Sport sedan recommendations?

[Finnegan]

Hi All,

What are your thoughts on sporty sedans for ~ $20k these days? Is the M3 still the benchmark, or is it Audi now? Lexus? Part of its duties will be to transport an aging, frail parent to doctor appointments.. So, comfort is important.

[edc]

If you want to side to comfort the I can suggest a C55 AMG. Ran one as my practical cat alongside by Boxster. Didn't need the ultimate handling sports saloon or sedan as after all got a Boxster so M3 was out.

[algiorda]

I'm actually fond of the Cadillac ATS.

[mikefocke]

I think aging and frail are the key words, not sporty.

I recall measuring things like the size of door openings and seat height when transporting a knee replacement patient. Might want to experiment at home to see what is comfortable/needed for them.

[Ciao]

Comfort, Sport, and, Luxury, Quality and weather never an issue; Audi

[Gelbster]

Mike gave a good answer. I sold my Jaguar XJR because it was too low for my Dad to get in and out of easily.
The easiest entry/egress cars are actually small Crossovers. P. Macan & Audi/vw clones, Acura RDX V6.
If you want a Flat 6 -Subie Outback !

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

If you want a Flat 6 -Subie Outback !

I'll second that.

[Giller]

Can't go wrong with an Audi....but would say Jaguars have come along way in terms of reliability and they drive amazingly.

But echo a small SUV might be better suited for entry/exit. Can get VW SUV in that price range and they are virtually Porsches without the badge.

[paulb]

One of my other cars is an '12 Acura RDX turbo (I think its a 3.0l V6) anyway its a mini SUV not a sedan but my wifes father is 86yo 5'2" & frail as a cracked egg. He gets in
& out of it fine as a bonus there is plenty of room in the back seat + cargo space. put it in sport mode & its pretty fun to drive, though nowhere close to a BMW M.

[thstone]

The E46 M3's are still the gold standard.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by thstone

The E46 M3's are still the gold standard.

I had the chance to test drive a 2002 M3 today. It was interesting. The additional hp didn't really impress me, especially at lower speeds. The handling and steering were pretty fantastic, and on par with the 986.

[BIGJake111]

You can get an S class amg for that.

If repairs don't scare there is no better German sedan until the panamera turbo came out

[RandallNeighbour]

Reading the OP's price point carefully, I'm going to suggest something like a CPO Nissan Maxima, although it may be too low of a rider for elderly people to get in and out of.

What I would not recommend is a German vehicle for this purpose. To get one in the 20k range, you'll be faced with not only taking aging parents to doctors, but renting a vehicle for aforementioned visits when the elderly German vehicle is in the shop for one thing or another.

Sorry, but owning an older Mercedes and a very newish BMW for six short years have proven to me that their long term reliability is non-existent. I love German sports sedans, but only when I can afford to buy them new and trade them 1000 miles before they go out of warranty.

One money-pit in the garage (the black hole for dead presidents aka Boxster) is enough for me.

[Deserion]

Hell, even a Forester, RAV-4, or CRV would do the job superbly in capability and budget.

[BoxsterSteve]

I'll give a thumbs up for the Forester.
I've been driving mine like a rental for 9 years now.

[coreseller]

Being that the original post is 5 plus months old I doubt the OP'er is checking but here is my response......

I know it is far from a sports sedan but I would recommend your Mother try to get in and out of anything that you are considering, it will be eye opening. I am in the exact same boat and decided to buy as a DD a Honda Odyssey Minivan. Nowhere near my first choice for fun but it is an incredibly useful / practical vehicle for day in and day out driving. I honestly really missed the past minivans that we had when the wife was driving them before all of the kids started driving, she now has a SUV after ~ 15 years of driving minivans. 23 city mpg and over 30 mpg highway, TONS of room inside and comfortable as all get out to run 80 plus on long trips. My wonderful Mid 80's Mother and her friends can get in and out (for casino trips) with ease.

Like I said have your mother try to get in and out of various "Sport Sedans" repeatedly. I doubt anything (depending on their mobility) will be a good fit.

Good Luck.......Mark.......

[M1NDCRlME]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

You can get an S class amg for that.

If repairs don't scare there is no better German sedan until the panamera turbo came out

I'm fond of the E55 AMG myself. That will be next on my list if i ever get rid of my 01 Audi S4.

[kirkandorules]

Should be able to find a reasonably low mileage Infiniti Q50 for $20k. Very reliable, fast, looks great, and they work well in winter weather if that's a concern where you live.

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by M1NDCRlME

I'm fond of the E55 AMG myself. That will be next on my list if i ever get rid of my 01 Audi S4.

An E55 is a money pit. For its time an awesome car hp wise and even by today's standards pretty good. Reliability is pretty atrocious. Ask me how I know. I can tell you about failed air suspension, supercharger, supercharger water pump, and on and on. This was before 60k. And the price for parts is something special.there's a reason you can by them in the teens. Consider that a about half of the money needed to run the car for two or three years.

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

An E55 is a money pit. For its time an awesome car hp wise and even by today's standards pretty good. Reliability is pretty atrocious. Ask me how I know. I can tell you about failed air suspension, supercharger, supercharger water pump, and on and on. This was before 60k. And the price for parts is something special.there's a reason you can by them in the teens. Consider that a about half of the money needed to run the car for two or three years.

Anything German out of warranty is a money pit.