can comfortably hold 3 kids in the back (2 in boosters now), auto so my wife can drive it, and nice looking / fairly quick.

What's caught my eye so far:

My company has off-lease cars for really good prices.
Option 1:
2008 Ford Taurus SES with the 3.5v6 (~$8k w/80-90k miles)
not bad looking - reminds me of the older VS Passats, which I always thought looked good. It seems there are some significant tranny issues with this car though.

Option 2: fusion, malibu, impala, saturn aura.
None of these are particularly exciting, though I've read the v6 Saturn is fairly quick for a sedan.

Option 3: rice'n it
2004-05 Acura TL
I have driven one of these (white w/tinted windows) and it's very nice to drive and look at.

Option 4: 01-03 lexus ls430
I know - old mans car and more $$$, but I drove one and it can get up and go with 320tq @ 3400rpm. The engine output is basically the same as the mustang 4v. Plus, I've seen some vids of these with a magnaflow exhaust and they sound nice - not overly loud, but enough to hear the rumble.

Thanks for any input.

[1999cobra92]

Yeah same here my cobra uses up too much gas money but I'm not going to get rid it though I'm planning on getting a ford fiesta base model with a automatic 6 speed

[manolith]

Good thing this is the 99-04 tech section.... anyways the only thing that looks good and is quick and good enough for 5 people is a Dodge magnum srt8.

[ReverendDexter]

Sedans are retarded.

You're trading a lot of space for what? Looks?

I'd check out the Volvo Wagons. V70R is AWD & 300hp from a turbo 5-cylinder, the T5s use a detuned version of the same motor and are FWD. TurboBricks | High Performance Volvo Club can give you some very bad ideas.

You could also look at a Magnum, though they have less room in the back than you'd expect. Advantage is that you can easily find one with a V8, and if you look hard enough you can find an SRT8 with the bigger hemi and 420hp.

Or, if room is really what you need, just suck it up and get the van. I love our Mazda5; it handles amazingly well and has gobs of room inside for only being slightly bigger than a Matrix. It also looks less minivanish that other minivans, more like a slightly bigger Honda Fit, and gets pretty good mileage for a 6-seater (wife and I average 23 and get 27+ on highway trips cruising at 75-80). It's reasonably punchy, but I'd never call it a powerhouse.

[jdos1]

The Malibu and Impala are both good quality.

If I'm not mistaken...They still make the Impala SS with a 5.3L...right? Or they did...They may have discontinued it for the 2010 model.

Just looked it up...09 Impala SS 5.3L 0-60 in 6.4 seconds...

Look at the Grand Prix GTP's and GXP's.
I know the GTP's were supercharged V6's with 260 hp and pretty sure the GXP's were V8's with 303hp.

The GTP's were pretty freakin quick. My mom used to have a 04 GTP and it was damn quick for a V6.

[99RioGT]

We already have a sienna, but it only averages 16.5mpg around town.
The magnum/chargers wouldn't be any better than that - probably worse.
I'd like something that does in the 20's around town.

[99RioGT]

Originally Posted by jdos1 The Malibu and Impala are both good quality. If I'm not mistaken...They still make the Impala SS with a 5.3L...right?

Up until 2009, I believe.
Unfortunately, those do not show up in lease fleet choices.

[wicked96gt]

a mazda cx-7. they are a 4 cyl with a turbo. its fairly quick and gets good mpg

[99RioGT]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter Sedans are retarded. You're trading a lot of space for what? Looks? I'd check out the Volvo Wagons. V70R is AWD & 300hp from a turbo 5-cylinder, the T5s use a detuned version of the same motor and are FWD. TurboBricks | High Performance Volvo Club can give you some very bad ideas. You could also look at a Magnum, though they have less room in the back than you'd expect. Advantage is that you can easily find one with a V8, and if you look hard enough you can find an SRT8 with the bigger hemi and 420hp. Or, if room is really what you need, just suck it up and get the van. I love our Mazda5; it handles amazingly well and has gobs of room inside for only being slightly bigger than a Matrix. It also looks less minivanish that other minivans, more like a slightly bigger Honda Fit, and gets pretty good mileage for a 6-seater (wife and I average 23 and get 27+ on highway trips cruising at 75-80). It's reasonably punchy, but I'd never call it a powerhouse.

The only volvo's available through work are the s60's. The back seats are not big enough for 3 growing kids and I really don't care for the styling of them.

I can't agree that sedans are retarded.
I drove a 98 grand prix gt sedan for 10 years. It was a fun car - just started falling apart around 120k. I'm a little hesitant to buy anything from the general after that experience.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by 99RioGT We already have a sienna, but it only averages 16.5mpg around town. The magnum/chargers wouldn't be any better than that - probably worse. I'd like something that does in the 20's around town.

Well, stop looking at anything with a V8, then, and probably scrap anything making close to 300hp. Other than maybe a P71, but I don't think those'll get 20 around town.

...

So, my question is, if you're not happy with the performance of the Sienna, why not get rid of it in exchange for a better kid carrier?

[jdos1]

Originally Posted by 99RioGT The only volvo's available through work are the s60's. The back seats are not big enough for 3 growing kids and I really don't care for the styling of them. I can't agree that sedans are retarded. I drove a 98 grand prix gt sedan for 10 years. It was a fun car - just started falling apart around 120k. I'm a little hesitant to buy anything from the general after that experience.

The Grand Prix quality started getting better. Never had any problems with the 04 GTP and drove the hell out of it. I rarely drove the car but I know my dad had put a smaller pulley on the S/C and boosting the hell out of it.

[99RioGT]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter Well, stop looking at anything with a V8, then, and probably scrap anything making close to 300hp. Other than maybe a P71, but I don't think those'll get 20 around town. ... So, my question is, if you're not happy with the performance of the Sienna, why not get rid of it in exchange for a better kid carrier?

The Sienna is perfectly fine.
This is all about the "2nd" car - the Mustang
- can't drive it when I have all 3 kids - none are big enough for the front seat
- can't drive it in the rain - we all know why...
- limited use in the winter
- wife can't drive it

Don't get me wrong, I love the mustang, but it doesn't get used nearly as much as I'd like. I don't regret selling the grand prix to buy this car. It's been a blast, but everyday realities are what they are...

[Bajis]

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited it was a 4x4, 4.7l v8 and had leather.. It was maroon but everything was blacked out, flowmaster muffler and a nice sound system haha...

Anyways I say get an SUV.. Jeep Grand Chero gets my vote

[neckbonekat]

I am in a similar situation. I think I'm going to be moving to a '06 GTO, but I only have two kids. Before that though I was looking at '98-'04 Cadillac Seville STS. You can find them with very low miles for less than $10,000 and they have more than enough space. Good size car, but the STS comes with 300 HP.

[99RioGT]

Originally Posted by neckbonekat I am in a similar situation. I think I'm going to be moving to a '06 GTO, but I only have two kids. Before that though I was looking at '98-'04 Cadillac Seville STS. You can find them with very low miles for less than $10,000 and they have more than enough space. Good size car, but the STS comes with 300 HP.

My brother in law has an 04 gto with the 6 speed.
That is a very quick car and rides really well.

[ReverendDexter]

Few questions:

When would the wife need be driving the Mustang instead of the Sienna?

When would you have all three kids and not have access to the Sienna? (this situation would certainly an answer to the first question).

Who says you can't drive Mustangs in the rain or during winter? I commuted 40 miles each way in mine all winter long when I was living in the Sierras. All it takes is a light foot and the right tires, and you'll have no issue until there's so much snow they close the roads anyway.

For the sedan thing: name me just one objective reason advantage a sedan has over a wagon. Wagons have better outward visibility, more cargo room, and don't suffer any real weight penalty.

[kenpachifknpwns]

Rev your making some damn good points!

[03SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by wicked96gt a mazda cx-7. they are a 4 cyl with a turbo. its fairly quick and gets good mpg

Along the same size as the CX-7 is the Ford Edge. You could also look at the Ford Flex for something that's fairely nice (I consider it a mini-van alternative). You could even look at a Jeep.

Of the cars you listed, I would go with the Acura TL. I ALMOST bought one over my Jeep. They are VERY nice.

[Bajis]

If I were in you position Id look into Subaru.

Im 18 right now so the subie of choice would be an wrx haha but the legacy is sweet.. They have vans and wagons that wouldnt be to bad of a family car

[carney]

Originally Posted by 03SonicBoom Along the same size as the CX-7 is the Ford Edge. You could also look at the Ford Flex for something that's fairely nice (I consider it a mini-van alternative). You could even look at a Jeep. Of the cars you listed, I would go with the Acura TL. I ALMOST bought one over my Jeep. They are VERY nice.

My parents have an edge, i drive it sometimes and the thing has blindspots like no ones business. It also feels like a very wide, bulky car, not only visually but from a sterring standpoint to. My dad has a Dodge Ram hemi and that thing feels tinier.