Here's the situation: Recently my catalytic converter started to go. It's made me start thinking... the car is 15 years old, runs VERY well, but there are a million and one "little" things wrong with it, and the body isn't in the best shape--the paint job is HORRIBLE, and there are some signs of rust in the wheel wells as well as around the door frames. The interior gets wet when it rains because seals are going, and the dash is cracked in half from when my radio was ripped out. The fuel gauge isn't accurate, the transmission gauge isn't either (not that it matters, you know what gear you're in by how many clicks you shift the stalk). Things in the trunk get wet and stay wet for some unknown reason (even when it hasn't rained in a long while).
I really should get a new car.
I won't be in the market for a car until spring/summer 2008. I love a quiet, boulevard cruiser, but there are many times when I want to rev the engine a little and feel some power (not looking for a sportscar, but don't want to slosh all over the damn road). I want to spend about 25,000. I need legroom because I'm tall, and I want an auto. Fuel economy is kind-of a moot point since my commute is VERY short now. Here is what I'm considering:
2008 Malibu LTZ V6 - LOVE the look of the new Malibu as well as the powertrain offerings.
2008 Aura XR - Love the look of the Aura. HATE the wheels the XR has. I haven't test-driven one, but I believe the Aura would be fairly quiet, but have the power/handling I might enjoy.
2008 LaCrosse CXS - The "sportiest" LaCrosse. I'll be honest... turned off by the weaker version of the 3.6, the 4-speed auto, but it's a Buick. And you know how I feel about Buicks...
2008 Lucerne CXL - This would be my boulevard cruiser--but it lacks the power I would want for some fun, and it's pushing the price past my limit.
2008 Accord LX V6 - Don't hate me, but I LOVE the interior of the current Accord, and I'm thinking I might like the new one providing it doesn't have the interior of the Civic. Need to see the production version of the car. I have found my friend's 2002 Accord EX V6 silky smooth and fairly quiet after 53,000 miles to date.
Any other suggestions?
I'd even consider a 9-3, but with a few options, the price quickly gets up to and over $30,000.
At this point, I'd like to avoid getting a used car. I've never owned a new car, and I would really like one.