The 3 Series Beemer is SMALL in the back seat. Not great for a kiddie seat and the wife in back. (Yes, that is how you will travel for the first three or four months, you drive, and the wife and kid in back, or vice-versa, but you need an adult in the back with rear-facing young infant car seats).
The 3 Series backseat just don't cut it for this purpose.

Is that the 2005 3-series, or the new 2006? Or both?

Because if it's the latter or both, then there's no chance in hell I'll spend that much extra money for anything that cramped in back.

My two Chryslers -- a 2002 300M and a 1997 Town & Country minivan -- have both been rock solid under considerable load. I understand the 300C is built to take what you give it, as well.

Right now, the company that appears to be having the most difficulty with reliability is GM, though that's based on anecdotal evidence and self-selected owner surveys.

I'd go with the 300C. You could spend a lot more money and get a lot less car than Chrysler makes.

What about the Dodge Magnum?

My dad owns one, and it is quite the ride.

Smooth as butter, and plenty of pedal.

Just some thoughts....

Anty

Do what I did...I went with a 1967 Mercury Cougar. There is nothing like prime American steel between you and the other drivers out there. It's also nice to be able to open the hood and SEE the engine!
Classic American metal can easily be upgraded for better mileage and for safety of possible little ones. You don't have to give up being cool for parenthood.

An obvious ommission from your list is the Audi A4. Safe, beautiful,and AWD.

Dude, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you're being overly paranoid, and have some unrealistic visions of dad-hood. The incremental risk of a ragtop just isn't enough to cause you to sell a perfectly servicable ride like a Sebring. Rollover accidents are extremely rare (particularly with bottom-heavy vehicles like the Sebring), and even without the top the Sebring has plenty of basic structural integrity for more normal accidents. If anything, the Sebring's safety downside isn't the top, it's the deeply sucky visibility when the top is up. You get the feeling they should have put a periscope into those things.

As for your dadhood misconceptions, here goes:

1)Mostly baby-whats-her-name will be ferried around in that Pacifica AFV for the first year or so. How often do you think Mellissa is going to let you two run around town without her? Beyond a grocery store run or two, not often.

2)Baby car seats are heavily constructed crash survival modules with five-point restraints, just like race-car drivers use. The nameless's survivability in an accident is vastly higher than yours, just because she's using far better safety tech. Short of a side-impact aimed right at 'em, kids properly belted into car seats just don't end up badly hurt in accidents. What car they're in is pretty much beside the point.

3)You only snap the car seat in and out of the car for the first few months (when you most likely don't get to drive the baby anywhere anyway). After that, you buy one for each car and just leave it in. There's a trick to getting a car seat in and out of a Sebring back seat, but it's really not that difficult.

4)Around about age fifteen months, the mission changes from "keep her alive" to "show her life". If you constrict her life to the point where driving around the Rockies in a convertible is simply unthinkable, your daughter will resent you for it, and rightly so.

5)"It's nice day, daddy! Top down! Top down!" Trust me on this, the giggling delight in her voice is worth the price of admission.

You could probably pick up a 1975 Sedan DeVille in VERY good shape for around $10,000. That model has Rack and Pinion steering, Four wheel independent suspension, a 500 cubic inch engine with 250 horsepower and 410 ft/lbs of torque and enough room on the inside to qualify as a efficiency apartment. Nothing currently on the road could poke a hole in it besides a Mack Truck so safety is not an issue. Oh, the gas mileage. Well mine gets about 12mpg and your other picks get about 16mpg (oh woo!) BUT; how much gasoline can you buy for $24,000 to $33,000?

In 2000 we had a BMW 300 series wagon. I know that they also had a 500 series wagon at the time. I live in Wisconsin and it handled just OK in the snow. It was fine if you knew how to handle it. For one kid it was a very good car to have. You still got that yummy BMW drive feel, with a little room to spare. That said, when we had another kid, that was it for the BMW. Just too small, and up to the minivan we went. Also, on long trips those BMW seats are ROCK HARD and you will be sore. Maybe a certified pre-owned BMW wagon may be the solution.

I also thought the Audi A4 was a glaring omission.

Don't know why a man like you didn't list a Hummer. It has enough room and I'm sure it can handle the snow in Denver. Plus - you'll be bigger than everyone else. And size DOES matter.

"Trust me on this, the giggling delight in her voice is worth the price of admission."

Dave, You must be a wonderful father. Little girls giggling is the most beautiful sound in the world.

Stephen, You'll be a great father and after the little person arrives, you will wonder why you ever thought cars, cameras, and other trivia were important.

The real world is just beginning. There's nothing like it and no amount of research can prepare you for it. Get ready for the ride of your life.

A word to the wise: take a course on car seat installation and cross buckling techniques. There are 17 different kinds of car seats required between ages zero to five, each costing $175.00.

Many NASA engineers have trouble installing the car seat correctly, nevermind getting the child buckled in.

Oh, and congratulations to you both.

Steve,
I'm with Dave on this one. Keep the Chrysler if you're happy with it, because you won't be carting the kid around in YOUR car, you'll be hauling him/her around in the FAMILY car, which appears to be the Pacifica.

And you don't need two family cars. You need one, and a "date" car for when you leave the kid with the sitter/parents/in-laws so you can head out for sanity.

Unless, of course, you're just jonesing for a new ride, which I can understand. If so, ignore the car seat/backseat issues and go with what your heart tells you.

Trust me on this one: I'm a stay-at-home dad who gave up the "cool" car (coff) to the wife so I could drive the family car full-time.

You left one contender off your list, understandably since it's not well advertised, the Lincoln LS. It's basically an American version of the Jaguar S Type, built on the same platform. They are heavily discounted, so getting a loaded one well under 40K shouldn't be hard, you could probably find a left over 04 if you looked. V8, auto-stick automatic tranny, handles like it's on rails, and even has heated and airconditioned seats. Reliability is good, the car is comfortable, and it's rated as one of the 5 safest cars available in the US.

They are an underrated treasure. Yes, I have one, a 2000, and it's been the most reliable car I've owned, and one of the most fun.

Something else to look at.

Take a look at a Volvo S60R, or even better for a family the V70R wagon. A 300 hp Volvo - what could be better.

I have a 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5SE, which shares an engine (tuned to put out 250 horses in the Nissan) and basic platform with the G35. I haven't driven the 300C, but for my money that Infiniti engine is the best on the list. It's one of the smoothest engines I've ever driven, with lots of right-now power anywhere in the rev range and a nice raspy growl. Pretty decent fuel economy too; I expect the G35 would come pretty close to the ~30 MPG I get on the interstate.

The 330i would admittedly handle a little better, but the previous commenters are spot-on about that car's failings. I'd have bought the G35 if I'd had the spare ten grand sitting around; give it a good look and a hard test drive.

We had a BMW 318 that, much as we loved it, turned out to be to small for the two of us and Ebola. Traded it in for an Audi 5000CS Turbo. Plenty of room, hell of a comfortable ride and it would schmoose up to 135 mph on the Newport Fwy (late at night) like a dream. That was 1986. That same Audi is still part of the family.

Congrats!

We have a 2003 BMW 5 series wagon. Great handling, good acceleration, nice room. It is a lot of fun to drive. The stopped making the wagons, but you can probably pick up a nice used version with low miles.

Forgot to add an excellent link for anyone interested in learning a lot about the Lincoln LS in a short time:

http://www.llsoc.com/V2R1/Resources/TestDriver/TestDriverFAQ.htm

I'm a few years older than you, but I started my family in my early twenties, so I speak from experience rather than theory.

1. The baby will be very small, the baggage very substantial. You need room to wrestle with the baby seat, and you will frequently need to access your child during a trip. You don't want to hear this, but this is why they make mini-vans. I had two, and not because I thought they were cool.

2. Kids make a horrible mess. Some utilitarian compromises are probably in order.

The Chyrslers are good vehicles for families because they are very roomy inside, but I would probably recommend an Intrepid or something you don't mind having the upholstery and carpet wrecked in. Of course if you can get a good discount, the 300 is very nice.

I have a BMW 530i, but all my kids are young adults now, so its plenty roomy for my wife and I to maintain ourselves in lavish comfort. Its no car for having a kid in a car seat though, and that goes double for the 3 series..

I don't think the Sebring presents a serious problem. Steel over your head is less of an issue than the car's basic stability. I was in a rollover about 4 years ago, so I am sensitized to the issue. A wide, low car, like the Sebring is unlikely to roll except in the most extreme circumstances. Ironically SUVs, which are preceived as very safe, rollover far too easily (I was in a truck during my accident). I bought the 530 as a direct result of this accident, so without specifying a model, I would suggest you consider a vehicle center-of-gravity and its weight distribution, and its air bag system. I'll never have another car without side curtain airbags (in a rollover, glass is everywhere and having body parts outside of the car is, well you get the picture).

While they didn't have this when my kids were young, I've would strongly recommend some sort of DVD, video screen set up, especially if you plan some driving trips in the next few years...

Don't go with the chystler... It screams "I wish I had a bently instead of this car"... The BMW, while a great choice, is still stuck with a 1990's-esque shell design...

The Infinity is what I recommend. It's sleek, has a 21st century body design that will stay cool for a while. You feel like your fast just by looking at the car... that's really what driving a 'fast' car is all about... FEELING that you are fast. Who cares about the horses.. right?

From your list, which you say you will choose from, I would go with the 300C. Love that car, several in my family have it, I have driven them several times, love them. Mick is also right in that kinds MAKE A MESS!! The upholstery in the car I drove for my daughter's first 5 years of life is destroyed, even with Scotchgard. Melted cryaon, you know.
We have compromise: We have minivan (Crysler Town & Country, which I would also HIGHLY recommend), then there is MY car. I almost bought the Seabring myself, wanting to go from the 4-door sedan "Mom" car, to something that wasn't so Mom-ish (call it mid-life crisis), so I got the VW Beetle with the sunroof (turbo, sport package, 18-inch alloy rims). My now 7-year-old loves the roof open and I be the coolest Mom at school (I get asked to give rides in the "PunchBug").

I have to go with Dave on this. Go for the giggles, man. They are priceless. Plus, convertibles make great "give-it-to-the-offspring-when-they-turn-16-as-part-of-the-old-man's-legacy" gifts...

Forgot to mention: Car seats are much easier to deal with in club chairs (mini-van) and you don't have all that upholstery to worry about ruining. Easier to get around in, on the inside. I know you don't WANT to be hauling around a Girl (or Boy) Scout troop, but trust me on this, in 6-7 years, you WILL be, whether you intend to or not...
Consider: Where will you fit the Pinewood Derby car in a sedan? Picnic for the family, including stoller? And Melissa, bless her capitolistic soul, will need the cargo space for outfitting any girl that you to may produce...

PS You forgot to mention needing the bigger house... But that is a whole new post, right?

The Audi A4 is a fine car, but lacking in power. Also, I don't like the new grill. Rather, I love the new front fascia, but it's way too much for the rest of the body.

Chrysler can get away with that look on the 300C, because the whole car is over the top. Audi can't on the A4, because the rest of the car has that cookie-cutter near-luxury look.

I agree that you need another car with 4 doors. I currently have a 2 year old. Having a baby just isn't compatible with my 1997 Mustang. As much as I love the car, I love my daughter more and that's why I'm trading it in on a 4 door in the near future.

Personally, I’m done with BMW’s for a while. I have a 94 325 which literally hit 100k miles as I pulled in the driveway yesterday. (Which reminds me, I need to go take a pic of the ODO.) I bought it new. Previously, I had an 84 318. I drove that one to 160k, and got rid of it just because I wanted something new. I often think I would have been better off if I would have kept that car.

The 325 left me dead on the road once (water pump, at 50k). And I will add that it has been maintained per schedule, mostly by a BMW dealer. And that hasn’t been cheap, either. The engine is still strong, but just about every other system on the thing has crapped out, or is on the verge. Radio/cd, power seats, power windows, a mirror, cracked plastic lots of places, etc.

It’s an auto (which I have really loved, BTW). But the tranny is starting to feel like spaghetti. It’s due for its third set of shocks too. On the plus side, the front brake pads made it 75k, and I’m still on the originals on the rear. Big woop, though.

I don’t feel comfortable driving the thing more than a few miles from home at this point. And to get it back into decent shape, it’s going to cost almost as much as the damn thing is worth.

Bottom line, it just hasn’t held up the way I think it should have. This was one of the earlier attempts at a “Green” car, where every component in it is supposed to be environmentally friendly and recyclable, so I think that might be a factor. I hope they have gotten better over the last 10 years, but I’m not taking any chances. Europe has some very strong mandates in this respect, and I suspect that might be a factor in the general decline in reliability seen recently with European cars. The socialist work environment probably isn’t helping much either.

Whatever, this BMW is going to be traded in on something Asian or American.

Can't speak of the G35, except to say that I've heard good things about it, but I picked up a Q45 about 5 years ago (got a good deal on a used one) and have been delighted with it. If the G35 has comparable engineering talent, horsepower, and ergonimics that it's big brother has, it'll be a damn fine car.

And it's zoomy. Seems like Nissan's motto these days is "better living through horsepower".

ps: you will appreciate the analog clock the next time daylight-savings rolls around.

When kids are the passengers, all design considerations are to be biased towards them.

For example, can you reach the kid in the backseat while you are buckled in the front seat? If not, then you have to stop get out of the car and go back to fix what ever little upset is causing the issue. This can be difficult and dangerous in bad weather.

Second you may think a backseat DVD video system is an extravagance, and you will until the first longer-than-an-hour trip with the little one. If you have one, you and your bride will enjoy uninterrupted conversation in the front seat while the little one enjoys an episode of 'rolie polie olie' in the backseat. Having the backseat DVD with headsets is a world better than "are we there yet?", or " Tommys tounching me" for hours on end. Take it from a father of two, bored kids are dangerous kids.

Also, be absolutely sure to get an interior that is first and foremost easy to clean. Children will stretch the boundaries of your imagination when it comes to both volume and content of their expectorants.

My "family car?" - 2004 Honda Odyssey. Yes its a "mini van", but to quote Chili Palmer "its the cadillac of minivans". Kids come with a tremendous amount of luggage, car seats, food, diapers, toys, favorite toys, extra clothing, all of which despite the best of planning will be required to get out at some point in the trip. So while I perfer sports cars that do not even have a backseat and barely fit my own frame, travelling with two kids requires that we bring a sort of small rolling apartment along with us.

Good luck and congratulations on the biggest step you will ever take in your life. (the kid, not the car..)

Before you buy a BMW, talk to BMW service people. You won't like what you hear. I found out first hand just how much it costs to keep a BMW in service. Also the 3-series back seat is very small. They are fun to drive, though.

I'd keep the Sebring for the same reasons others have suggested.

Don't know much about your specific cars (though I really like my current Mercedes C240) but expect superior service from your local Infiniti dealer. The transmission went out on my old Infiniti G20, literally one week before the 6-year warranty expired, and they took care of it - cheerfully, without a fight. Just "no problem, you're covered, no charge. It'll take a few days to get a new transmission, so here's a nice loaner car for the next week or so."

My former American car dealers (Buick & Oldsmobile) only saw $$ signs when I took my cars in for service, and took advantage of my youth and inexperience to sell me mucho unneeded service work. Never again!

If its a girl, you'll probably end up with horses eventually, so you might as well get a pickup now. A Tundra or Titan will work great. You won't be able to pull a horse trailer with a 3 series Beemer. Well at least more than once.

I know you said "no SUV", but if you want safety for the family, I would suggest the Toyota Landcruiser.

I was hit head-on by someone running a red light at 50+ mph. 5000 pounds of surrounding steel enabled me to walk away. Both vehicles, were completely destroyed.

All that safety, plus they run forever.

One suggestion for the kids' names: come up with a cuter story than actually exists.

"Well, Maddie, your mother and I opened up Excel and sorted potential child names by nicknames, adolescent embarrassment, and faddishness..."

Don't do it!

Giving up the convertible, anyway.

Kids are awesome, but don't give up the rag top. My first car was a convertible and I miss having one terribly. I love my Jeep Liberty, but I really want a convertible again.

Dave is spot on. Keep the rag top (or hey, get a new one if you "need" a new car).

I liked the Buick I drove for many years - before I got rear-ended by an SUV, it was never the same after that. Never any trouble but the regular maintenance stuff - I did have to put in a new water pump at 150,000 miles....

Get leather interior whatever you do; driving around in luxury will make you feel good about your car! And sitting on leather seats is wonderful.

The La Crosse looks better to me than the Cadillac.

Buicks were and are very reliable transportation.

OK Grandpa weighs in:

Your choices all make sense in their own way. After watching our three kids with their two kids each I would add the following.

Cost: You're goin to keep it 8 plus years, by age 3 you'll know if the little nipper needs a brother or sister, if so there goes the budget again. By age 6 you will know if there is an orthodondist is your future. Be sane about cars, the kid will take care of making you crazy.

Size: Big is good. Borrow someone's child seat and carry it around, lift it, swing it, bend over and try and install it in a Camry. All three daughters (counting two in-laws) swore they would never be caught in a Caravan, Sienna, or Windstar. After two sports sedans, three SUVs and two kids each guess what they are driving? Getting a sedan? BIG is GOOD.

Reliability: Parts: The first time you put both the kid and the wife in the car and hit the freeway this should move way up your value scale. My kids break down 60 miles east of Amarillo or 50 miles west of Wendover with the babies in the car I'd rather they be in a Ford, Chevy or Toyota. Ninety dollar an hour labor rates mean nothing if Stan the Garage Man can't get the parts.
Strong is Good..

Family mileage in Midwest winters, Chicago city driving:

Toyota 178,000 and climbing
Cadillac 129,000 and climbing
Dodge 116,000 and climbing

Alan Anderson
Grayslake, Illinois

No Lexii on the list?

I bought a lease-returned ES300 about four years ago, and I've been quite happy with it. I'd always had Fords before (like Steve, I'd still have the '87 Mustang stealth-GT [LX body with the GT engine] if it hadn't just died on me after many years), and got thoroughly sick of buying new transmissions. Looked very hard at BMW 300-series while shopping, but found out they really aren't very reliable any more. Thus, the Lexus.

Great car, even if it is basically a Camry on steroids...

I have a g35 coupe (I assume you're looking at the sedan). I would whole-heartedly recommend it.

It's a joy to drive: tons of power in any gear and handles like its on rails.

I've never had a problem with mine (granted it only has 20k miles on it). It's also been holding its value very well: good if you need to sell it, bad when you're negotiating on price with the dealer.

Inside and out its a beautiful car.

Oh yeah, I should have said, I'd get the Infiniti out of that list. The BMW isn't dependable enough and too expensive to fix. I hate Cadillacs (Carnell Williams being the obvious exception), and I don't trust Chryslers.

Very scientific, eh?

Go with the G35. A friend of mine picked one up recently and loves it. For a family hauler, it's not bad at all, and far better than the rest of the listed alternatives.

If you are open to other suggestions, the Dodge Magnum and Infinity FX45 would be on the top of my list. Those FX's are fun little bastards, if you're going slushbox anyway.

... and much like one would act towards a friend who had recently taken up scientology, we won't talk about the slushbox thing.

I'd go with the G35. I have a coupe, but I've driven sedans, and both are great cars. Solid, smooth, quiet, and definitely fun to drive. Pretty roomy, too; the sedan is quite a bit bigger inside than a 3-series. Plus, the sales and service experience have been excellent. And you can get AWD if you want, but the standard traction control and stability control may be enough if you drive reasonably in the winter.

I think $43K for a nicely equipped 330i is unrealistically optimistic, and you ought to be able to get a loaded G35 sedan (with nav, even) for less $37K. My experience is that the price difference is closer to $10K.

Check out Grubbs Infiniti in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Great prices, and they'll ship anywhere for $700. That fact may give you a bargaining chip with the local Infiniti dealer.

Good luck.

I bought my wife a 1993 Volvo 940 wagon (in 1999). They're big inside and built like a tank.

In Dec 2004 my wife had to stop in the diamond lane for some @-hole that was stopped - at night, without his flashers on - because he had a flat. She could not get out of the lane due to fast traffic in the next lane and had to watch in her rear view mirror as three kids in a 2005 accura hit her going over seventy (the kid driving later said he didn't see her because he was reaching down for something).

The volvo was blown off the suspension and bent behind the rear doors, but completely intact. My wife and three year old daughter walked away with only some minor aches.

The 940 wagon is probabably too slow for your wants, but the newer turbo models are smokin' fast. Take a look at volvo.

Boy, we're due in September and don't have name lists yet. We've just barely started talking about the subject. However, I do think it's safe to say Elizabeth is in the running and will be on our short list. (My husband says all good names are in the Bible; I say all good names are in Jane Austen novels. Elizabeth fits both bills.) You also happened to pick my husband's middle name for your son.

I know we're behind the curve not having lists yet. In fact, I know some people who decided on their children's names in junior high (and I'm not referring to the ones actually having babies in junior high).

Btw, if you're interested in or worried about trendiness, behindthename.com is a good place to track the statistics. Charts and graphs.

I have nothing to say about your car list.

Go for the 300C. A dream to drive, handles beautifully, sits nicely, tons of extras (Sirius, 5-star safety rating etc) and if you get yourself one of the faux-Bentley grills, it's unlikely you'll tire of the looks anytime in the next 7 years. Also, Mercedes' and BMW's quality ratings have taken a dive in recent years.

Bottom line: it's bad, and it's *unique*. Why be like everyone else?

I'm late to the discussion, but for what it is worth...get a "pre-owned" 540i, 2003 or 2002. Bigger than any 3 series, and as much fun to drive. I'm going to try to keep my 2003 til 200K. We'll see. And Lauren Green has a certain appeal, I think.

Like the 300C powertrain, but don't like how it looks? Get the Dodge Charger instead. I think it is a little cheaper to boot.

If you're opposed to the A4... how about a 2004 or 2005 Audi S4. You're likely to find one with less than 15kmi on it... for around 40k. You can get a new one for >50k, but why bother when a used is just as good and (if certified) has a much longer warranty. It also comes in "Avant" (translated: Wagon), if you're so inclined.

350hp, AWD, 4 doors, beautiful, refined, and vastly superior to all of the 4 you mentioned.

If you'really wanting the coolest wheels, get the Acuran RL. Best all wheel drive on the planet plus it doesn't burn gas like a V8.

In my meagre price range it's the Dodge Magnum Hemi AWD in bright red.

I like Dave's and erp's comments.

My dad had convertibles and they were great. I loved them as a kid.

One car I haven't seen mentioned is a Subaru Outback. It's a great car. They handle well, are fun to drive and are reliable & safe. They have a great maintenance record too. Yea, they're all wheel drive, but so what. You can get them with an automatic tranny. Though for the life of me, I can't understand why you'de want anything besides a 5-speed. Even in Denver.
Check them out.

I have a close relative who works for a company that operates multiple dealerships selling many different, if not all, manufacturers' products. If one is simply going to choose the best-built car, particualrly in terms of the engine, from the list you provided, it's not even particularly close. He'd recommend the Infiniti without hesitation.

Not a mention of arguably one of the nicest convertibles going...SAAB. If your inclination is to laugh, you're not being honest with yourself. Choices range from the older style 900 ('87-'94) newer style 900 '95-'9? and the current 9-3. They're all turbocharged these days, and the older style turbo cars are as fast as you'll ever need. 140mph top speed as well.

I've had my 2003 C230 six-speed for 26 months and 33,000 miles without a hint of trouble. I could have cars with more features or horsepower for the money, but nothing feels like an M-B. I urge you to reconsider the C320 Sport.
Like you, I'm prejudiced toward rear-drive. And the C320 and the G35 (my favorite on your short-list) are both also available with all-wheel drive if you feel it's a must. I, too, noted the absence of the A4 from your list, but four-wheel drive is the only way to go with that car. These three cars make up my short-list for later this year. If mid-life crisis gets the better of me, it may be an '06 Mustang GT or a used 911.
Finally, here in the midwest we consider the Sebring convertible a rather gurly car (especially my female friends). My '93 Mustang 5.0 convertible is smirking at you.

Name your kids for your closest rich relatives. It helps at birhdays, graduations, and such.

One more parenthood-and-convertibles note. If you're movie-oriented, one thing you're really going to miss is time in front of the big screen. You won't be able to take the kid for years, and paying a sitter so you can go out and _not_ have adult conversations with your wife never seems to make much sense. All of this makes drive-in theatres essential, and that in turn makes convertibles just that much more amazing parenthood vehicles. Went to one last night, the Starlight here in Atlanta. Top down, cool Georgia spring evening, popcorn and juice for everyone (orange or Shiraz, depending), kid-friendly first feature and something a bit more adult for once they've gone to sleep, snuggling under the blankets with the wife while the Sprout sleeps on my chest. That was a good night.

Hey man! I agree with Dave. Mine are grown and out after myself driving a 93 Taurus most lately - Boring and embarrassing but woukd move the kids around! Son finally totalled it last summer. Now. age 59, have a 91 Pontiac Sunbird vertible, 5 speed 3.1 V6, more fun than ever. You will need a fun car to keep the honeymoon going

Dave up top makes some great points. I would add this: You say you're being driven by a desire to wrap your family in plenty of steel, but trust me - after the 2 or 3 days in the hospital, when the baby is surrounded by professionals who know exactly what to do in every conceivable situation, and in your sleep deprivation you intuitively know this but don't consciously realize it, you'll step outside, carrying the child in her space-age modular car-seat/carrier thingy, and I PROMISE - no matter which car on your list is sitting in the parking lot, you'll look at it as if it's an eggshell on wheels.

A few months before my daughter was born, I bought a 10-year old 420SEL. When I walked out of the hospital and realized that my daughter's safety was in MY hands, not in the hands of all those pros, that giant hulking piece of German steel looked more than a tad dainty. I urge you to multiply by half again what you think is adequate.

Trust me on this: Being cocksure about ANYTHING regarding your child and his/her safety at this childless time in your life is folly. The best thing you can do is admit your profound ignorance on the matter, and take very seriously the advice of those who have been there.

And not to be a downer, but in case everything doesn't work out, please drop me a line when you're looking for someone to help you make sense of it all. I've had LOTS of experience on that end of things, too.

i'd vote for the G35 hands down. you can't beat the engineering of that car compared to the other choices.

the 300C? i think it's a fad, much like many of the cars in chrysler's lineup--they just don't have the staying power of a german car like the bmw.

and a sebring? come on, we don't call them 'cheesebrings' for nothing. talk about a fleet car. i'll agree that it's better looking than most of chrysler's other cars and looks good even after three years, but THIS IS A RENTAL CAR.

i personally would try out the volvo v50 turbo awd. i test drove one at sil-terhar in broomfield right when they came out last summer, and i ended up buying a volvo xc70 because i didn't want to wait for the v50 forever.

i'm not a dad or a soccer mom, but i LOVE my xc70. it is great on I-70 (*trust me--i live in summit county), and great in denver (trust me, i waas born and raised in denver and it does NOT snow there like it used to--excpet today ). and this 5 cylinder turbo flies up the passes and is rock solid.

say no to an suv. the worst driving in denver is when it snows and ices up the roads. suv's are horrible for that.

but if you get the g35, get the awd.

and if you think really hard, just buy the car that makes you happiest. you already have the pacifica/boat, so you can get a convertible if you want.

it's so subjective, except for the safety factor and the denver driving is not suv-friendly unless you want rollover danger all the time (that's one thing the pacifica and the xc70 have in their favor).

so the v50? fast car, doesn't feel like a wagon, and looks great and would look great in a few years.

IMHO, that's not the case with the chrysler 300c or the caddy cts (i have too many bad memories of the cimmarron from the 80's)

best of luck and stay home today!

On the AWD theme: Fugetaboutit. If you actually need four wheel drive traction, get a real one that has a transfer case and a pair of LSD's or a locker of some sort. Case in point: 4Runner with the part time electric locker. If you really, honestly need that sort of traction, don't half-ass it.

95% of "all wheel drive" systems on the market are a joke traction wise, and turn an otherwise decently handling car (read: G35) into a slug.

For a non-winter car, the only wheels that need spin are the rear ones, preferably through a gear LSD of some sort.

I just have to say that my parents thought the same thing when they were expecting me. They had a very cool little Austin Healy that they sold because they thought they needed a 'family' car.

THEY REGRETTED IT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!!!! My mom whined about that car until the day she died, even though it was almost 50 years ago that they sold it.

So beware of long regrets!

Mercury Marauder..
Power is more than ample. 5 star crash rating. In the unlikely event you need service, it is available on the next corner. It is more nimble than it looks.

Very late to the party, but G-35.

We have the I-30, I'm a SAHM, just turned 40K. Had a G-20 before.

Ours is about 5 years old.

Still a good car, but I was getting bored, going to trade in at 50K, but now that we're buying a home, on to 70-75k!

I'm going to join the Audi supporters. I had an A6 a few years back and it was a wonderful car. I would get another one of these in a heartbeat---and even though I like the A4, the A6 has got a few of things going for it:
1. large backseat, where the door will not get in your way of pulling a car seat.
2. it has power and it's sporty---and that's without the turbo option.
3. the quattro will save your life in snow and ice. That car never slipped once in bad weather and I live in Minnesota.
4. There is a first-aid kit built into the backseat armrest.

Good luck with everything ;)

When the wife and I faced your very dilemma, the Geo Metro got dumped in favor of a 1998 Mercury Sable, and God help me if I didn't fall in love with the big red oaf of a car. Two kids later tho,....

We still have the Sable. And a Minivan which the wife refers to as "My Car."

When you have a car that agrees with you mechanically and psychologically, stick with it.

All those overpriced Euronese cars on your short list are just repair bills waiting to happen.

Stick with what works until it doesn't work any more, then make a move. It's better for the pocketbook, and better for the Karma.

mr lion, awd and part time 4wd (4runner), are apples and oranges, i don't care how good the LSD is. i lost all respect for the wall st. journal's car guy when he compared all wheel drive to four wheel drive as only 'four wheel drive allows you to go off road'.

not true. you can just google up all the discussion on the real difference and see why awd is better for city driving and occasional snowstorms, if you don't plan on going off road.

but, if you're insisting on an suv, try looking at the 4-runners rollover ratings before going near that car.

NOT good.

Here is one car noone suggested but would satisfy everything except 250 hp requirement. Mazda6S. Six cylinder puts out 220 hp, but mated with 6 speed automatic that also has a manual mode, it is a pretty fast car. Drivingwise, I think that the road feel and responsivness are on par with Infinity and BMW, but the cost is thousands less. Plus it is a nice looking car and I have no trouble whatsoever putting in child carseats. Also standard are antilocks and traction control. Even loaded with leather, it will run under $26K

Steve ~ keep the convertible.

Toyota 178,000 and climbing
Cadillac 129,000 and climbing
Dodge 116,000 and climbing

Sounds sorta like our family, after years of new cars, we just quit.

'85 Toyota 204,000
'86 Audi 187,000
'94 Mazda (purchased 02/05) 123,00
'87 Nissan 313,000

Have you looked at the new Dodge Charger? Same platform and drivetrain as the 300C but looks more like a coupe. Great looking and every cop in the country will want one to replace their old crown vics.

Of your nominees, I'd get the G35 ... There is a pantheon of great / historic engines: the classic BMW inline six, the Chevy "small block" V8, etc., designs that stuck around forever because they were so fundamentally good. Nissan's 3.5L V6 is in danger of joining that company -- it's a great engine whether it's in a family sedan, a truck, a 350Z coupe, or motivating an Infiniti.

While the G35 does meet all your requirements (rear-drive sedan, 250+ horses, automatic) ... well, you know that Infiniti is a Nissan brand and that Nissan is owned by Renault. Personally, I think boycotting countries is a dopey idea, but if your France boycott is still on, you may have to pass on the Infiniti line.

Drive the G35 and you'll be sold. The rear seat in the sedan is decent sized. I also recommend getting the AWD. It's Awd below 20mph, the all rear wheel drive above that. Works flawlessly.

I'm joining everyone who endorsed the G35. My fiance and I bought one the day we test drove it (we were also considering a truck for all our home depot runs, but the G35 just drove soooo nicely, we decided we could always borrow a truck when we needed). We got a 2004 manual coupe, so they're not directly comparable. The 2005 has more horsepower, and you'll probably get a price break for getting an auto sedan.
I have a 2000 Subaru 2.5RS, so we didn't have to worry about the lack of AWD.

Rented a Sebring convertible when I was in Florida last week - first convertible I've ever driven.

It didn't suck.

Father of 1 suggestion:

For any car that you're considering, make it a point to closely inspect the back seat. Try to open the back door and enter at a perpendicular. Now imagine doing this with a 20lb, 30-inch-wide child seat/carrier.

The 3 Series is probably going to be pretty cramped. The others will be about average for any non-Town Car sedan.

Other sedans:
The Lincoln LS, Merc Marauder, and Subaru Legacy GT do sound like comparable options.
Dodge Chargers will be on lots soon too.

Another vote for Audi here.

A-4 is nice, but I think you'd want an A-6 or A-8 for the size. I've owned several Audis and IMHO, they're by far the superior automobile when compared to Mercedes, BMW or (yeeech!) Lexus. And I'd tone down that unreliability stuff about Mercedes: that's really BS.

But, I wonder why you're even considering buying a $35-50K 2006 model when you could get a FAR BETTER DEAL on a 1-2 year old "used" or "pre-owned" - with a remaining warranty. I haven't bought a brand new car for years and don't even intend to again. Let some richer and more foolish buyer take that first year depreciation hit!

A contrarian view:

1) Make the Pacifica your primary kid vehicle. It's an excellent choice for the task.

2) Don't buy any car now -- save your $40,000 and reassess the matter in one year. You'll be astonished how much you spend on kid stuff during that time, anyway: a decent crib & changing table & glider, for instance, will burn up $2,000 in a single afternoon. Before you run out and buy a damn car, discuss your wife's plans for the house. (And, god forbid your child should have the slightest health problem, unforseen expenses can mount even faster.)

3) Enjoy the ragtop. Your emotional health and joie de vivre are important, too. You will be amazed how little sleep you get with a new baby -- if you don't pace yourself and afford yourself a little fun now and then, you'll go nuts. (I kept my Jaguar for the same reason, and I'm glad I did. Rrrowr.)

Best wishes! Becoming a father is a wonderful experience. To paraphrase "Trainspotting," think of the deepest, purest love you have ever felt and magnify it by a thousand... not even close.

Not sure if you are still reading these comments (I sure didn't bother to read them all) but Lockheed Martin employees get discounts on Fords, GMs, and Diamler Chrysler cars. I can send your wife the link if you want (I think it's only accessable from the LM intranet.)

Also, you might want to check and see if any local insurance companies give LM discounts. :)

The g35 is a rocket, and the newer interior is an improvement over the original. the upgraded sound system is worth the coin, and the rear seats will recline a bit w/the premium package to give the feeling of additional room.

the only downside is the depreciation - it's a sweet car, but still not holding value like a BMW will.

that said, not even BMW has managed to provide such a lightning-quick response from gas pedal to engine response. i only have to think about accelerating and i'm gone.

if depreciation is lower on your list of concerns, then you want my infiniti. 36k miles so far, and no troubles except the temptation to prove the horsepower to the poor guy who thinks he can cut you off. btw, their service department treats you like royalty. it's almost worth the $50 oil change.