it's time - consideration for new DD

After 18 years of amazing service, my G20's list of peculiarities associated from daily use are getting too annoying. It's been my best vehicle ever.... very well connected for a FWD and less appliance-like than the Honda's of the world. I need 4 seats, probably 4 doors and robust enough for young'uns and years of service.

So, moving forward, did I miss the boat with the Saturn Astra hatch? Malibu Maxx is interesting in terms of layout & function, though i doubt I would yield more than a dozen years of bland driving. Plus, it has an acre of gray plastic staring you in the face.

Honestly, I'm would like to consider an IS300 but I have zero exposure to them. Please forward any info that you can for this model. It's not much bigger than my G20, but that's not the issue here. The Sportcross is really appealing and the prices aren't bizarre. They appear to be few and far between...

What did I miss?

Steve

Most Exhalted Potentate. HHHmmmm; No BMW or Mercedes, since you are of such high standings.

I like the IS300 Sportcross but remember, automatic only.
Coming off a G20 I would think a Maxima/i30 may be a logical choice.
I would pass on the Astra Hatch and shy from the Malibu but the Maxx did come in a cooler "SS" version.
If you are feeling like something different a Saab 9-3 with 4 door hatchback may serve your functionality needs.

Here is an odd one. In 2004 and only for one year, Mitsubishi sold a Lancer wagon officially named the Lancer Sportback. It looks like a mini volvo and only came with a 2.4L 4 cyl tied to an automatic. Plenty of power but only so-so mpg, rated at in the mid 20's.
I helped my nephew buy one new. It was a left over model. I helped him get this car wich stickered for $19,900 for $13,500. My point being that regardless of what a used lot may have it priced at, buy one ultra cheap because NO ONE is out looking or one.
It was a great car that served him well for 100k miles.

Here is a sample: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=278096376&dealer_id=82586&car_year=2004&rdm=1278859784330&lastStartYear=1981&model=LANCERMITS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=128&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=621440&showZipError=y&make=MIT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=98&standard=false

I remember seeing those on the road.. Id think its a step down from a later-era G20, though.

i35 is reliable, attractive, roomy, and fast. You can get em down around 6k nowadays, and there is some suspension stuff out there, along with all the power you could want with mods.

Can't figure out if you're trying to stick to used hatches, but I would think you could get a good deal on a new Suzuki Kizashi

Mazda 3 hatch would be better than the saturn astra

Other options Subaru Impreza Wagon Legacy wagon for that matter Honda Fit (bigger than you think, I have one)

If you go sedan you have more choices, so not sure if hatch is a requirement or not, also price range.

Oh yeh, forgot the mention they made a Malibu MAXX SS with a torque-crazy 3.9L that ran high 14s and handled and stopped better than the normal ones

CL starting at ~$10k.