Time to replace 02 SSEi

[Hoosierdaddy]

My short list includes:
pros cons
Toyota Avalon Reliable comfortable Boring
Honda Accord .. .. Funky styling. A little small.
Cadillac CTS Beautiful comfort cost GM reputation
Cadillac STS .. .. cost GM reputation fuel economy?
Acura RL Reliable comfortable cost
Lexus ES330 .. .. cost front end looks like a bumper-car
Lexus ES350 .. .. cost short on interior room

The pro's and con's are only my opinion based on perception and not benefiting from actually spending time with each model.
BTW J, I really like the pic of your 92 SSEi. Looks good in white.

Yes , Skippy. I've heard good things about the Fusion. I should check it out. Is the lincoln version the MKZ or something like that?

Sorry my pros and cons column didnt come out right the .. are supposed to be dittos to the line above.

Dean

[malatu]

I bought the 2006 STS awd back in mid December of 2009. I bought it from a Cadillac dealer and had it certified for an additional $1200. That extended the gm's bumper to bumper warranty from 4 years/50,00 mi to 6years and 100,000 miles. So far I have absolutely no complaints what so ever. With that said, I do wish it got better fuel mileage. On a recent trip I got 25 highway. I get between 17 and 18 around town. But I knew the mpg long before I bought it. Plus, I only drive 10-12K miles a year. I am very easy on the "pedal". I have the 6 cylinder 255 hp. More than enough get up and go for me. Interestingly enough, the 8 cylinder northstar doesn't get that much worse mpg. Not sure what else to tell you..... It's a treat to drive. I'm very much pleased with it. I rented a 2008 cts for a week. Nice car but just a little too small, although the interior was 1st class. If you have any specific questions about the car, feel free to pm me. Recently, I've been spending most of my time at the cadillac user forum and visit here not as often as I used to. Good luck.

Thanks for the response guys,
I wouldn't totally rule out GM. I'm very disappointed with the poor management by GM and them allowing the UAW so much control until finally they stoop so low as to take taxpayer money to stay afloat. I dont mean to bring politics into this discussion but sadly our government has inserted themselves so much into industry that they become a part of the decision. My late father drove Caddys for years and I really like the STS and CTS. The STS doesn't seem to enjoy the best reliability ratings (Of course my Jeep Liberty CRD doesnt either) and that is a consideration when I'm relying on this vehicle to be the faithful, reliable everyday workhorse.
Malatu, I don't want to hi-jack this forum but I will be interested in your experience with the STS. I remember seeing one of the first STS-V's with the larger wheels etc. up in Lansing, MI. It looked SO COOL running hard on I-96.
I'm finding the various responses very interesting ....hadnt even considered Saab but I'll check it out! Two of the cars that are on my "short list" have not been mentioned....hhmmm.

[Bugsi]

. . .very disenchanted with the whole bailout, bankruptcy, poor management, UAWinfluence, killing Pontiac etc. I'd rather eat worms than drive a Buick. . . . If you had to replace a 2002 SSEi with a 2006-2009 front wheel drive auto with similar virtues what would you choose?

If you're buying a 2006-2009 car, that kind of means a used car, doesn't it? If you're buying a used car, even if it's a GM or Chrysler, not a penny of your purchase is going to go to the auto manufacturer. So you realize that not buying one of their [used] cars is purely symbolic, and has no actual monetary effect of boycotting their products or voting with your dollars, right?

[Hoosierdaddy]

Yeah Bugsi I had thought of that...Yes it is somewhat symbolic. But then again there is the "trickle up" effect. If I buy something other than GM it takes some other manufacturers car out of the available "pool" creating a slot for a new one to be sold by them.
I suppose my dilemma is that GM is just not making anything that fills the void left by our Bonneville SSEi. The G-8 comes close...I really like that car but I'm concerned about my wife driving it home after work at midnight in 6" of snow. She's gotten accustomed to the handling of the FWD with all-season tires. I just am not interested in switching tires back and forth for summer/winter a task I think would be necessary with RWD.
I really like the Cadillac CTS and they can be had with AWD but so far, out of my price range.

[J Wikoff]

People drove RWD cars exclusively for decades. If it was really that bad, they would have switched most cars a lot sooner. I've got winter tires for my G8, but I've read many do fine with all season tires.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Yes J. FWD was a rarity until the technology was developed to adapt it to everyday sedans. The big 3 was a late adapter to that technology. Between business, personal and hobby my vehicle stable includes 5 RWD, 1 FWD and 3 4WD vehicles. The requirements of our family sedan when I consider cost, everyday handling, fuel economy, and comfort seems to favor the simplicity of FWD. I realize that this subject could rank right up there with politics and religion when it comes to "car guy" discussions but IMO one has to determine which compromise is best for their needs.

[l67poweredlss]

I am (and have been for the past 2 yrs) set on an Infiniti G35 or G35X 4dr. The only possible alternatives are a 350Z (this would have to be an absolute steal as I much prefer the drivability and sleekness of the 4dr), or a 2004 GP GTP Comp G in the orange fire metallic with low miles.

What is your price range? I know that G8s have pretty high resale but here is one for under 20. High miles though.

http://myfox9.carsoup.com/used/detail.a ... E1NA%3d%3d

[Hoosierdaddy]

UPDATE!!!
My short list to replace the SSEi included Cadillac STS4 + CTS4, Acura TL, Toyota Avalon,Infiniti G35X, and Lexus es350. I actually drove an STS4...Very nice I like it a lot. I also drove two CTS4's again very nice. I drove a Honda Accord ..great car but a little too much road noise and a slightly harsher ride than I prefer for our long travel days to our daughter's home in NC. I ended up with an 07 Lexus es350 (42,000 miles). Traded my 02 SSEi (with 122,000 miles)and $20600.00 total out the door. I was looking for an Avalon when I stumbled onto the es350. It had been a Lexus 3 yr lease with a clean carfax. It has a few chips and scrapes on the bumpers but otherwise looks nearly new. It is smooth, quiet and so far is getting a bit better fuel economy than the SSEi. I know I'm gonna miss the slightly edgy 4 door sports car feel of the Pontiac but it was time to move on.
Thanks to all of you on this forum who contributed ideas to this thread. I will still lurk and maybe offer a comment.

[bonnelover]

enjoy your new ride!!! you can get bumpers painted for $100-$150, from those car lot detail guys. sounds like you got a great deal!!!!

[Lanaue]

Subaru Legacy GT or the H6 motor.

[malatu]

??