Anonymous wrote:Hi! My family of four (kids are 4 and 9) is in the market for a new car. We have a minivan, so we're good on the people mover. We need a second car, primarily for daily office commuting (45 minutes roundtrip). We've preferred cars to SUVs, and are thinking we may be ready for our first sedan in a long while. Our current vehicle needs a bit of work that we'd prefer not to pay for, some of it safely related, and thus we need something in the next several weeks. So no ordering a car that may not arrive for months.

Our three past vehicles: Alfa Romeo Stelvio, X5, Acura RDX.

The only car we've tried so far is the Genesis G70. With the 3.3T model at an MSRP of $57k, we felt we had to go drive other cars. The engine was great, but the interior didn't feel to us like a nearly $60k car, especially given how many Europeans competitors can be had around this price. But we've yet to try the competitors!

Given that the lease market seems especially crummy, we're looking to buy. That makes me wary of another German or Alfa Romeo, as much as we liked driving those, we tend to keep cars for awhile. Our current second car is a 2008.

It's pretty easy to figure out which German cars we should consider. But what if we wants something less expensive, say MSRP $35-45k, and with likely better reliability and lower repair costs? Are there there fun Korean or Japanese sedans with automatic transmissions in that price range? I think we'd be happy in something less posh so long as it had excellent pickup and handling. (We're okay with less posh: our minivan is a mid-range Pacifica.)

THANKS!

Anonymous wrote:Second vote for Kia Stinger if you want something fun to drive. Check out Cadillac CT4-V. Polestar is something as an alternative to consider.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Flash tuning the honda to boost HP is illegal

Haha, but no.

It’s true. So is wearing your hat backwards when driving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Flash tuning the honda to boost HP is illegal

Haha, but no.

It’s true. So is wearing your hat backwards when driving.

I don’t know what tuning he flashed his Accord but not all tunes are illegal. For example this one is 50 state CARB legal.

https://www.hondata.com/products/flashpro/flashpro-accord-2018-carb

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you want a sports sedan. Here are my 2 cents you can check out.

BMW 3 Series: Best all-rounder
Lexus IS: Most reliable but small rear leg room
Acura TLX: Not as prestigious as the Germans
Audi A4/S4 and A5/S5 Sportback: Not as sporty as 3 Series

Those are good choices. I would also consider a Kia Stinger or Genesis G70/G80. Depends on how sporty you desire, but there are rarely any sporty front wheel drive sedans other than maybe the Mazda or Civic Si. Another option would be a hot hatch with the new Toyota Corolla GR.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Flash tuning the honda to boost HP is illegal

Haha, but no.

It’s true. So is wearing your hat backwards when driving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Flash tuning the honda to boost HP is illegal

Haha, but no.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you want a sports sedan. Here are my 2 cents you can check out.

BMW 3 Series: Best all-rounder
Lexus IS: Most reliable but small rear leg room
Acura TLX: Not as prestigious as the Germans
Audi A4/S4 and A5/S5 Sportback: Not as sporty as 3 Series

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Flash tuning the honda to boost HP is illegal

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Anonymous wrote:Here's my rundown of fun and reliable sedans (not the OP, just a car enthusiast):

The Accord 2.0T is surprisingly zippy. I flash-tuned it which added about 20% more horsepower on top of the turbo 2L that was already pretty quick, especially for an Accord. She was a sleeper.

The Mazda 6 was discontinued last year, but they have a turbocharged 2.5L four-banger that's pretty fun to drive. If you can find a used one, it's not a bad choice.

I don't know anything about Infiniti's current line, but in my late 20s I had a G37 that was by far the funnest car I've ever owned (overall more fun than the Tesla Model 3 even, although nothing beats an EV takeoff). Super quick and nimble. I guess the Q50 is the successor? A quick search says it's a turbo V6 with 300hp, so could be worth a look.

The Lexus ES is cushy but not as sporty as its German competitors. You'd definitely have to go for the V6, not the four-cyl.

I've never met an Acura that wasn't disappointing or a VW that wasn't riddled with problems. I would NEVER buy a VW.

FWIW I currently drive an X5 (need an SUV, need- OK, want- speed). If I didn't buy the car I have, I would have bought the Mazda CX-9 (probably Grand Touring trim because that Mazda ruby red is gorgeous but not offered in the Signature trim).

Hope that helps.

Anonymous wrote:E class with a six cylinder--e400 or e450. Get a certified used one. Cheap to service, fast, not difficult to find parts for, reliable. And a lot cheaper than a new genesis.