I've rented a few cars intended for daily driving to research basic things like comfort, quiet, handling, etc. A few long 2-3 hour trips is worth the spend and gives you more data than a test drive.

I've sat in a Ford Fusion. I thought it was comfortable for the 10 minutes I was in it but was surprised to read the complaints about how uncomfortable it was from owners (Edmunds). Hence renting the car would answer that question for me. What you can't get from reviews is the height, weight, age and what they're comparing it to.

I'm following with interest Jagtoes.

 

AH! The infamous "Headrest-pusher".
Yeah, the head 'supports' as Ford calls them; Not head 'rests'. They bend WAY forward and force one's head too far in front of the shoulders. That in turn forces one's back into a banana, which is very aggravating after not too long. MY fix in wife's Fusion was to pull the stupid things out, leaving no headrest/support. MUCH more comfy, but worthless in a collision. Guess the Ergonomics guys at Ford should have thought that through a LOT more.
I'm going to cut and reweld the headrest supports in hers once it gets warm and sunny, angled back at least 30 degrees from what they are stock.
Lots of people on the Fusion Forum do this.

 

What about the I-Pace for a taste of the future? Early reviews seem pretty positive, and it'll be eligible for the $7500 tax credit.

2019 Jaguar I-Pace High-Tech Slalom Test Drive: Electric Crossover Struts Its Stuff - The Drive

 

The price point puts it square in Tesla territory. I also wouldn’t count on the $7500 unless you buy in the next 5 minutes— the numbers will sunset.

 

Interesting, We’ve had no such issues.

 

The tax credit is tied to the manufacturer, so the numbers are sunsetting soon for Tesla since they are closing in on 200,000 units sold. Jaguar hasn't even sold an EV yet, so the tax credit will be available for a good while. Tesla is going to be in really bad shape once the tax credits are gone for its models and the mainstream high-end manufacturers start pumping out fresher competing models. Kudos to Jag for coming out ahead of the Germans.

 

Thanks, I thought the sunsets were for total production. I agree that Tesla Model3 sales will be hit hard when that 7500 disappears.

I spec’d an I-Pace and I just didn’t feel like it was an $85k vehicle. $60k would have been more interesting— but I’m cheap.

 

Just a tiny piece from that forum.... Oh, and do you have the adjustable (forward/backward) headrests? The wife's are only up/down. Or a newer Fusion? I don't know if anyone fixed that problem since.

 

I think my Fusion predates this issues as a MY2010 (I bought it new in Feb 2010).

 

Well this post has grown more then I thought it would. As I start to narrow my thoughts down some of the criteria is that it should be a unique model (rare or scarce) . It should be the size of lets say the XE . Don't want a cross over or an SUV. Won't be a hybrid or EV. Won't be a 2 door or hatch back. Won't be front wheel drive but may consider rear wheel drive . So with that I am going to see what fits and then in the up coming months see what the dealers have and get some test drives. Maybe I'll find what I want so we'll have to see. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

... and you DON'T want a Lexus IS???

 

Imo, Alfa, Maser, or Jag :-)

 

 

I like the IS

 

Looked up IMO! Haha!

 

How about a Lamborghini SUV?

 

I'll go with the XE. We've had ours for 2 1/2 years now (got them before you did) and it is just a brilliant driver's car. My wife would kill me if I tried to get her out of it. It also (in R sport guise) looks pretty mean on the road.

I am also partial to volvo, though I preferred them with the 5 potters and the turbo 6, both of which have gone by the wayside. I also dont really think that they are a good car for spirited driving (save the AWD polestar models), more a comfortable cruiser.

The Guilia looks pretty flash, but we have an alfa and the ownership experience is not good, especially when compared to the Jag ownership experience.

 

no-no-no-no-no... you misundertook.
The desired description was pretty much EXACTLY Lexus IS. I wouldn't think Jagtoes would even bother to look at anything BUT an IS. It's a bit under-powered, but pretty much everything out there is under-powered.