$40K Family-friendly yet fun car

We just had our first child and I bought a Maserati GranSport as our family fun car. It can accommodate a rear facing car seat and still allow my wife to sit up front, but barely. I think the 535 M sport is a real good choice on your list.

Good luck.

Scott

 

Hello, well its not sporty but it's 4wheel drive and a lot of fun. 2015 Jeep Renegade TrailHawk with a lot of options. Very Capable 4x4 yet very comfy and thrifty too. Premium interior Keyless and remote start with heated seats and steering wheel too.
There just coming over and not a lot of them on the road yet. Just a thought, LOL. Norm

Oh and its made in Italy by Fiat which owns Jeep. Almost a Ferrari.
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Check out the new 2015 VW Golf R 4-door hot hatch. Sub 5 second 0-60, AWD, 30 mpg highway, terrific dual clutch tranny, split folding rear seats, nav, you name it. Reviews are universally excellent. Sticker for the top model that has every option is $39,910. I just got mine two days ago and am loving it.

 

I've got a 2015 C300 4Matic, it's anything but "fun"...in fact I'm in the process of getting rid of the car after seven months of ownership. I've owned a several inexpensive to moderately priced family fun cars (everything from a VW R32 to an M5) and this go around I thought I'd give Mercedes a shot. It's just not my cup of tea. It's a perfectly nice car but there's nothing fun about it.

 

Buy a used Porsche Cayenne. I've owned 2 and they are the best SUV ever. No problems for 9 years of fun driving.


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I would go with the 535Xi, fun reliable car. Plus you will have a nice warranty for 4/6 years.

 

Be sure to test fit your stroller in the back and ease/access to car seat, as well as other gear before you buy.

E63 Wagon or CTS V wagon all the way! Maybe not in the 40K price range, yet.....

 

Audi Q5 TDI diesel. Sports seats, 20" wheels, plenty of fun for a SUV.
Good brakes, and amazing fuel mileage. Tows 4200#.

But best of all, 426 ft. Lb. of endless effortless TORQUE.......

And agree with the above, a E63, or CTS wagon would awesome too.

 

don't get an E class unless its AMG...not fun....40k will buy you a pretty nice used Quattroporte...(I recommend with the ZF automatic, I have the cambiocorsa and it sucks)...if you want to buy new take a look at the Charger scat pack...485 horsepower...Its a big heavy car and the handling isn't quite sports car..but is pretty respectable...tons of room as well.

 

There are some good suggestions already listed, but may be over your two year or newer limit at the $40k price range. A new Subaru STi or a Mistubishi Evo X have AWD, good safety features and available with a manual transmission. Lots of fun to drive.

 

Golf R is a fun car, my brother just picked one up. I'd say test drive a CPO Lexus IS-F, partial as it's my daily driver but the last model had many of the quirks worked out, a baby seat fits (was my requirement also), 417bhp, sub-5sec 0-60 and Lexus reliability....hard to beat for a daily commuter.

 

As you are still looking the whole prosess through car nuts eyes I would sugget to get something easy to use, interior that takes serious abuse and trunk that takes twice what you now might think you will need. Minimun of unfolded strollers to make life with tired screaming baby easier. If it is also fun, big bonus (Cayanne)

 

The 535i is a very cool car and the M package makes it cooler. Even turbo'd, BMW straight six engines, driving dynamics and RWD are one of a kind. Plenty of room in the back for the family too.

 

Chevy SS. You could probably get a brand new one in that price range.


2015 SS: Sports Sedan | Chevrolet
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AH - Good Reco

 

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

 

That is what I have. Sports seats, paddle shift, diesel. Fun suv that pulls like a freight train, but doesn't smoke like one.

 

Go for the Audi S4 - Get a membership with the Audi Club of America and get 6% discount off your best deal!

S

 

Okay, I have a bunch of cars (including an Abarth which is far from stock) and if you need as you say small, well most of the suggestions (including your own) are not going to fit your needs. The 535 is not what I call small. Go with a VW Golf R, it will fit a child's seat, is AWD and fun. Personally any of the other cars will feel like a let down after the Abarth. Lexus not exciting and AWD makes it even less so. Infiniti, I hate those thing the V6 buzz that you can feel through the car. I wont even ride those things. The S4 would be the only other car I'd consider but they are not that much fun to drive, at least in my opinion.

 

The Golf R does look impressive, and its cousin the S3. You also have the Focus RS coming next year which looks like it will be awesomely fun to drive.

 

Yes...S4 stick.

Pretty fun car and hauls the family around.
I did reluctantly go with the Q5 diesel as I needed hauling room
and the sedan was just short on that with all the crap I
haul around.

 

You've got to be an Audi Club member for six months before you can get the discount...and it's 6% off MSRP. I'd still join though, they have some good events.

 

+1. Used Turbo.

Cayenne is shorter than you think. Ours was shorter than my Accord.