Another daily driver boring car help thread

Ok, I need a new daily driver. Lots of great cars to choose from but here is my twist... I need to buy from a dealer that sells Ford or Mercury or a GM dealer that sells Pontiac, Chevy, Buick and GMC. I need to do this to support them as they are customers of my company.

I don't want or need an SUV, truck or van. That leaves fairly limited options. I currently drive an Acura CL (2-dr) and want something with similar room without giving up too many amenities. I've narrowed it down to the Ford 500 or its Merc twin, a Buick of some sort (Lucerne?) (my wife says I'm not old enough to buy a Buick) or a Corvette. The GM guy say he can get low mileage program Cadillacs also, but I'd prefer new. He can't sell new Caddy's. I'd like 4 seats since I occasionally need to haul 2 kids. Fun to drive would be nice but I'm not too optimistic about that. Good mileage is a plus.

I will be driving it about 15k-20k miles a year on mostly rural highways with the remainder in urban traffic jams in all kinds of weather.

Have any of you driven the 500 or a current Buick? I've driven the vette. Any of you have other suggestions?

Thanks

 

You might find this amusing- and its undercover demeanor will probably keep other people in the right lane-

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/4354/specialty-file-kenny-brown-marauder-s.html
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Wow.

Seven days and 1 response. I finally hit an automotive question so pedestrian it bored Fchatters to silence.

Whart - thanks for the response. I do like the hotrod sleeper idea but I'm not sure Mercury offers those any more. A police version Crown Vic might work with some mods.

 

Just add two or three extra antennae on the back and a flood light on your mirror and you will own the freeway!

 

that's where you lost the attention of 99.999999% of Fchat readers!

I say a black or that awesome eye-searing yellow Vette.

 

If it weren't for the customer connection, I wouldn't be looking there either.

 

thats easy:

two door option

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-GTO-manual-6-speed-low-mileage-887-Mi_W0QQitemZ150040489140QQihZ005QQcategoryZ7244QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

four door option

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cadillac-CTS-CTS-V-2005-Cadillac-CTS-V-CTSV-400-HP-NAV-6-SPEED-LOADED_W0QQitemZ170032521580QQihZ007QQcategoryZ43903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

That CTS-V is definately fun to drive.....

 

The 500 is acutally a pretty nice car. It's BIG inside, and they have a decent powertrain with the 6-speed auto. I don't think they are going to use the 3.5l Duratec until next year. If you're used to the Acura, you might want to check out a loaded Fusion as well, its based on the same chasses as the Mazda 6, just expanded a bit.

The new Buicks are nice, and not the old person's car they used to be . Have you considered a Pontiac G6? You could get a G6 GTP with a stick if you want. Might be slightly smaller than the CL.

 

Caddy CTS-V

hands down the best american performance sedan.

400 hp, decent enough handling, very comfortable, 4 seats, good owners group and aftermarket support.

new $50k, can be found used for $35k

the two "problems" with the car have cheap aftermarket fixes.
the 1-4th shift skip can be defeated with a $20 dongle in the wiring.
rear end wheel hop under HARD accel. is solved with some stiffer bushings in the rear.

Drive one before you form opinions of it. I was more than pleasantly surprised.

Its not as sophisticated at a M5, but its half the price.

 

oh yes, another $4-5k gets a bolt on supercharger for 500+hp.

 

My suggestion would be checking into one of the Pontiac GTOs. I know that they just stopped building them, but the engine is a gem. It is easy to modify if you want more performance from the 400hp LS2 engine. It has a back seat for additional passengers as well as a functional trunk.

I know the styling is a bit bland, but thats part of the stealth of the car. It does have a controversial story since it came from Australia originally.

They are rarer than Vettes and are likely to hold their value better for trading or selling it later on.

Take a look, you might find what you are looking for.

Good Luck,

Patrick

 

I would check into the Pontiac G6 GTP coupe. Its not mega fast, but its probably one of the best: looking and quality cars GM makes. The new Saturn Aura is a very nice sedan as well. Good luck in your domestic quest! Ford Mustang GT maybe?

 

You said no SUV, but the TrailBlazer SS is an interesting idea.

It's a nice looking truck in silver or black and it functions better as a daily driver than does the Grand Cherokee SRT-8. It's also 5k-8k less expensive.

 

My mom's 500 Limted AWD is a great car CVT really feels great Huge trunk and even with the seats back the a fair amount of leg room in the back I might be the way to go if your look of a Lux. It AWD that was the kicker for us but see as you live in Texas that is most likely not a big thing for you

 

GTO
There's no other option.