I'm ready to retire the S2K from daily duties. I'm going to be in the market soon for a sedan and am looking for an OTD price of under $16000. The main things I'm looking for is 'decent' fuel economy, AT (with manual shift option), V6 power, fun, and reliability. I'd be doing all of my own maintenance/work.

The top picks for right now are an 07-08 TL Type S or 07+ Lexus IS 350. I've considered the RL, Fit (I know, not V6), CTS, G37 and G8, but I keep coming back to those two. I don't want to deal with German maintenance.

Any comments/opinions, first hand experience with my top two picks? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

My girlfriend recently bought an 08 Fit and it's a very comfortable DD car (without the V6 fun factor ); I'm sure a good number of S2ki members run Fits as DDs as well. If you're willing to get a I4, have you considered a TSX?

Can't go wrong with the TL however not to mention the nice interior. The IS 350 felt a little smaller interior wise than the TL but that could just be me - it's been a while since I've been hands on with them.

My vote would go to the TL

 

CTS is a nice ride.

 

Just keep driving the S, no excuses. Those boring beige-mobiles aren't going to do it for you. But in all seriousness, why retire the S? Has something changed to where you need a Sedan? I just say because I figured a WRX would do it for me, be exciting enough while adding in needed practicality but it didn't. Driving the S2000 was always such a refreshing experience, eventually I wanted to drive it exclusively so I sold the WRX instead.

 

G8 GT's a load of fun. If you saddle yourself with the V6, whenever you pull up next to a GT (this will admittedly be very infrequent) you'll wish you'd gotten that sweet, sweet L76. Honestly, without that V8 the rest of the car just doesn't make up for it.

Can't go wrong with a TL Type S, in my opinion. An A35 (2009+) Nissan Maxima would probably fit the bill nicely as well. The upgraded seats in those things are the same as you get in the Infiniti M cars, too. Seriously comfy. Plus, heated mother****ing steering wheel

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm looking to preserve the S2k a bit as the top will be needing replacement soon. An AT will be nice for the stop and go traffic I get into as well.

We have an Odyssey but whatever I get will need to be able to accomadate my family of five in a pinch (2 in car seats). That might be a problem in the Lexus.

I like the TSX but the acceleration is underwhelming with an AT. I don't really like the interior material on the newer ones.

 

I vote the same... I just picked up a DD for my wife... 2008 Acura TL w/ 70K on the clock... A little bit out of your budget, but you can adjust the model year and the mileage to fit into your budget accordingly..

 

My favorite years for the TL.