wraith5

Mdx for 2 dogs? Small SUVs or wagons can cover that. It's not fun driving such a big car when you can barely utilize the space.

I'm not sure how big your dogs are, but leather + dog is never a good combo from my experience.

TheDonEffect

If I had two big dogs I'd consider getting a beater type car and then a nice fun car, like a forester and s2000 for instance, although would be hard to fit that into your budget.
You said fun, don't see any of the cars you mentioned to be more "fun" than the G35, and I've driven the g and tl, I guess sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side.
You talk about maitenance costs and you mention an audi... not the best choice.
SUV=heavily compromised fun unless we're talking offroading.

Vik2000

I don't see how the alternatives you are considering are any better than your G35, except they are 4 doors...

Jacques79

Funny because you can get a used G35 Coupe for 16K.

Ubetit

Isn't the G still under warranty with so few miles and only being 2-3 years old?

Traveldude

Of the choices you gave, I would get the RL.

I like the looks, the interior is nicer than the TL, plus you have AWD if you are in a climate where you need it.

Although if your dogs are big, the MDX might be worth considering.

If you are looking for other suggestions, try looking at a Subaru Legacy GT wagon. You could probably get them for cheap, tons of room, nice sunroof, AWD, turbo power ($500 and you have 280/290).

Mark D.

The G only has 20K miles and yes is under warranty until 70K miles. And yes I would be selling the G to get something cheaper. That was really my reason for selling the car just the simple fact that it's not at all practical. I don't think the TL or the MDX would be more fun, of course they're 4-door, etc. But I think I would much rather enjoy a $250 car payment and if I decide to shell out the spare cash for small mods that's one thing. The G35 with insurance costs and everything else is just too much.

Mark D.

And the reason behind the MDX is very simply I need to start putting more $ into my house and less into my car! I sink more and more $ into modding the G35 instead of the house and it's just basically because I went and bought a sports car without thinking, lol. I'm 25 years old, in professional type job, just need something more practical with more room, and I have a goldendoodle and a lab for whoever asked, lol.

derryck

[QUOTEThe Audi is going to catch up with you in repairs.[/QUOTE]

I think he meant to say pass you by...if you think the the G35 is expensive to maintain then you will hate the Audi. I think any Acura is a good choice...the 1st gen MDX's can be had cheap right now and the RL's and TL's aren't far behind. It's a great time to buy a car if you have the means. Given your situation I would probably take the MDX and while I agree it's a somewhat bland driving experience so are the TL and RL.

vader1

If your budget is under $16K, you just bought a new house, and your commute is only 6 minutes, why try to ball it? $8k used accord.

Not much more depreciation to worry about, will run forever, no temptation to mod.