The best Midsize Performance Car?

[mason_RsX]

My family is selling both our cars and is looking for a midsize 4-door car with good performance, handling, and a good price... The cars I am looking at right now are BMW 320, Nissan Altima, Acura TL, Chrysler 300, Mazda6, and Pontiac Grand Prix...Could anybody help me figure out which car is best and if there are any I am really missing

Thanks

[kman10587]

You absolutely have to check out the 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT. I guarantee you that it is faster than any of the cars listed there, it comes standard with AWD as opposed to FWD, and you can get it with a 5-speed automatic for about 27K.

[drunken monkey]

i think the choice of car depends on what you're looking for and what's important to you.
from the ones you list, the only ones that stand out are the bmw and the mazda6.

i mean, for a personal buying point of view, the bmw makes the most sense as it has a decent engine, it's of good build quality and there's less depreciation (so it might cost a bit more to begin with but you get more back in the long term: assuming you don't prang it and have to fork out a big sum....).

the mazda6 seems to get the press's vote as a decent driving car but i don't think it sets any new records or anything.

some other recommendations?
if you're going to pay for a 320 then how about a good old jaguar x-type?
or a vw bora v5.
it's cheaper than the bmw and almost as fast and the build is right up there.
sticking with the bora there's the v6 4motion..
cheaper than the bmw and faster (but not as fun due to being heavy and 4 wheel drive)

don't laugh but the mondeo st220 (not sure if you guys get that) is a rather storming car at the same price of the bmw but with a 223 bhp v6 in the front.

on the japanese front, the old honda accord type-r is a damn fine front drive car but they'll be strictly 2nd hand so good luck in finding one that hasn't been abused (hmm, v-tec that hasn't been abused...)
on the other hand, the new type-s is a nice and solid looking car with almost the same pace but a useful £2-3000 cheaper than the bmw)

anymore...?

[BP2K2Max]

I'd go with an Acura TL, the altima or a 2k2-3 maxima, and as kman said, i would look into a new subaru legacy.

[mason_RsX]

I never thought of the legacy I guess because when I think subaru I think Impreza and the wrx/rs just doesnt have the dimensions we are looking for...I also thought of the jag but for the fact that I know its really a Ford and we have had a ton of problems with north american cars (especially fords).

I don't know what a modeno st220 is and I don't think they sell it in Canada...thanks so far for the insight and more is definately appreciated

[Oldengineer]

Do a little more homework on the Jag X-Type. It shares only 20% of its parts with the 2nd generation European Ford Mondeo (Never sold in the US). The balance of the car is all Jag specific.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[ghetto7o2azn]

jags never really had that great reliability

id say the tl as well.. i like the guages, and interior, plus it has 270hp right?

[DinanM3_S2]

The cars you listed very alot in price and performance.

The 3-Series handles like a god but has a high price when you start adding on options. I would buy this car if you could. I consider it to be the best road car under $40,000

The Acura TL is good for a family car with some muscle, combined with Honda quality. Doesnt handle like the bimmer though.

The Chrysler 300 is a good car according to all accounts that I've seen. Theres no way it handles like the BMW or accelerates like the TL (even though the 300 is pretty strong). Big, strong American car, for much less then the Bimmer and the Acura.

I consider the Altima to be in a class below the cars I mentioned above. This is the essence of the typical family car. Big, well powered, boring. I believe the V6 Accord is alot better.

The Mazda 6 is in the price range of the Altima, but a little more fun, and a little less luxurious.

I would not wish the Pontiac Grand Prix upon any poor soul.

I also suggest test driving a V6 Accord, an Acura TSX (my choice under $28,000), the Subaru Legacy GT, Audi A4 Quattro, and the Toyota Avalon.

O, I'd also strongly consider taking a look at a used BMW E39 5-Series. Consumer reports called it the best car they've ever driven. Its won numerous awards from respected car mags, and you should be able to find a 525i or even a 530i under $30,000.

The family car market is one of the biggest in the Auto Industry. There are tons of choices that you could make. Make a list of priorities (ie. looks, performance, price range, handling, etc) and do your research based on what you consider your highest priorities. There is no "perfect car." There will always be a certain advantages one car has over another in the same class. Make sure you also test drive all of your options. I've known people who have gone to one dealership and to test drive a car, fallen in love with and buying the car without driving any others, and later regretting it.

[Jimster]

Originally Posted by ghetto7o2azn

jags never really had that great reliability

id say the tl as well.. i like the guages, and interior, plus it has 270hp right?

Get with the times, the last time Jag's reliability was ever questionable was back in the days of the XJ40 and XJS- both off-shoots of thier days in the BMC, 'nuff said.

I wouldn't take the Jag though. I think the Altima and TL offer the best engines, the Mazda and BMW the best handling, the Chrysler the best space and the Grand Prix.... Well absolutely nothing actually.

If I wanted a smooth luxurious ride, then I'd have the TL, if I wanted space for the family (not that I have much of one) then it's the Chrysler, if I wanted something to trash around and have fun with- the BMW.

[crayzayjay]

Take the BMW. Smooth engine, perfect weight distribution and of course RWD

[kman10587]

Yeah, FWD sucks. Get the BMW or the Legacy.

[Savior1974]

BMW all they way. "The Ultimate Driving Machine" nuff said.

[drunken monkey]

..maybe i should point out that my views are based on the cars we get here in the uk, which may or may not be different spec to the ones you guys get that side of the world.

as for bmw and their 'ultimate driving machine' advertising slogan (regarding rear wheel drive).

don't believe it totally.
it's almost a given that anything under 220-250 bhp and you're better off with a front drive (see honda/acura accord+integra type-r, alfa 147+156 gta).
the main advantage of rear wheel drive over front wheel drive is that it can handle MORE power (although recent offerings from alfa and some of their tuners have shown otherwise...)

but still.
the bmw is always going to be an attractive package.
again, if you don't mind getting a second hand car, how about the last M5.
it's a bigger car but it's in a similar price range and you can't really argue with their V8.

[BP2K2Max]

get a g35.

[MexSiR]

Bmw or Acura Tl.

Period.