Hello all.

I think I'm going to need a new car. I do have some prerequisites though. So please bear with me. Right now I have a 1998 Lexus ES 300 with 206,000 miles on it. I LOVE IT. It's been my favorite car I've ever owned. (previously I have had a 1990 pontiac 6000, 1985 pontiac 6000, and a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass sierra.)

I have really really enjoyed having a luxury car. But it may be my last for a while depending on my price range. I scored on this car with 103k miles for $8000. I will never find that good of a deal again. It's been having a few problems though (not unrepairable) since it's turned 200k. The paint is a wreck (toyota products in those years didn't have good paint), and it's showing it's age in the interior. The maximum it's worth right now is $3000 according to KBB, so I don't have a huge trade.

I need a car that is going to be good on gas. (right now I average 22 city and 28 highway. Max i have gotten is 32 MPG on highway- that's a V6 that's 4,000 lbs heavy when completely empty-pretty good I'd say)

I need it to be reliable. (ie: doesn't need a lot of repairs)
I also carry people quite often in my car, so it's not just a commuter car
Therefore I need a car with enough room to fit 5 comfortably-not just in a squeeze.
I think I'll have to have leather. Because it's easier to clean spills, and easy for people to get in and out of.
I would prefer a comfortable ride as opposed to "sporty" and stiff.
I like the idea of a Subaru, but am unsure about how good on gas they are.
I would also prefer it to have some good power to it.

Basically I want the car I have but in a newer version, but like I said before, it's extremely dependent on what I have in savings at the time I need it. I can consider financing if the timing is right.

My husband just got a new car in July. 2011 Chevy Cruze. 6 spd manual eco engine.
I like his car. But too stiff of a ride for me.

Right now I drive an automatic. I like driving standard as well, but I don't know if it would be a better idea to have 1 car to be automatic "just in case." What do you all think?
Thanks so much in advance for your suggestions!!!


(And yes I did read the thread that hylndlas posted. Great tips there too.)