Help,trying to decide on my next car!

[keir]

I have been a Pontiac man and owner of either a Grand Prix or Bonneville for the past fifteen years but soon it will be time for me to move on to another car.Rounding out my short list is the Cadillac CTS,Chevrolet Camaro,Dodge Charger,and the 09 or newer Nissan Maxima,or perhaps a G8....Any thoughts or experiences with these cars would be welcomed.

[Hotwheels]

That's a lot of different variables in terms of the vehicles you've listed. What are you realistically looking to use the car for, and what are you really wanting to get - 2 door/4 door, rear drive/front drive, manual/automatic/CVT, etc.? Once you can narrow down what you're looking to get in a car, that might help us give some feedback on a couple of those, or similar cars in their classes. There's some fairly decent choices in that list, it just depends on what you need in a car.

[nos4blood70]

Those cars listed are pretty different from each other.

[CMNTMXR57]

Keep it GM.

I'm all about the Caddy or G8. The G8 has more room than the Bonneville in the backseat area, so if you have the need for critter seats in back, that is key. But beware. Parts for Holden based cars aren't cheap as many (particularly body parts), have to come from Australia. In many cases, when you scratch a GTO or G8, your insurance usually totals them because of that. Also, as I'm noting with my GTO, as it ages, even normal routine maintenance parts are hard to come by, requiring special order, *if* GM/Holden even makes them anymore. This same thing, unless GM all the sudden starts bringing the car in mass back stateside again as some form of Chevy Caprice/Impala, the G8's will start to suffer the same issue in a few years. Anyway, if the part(s) aren't available, you're left to your own devices.

[Bonneville92V688]

Check out a '10+ LaCrosse. I drove one and LOVED it. I couldn't find a single thing I didn't like on the car. The interior was nice, it was quick and super quiet. I drove the 3.6 model.

[keir]

Those cars listed are pretty different from each other.

Agreed but these are what appeal to me now...At least the Caddy and Max are in the same class,or aren't they.I have actually been to a dealer and gave the CTS a good look but a coworker who has a DTS has warned me of all of the electric problems that he goes through with his car.He said that if he hits a bump or a pothole while driving one of the many sensors will go bad.I don't know if the CTS is plagued with those problems but he did raise a red flag....I'm not looking to be king of the boulevard or some speed demon so as far as the Camaro and the Charger are concerned the base models seem to have decent power and should suffice.....Thanks for the useful info on the G8.

[BonneMe]

Maxima isn't close to a CTS IMO. An infiniti G or M would be muuuuuch better if you want a car from the Nissan family...

Of those i'd get the CTS or G8.. The Charger is too heavy, and only good with an 8. Camaro is going to be harder to live with everyday.

[CMNTMXR57]

Those cars listed are pretty different from each other.

Agreed but these are what appeal to me now...At least the Caddy and Max are in the same class,or aren't they.I have actually been to a dealer and gave the CTS a good look but a coworker who has a DTS has warned me of all of the electric problems that he goes through with his car.He said that if he hits a bump or a pothole while driving one of the many sensors will go bad.I don't know if the CTS is plagued with those problems but he did raise a red flag....I'm not looking to be king of the boulevard or some speed demon so as far as the Camaro and the Charger are concerned the base models seem to have decent power and should suffice.....Thanks for the useful info on the G8.

While yes, Caddy's do have more electronic gizmos and other stuff that are prone to error, I have to say that in the 1+ years I've had mine, I have not had any gremlins. So I wouldn't sweat it. I have more electronic gremlins on my last two CHEVY Monte Carlo's than I have with my Caddy. Let's not get on my GXP which constantly had me re-calibrating the compass and other D.I.C. issues once it would get below 32*.

[keir]

Maxima isn't close to a CTS IMO. An infiniti G or M would be muuuuuch better if you want a car from the Nissan family...

Of those i'd get the CTS or G8.. The Charger is too heavy, and only good with an 8. Camaro is going to be harder to live with everyday.

I thought the caddy and max were in the same competing class,that's what I meant.As much as I like Camaro you raise an interesting point about them as well as the Charger.I love the SRT8 look but don't need the power or the guzzle.....I didn't mention earlier but I did sit in the CTS this past Saturday at the dealer after I got off from work and it felt a little tight for me to get in and out of the pilot's seat.I didn't expect that as the car seems to be about the same size as a Bonny.They did not have a black one on the lot for my price but the salesman tried to sell me on an STS but they are just too big.He did have two G8's on hand but I think I'll remove them from my list based on what CMNRTMX57 has said...The maxima is the only Nissan that I really like and that goes for their luxury division as well.I'll have to get to a lot and give one a good once over on my next day off.

[BonneMe]

IMO the Maxima is now a FWD family car that has sporting pretensions, while the G35 is a 350Z underneath. Does it matter on the daily commute? Some, but you'll really feel the difference when you wring it out some.

[00Beast]

As much as I've been a GM fan my whole life, our new Passat TDI is a fantastic automobile, and a brand new one was very well priced for the amount of luxury items inside, as well as the fuel mileage. (Considerably cheaper than the MSRP of my SSEi almost 10 years ago). Definitely worth a look at, but beware that VW parts aren't cheap either, but the TDI will run forever.

[keir]

As much as I've been a GM fan my whole life, our new Passat TDI is a fantastic automobile, and a brand new one was very well priced for the amount of luxury items inside, as well as the fuel mileage. (Considerably cheaper than the MSRP of my SSEi almost 10 years ago). Definitely worth a look at, but beware that VW parts aren't cheap either, but the TDI will run forever.

Might have to look into the Passat.A friend has a CC,beautiful car but a little small for me.

[00Beast]

IIRC the CC is the "full-size" car. The Passat is surprisingly roomy inside. I'm 6'6" and I fit comfortably in the back with the front seat ahead one or two clicks.

[keir]

That's good then as I'm just under six feet.

[00Beast]

Bear in mind, we bought a 2012 Passat, which is the first year of the B7 bodystyle. YMMV with older models.

[keir]

What's YMMV?

[yonkerse]

I think its "Your Mileage May Vary"

Stick with GM!!!

[00Beast]

Yes, it means Your Mileage May Vary.

[MattStrike]

Stick with GM!!!

I'd also try to convince you to buy a new Ford

[petraman]

:insert obligatory Ford recommendation from me: