What car (under $22,000 MSRP) excites you?
 

I'm a life-long self-professed "car guy". My passion extends back into the 1950's so its been quite a while.
I have been away from the new car scene for a while. Part of my personality is to "have a plan", in mind for various situations. I just realized that there is no new car in the under $22,000 or so price range that really excites me. There are a lot of decent sedans, and the definition of "decent" makes for a MUCH better car today then 20 or more years ago. "Quirky" doesn't even exist in this homogenized marketplace. Where is today's Peugeot 504, or Citreon 2CV?
So I thought I'd ask my friends here.

If you had to replace a family sedan type of vehicle today and the budget was $22,000 MSRP or so, what would you look for? Basic requirements are true 4/5 passenger capacity and 4 doors--getting into the back seat of a 2 door for the people I might have a passengers would be cruel. Is there anything that is really exceptional?

Subaru Legacy...


for 20k you get AWD and some decent features.
I would also say the Pontiac G8 is a good deal But at $28k it is a little over the budget.

Since its a family vehical that rules out a truck. I'd go with a used Mercedes, probably an E320/350 since thats their bread and butter model.

Something Lotus flavored.

2010 Subaru Outback AWD
 

The Basic model of the 2010 Subaru AWD Outback, omes in at:

$22,995 MSRP and Invoice is $21,663. Out here you could get a brand new one for invoice, plus about 10% more for tax, license, and doc fees, "out the door", on a purchase. (Not a lease)


That's the basic one with steelies and plastic hubcaps. Loaded with moonnroof, leather, SAT NAV and all the other bells and whistles will add another $10,000.


I drove one with the standard CVT transmission and the Hill Holder, new this year, and wasn't that much impressed, compared wth my 2008, that only has 3 more payments to go.


It looks like a crossover now, a LOT, too much, like the Hyundai Santa Fe, (cheap!) and will continue to enjoy the second to last year of my station wagon looking one.

http://suzukiauto.com/sx4_crossover/ Well below your price point at $16,849 manual trans . All Wheel drive , Great warranty( 7 year 100K drive train) and low interest rates. One of the few cars with a real timing chain. Link to their Forum. http://www.sx4club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

The Mazda6 is a sexy sedan. If only it were AWD or RWD. I would have bought one, but I didnt want to spend that much so I bought a Mazda3.

Personally, I'd grab a used E55. That's just me though...;)

You never specified NEW or USED, so I would go with the local dealer selling 2002 E430 4matic, dark blue over tan leather, heated seats, navigation...the whole 9 yards, only 62600 miles, full Mercedes Dealer Service history (60K services performed on10/28/09 with 61126 miles) for....$11750 out of the door....I've talked to him :D

<LI class=quote>"The all-wheel-drive model is perhaps the best buy because it's one of the least-expensive vehicles available offering this level of all-weather capability." -- New Car Test Drive<LI class="quote quote-pos">"The 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover offers active-lifestylers a practical, comfortable and affordable front or all-wheel-drive utility vehicle with impressive looks and loads of features. ... The well-appointed SX4 Crossover has a terrific warranty and merits serious consideration from anyone shopping for either a space-efficient front-drive hatchback, such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, or Scion xB, or a true all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle, such as the Jeep Compass or Nissan Rogue." -- Kelley Blue Book

Why 22K as the cut off? Why not 20K? Can't honestly say there is any new vehicle that interestes me these days really. I guess I'm starting to get curmudgeonly in my old age.

- Peter.

Nothing new (for any price) is very intersting. For $20k I could buy an interesting 70/80s Benz. I would probably go shopping for a W109 6.3, but I doubt I could find a good one for the price.

I'd get a Jetta TDI sedan. MSRP comes in at $21,190

Ditto. That's a lot of new car for the money.

22k and me? I would go for a couple Mercedes diesels. Probably a 123/124 300TD, a 300CD and perhaps a 300/350 SDL. Buying those three cars I would still have around 12k left over (average $3300/car). Then I would go look for an Excursion with a 7.3. :D Perhaps someone could persuade me into a 95-99 Mercedes diesel instead of 2 of the other cars and still have money for the 7.3.

You asked what I would do! ;)