I been trying to get a bigger and more gas efficient family hauler for the last 6 month the catch is I'll have to get rid of my G for it as I don't have an extra garage for the 3rd car. I had my eye set on the Toyota Avalon. The price is right to justify my quick swap and its super spacious inside. It’s got declinable backseat just like the G but as big as a MB S class and BMW 7 series. Its 0-60 is faster then G per Manufacture's site listed as 6.1s but I can't feel it. The backseat is wide enough for me to fit 3 car seats or 2 car seats with 1 adult. Unlike my G will only fit 2 car seats.
So, it’s pretty clear that this is going to be a great family hauler as I really don't want to drive a Van even though I keep telling people I don't mind. I want to get the QX56 but I already have a SUV and its kind of redone dent. So, I tell myself just go home and think about it. When I started my G and taking my first corner that’s when I realize that I'm so in love with my G. Only it can give me the pleasure of driving until I manage to park the ultimate driving machine GT-R in my garage. I'm been struggling with the thought for the last 6 month and thinks of millions of reasons to get rid of it and yet everyday when I drove to work and back it reminded me of how much I really love this car.
I never been a car keeper even thought I love cars. I don't drive the same car for more then 3 years. I think I'm going to make history with my G. I now know why I been waiting for Skyline to come to US since I first got my driver's license 18 years ago. It’s a match made in heaven until the KING rolls to US, the GT-R. I'm really praying they can keep the GT-R legend alive by making it an affordable super car with unlimited potential as the last true Skyline powered by RB26TT cause the last thing I want its a glorify crap that can not live up to it predecessors.

 

I may be in similar situation soon, because my wife and I want to start a family. I also like the Avalon for it’s value, strong engine, and reliability. It’s just as nice as the ES330, and it’s not based on the Camry. Should last you forever if you take care of it.

Not to mention it is front wheel drive so it will be better in the snow (Michigan). I plan to keep the G and get the Avalon, since we need two cars anyway. You should keep the G, and switch on and off with the wife according to who is carting the kids around.

 

Ok speaking as someone with a family here - why do you need 2 family "haulers"? Take a look at how often you are going to need to take EVERYONE in a car and can't take the SUV. Likely to not be that often. We only have one child but I do know other people with multiple children. Most people have a family "hauler" (van or SUV) and then a sedan of some kind or sometimes a coupe. Why? You can only ride all together in ONE car. That may be your reasoning to keep your G without feeling any guilt or it may answer why you can't. Good luck either way!

 

One of the factoring in getting rid of my G is the Gas efficiency. The Avalon get 24 - 31 and my G is averaging at 21.5mpg that's on 85% Freeway crusing. So, I kind of want to be able to use the sedan as family hauler as my SUV is averaging around 16mpg with a V8.

 

Motor Trend only saw 23mpg on the highway with their 05 Avalon tester.

 

What's with all the new family haulers being clocked at 100 mph trap speeds in road tests. The new Passat 3.8 V-6 makes the VQ seem obsolete with 14.2 @ 100! And this avalon has the same new 3.5 toyota that supposedly got the IS350 to 104 or something in the quarter.

Someday soon even the Ford 500 will have a muscle car stat sheet. Oh wait why would Ford actually sell us car we want to own...LOL.

 

Sixfive ... you're thinking crazy! To go from the G to the Avalon, you're going to get what ... an extra 5mpg? So with gas at 2.50 to 3.00, you're going to save about $200 a year, most. How much is that smile on your face every day worth? Swap out the SUV for a minivan if you're truly obsessed with mpg on the family hauler. Just in sales tax and registration alone on a new $30K purchase, you'll literally never make up the cost in gas savings

Of course, if you feel like you've had the G long enough and it's time for something new, then good for you for wanting something that gets good mileage. Driven the hybrid accord yet?

 

I was in a Honda Dealer to drive a civic DX the other day - no over contented premium priced with forced options hybrid for me. I don't want an Avalon at all but the Passat is nice if you want to spend 40K. My point was that every family hauler out there seems to be faster than my car.

I love my car but it's been rotting unused in my driveway and we need a beater car. I tried to sell my G but it's market value is about $3500k lower than I am willing to sell it for. Most I've been offered is $18.4k. I'm thrilled it hasn't been sold even it means we waste $!

 

I feel you on that sixfive.

 

I don't see how the Avalon or Passat is any better of a family hauler than the G. You might be able to sit one extra passenger and get a few more mpg's but that's not worth the expense of trading cars IMO.

I have three kids (all under 2) and we still use our 1999 Maxima as the family hauler. At this point, there really is not need to put them in a bigger vehicle. When the time comes in a few years, I will get a minivan but still keep the G35 for my daily driver.

 

I get 21 mpg city driving.

 

M500, you sound a bit confused. your willing to trade in your G to get an avalon which only gets marginally better gas mileage. Than in the same paragraph you talk about buying a GTR which will probably sell for 70K

It sounds pennywise and pound foolish. The avalon is a nice car but a sports sedan it is not.

 

I hate to ask this...but how the %$#^ do you get 21mpg? Are you pushing it or is it on a flatbed? I'm not complaining, by my 05X barely gets 14 if I drive normally around town.

 

I drive normal. I do a ton of stop n go driving, starts, stops, etc. And I even take the car to redline a few times a tank too and still get 21 mpg. Dunno. Just the way I drive I guess. And I still go over the speed limit.

My car got 25-26 highway when it was new on a trip to dallas and back.

 

I know its a big confused here Shodog. I wanted the GTR that's why Avalon will be the best economical choices now for what I need in the car. I only need to put up $3k to $5k for a nicely equipped Avalon. Instead of $15k to $25k for a M35/45 or GS330/430. So, when GTR finally come out I'll have enough funds save up for it. Its also about the same time for me to get rid of my SUV, so there is some calculated plan here.

But the problem is I just can't seem to be able to trade my G in for Avalon even tho I know its the right choice for me at this time and might benefit for me in the future toward my GTR. I just love it too much. I havn't had this much fun driving after I traded in my BMW 530i (94' V8 3.0)