Cadillac CTS or Infiniti G35 or Saab 95?

[Hawkeye-X]

Discuss.

Basically, after I wrecked my mom's car in December (not my fault), the other guy's car insurance decided that my mom's 1994 Honda Passport was a total loss, so my mom is car-hunting. She's narrowing down to those cars.

I have ridden today with my mom on a Cadillac CTS (it's OK), Infiniti G35 (2003 version) which I really like, and Saab 95, which I haven't gotten a chance to ride in...

So, I'm hoping to get some advices from you guys suggesting which car of these three to go with... With her insurance money plus 2k or so in $$, the payment should be pretty decent.

Hawkeye-X

[gun_toting_liberal]

1. It's an easy choice

Buy American

[beawr]

4. The highest American content car is now the Accord

n/t

[DK666]

2. Get the

Chrysler Crossfire its bult on the SLK 550 frame. It is one bad a$$ car.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. She considered S10

but decided she didn't like it.

Hawkeye-X

[beawr]

5. Get the Infiniti

You'll have far less expensive cost of ownership over the SAAB. I don't know about Caddies since I will never purchase a GM vehicle.

[SheilaT]

6. I used to have an Infiniti G-20

which they apparently don't make any more. Too bad. It was a wonderful car. Roomier in the back seat that the larger on the outside I30 (I think that's what it was then). Haven't looked at the replacement version yet. If it comes in a stick shift I may get one next time I'm buying a new car.

[Purrfessor]

7. Lexus ES300

I don't know how much she's planning to spend, but have her test drive the Lexus ES300. My wife bought one last April (brand new 2003) and loves it.

Prior to purchasing the car, I went online and got a quote using one of the online buyer's services. The dealer offered it to us at "dealer cost," which was $35,500 fully loaded, including the Mark Levenson stereo and the navigation system. I think the sticker price (suggested retail) was $41,400).

We got an additional $1,400 off because my brother-in-law works for Toyota. Even so, we thought the initial price of $35,500 was a very fair price for this car.

[geniph]

11. You beat me to it, Purrfessor

One of my nephews bought a Lexus awhile back, and everyone in the family is envious of it. It's quite a nice car, and in the same price range as the Infiniti.

A top-of-the-line, fully-equipped Camry is very similar, but costs several thousand less.

(By the way, "buy American" doesn't really mean much anymore - does it mean a car assembled in this country with a foreign nameplate out of foreign-made parts (Toyotas built in California, Nissans assembled in Tennessee)? A car with an American nameplate assembled in Mexico out of Chinese-made parts (a Ford)? The most "American" car you could buy, up until recently, was the Saturn - 100% American-made, with an American nameplate, out of 97% American parts. But since GM pulled 'em back in, I think some of that's changed.)

[PDittie]

15. The right pick; I agree

You couldn't go wrong with the Infiniti, though.

Cadillacs and Saabs depreciate quickly and horribly, so unless you're leasing I would not consider either a wise choice.

[TEXASYANKEE]

8. Infiniti

I've got a QX4 and can't say enough good things about it. My next car will be an I35 (since they don't make the G20 anymore).

[Nite Owl]

13. My son has a '01 G20

and I read somewhere that they might be bringing it back. Cute little car.

[TEXASYANKEE]

14. Great news!

I hope they do bring it back.

[madrchsod]

9. the g35 is a dam fine car

you can`t go wrong with infiniti`s

[Whitacre D_WI]

10. Caddy.

It's all about the Caddy.

[Nite Owl]

12. I've had a Saab 9-5

and got the G35 as a loaner as I now have an Infiniti. Infiniti's are great for reliability and the G35 was great to drive while my car was in for service. They had an emergency and I had it for 2 days. I didn't like the sound system very much. I'm on my second Infiniti and got a used one for my son and have had no problems with any of them and the sevice can't be beat. They aim to please.
The Saab was leased (2000 Aero). It's a car you love. I was lucky and had no problems but I know of others who have. I still miss her. It was a fun car. Real fun. Almost got another one instead of the new Infiniti but being in a snowy area I needed the SUV to get us out of the sometimes deep snow on the driveway and pull the kids cars out snowbanks up here.
Hope this was helpful.

[Zorro]

16. Don't test drive the Saab 9-5

Because you'll probably want to buy it on the spot.

The Saab 9-5 is a very comfortable high-speed cruiser; you'd be amazed at both the acceleration (particularly in sport mode) and gas mileage from a turbocharged four cylinder. In addition, they're one of the safest cars on the road, can haul four adults around comfortably, and have an enormous trunk.

The Cadillac and Infiniti are both fine cars, I'm sure, but Saabs are cars that you end up emotionally bonding with. That can either be good or bad, depending on your perspective.