K....

My current company car is being retired, and I need a new one.

Do you guys want to help me buy one?

Here are the conditions:

1) GM only. No Saabs.

2) Can be 2 or 4 doors, can be an SUV, cannot be a pickup.

3) Payment around $500/month.

4) I get GMS.

5) I want an automatic.

6) I prefer FWD for a year-round car. It snows here. Unless you live north of Ohio, don't even offer an opinion on FWD vs. RWD. I CAN live with RWD given the right car.



Here are my initial thoughts IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

Impala SS -
Bad: Bland looks.
Good: Decent power. Big, roomy, reliable, relatively inexpensive.

Cadillac CTS -
Bad:Feels kind of tight (smallish), underpowered relative to price, RWD.
Good: It's a Cadillac (Cadillac service generally rocks), really beautiful, good driving feel.

Grand Prix GTP -
Bad: Boy racerish.
Good: Decent power, FWD, roomy, I like HUDs. Relatively inexpensive.

Trailblazer 4wd -
Bad: Pricey with options. Interior is bad.
Good: 4wd, decent power, roomy, it's a truck.

GTO -
Bad: RWD. Hard to find. Might not get GMS (only a piece-of-**** dealer tries to rook you on GMS, REGARDLESS of the car - that goes for Corvettes too).
Good: Good power. Roomy. Good looking. Lots of commonality with my Camaro (powertrain-wise).

Other suggestions? Opinions on these?

 

How about an '04 Bonneville GXP? Seems to meet your criteria: 275hp V8, FWD, auto, and with a few grand down $500/mo over 60mo.

 

GTO and a good set of winter tires.

If you're anything like me the "Almost on demand AWD" in the Trailblazer (we have an Envoy) will drive you crazy.

edit:

I'm north of Ohio!

I ran my Camaro on winter skinnies with 100 lbs in the trunk for 2 winters and preferred it to our Jimmy.

Winter tires help with steering and stopping too, as opposed to 4WD which just helps to get you into trouble faster.

edit 2:

Evanston, IL has 'em according to the other thread.

 

For how long? Down payment? Interest?

 

I would go with CTS Luxury Sport.

The RWD is helped out with Traction Control, and I specified the Luxury Sport model so you get StabiliTrak as well.


I do think that Grand Prix GTP, Impala SS, Monte Carlo SuperCharged SS, Bonneville SSEi, TrailBlazer, are all viable choices as well.

You might even consider a Cadillac SRX, though I know for $500/month you would probably not be able to get into the higher end versions.

 

I'd sit in all of them and see which is the most comfortable...

GTO would be great, if your planning on just driving yourself or some coworkers occasionally.. But would be annoying if you have to pick more than one coworkers or clients up at the airport..

If carpooling/picking clients up is done alot, and if you can swing it, a CTS or a SRX would be great..

Then the Impala SS for the less expensive more down to earth route..

 

Pacer, your PM box is full...

 

How about the Malibu Maxx? am I missing a specification?
FWD.. decent power, GM made, ability to hold enough.
or a regular Malibu for that matter.
pretty inexpensive if you option it right.

 

I don't think the GTP is boy-racerish at all, especially on the outside. If you prefer FWD (which I don't blame you), It'd be my pick. Impala or Monte SS Supercharged would be my second choices.

 

CTS !!!!

Plus the CTS is clsssier than the other GM cars in its price range which makes you business look good.

50/50 weight distro and traction and stability control mean it will be good in the snow

 

If you are going to be spending very much time on the hwy with whatever you get, then I would recommend the GXP too.

IMO, this would be perfect combination of sportiness and luxury.
Either that or maybe a Buick.

 

OK.....I'll prolly never hear the end of this......but, here goes

(diving into the pool of controversy without my earplugs.........)

What about a DeVille or DTS? There are some incredible lease deals right now.....and they are NOT the Cadillacs of yesteryear.......

I've always been impressed with the performance of the Northstar....and, as luck would have it, I just turned the SSR in for another company vehicle (we don't get to pick our company cars...they are assigned as part of our job description to evaluate all of our products...and the IRS feels we shouldn't have a say in what we evaluate....) and surprise, surprise......a DTS.........great car. Quiet. Fast. Handles extremely well for a large car. Makes the potholes and expansion joints on Detroit roads disappear without floating............

Does it HAVE to have 4 doors? If not, what about a Supercharged Monte SS? I say this because the execution of the Monte Interior.....with leather, is, in my opinion, vastly superior to the Impala.......go look at one in Neutral Leather and I think you'll see what I mean.....Gloss levels, color and contrast match..... As to quietness, well.........there was this incident on the 30th of December on I-5 heading to San Diego in a Rental Monte....................

(hey.........I RILLY, RILLY dint KNOW I was going that fast!!!!)

Note I'm not about to admit HOW fast I was going....but it surprised the heck outta me!)

Let me know what you decide..................

 

GTO no contest if you can get one

 

Red,

I love the DTS.

It's the only truly American luxury car left from GM. Huge, a little floaty, comfy, drive it with your pinky all day long. It belongs in the class of cars that I have always loved but are sadly dying - Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood, etc... I have this split personality - either rip my face off with a power machine (Camaro), give me an appliance (Cavalier), or give me x-tra cushy (DTS).

That being said, I have to unload my Cavalier, which means I'm going to get hammered since it's less than a year old - probably go $3000-$4000 negative.

I've thought of the Monte Carlo also, but haven't seen a supercharged one on the lot up close. My only concern with the Monte is that the GTP has more power.

A 2dr is fine... and I've bounced the idea of a GTO around.

 

I 've spent alittle time in a DTS...and I liked it. Fast, comfortable...I even ran one through an autocross track....and I thought it handled pretty darned well for a car of it's type. I even like it's looks. And....it's FWD....