I'm trying to convince my father to get a car that shows his status as a successful lawyer, but he really likes going for cheaper cars. If he had his way, cars wouldn't cost more that $30,000 . I think I might have convinced him that an AWD German wagon might be a good deal if he buys it certified used. He currently drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but he thinks the current one is too expensive. I dunno how much he wants to spend, but he's paying for my college, and my sister's college (I'm in for another two years, and maybe three after that for law school, and my sister will be a high school senior next year) so a new 5er wagon xi is pretty much out. Plus, he normally buys the stripper models (going as far as geting a tape deck on his Jeep!) and then buying aftermarket stereos, nav units, satelite radio, et cetera. I'm trying to direct him to the E320 Estate 4Matic, the A6 Avant quattro or allroad, or a new Dodge Magnum SXT AWD. The A4 Avant quattro, 325xi or 33xi wagon, C280 Estate 4Matic also will work too, but not the sedan version of these smaller cars because of the lesser cargo space. Does anybody have any good numbers or ideas on how I can convince Dad to get a car that he really deserves? I've already said that it will make a good impression on clients who car about cars, and can't make a bad impression on other clients if he's not a braggart about driving a luxury car, like some people are. Any other ideas?

Legacy or how about the RL?

Maybe you should ask him how much he is actually willing to spend.

Otherwise, if he likes discreet, then maybe a non-BMW and non-MB is good? And non-Lexus? No offense to Audi fans, but I seem to recall that Audi isn't quite in the league of those three, in the US.

An Acura RL? Yeah, Legacy is good, too, and comes in wagon form. Maybe a Volvo XC70.

A6 wagon with Quattro, V6, and fully loaded
its kinda pricy... but its a good choice

the car you drive doesn't show how successful you are
for example:
i drive an S60 purchased for 36.000eur. waaaay over an average yearly income. But dad gave it to me, and by no way i could afford buying it. And i'm not that successful. i'm just working for the company my dad started.
on the other hand is dad, who is a well known bussinessman here and he only drives a renault. at least he is going for an SUV these days. He is probably going to order an XC90. The point is that he makes enough money but he only drives a renault.

And a Grand Cherokee, is a nice car.

Well, I spoke to my dad today, and he's been looking at a few cars himself. He's looking at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado 4x4, the Audi A4 Avant quattro (NEW! but I don't know what engine), and I directed him in the direction of an off-lease C280 4Matic. He also is looking into the Highlander Hybrid, but he doesn't know that the A4 gets better mileage highway, where he does most of his driving. He says the Audi is more expensive, but not by too much, and I told him to look at the extra stuff he gets standard and cost all of that out. I did that tonight, and not only do you get pissloads of safety features standard, as well as a much longer warentee (which I like). He says we have to see if I'll fit in the back seat comfortably (it's an Audi; if I get to drive an Audi around, then I certainly will be "happy" in the back, hehe). In addition, the Audi averaged .5 to 1 star higher per customer rating than the Jeep.

I tried to point him toward a 3er with AWD, but one of his friends said this, "Steer clear of ever getting in a BMW. Because once you're in one, you'll never want to drive anything else again." :-D Sounds good to me!

It seems to me the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 3er and A4 are completely different classes, in terms of size! Have you thought of the Land Rover Discovery or VW Touareg?

I just looked over the LR Discovery and the Touareg, and both are more than he wants to spend. The fact he's jumping over the $30,000 mark is a miracle in my eyes, haha.

But yes, I know it's the oddest ever, but we're (and by we're, I mean I'm doing it for hime) cross shopping a new A4 Avant with a pre-owned A6 Avant with a Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado.

EDIT: And maybe the BMW 325xi Sport Wagon. I'm not sure yet, but I have tabs open, and am trying to build them to equality, and see prices. Then I'll check warentees and stuff.