Posts Tagged ‘best cars’

No more out-of-state tuition to pay. No more curfews to enforce. No more clothes to pick up off the floor.

If this sounds like the newly free you, then it’s time to start enjoying that empty nest and get out of the house more!

Many Baby Boomer parents kick off the empty nest phase of their life with a new car as a way to celebrate their freedom and to reward themselves for a job well done raising the kids. They’re eager to get out and enjoy themselves and they’ve got the means to trade in that old family car for something with a bit more flash.

But which car is the best car for you? Should you keep some of the practicality of your old family car or should you go extreme and buy a sports car? Maybe find a comfortable sedan for touring the country or a rugged utility vehicle for ski trips?

We searched through Honk to see which cars scored highest for parents like you who wanted to pamper themselves with a luxurious new ride. Below is a list of five of the best cars for Baby Boomers with an empty nest.  You can view the entire list or build your own list on Honk.

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Best Cars for Baby Boomers: Chrysler 300

“You just can’t help but feel cool when driving this car!” is how one owner summed up his Chrysler 300.  It’s a refined sedan that brings a healthy dose of Rat Pack style back to America’s motorways.  Beyond the handsome looks, owners love the optional Hemi V8 engine which burbles smoothly around town and roars like a beast at full throttle.  With confident lines, a smooth ride, and a powerful engine, few cars embody the spirit of the all-American road trip quite like this Chrysler.

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Best Cars for Baby Boomers: Lexus ES350

This Lexus is smoother than Mick Jagger working a room of groupies after a Stones concert. Owners note that the hushed cabin and unflappable ride make short work of long trips. “Love the pick up and attention to detail,” explained one owner, citing the premium appointments and abundance of technology. The quiet and understated ES350 comes across as part automobile, part sanctuary – a perfect way to preserve the peace and quiet you’ve no doubt earned.

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Best Cars for Baby Boomers: Lincoln MKX

From its sparkling grille to its glitzy wheels, the Lincoln MKX certainly knows how to make an appearance. Beyond the extroverted styling, owners love the roomy back seat and panoramic moonroof.  One owner said that his MKX had become the de facto choice for outings with friends, joking, “My friends refer to my Lincoln as ‘the jet’ because they feel like they’re flying first class when we take my car.”

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Best Cars for Baby Boomers: BMW X6

With a unique blend of sport utility vehicle and luxury coupe, the BMW X6 is one of the most distinctive automobiles on the road today. Owners love the aggressive styling and powerful engines, explaining that the X6 was a smart alternative to buying a tiny and impractical sports car. This Bimmer is perfect for empty nesters who want to command respect at the valet stand but who also want the flexibility to bring friends or cargo along from time to time.

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Best Cars for Baby Boomers: Cadillac CTS

Cadillac’s excellent CTS is a standout sensation among Baby Boomers. And with its handsome good looks and powerful engines, it’s easy to see why. The CTS impresses inside the cabin, as well, with a luxurious interior that’s roomier than all of its competitors. Cadillac also offers a beautiful CTS coupe and sport wagon for those who want to take the road less traveled. There’s also all-wheel drive for those who have to contend with snowy weather.

Big cities are full of life, culture, and fun things to do. But when it comes to driving in a city, anyone who’s ever struggled to find parking or been attacked by a gigantic pothole can tell you that urban centers can also be extremely tough on cars.

With almost 350 cars to choose from, are some vehicles better suited to life in a big city?  We sorted out the urbanites from the suburbanites in the Honk database to find out which cars are most popular in the Big Apple, Windy City, City of Angels, and other major metro markets.  You can read through our list of the Top 5 Best Cars for City Life down below or build your own list from scratch on Honk.

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1. BMW 1-Series

The BMW 1-Series proved most popular with city-dwellers thanks to its ability to offer a premium driving experience in a compact package.  BMW’s characteristic sporty moves are magic in this small coupe, helping owners dodge crazy taxi drivers, aloof bikers, and darting pedestrians.  As one reviewer put it, “You get all the feel of driving a sports car without the lowdown seating.”

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2. Audi A4

Sometimes you need an escape from all the hustle and bustle of city life.  If you can’t make it to the Hamptons for the weekend, you might want to consider seeking sanctuary inside the beautiful cabin of the Audi A4.  As the largest car in our Top 5, there’s ample room to stretch out and you’ll appreciate the comfortable ride if you venture out onto the street.  The A4 is one of a few luxury cars to offer you the choice of an economical (but still powerful) 4-cylinder engine.  “The turbo loves to kick in when I’m weaving in and out of traffic,” notes one happy owner.

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3. Honda Fit

“This is one FUN car to drive!” brags an enthusiastic Honda Fit owner.  Thrifty and thoughtful, the Fit is a fantastic companion for the city.  It gets great fuel economy and has nimble handling to help you weave through crowded streets.  Parking this urban runabout is a breeze – but don’t let those compact dimensions fool you… there’s more cargo space inside the Fit than in some small SUVs.  The secret here is the clever back seat, which can fold up or down to accommodate cargo of various shapes and sizes.

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4. Mini Cooper

Not every car lets you reenact a car chase from The Italian Job on your way home from work every day.  The Mini Cooper has classic styling, a playful demeanor, and great parking karma.  It’s an instant pick-me-up no matter what your mood.  As one owner put it, “The Mini is perhaps the most emotionally satisfying car that I have ever owned. I highly recommend it.”

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5. Smart ForTwo

If ever there were a car suited perfectly for life in a big city, the ForTwo is it.  This Smart is the smallest car on the market and it can squeeze into tight parking spaces that even a Mini Cooper would pass up.  Owners love that the ForTwo can be optioned up with heated seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and other penthouse features at a studio price.