It's THAT Time Of The Year! Yet Another One Of 00R's Friends Needs YOUR Help!

The problem here is that you gave us almost NOTHING about the type of use the car will receive. In addition - you did not tell us how she liked/disliked the CTS as well. Does she want two doors - or four doors? Doe she need more trunk space? You did not even tell us what engine was in the CTS.

There are dozens of cars that we could get into the $400 price range - especially at model year end. (How many miles per year would also help)
For example - did YOU ever consider a Camaro or Mustang - she drove a 2 door. However -the car she drove was a premium car - maybe she prefers a smoother ride. There are just too many variables to even guess. So I will go out on a limb - and recommend a 6clinder Chevy Impala.

It's a daily driver. Simple.

There's zero use for track days or kids at this point.

Doors — doesn't matter

Trunk space — not particularly important

And these are the details I was provided, BTW.

Given the limited data, I'd assume smallest engine in entry-level luxury space or something at high end of your normal automaker — e.g., Honda Accord EX.

hmmmm, given the point shes at in her life and obvious awareness of style, her brand conscious choice, and a taste for coupes or coupe-like styling, and a relatively conservative budget, I'd say the CLA 250 makes a strong case here.

It allows her to still satisfy her craving for style/design, and does not force her to completely sacrifice the coupe-look or features with frame-less doors, all the while adding 2 doors just in case her and the fiance tie the knot and have a little one or 2 within the next couple of years.

Plus she gets to say she went from a Caddy to a Benz on a budget.

I seriously doubt she'll like a CLA vs the CTS Coupe. The CTS rides heavier and is quieter. They drive differently as FWD vs RWD is a factor and the CLA is buzzy and cramped. If she likes a coupe well the CLA is called a coupe but its a 4 door... If as you state she needs to move up, perhaps the current C Class Coupe that is still available would be an option. Its a better driver and more comfortable coupe than the CLA. That said the ATS Coupe is a better car than the current C Class Coupe.

And the Captain Obvious Award goes to.....

No one said the CLA rode better than the CTS or is heavier, no one said they are both rwd, no where did anyone state she has to "move up". No where did anyone say the CLA is a true coupe.

Please re-review my comment and try again.

I'll try to break it down for you in simpler terms, she's clearly likes coupes and features like its frameless doors which most coupe owners like myself become fond of given her current ride, she clearly likes premium brands given the name, she is
clearly on a budget with zero to minimum down, and clearly cares about style, lastly she may have the potential to grow her family given she's engaged, and that my friend is where the CLA came into play, no one wants to move down a class in their own brand, you might as well experiment with another.

Agent000R keep us updated and let me know what she thinks of the CLA

And the total DB Award goes... yes, everyone, once again it goes to Car4Idiot for her arrogant Mercedes rules everyone else sux comments. (I've cleaned up this response considerably) If the CLA were a Cadillac you'd preach what a piece of crap it is. So people are buying it, so what, that doesn't mean its a real Mercedes. It should have been a Smart Car. The CLA stinks and I'd not recommend it to anyone. Its a cramped toy, so much for a growing her family. The CTS rides like a big boy car not that matchbox. Smooth and soft vs the CLA like a skateboard and she'll notice that immediately. She'll ride in it one time and it will not feel the same or even similar. The CTS is quiet and the CLA a buzzy toy. Frameless doors...yes, i'm sure this woman will be looking for a car with frameless doors... You're the simpleton who falls in line no matter what they make. And that means, as JDSMiniscule has vanished, you get the total DB award....

Dang, you're right W124E320... C4L = total DB

If she wants $0.00 down and $400 a month on a lease, she's looking at something WAY less expensive than a CTS coupe.

A Fusion would be doable as would any of the similar mid-sized sedans.

As she is leaving a CTS Coupe, if her Cadillac Dealer is smart he'll get her out a month or so earlier and get her into an ATS 3.6 Coupe. They need to keep her in a Cadillac if they know what good for them. Though I doubt they're that smart. I turned in my mom's Gen II CTS yesterday and they had very pretty navy blue ATS Coupe on the floor. We replaced her CTS with last gen C Class for ease of controls & technology, though she loved her CTS. Thing is ZERO people from Ally, GM or the Cadillac dealer they've gotten 5 Cadillacs called to pursue getting her into a new one. We'd driven an ATS and she thought it too small but love the interior. WE didn't drive a new CTS but now I regret that, we might have stolen one? But, I was astounded at the lack of follow up. Last year my wifes GLK lease was up in 3 months and we were really not sure what to replace it with. The Mercedes dealer called me so we decided to go look at new ones. While we were they pulled us out of her car 3 months earlier, (her car had a ding on it) waived any repairs on her car, and gave us the USAA/True Car price on a new one. She got nearly the identical GLK and loves it. SOOOOOOO EASY!! Mercedes dealer are just a cut above...

Given the deals that Cadillac dealers are giving on the ATS - based on the criteria you gave - plus the fact that she already has a Caddy - I would think that would be the logical move.

The Accord V6 Coupe looks pretty stellar in white.

An ATS coupe is an option, though I still think $400/mo with 0 down means the car will be fairly spartan.

I'd have to agree with you on the Honda Accord Coupe. The CTS is a bigger car than the ATS, the CLA (joker car) and the current C Class Coupe. The Accord Coupe, I'd say is bigger than these as well and is more closely related in size. However I would recommend the A5 as it still has terrific style and is a luxury car and brand to compare to the CTS. It could have AWD vs just FWD as in the Accord. She can outfit it with a strong balance of luxury options and technology. I would not go to the 4 Series as that will be alot of money. I just checked the Audi web site and she can lease an A5 for $442.58pmo w/$5,187.58 down. That said she could try for a True Car Price. I cannot imagine that with the love Agent 00R has for her he wouldn't give her the $ or go negotiate for her to get a better deal. They can be had.

Honestly, I'd go for an ATS coupe or a 3.5L TLX (or even the 2.4L). Two quality cars that have solid lease deals. And, kind of out on a limb here, but I'd also recommend the Lincolk MKZ. I've really, really grown to like this car, as an alternative to the Genesis and it, too has a great lease going. Below that, I'd easily say go for the Accord or, especially, the Mazda 6.

I would NOT recommend any Audi, Mercedes, or BMW at that price point because you'd just get a pretty anemic and bare-bones ride. Especially the 320i which I had as a loaner for a few days. It truly felt and sounded absolutely rental car.

Do her a favor and send her over to Lexus in addition to Acura if you want a guaranteed satisfaction. Forget VW and BMW/Mini.

As for leasing deals... I always buy so I'm no help there but... Just spent a long weekend in a new mustang. V6 version (typical hertz rental upgrade) but I have to say i was impressed. I don't typically like coupes, muscle cars, and especially the previous gen mustangs but... I think ford got this one right. It's not the same old mustang. Fun to drive, comfortable ride, good options on lower trim, several engine choices, convertible or hard top etc... I found the v6 power to be more than adequate. Especially for the use you describe above. Wouldn't mind one as a daily driver at all.

As for the Acura, we recently picked up a 2015 MDX as a replacement for our 07 4Runner. I find the interface for radio, climate, nav to be somewhat cumbersome. The same dual screen is in the TLX. I do like the looks of the TLX and you get a lot for your money but if the user isn't tech savvy, the Acura systems might make it miserable. My wife has been cussing it daily but she's slowly getting better 2 weeks in. Just something to consider. Otherwise, the Acura isn't a bad option.

As for the VW... Don't have much experience with them but I think it'd be a harsh transition from a caddy to a GLI. At least from a comfort standpoint.

Accord is usually a solid choice. I'd just get bored with it.

BMW/Mini... Just never been a fan of the new 3 series and you pay through the nose if you want any options at all. I hate the ride of anything Mini. Feels like you are dragging the ground in one. They look fun though.

As for the caddy, the ATS has to be considered.

Nice list though! could make any on there work.