need to replace my 03 SSEI - recommendations?

[SteveNC7]

Sometime this year I need to replace my second 2003 SSEI. The hoses and other rubber parts on these models are getting old, so buying yet another SSEI would require more maintenance & repair than I have time & tools for. I've been searching for a newer alternative, but am having a very hard time finding another car with similar characteristics! Perhaps someone here can point me in the right direction.

Here are the things I love about my SSEI and am looking for in a newer car:
- High torque AND good fuel economy. A turbo/supercharged v-6 seems to provide the best of both worlds. V-8's don't match the highway mileage.
- Attractive, but not "flashy". I'm in sales and, given my customer base, a car that's precieved as a "luxury" or "expensive" sends the wrong message.
- Able to carry 3 passengers and has decent trunk/cargo space. Sedans seem to be the best choice to provide this and still have decent fuel economy.
- Approx. 3-6 years old (2009-2013 models). New enough to be reliable and require little maintenance, but old enough to have eroded the sticker price and be affordable (around $15k-$20k).

Any suggestions?

[PaulyGXP]

I have a 2011 Taurus SHO. Love it, been pretty good to me so far. There is a good group of guys on Ecoboostperformanceforum that are pushing the bar for these cars and know their stuff. Do some research, like every car it has its quirks. Not nearly what I had to deal with in comparison to my GXP though. It was awkward for me to have all Fords in the garage as I always had a soft spot for Pontiac and really wanted a G8. AWD and comfort sold it for me. Takes very little effort to make a 400+hp 400+lb/tq car. Tune only SHO's are getting into the 12's no problem. I'll be getting another one when I near 100,000 miles, it's that impressive. Aftermarket is growing immensely for the 3.5TT too.

[00Beast]

See below. /thread

[haro1225]

I literally just drove a 2015 SHO yesterday, and it's a pretty nice car but if you want high torque, look somewhere else. Yes it's fast but it just doesn't throw you back in the seat with torque like a 3800 would. It's pretty good on the higher end though. If you want something similar to an SSEi you could look into a newer GP. You get torque with the L32, it's decently roomy and they are very reliable. I know they are a bit out of your year range but the GT's came supercharged till 2007.