Meta

I am trying to buy a new car. I have to do it sometime soon because my rental junk runs out on Thursday. I am leaning toward the new Lincoln MKS, because of my inner technophile - seriously that car is gadgetry heaven and I could make it work pricewise, or the new Mazda 6, because I loved my previous one, there is an owner loyalty bonus, it is fairly affordable and it's also pretty quality.

Any thoughts?

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Redjake

Mazdaspeed 3!!!!!!!! Ask Lasereth.

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Willravel

I'm assuming you're in the US.

It looks like you're headed mid/full-size, which is a good segment right now. What's not good? American cars. The Lincoln MKS, while attractive, does not drive well, perform as well as it should, get decent gas mileage, or much of anything when taking into consideration what else you can get for the price. It's odd, too, because the Volvo s70 and s80 have the exact same platform and the drive quality is much better.

Let's say you have $35k-40k to throw into something you're really going to enjoy. My list would be the Aucra TL (26 mpg hwy), Audi A6 (27 mpg hwy), Honda Accord (31 mpg hwy), and BMW 5-series (28 mpg hwy). I've driven each of these and they perform quite well, have a higher quality ride, are build better, and will likely last longer. The Audi and BMW may be a bit more to service eventually, but they have good warranties.

newtx

Accura TL, Honda Accord EX V6, Infinity G35 would be high on my list. I would avoid the Lincoln and the whole BMW group. Repairs are way to high and frequent.

robot_parade

Right now I drive a Mazda Protege, and I love it - it's dirt cheap (several years used, about $6k), fairly peppy and fun to drive. It was perfect for me b/c I didn't want two car payments (still paying off the minivan to haul the kids around, ick!)

A friend of mine bought a new Mazdaspeed 3 turbo, and is head over heels in love with it. He's a 'car guy', and drives like a maniac. If I were in the market for a 'new' car, that's probably where I'd head, given how happy I am with my cheap little protege and his recommendation.

Have you taken either of your candidates out for a spin?

Fotzlid

I have an Acura TL Type S. If you want a car loaded with electronics, this is a car you should consider.
The base TL is a very nice car but it drives exactly like an Accord. I know because that is what i traded in when I bought the Acura. The biggest difference between the base TL and the TL-S is the S has a firmer suspension set-up.

Meta

Hmm, Acura seems to be pretty frequently recommended. I'll have to check those out.

I did drive both the Mazda and the Lincoln. I like the Lincoln, though I am less of a fan of its handling than the Mazda, which I rather like. (As I knew I would, I loved the previous model.)

I'll have to check out your recommendations today. Thanks guys!

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Right next to the mashed potatoes.

Daemon1313

I'm a huge fan of the Lexus IS350. It's close to the same class as the TL and 6 and a hell of a lot more fun to drive.

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MSD

One of my friends has a TSX and loves it, so if you're ok with FWD (I know I'm one of the few who won't consider it,) go for it. I really liked having a Lincoln (should've learned after the first one,) but when they break, they don't fuck around with cheap repairs and simple DIY stuff.

punkmusicfan21

I drive a 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP (Black). I know nothing about cars. I love it though.

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Skutch

If you enjoy driving, stay away from the 2008 Chevy Malibu. I recently leased this car (thank god only for 2 years), and although its been completely restyled for 2008, and it sucked me in with its looks, it drives like an old fart's car. Dead steering feel, dead braking feel, more body roll than Aretha Franklin on a KFC binge. This car drives no better than my late grandmothers powder blue '83 Buick Century and thats not an exaggeration. This is what happens when GM rehires a fucking 77-year old redneck and puts him in charge of Design. What the hell does a 77 year old know about fresh, new cutting-edge design? This is a man who last experienced an orgasm when Ronald Reagan was president. And people wonder why 2 out of the 3 major car companies in America are on the verge of bankruptcy. Nevermind the lunacy of pouring billions of dollars into a battery-powered electric car (Chevy Volt) whose success will determine the fate of the company, while simultaneously releasing a 620 horsepower Corvette.

I fart on Chevy Malibu, Bob Lutz and GM.

bodypainter

NSX every day. I don't need tons of tech toys, I go for the feeling I get in the seat.

bobby

go with the new Mazda6s............best midsize,best handling,best!

xoxoxoo

We got a Mazda6s,,,2004 and a Nissan Sentra SE-R....1991,and some trucks

Attached Images

	mazda.jpg (59.8 KB, 138 views)
	nissan SE-R.jpg (82.8 KB, 138 views)

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MSD

I must have missed this line the first time around, which is OK because apparently we're back in 1983 and I have 25 years before I have to read it. Every manufacturer has their issues, and we've done a lot of catching up recently. Made in USA doesn't mean it's going to fall apart or explode anymore.

For what it's worth, I'm going to suggest a 2006 and up Audi. They worked out most of the problems that plagued the B6 and B7 generation A4s, and the A6 and A8 benefited from it, too (especially with ditching the W8, who wants to drop 30 grand when the engine dies?)

loquitur

Would you believe I drive a 2003 Chevy Impala?

Its name is Vlad.

NoSoup

I just bought myself an Audi TT Quattro - and I absolutely love it. All wheel drive - bring it on, stupid Winter.

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luciferase75

My truck:


Love it, and with the 33s it gets good gas mileage as long as I stay at or below 65 on the spedo (actually ~71mph, but gearing/spedo/ tires don't match). Either way, lots of clearance and it suits my personality

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Captain Canada

I used to drive a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe...until it decided to crap out on me by blowing two struts at the same time and thus requiring 4 new tires and almost 3k dollars in repairs. I now drive a 2007 Scion tC...and i LOVE it.

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DiffEng

Judging by your original post, you're looking at a midsize car. Personally, I won't drive a car unless it's European. A Volkswagen Jetta or Passat would be my recommendation. A Jetta GLI with the DSG transmission is affordable, drives great, is good on fuel, and can be easily autocrossed (important for me ) If you need a bigger backseat, then a Passat would be the way to go.

What do I drive?
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara (daily)
2001 Chev Tahoe Z71 (wife's)
1997 BMW 328i Cabrio (summer toy/track bitch)
1996 Chev 3500 2wd dualie crew cab (used maybe once a month, strictly for towing)

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uncle phil

we drive a '93 corvette roadster (which is for sale, by the way), a '97 camry xle, and a '02 forerunner...

love them all...

i have no ideas as to what you should buy as i'm not going to be driving it; you are...

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- Robert S. McNamara
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We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
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you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

Willravel

In terms of quality, the US hasn't kept up. Sure the Malibu has won a few awards, but if you drive it's European counterpart, say a Citroen C5 or Vauxhall Insignia, there's no competition. Performance, economy, design... Even Ford is better in Europe. I wish I could get a Mondeo over here.

blktour

I drove a 2005 mazda 6i at one point in time and it was ok, but being in alaska, i come to find out ( /shrug) that I needed a truck here.

So I traded in the Mazda and got a 2007 Nissan Frontier Nismo edition. The suspension is firmer on the Nissan but I love my truck, and I am going to keep it till i pay it off.

Though the gas mileage is a crappier. But I wont have to beg anyone to use their truck. hehe.

as far as any loyalty bonus, i doubt it.

the best thing to do is to come at the end of the month. that is what i did. i got my $36k truck for $26k.

screamincheetah

Meta.

I bought a 2003 Volkswagon Jetta GLI brand new in August of 2002. It now has 111000 miles, and I have not had one serious issue with it. I bent the axle, but of course, that's not the car's fault. I just replaced the rear brakes 10,000 miles ago for the first time and still have 60% left on the original front brakes. It's a 6 speed manual, so that helps with the braking. I love the pick-up and power of this car. Many people have mentioned Audi. They're the same company. You can save money by doing a Jetta (the same car as the A4) or Passatt (same as the A6).

Now, if I had the money and wanted to treat myself, I would love to step up to the S4 (sporty/powerful A4) or the S5 (Coupe) but in the end don't know if the quality difference could justify the price increases.

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FlatLand Flyer

I drive a 2008 Toyota Corolla Type S. Got it solely for 36 mpg and reliability. I drive a lot and cannot afford all the gas and repairs of what I would like to drive (truck).

We just got my wife into a 2009 Camry LE V6. The V6 is an absolute rocket. Cannot believe how fast that thing is. Gets about 26 mpg and the room is really good.

MR_WALLACE

Audi TT: 200 hp tiptronic

Jozrael

On Mondays it's my Porsche, Tuesdays my Rolls Royce, Wednesdays my Ferrari, Thursdays my Mercedes, Fridays my BMW (personal fav), Saturdays my jaguar, and Sundays I pull out all the stops with my 97' Camry. I try to live simply.




If only every day wasn't Sunday .

kigz

Awesome car...Very nice...

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petre

94 red civic 2door hatch, with crumples all over.

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Meta

Well, before I was able to find the