Looking for a new(er) car
See if you can find a car broker when you figure out what you want. Tell them what it is you are looking for (model, mileage, year, color, options, price range) and be patient. They will check all the auctions and such and see what they can get for you.
My buddy flies a lot for work and sat next to a broker on a plane one day about 10 years ago. They still see each other on flights sometimes and my buddy used him to get their Avalon (that was about 9 years ago) and they have him looking for an Expedition right now. They are very picky on their options, so it's not an overnight thing but if he finds what they want, they will actually save quite a bit as he charges a fixed fee over the auction price and a fee to move the car from the dealership he works out of and your home and that's it.
The TL is a nice car . I/we owned 7 Japanese , 3 cars , 4 SUV's which served us very well and that We drove for many years. Since now owning a Mercedes and BMW, I don't think that I could go back or drive anything else now. There is just something special about the solidity, feel and ride of the Higher end German vehicles. Have also owned a VW , and while we got over 200,000 miles from it, VW isn't the same.
I would definitely look at Audi, BMW and Mercedes they are great handling, sporty and luxurious...as mentioned offer the most solid ride. My good bud has the new 2 door A5 , and it's a really fun ride that looks great. It does have lots of Technological features and stuff .... which is not really for me ...I don't need or want that stuff and typically buy vehicles that are 5 +years old.
Repairs can be expensive on German vehicles, but in my experience no more than they were with my Japanese made vehicles but having a good mechanic to service them is important.
Ford is the only domestic brand I'd buy today, but the Japanese make such a tight, reliable vehicle now. I do miss my Ford Flex. The ultimate golf wagon
sdandrea1 Ford is the only domestic brand I'd buy today, but the Japanese make such a tight, reliable vehicle now.
I had more Fords than any over the years. My wife and I are now satisfied American built Toyota owners. People can be funny about brand loyalty. One of my golfing buds always votes for a specific political party regardless of the candidate because his dad always did and will only buy Fords for the same reason.
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Used to be a Ford guy and probably still would be, but I wasn't able to get anyone to deal with me last time I wanted a Ford and what I wanted wouldn't have been cost competitive with the Japanese equivalents.
Not in the same class as what the OP is looking for, but when I was car shopping last week I saw quite a few 2 and 3 year old Toyota Highlanders with low miles for what I thought were decent starting prices. Don't know what I could have bargained for on them since I couldn't get my wife to go for anything used 
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Same here. My Dad was an AM guy with Ramblers and I had a Hornet Hatchback in 1973. Went Ford after that all the way to 2015 when I got my Highlander. SWMBO drives a Lexus ES300h (hybrid) and a Mini Cooper.
We had an affair with a Mercedes and BMW, but the Japanese brands caught up.
Pacer? LOL! I remember these two chicks cruising the Douglas loop in WIchita,KS which was the big thing to do back in the 80's. I remember my buddy telling me he wouldn't allow me to pursue any chicks driving or riding in a Pacer. That elitist cost me maybe my future wife.
Girls in Pacers Rule!
SVonhof See if you can find a car broker when you figure out what you want. Tell them what it is you are looking for (model, mileage, year, color, options, price range) and be patient. They will check all the auctions and such and see what they can get for you.
This. I used a broker to find my BMWs and a GMC Jimmy and never had an ounce of problems or ever a reason for buyer's remorse after I took delivery. He'd attend auctions a couple of times a week with a pocket full of wish lists from his clients always on the lookout to fill orders. When he spotted something that would fit what I was looking for, he'd call before the car rolled through the line to get my approval. EZPZ and the savings were incredible since you are buying at what a dealer would pay for it wholesale and his fee was just a few $100.
meagain Did you ever have a Pacer? I remember when my local dealer had brand new Rambler Scramblers on his lot. Can't remember ever seeing one for years. Not even on the car auctions, though I may have missed them.
I had an AMC Spirit hatchback. It was a sporty little ride with the cast iron 4l and 4 speed and a really nice interior. I think it was about the time AMC went belly up.
