New car help requested.
 

I have to purchase a new car to travel my 5 state sales territory in. I dislike SUVs for the main fact they do not thrill me when I drive, and they suck up gas. the vehicle needs to have space to haul samples in, and I would also like it to be sporty and fun to drive. Previous employment for the same region supplied a Ford Explorer. My new employer will be paying mileage so I can recoup most the money as long as I am frugal in my purchase. Please shoot me any ideas you may have.

My requirements are:
some room to haul,
nice interior comfort wise(leather, moon roof),
Some sort of sporty feel (i do miss the Boxster),
able to withstand 45K miles a year (trade in every3-4 years)
reasonable gas mileage,
cost below 30K (It will have no value at trade in)

Now Here is what I have looked at so for:
Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd (I do not like the new interiors),
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (very noise and gas mileage is bad but I loved the idea),
Nissan Murano (like the exterior hate the interior),
Nissan Xtera (gas mileage and not that sporty),
Saab 92x (looks like a wagon but fun to drive),
Audi A3 ( top of price range but I like allot)

Infiniti G35 Sedan 6MT??

Subaru Outback Wagon.

Turbo is quite the deal.

I second the Subaru idea (my daily driver is a '98), but different model choices:

WRX STi (a little above your range at ~$32K, hatchback, not wagon - but 300HP turbo with real sport seats, heavily optioned and brakes that are familiar - Brembos!)
WRX Sport Wagon (227 HP Turbo 2.0L - ~$26K)
Legacy Wagon 2.5GT Turbo (~$28K - 250HP).

Why? These are not the "road clearance" models, so the center of gravity will be lower for better cornering. Subaru has really taken things up a notch re: power and brakes lately (I believe their ads were quoting faster acceleration times than a Boxster at one point...).

They take a lickin and keep on tickin.

"They take a lickin and keep on tickin."

Amen,

my son had one with 165K on it. You could not kill it!

My wife is on Sub. #4.

The WRX STi is not a hatchback, its a 4 door sedan with a trunk.

My mistake - right you are, the STi glass does not move, just the lid (I'm surprized that whacko spoiler doesn't hit the glass when the trunk is opened).

I guess it all depends on how tall the "samples" in question are... the Legacy wagon could (can?) take two 30 gal. trash cans standing up in the rear w/out the lids, I've not tried similar with the WRX wagon.

Thanks for the advise but I will need some cargo room. The Saab 9-2x is the Subie WRX but looks better and has a rear cargo room 227HP. I was looking at SUV's or a small wagon type car.

The Outback wagon has tons of room and won't kill you on gas mileage.

It also has to have my mountain bike rack on the top, haul the 110 lb puppy, and a cooler of beer !:cheers:

The girlfriend should fit also :p

I do like the Legacy wagon though (very cool) And the sample sometimes contain lumber and misc. boxes. items(too large for most trunks). Most the time however I have to carry literature, promo items and a tool box or two.

Thank you everyone this is great that I can ask advice on such an important personal subject to me. You all are great people. I am putting more faith into my online community after recent occurrences.

Best of luck. Let us know what you get!

:dance: