Road warrior car recs

[huckbucket]

Pretty sure I'm gonna take a job that puts me on the road a whole bunch. Looking for recs for a dd.

I don't need carrying capacity
Gotta be a quiet interior.
Don't need freaky good gas mileage
I want to want to drive it. In other words, I want the car to be comfy but technical and mechanically bomber. A car where you've got solid power but not over the top.
Should be a sleeper.
I generally shy away from domestic stuff, but could be impressed with the right car.
I'd buy something off lease. No probs. Want to be under $30K.
No BM's or MB's. Audi isn't really sleeper.
I'm thinking Q35? Maybe a 6cyl Passat?
What else?

[Benny Profane]

[robgoose]

Mazda 6

[huckbucket]

Fer realz? Which model?

[stevesmith7]

I got my wife a GS350 a couple of years ago. Seems to fit a lot of your points.

I don't need carrying capacity
Seats four very comfortably, decent trunk.

Gotta be a quiet interior.
Check

Don't need freaky good gas mileage
24 mixed.

I want to drive it. In other words, I want the car to be comfy but technical and mechanically bomber. A car where you've got solid power but not over the top.
300hp, it's a Toyota.

Should be a sleeper.
Looks like a Nissan to me.

Want to be under $30K.
Ours was three years old, 25k miles. Paid right at $30k

[Caucasian Asian]

Volvo V70R

[GeezerSteve]

Yeah, look at a Mazda 6 if FWD works for you

[jmedslc]

I got my wife a GS350 a couple of years ago. Seems to fit a lot of your points.

I don't need carrying capacity
Seats four very comfortably, decent trunk.

Gotta be a quiet interior.
Check

Don't need freaky good gas mileage
24 mixed.

I want to drive it. In other words, I want the car to be comfy but technical and mechanically bomber. A car where you've got solid power but not over the top.
300hp, it's a Toyota.

Should be a sleeper.
Looks like a Nissan to me.

Want to be under $30K.
Ours was three years old, 25k miles. Paid right at $30k

G35x is a pretty nice ride...

[huckbucket]

Lexus isn't a couch? You look forward to getting behind the wheel?

R version of the Volvo eats up expansion joints?

Hmmmm ... two votes for the Mazda. Interesting.

[gravitylover]

For me the want to want to drive it eliminates fwd. Off lease/CPO Charger AWD with the 3.6 V6. Bet you can get one in the low $20's. Misses on the quiet interior but wins in the fun category - Subie BRZ, turn up the tunes.

[stevesmith7]

The GS Lexus is completely different than the LS. It's not a 3 series BMW but not a lux cruiser either.

Like I said it's my wife's car but I like driving it. It has one thing that drives me nuts. I rest my left elbow on the door. In the GS the armrest is way too low and the window sill is too high.
I like BMWs. You said you didn't want that type of car. These are the next step down from sport -> lux but closer to sport.

I've spent time in a G37x. Similar but smaller car to the GS.

[Vt-Freeheel]

G37X, plenty of these off lease. 328hp, stealthy and reliable. I'll likely be buying one soon. God used price for a 45k list car with low miles, plenty of these CPO deals around.

[Benny Profane]

Wow, amazing how those upper middle class brands lose value in just 20,000 miles. Only fools pay retail.

[GeezerSteve]

F150, white.

My F150 is kinda green/blue, but more importantly it, along with a FWC popup camper, will be at BBI16

[plugboots]

Honda Crosstour

[AK47bp]

Can't believe nobody mentioned Toyota Tercel.

[DJSapp]

Road warrior car that's a sleeper? This is probably the sleepiest of that bunch

[Art Shirk]

Check out a used low mile Acura TL - S. Japanese reliability, sporty, tightly-made, about the right price point.

[stevesmith7]

Check out a used low mile Acura TL - S. Japanese reliability, sporty, tightly-made, about the right price point.

I looked hard at these too. Can you get awd?

[Art Shirk]

I looked hard at these too. Can you get awd?

The 4th generation later models have SH-AWD and I think even a MT. Over 300 horses. Under appreciated rig. I think the 3rd gen TL-S's look great.

[huckbucket]

That's a great price on a G37X. Would definitely consider it.

TL was on my mind. Ironically, the one Acura I owned years ago was the most reliable car I've ever had and I never bought another one again .... not sure why

What about a nicely done up Maxima?

[CantDog]

The 2013+ Ford SHO with the performance package. Great power, sleeper, and the interior is actually decent.

[GimpToo]

Volvo S60 . . . stay away from "the red one" and you're golden!

[BmillsSkier]

Volvo S60

[Jesse]

I know you said no to euro, but friend recently bought mb e class diesel for exactly your use. Exceptionally quiet, so smooth and comfy, and decent enough power (loads of torque). And really good highway millage, in the city it's pretty average.
Paid 30 for low ish millage one that's a few years old. Such a solid feeling car, and I'd say it's a sleeper. Still looks drives like new, beyond slightly dated nav/entertainment system.
We'll worth seriously considering IMHO.
Edit:
If I were in your shoes, I'd prioritize quiet/no rattles (I. E. Build quality) & comfort, then fun. Fun to drive often means firm ride + noise which is nice in a toy, not as much in a moving office that you spend lot of time in.