Perfection

I say get an IS250 - great gas mileage, and you can probably get a great deal on a fully loaded one.

UTGS400

I would probably get an IS350 over the 250...they get about the same gas mileage.

Also as far as as getting an S500/S600 or LS430...I can get 50% better gas milage in another car. I would save over $30 a week ($1500 annually). And that is at current gas prices.

marshmallo

Used IS350 if you don't need to use the backseats...

mmarshall

Yes, IMO, clearly your best option. A new Legacy GT will run less or about what the others do used, give you the power you want, Subaru reliability, AWD traction, comfort, and a nice interior. Its ride will not be nearly as soft as the Outback's, but still stiff by any means.

You mention comfort in your criteria. The IS250 is definitely a firm ride (IMO borderline harsh), and the ES350, while smoother, is stiffer than the ES330 it replaces. Interior quality and materials on the new ES350 is another weak point.

Most, or all, of the cars you named will also use premium gas...important point at today's gas prices.

And there are a couple of other nice choices, too, in the price ranges you mention, in the Audi A4 and BMW 3-series line. Their basic mechanics are OK, but their electronics will probably not be as reliable as the Japanese-designed cars.

And, last, there is the domestic Pontiac G8GT...actually an Australian design with an American detuned Corvette engine. You can get one brand-new for the low-mid 30's. It has some cheap interior plastics, and, being brand-new, untested reliability, but in general, is a nice sport sedan for the price......I was impressed with its driving dynamics when I reviewed one.

SLegacy99

Yes well the GS, IS, ES, C class, 3 series, 5 series, TSX, TL, G35, A6, A4, A3, S40, etc. are all crap buckets. I wouldn't be caught dead in one.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Compared to twin turbo V12 S600.... yep, pretty much.

SLegacy99

I personally would rather have an M5.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Very good.... Now, would you rather drive a 525 instead of that M5 to save $20 per week in gas?

IS350jet

"Quiet" was the second item on the OP's list. Other than the Avalon and Accord, none of the other cars mentioned in this thread are what I would call Quiet. A G-35 is neither quiet, nor fuel efficient, and has quite a stiff ride. Perhaps UTGS400 could elaborate a little bit on *how* quiet, fuel efficient, reliable, powerful, and comfortable his next car needs to be.

SLegacy99

No, I'd rather have a 528i.

UTGS400

I do know that my 98 GS is quieter than a 2008 Acura TL. And that the Acura TL Type-S is too loud and has too stiff of a ride. I am sure that any lexus, or a camry/avalon will be quiet enough for me. I do need to check out an accord though.

TwiBlueG35

I would recommend a new car for under $35,000.

Honda Accord EX-L or EX-L V6 sedan with Navi
Lexus IS250 RWD sedan with Navi
Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
09 Nissan Maxima sedan 3.5S or 3.5SV
BMW 328i sedan

All of them should be able to be had for under $35,000 out the door, but not sure if they all come with navigation system. Actually nowaday you don't have to buy the stock navigation system since there are so many choices of portable navigation system from different brands, 3.5" or 4.3" for $300 or less. Garmin, Tom Tom, Navigon, Sony, Magnellan are all great brands.

nthach

The TSX is basically an Accord, you can get a loaded Accord EX-L for $26-35 depending on the dealership, how much of a markup is in your area and if the dealer loads the car with accessories so that the salesperson makes a $100 bonus for them.

And at the moment, Toyota and Honda are trying to unload Camrys and Accords since people are snapping up Corollas, Yarii, Civics, Fits, Prii, and Civic Hybrids left and right. I work at a Honda dealer and we have all but sold out of our Civic inventory - except for 5 Sis and a few EX-Ls.

SilverBull

To the original poster, the IS250 gets a lot better mileage than the IS350. You need to double check that one out. In fact is off by about 10 mpg honestly. You sacrifice a lot of power for mileage in a IS250 but that is each person's choice. You might be surprised how good of mileage that car will actually get.

<VENOM>

Chrysler 300C, everything you want new or used, they are popping up on tons of dealer lots, dealers are willing to deal on them, sometime in 07 Chrysler started offering the lifetime warranty, should not cost more then a V8 GS with routine maintenance, it's a car most overlook but it's like driving an E Class with a Hemi, gets mid to high 20's on the highway with 87 or 89