A friend of mine is looking for a full-size sedan that stickers for $30,000 or less. Her priorities are lots of interior space, good build quality, and good acceleration performance. An automatic transmission is required. We've narrowed it down to three contenders:

- 2005 Toyota Avalon Touring: $28,600
- 2005 Chrysler 300 Touring: $27,270
- 2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE: $27,500

All three of them should have enough interior space and sufficient build quality to satisfy her, so it's gonna come down which one looks better, drives better, and ends up costing the least. The Avalon has Lexus-like refinement and an awesome 280 hp V6. The 300 has RWD and attention-getting looks. The Maxima has a long and successful history, and a very sporty demeanor. My money's on the Avalon, but all three are really great choices. So, which one do you think is the best choice?

Also, for reference, here is an edmunds.com comparison between the three, with all the info on them you should need: Click Here

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well if she is looking for good acceleration performance among those cars, the 300 touring is the weakest. 250ish hp in a car around 4000 lbs is not gonna be that quick.

A friend of mine recently bought the avalon (not the 2005 but maybe a 2002) and is very pleased with it. and with the 280 hp that car is gonna move pretty well. Also the refinement as you said is quite nice.

The maxima is also a good choice, a very sporty looking car with good acceleration. I have been in one and the ride is smooth. I would say have her test drive the avalon and maxima, and forget about the 300 unless she upgrades to the hemi or (very unlikely but worth a shot) srt-8.

She can afford the HEMI, but she wouldn't like to spend more than $30,000. Oh, and the 300 Touring only weighs 3766 lbs. With 250 hp, it isn't slow, but I agree that it certainly isn't as fast as the Avalon or Maxima.

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I have driven in a 05 Maxima. Very nice car. I was very impressed by it. The seat would come back for you to get in than move back to its previous position once you shut the door. Beautiful interior, Plenty of power for what it is. Attractive on the outside, moreso than the toyota in my opinion. Lots of features and attractive is what I liked about it. It also had that long sunroof.

The only one of these I've driven is the 300, and I loved the quality of the suspension - it felt very German. The interior was a bit cheap, though. According to the automotive press, the Avalon is cleaning up the competition, and on paper, it certainly looks the best. I haven't given a whole lot of thought to the Maxima. It's definitely the sportiest and boldest of the group - I'm not sure exactly what that will translate into on the road, though.

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My Camry...someday.

I admit to not having driven either of the other two, so I can't really give a unbiased comparison. All I can say is the Maxima was very nice and I suggest taking one for a drive while you shop around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 300C
Sluggish acceleration with base V6

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Avalon
Not as much fun to drive as a Chrysler 300

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The "base V6" that Edmunds is referring to is the 190 horsepower, 2.7L V6. The 250 horsepower V6 will get the 300 to 60 mph in about seven seconds flat. It's not as quick as the Avalon or Maxima, but still more than adequate.

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i have driven all 3 of them, and i hate to admit it, but the new avalon is very very nice. it looks great, the interior is even better then the maxima. this is probrably the only toyota sedan i will ever buy. they really got rid of the old man's car image that was embedded with the old avalons.

my second choice would have to be the maxima. they look great, and has a very unique interior, but its not quit on par with the avalon, this normally would've been my first choice ( being a nissan guy and all ) but the avalon is just too nice to deny ( even though i'm not a fan of toyota )

and last place brings me down to the 300. the non v8 300's have ugly rims, and the interior is cheap. oddly enough, even the dodge maginum has a better interior then the 300. also these cars like all american cars will depreciate like crazy.

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finally 13.5 psi with a JWT ecu and nismo 555cc injectors. new power estimate ?????????

new mods include removed fan clutch, larger 3 inch exhuaust, and a larger front mounter intercooler.
95 nissan 240sx KA24DE turbo.
232 wheel hp and 254 ft lb of torque at the wheels @9psi wow thats as much power at the wheels as a 350Z!

BOOST IS BETTER CREW #2

"n/a is like having infinite turbo lag"

Why does everyone forget the Subaru Legacy GT in these types of comparisons?

Also, if you a AWD sedan that is a bit more luxury oriented then performance there is always the Jaguar X-Type.

Another very reasonable car, which everyone seems to pass over as well, is the Pontiac Grand Prix, with the GTP being a pretty nice performance bargain.

And lets not forget Hyundai with their new Azera, which looks about as well draped as a Lexus GS300, it is FWD, at a much cheaper price. Not to mention coming standard with a pretty powerful 265hp V6.

He may not have forgotten them, he only said that he narrowed it down to the 3 listed above. Could be he didn't like something about them or since it was a girl, she just didnt like the way they looked.

i would go with the Nissan Maxima, they're really nice inside and out, good performance, handling, comfortable ride

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlackGT2000
He may not have forgotten them, he only said that he narrowed it down to the 3 listed above. Could be he didn't like something about them or since it was a girl, she just didnt like the way they looked.

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well he wanted a full size car. the legacy gt is kinda small. its hardly a mid size. but if that is not an issue, then the subaru is also a very very nice car.

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finally 13.5 psi with a JWT ecu and nismo 555cc injectors. new power estimate ?????????

new mods include removed fan clutch, larger 3 inch exhuaust, and a larger front mounter intercooler.
95 nissan 240sx KA24DE turbo.
232 wheel hp and 254 ft lb of torque at the wheels @9psi wow thats as much power at the wheels as a 350Z!

BOOST IS BETTER CREW #2

"n/a is like having infinite turbo lag"

Quote:

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Why does everyone forget the Subaru Legacy GT in these types of comparisons?

Also, if you a AWD sedan that is a bit more luxury oriented then performance there is always the Jaguar X-Type.

Another very reasonable car, which everyone seems to pass over as well, is the Pontiac Grand Prix, with the GTP being a pretty nice performance bargain.

And lets not forget Hyundai with their new Azera, which looks about as well draped as a Lexus GS300, it is FWD, at a much cheaper price. Not to mention coming standard with a pretty powerful 265hp V6.

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My Camry...someday.