New Car

[drone]

Stay away from Saab, they were owned by GM and the badge got sold to a small auto company, Spyker. Their future is uncertain, to say the least. You might want to look at Volvo instead, but Ford is currently attempting to sell them to some Chinese firm soon, who knows what will happen. And Audis are just up-badged VWs, caveat emptor.

As a full blooded American, I would suggest ... a BMW 3-series or a nicer Japanese car like Nissan/Infinity or Honda/Acura. What sort of vehicle are you looking for: a classy sedan, sporty coupe, or something else? What is your driving style, and what are your needs?

[Reenk Roink]

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

As with everything, people have different opinions. I have owned Saabs for many years and always found them very comfortable, reliable and reasonably interesting to drive. The 9-3 convertible is a nice car.

Saab, despite the ownership of GM, has always had a decent badge image in Europe. They are built in Trollhaetten by the same Swedish engineers that were making them before GM. Elegant feel, smooth drive etc, is a Saab certainly. Classy? Entirely subjective.

[Subotan]

Secondly, Saab is not classy.

It totally is. Saabs are sophisticated.

[Megas Methuselah]

Wow, what are you, rich or something? Just take the freaking bus.

[Andres]

If you're looking for good value for your money, then I'd suggest Skoda. If you want something that looks classy, go for the Skoda Superb. Skoda is much cheaper than Audi and BMW, but the quality is almost as good and allthough it's a matter of taste, I find the Skoda Superb very good looking.

Pics:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm driving a Skoda Fabia (yes, a cheap car; expensive cars are a complete waste of money) at the moment and I'm very happy with it.

[pevergreen]

Get a Holden.

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles

[GeneralHankerchief]

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

My mom drives an Accord, I've taken it out occasionally. Definitely recommended. Mileage is decent, although it's tough to notice for sure mainly because the fuel tank is so freaking big.

[Sarmatian]

If you're looking for good value for your money, then I'd suggest Skoda. If you want something that looks classy, go for the Skoda Superb. Skoda is much cheaper than Audi and BMW, but the quality is almost as good and allthough it's a matter of taste, I find the Skoda Superb very good looking.

Pics:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm driving a Skoda Fabia (yes, a cheap car; expensive cars are a complete waste of money) at the moment and I'm very happy with it.

I don't like Skodas. They're cheap, yes, but not that reliable and they're definitely not classy or stylish. Better to go for VW if he wants that sort of a car.

Hmm thanks for the info about Saab, also it's not classy in Europe?

I'm looking for a sleek Sedan (A4 style, A3 is too stationwagonish), a coupe is too flashy, I like an elegant feel, a nice smooth drive, decent milage. I am looking at an Accord for a slightly less expensive solution.

I'm not sure about Audi prices in the US, but with 35,000$, good A4 might be out of your price range, if you want to buy a new car. In my opinion it might be better to get A3 with full package equipment than A4 that's missing even a sound system. If you can get one with decent stuff in it, go for it by all means.

If I were you, I'd look for a used car, let's say several years old BMW 3-series. Several years and 50,000-150,000 km is nothing for a BMW, with proper maintenance, you can get more than half a million km from it. You wouldn't even spend your entire budget, you could get a car with a strong engine and great equipment that is reliable and stylish. Of course, there are risks, but if you know a good mechanic who can check the car for you, there's not much to worry about. Also, since the car would be awesome and wouldn't look like it's straight out of the factory, you would be seen more as a "knower" than a "spender", but that's just me.

If you don't like used cars, go for Audi, no mistake there. If you don't like the new Megane, Peugeot 308 might be also worth considering. New Peugeot diesel engines are quite good, almost the quality of German ones. Get a 308 hdi and you're ready to go anywhere you want.

[Andres]

I don't like Skodas. They're cheap, yes, but not that reliable and they're definitely not classy or stylish. Better to go for VW if he wants that sort of a car.

Skoda is VW, but cheaper.

Skoda is no longer the rubbish it used to be in the seventies-eighties. Nowadays, it are very reliable cars. I'm driving one myself and unless something changes drastically, I'll probably keep buying Skoda for the rest of my life. I fell in love.

[Louis VI the Fat]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Sigurd]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Subotan]

WHAT OF THE POLAR BEARS ARE NONE OF YOU THINKING OF THE POLAR BEARS

[Sigurd]

Forget about SAAB ... Swedish and crappy. Sorry, but that is the general notion here.
Audi = good looks but expect lot of garage time.
Volvo = great, but been there done that in several iterations. Boring.

If I would have chosen a car today, a brand new one, I would go for BMW. German craftsmanship at its best.
I don't know what they go for in the States, but you get original factory guaranty even if you chip it.
Chain trimming belt is a plus (never have to change it) and I know; my rubber trimming belt snapped last year and the engine was smashed to pieces.

BMW 335i Coupe would be my choice if I were young.
Today I would go for the brand new 5 series, but here in Norway the starting price for this baby would be around $84 000.

[Sarmatian]

Skoda is VW, but cheaper.

... and worse. Just because VW owns Skoda doesn't mean they're the same. I'm not saying it's a bad car, but I don't like it and it is definitely not classy, which is what reenk wants.

Mmmm ... Mini Cooper ... if I didn't have two kids I would so have that car ...

... and it's supposed to be super-tall-guy-friendly. Lots of headroom up front. Wheee!

Oh, yeah. Was my first choice as well last year but I couln't find a good used one in Serbia so I endep up getting Kia Pro'ceed.

[Ronin]

... and worse. Just because VW owns Skoda doesn't mean they're the same. I'm not saying it's a bad car, but I don't like it and it is definitely not classy, which is what reenk wants.

Ohhh RLY?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...682530,00.html

German auto giant Volkswagen is having trouble with its subsidiary Skoda. Not only are profits down at the Czech-based automaker, but its cars are now competing directly with VW models -- and in some cases are beating them in road tests.

On the topic....I heard that the Ford Focus European model is going to start being sold in the US....it is an amazing car and if a nice budget is available I´d go for one of the top versions.