I need to recommend a car to my old man

oldeskewltoy wrote: none Z06 Corvette... they pull nearly 30 mpg on the highway......

My friends non Z06 C6 did also, did not expect that haha. Fiat 500 Abarth was showing 34-35 mpg highway when I drove one, not sure if that was accurate though and not sure its much faster than the Cobalt SS so there's that.

The new Buick Regal turbo sounds like his jam though. Fast, comfy, and not a Ford.

Cadillac ATS seems to fit the bill also.

ohhh, didn't realize he wanted swiftly

I would say base C6, (around 30 on the highway) comfy GT car there.

CTS-V if he wants back seats.

BMW 335

Tesla Model S?

There was one of those in my company's parking lot this morning.

E90 335d might be ideal here. 30+ mpg, pulls like a freight train. My father-in-law lets me drive his every once in a while, it's a miracle I still have a clean driving record.

Probably out of the price range, but maybe not depending on what it is and what incentives are out there: Cadillac ELR.

Ats. Or what about the Hyundai Genesis sedan 5.0 R.

http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/hyundai-genesis-r-spec-50-sedan-test-review

Used they look like a fairly good deal.

Or. http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/chrysler-300c-srt8-road-test

Both of those blow the 30mlg out of the water so we are back to the Ats.

5 hole Volvo avec turbocharger.

Streetwiseguy wrote: 5 hole Volvo avec turbocharger.

But Volvo was owned by Ford and I'm sure that simply won't stand.

I suspect Mazda would fall into the same situation since both Volvo and Mazda shared parts and chassis with Ford.

Then again irrational hatred of stuff is apparently what made this country great or some E36 M3.

Dodge Charger black edition with the 300 hp v6.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

The Cobalt is an 06, and it has the GMPP Stage 1 kit on it already. His work will help pay payments if it's new or gently used (12+ IIRC). Absolutely no way he's driving some gas miser and getting more toys (he lives on an airport with his Cessna 310 and Grumman Cheetah plus the AMX, Javelin, and Ambassador!!) Coupe, sedan, manual, auto, FWD, RWD, doesn't matter. It has to get decent (25+) highway MPG and be faster than the Cobalt (so say, low-14's).

• Corvette - This is the most intriguing "used" option. C5 Z06 would be the business for him.
• Challenger - The best new option I think, especially in R/T Classic guise with the MT6.
• Buick Regal - Now there's an interesting option, it's basically the evolution of the Cobalt SS/TC in an AWD package, right?
• Hyundai/KIA - Not likely, but I can try. Veloster and Genesis Coupe 3.8 both have an outside shot.
• Mercedes/BMW - Probably even less likely, though it would be easy to talk his wife into a Boxster...
• Volt - Would get absolutely creamed on his commute and probably get less mileage than the Cobalt. Tesle doesn't have enough range (and is too much $$$, but he does like it).
• ATS - Might be too pricey, but a used 1G CTS-V might work.
• Volvo/Mazda - He likes Mazda's, but probably not Volvo's. Still thinking RX-8! He's not a hatchback guy, so MS6 is probably the only other contender.

What about an Equus? Those have pretty terrible resale value, but seem like nice places to spend 180 miles/day. 5.0 V8, I believe. Probably not great on the mileage front.

In reply to Javelin:

Volt: Creamed? I think the easiest way to think of the Volt is as a 40mpg car that gets its first gallon of the day really cheaply. After that, it's about nine gallons of premium to empty. The value proposition is greatest when your ratio between gas and electric miles is somewhere between 50/50 and full electric. Otherwise, cheaper non-plugin hybrids start to look good.

Actually, I think the 1g CTS V looks like the best match considering distance and that performance is a goal.

In reply to Javelin:

The Regal is on the same platform as the last Gen SAAB 9-5 and an Opel that I can not remember. I think you can get a used ATS RWD with the 2.0T and a stick in the low to mid 20's just like the Regal. If he looks the Regal GS make sure it has got the Brembos on it.

Javelin wrote: * Buick Regal - Now there's an interesting option, it's basically the evolution of the Cobalt SS/TC in an AWD package, right?

One quick note, if it matters to him, the AWD Regal GS cars are not available with a manual trans. The FWD cars can be had with the 6-speed.

If a Cobalt sized car was adequate for him, and he likes GM, I'd have him give a 6-speed 2.0T ATS a try. They're thin on the ground, but can be had under $25K all day long, and meet his newish/good MPG req's, and the aftermarket has plenty of options to add oomph to the Ecotec.

Example (NMNA): http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1794B8F5

The ATS really is a fantastic chassis too. Even in 2.0 slushbox form it's a ball to hustle around cones. Highly recommended.

The new Malibu with the ECOTEC states 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Also has 259hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

If he likes the cobalt how about just a Regal T or Verabo Turbo. Both available in 6 speed.

xflowgolf wrote:

Javelin wrote: * Buick Regal - Now there's an interesting option, it's basically the evolution of the Cobalt SS/TC in an AWD package, right?

One quick note, if it matters to him, the AWD Regal GS cars are not available with a manual trans. The FWD cars can be had with the 6-speed. If a Cobalt sized car was adequate for him, and he likes GM, I'd have him give a 6-speed 2.0T ATS a try. They're thin on the ground, but can be had under $25K all day long, and meet his newish/good MPG req's, and the aftermarket has plenty of options to add oomph to the Ecotec. Example (NMNA): http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1794B8F5

You caught my attention.

CLA250?

Power, comfort, class, good MPG and cheap