I have to admit, I have been browsing the car market a lot lately. It started when a friend made the comment regarding the reliable range of the Park Avenue. He is right, yes, this is a car that is acceptable to take the next city over (50 miles, about an hour away), but it will never be a car that can be taken on the road for real. He is right. I am driving a car that is 18 years old, has 168k miles, and I don't feel comfortable driving on long trips. Now I feel unsettled in my current car. It'* time to consider other options.

I started cruising the market, $10k - $15 range, and found nothing but 2 and 3 year old city cars, all of which I hate. I rethought the approach, and started looking at other things. The only thing I can think of that I could possibly live with is a 2005 SLE. I can't stand the styling of the 2000-2003 SLE/SSEi (It looks like Jay Leno'* chin with foglights), and I couldn't stand the SE, knowing that I could have had more. I can't stand the GXP because of the Northstar (Needy, DOHC v8 Shoved in a FWD, and it sucks to work on). Current going rate of a 2005 SLE with around 75k miles is in the neighborhood of $8000.

Of course, keeping my search to one trim level of one year of one kind of car is somewhat limiting, so I ask for some help.

What would you recommend that has an eye on the 2005 SLE?

Requirements:

Carefree operation for the first year or so would be nice
Mid to Full size
Styling to be laid back, but not bland
I wish to avoid something underpowered. (Ricer boy has to go down if he act a fool)
There are tons of other complaints that I have about other vehicles, but I welcome suggestions and ideas. Please help me to see some cars I have not yet considered.

The Grand Prix GT and GTP'* are nice cars, and with the supercharged 3.8, have plenty of potential.

The Impala LT/LTZ/SS are nice cars too. I haven't driven one with the 3.9 or 5.3, but the 3.5 in my parent'* 09 LS is very perky and is plenty fun to drive.

If you want to go a little smaller, I've always admired the G6 GTP. I imagine the 3.9 manual would be a blast to drive.

Another car that I've always admired was the LaCrosse.. The CXS came with the 240hp 3.6L and the Super came with the LS4. I've always liked the styling of those cars. They're laid back and classy, but look like they have a fun side to them.

Gran Prix'* are a little too sporty, and scream that I want to cause trouble

I would not consider the 5.3 Impala, but I will look in to the rest of the line a little more.

LaCrosse is probably going to be a little rich for my blood, but I do admit I haven't looked at them too closely, I will do that soon as well.

Also, it should be noted too that every Drive By Wire vehicle I have driven, I have hated. Inconsistent power delivery, and the throttle feel is just unnatural, like I am suggesting, instead of commanding.

Keep them coming. I did like the looks of an '06 Camry at one point.

I agree about the drive by wire. It takes a little while to get used to, but its not that bad.

Would you consider the Ford Fusion? I drove a 2007 v6 a couple months ago, and it was a very nice car to drive. A little smaller than I was expecting, but the fit and finish of the interior and exterior were very pleasing. One of the things I liked about the interior was the analogue clock in the dash. Very classy

03' SSEi with GXP Bumpers and Spoiler? Or you could go all out like Steve and even get the carbon fiber, rims, door handles, (he would have had a north star in that thing had it not started to rust out on him).

Best of luck in your car search. I always have the hardest time picking one out, but when I do it generally grows on me pretty quickly.

i think the imp ltz would be a good fit, when i was looking at cars last year there were a few that seemed like a really good deal, maybe people dont want the 3.9 for mileage. i agree with the drive by wire being annoying but we are going to have to get used to it because its easier for the factory and I'm sure they will continue to do so. the trucks dont seem as bad so i wonder what a tune would be able to do for the cars lack of feel. i drove a few g6'* they were too small and looked hard to work on. the aura 3.6 were cool too i almost bought one of those it was down to that or the 07 monte and the monte has alot more room for me and in the trunk.

im super hooked on the gto. such a sexy car. only thing i dont like about them is the clutch is kinda heavy. but for the price (15k ish for the more expensive manual) its a whole lotta car for your money.

as for more comfy cars, id like an hhr ss, cobalt turbo (goes faster around the ring than a nissan gtr) and ofcourse, the 05 park ave ultra is just beautiful. in o5 they offered a pearlescent white with the newyork skyline on the c pillar and cleared amber turn signals, the rims were beautiful and they also had brought back the ventiports.

RJ,

Think I may have found something that may match what you are looking for. Have you driven a Ford lately?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...#ht_623wt_1165