Considering performance, suspension, audio (re: Bose), interior (re: leather), and perhaps size, what would be a new or newish car which would be essentially the updated version of a 4th gen Maxima?

By new let's say no more than 5 years old.

One reason I've decided to keep pumping money into the damned car is I really like the interior, mine is a black on black leather '96 GLE. Yes the plastic 'wood' is kind of cheesy, but I like how there's really very little hard surfaces in the interior, it's mostly a rubbery plastic with give, vinyl fake leather, or leather. So many new cars, even relatively expensive ones, seem to be full of hard plastic painted in metallic paint. Gross.

Thoughts?

 

Look into a 2014 Mercedes C300 4Matic. That was a good year according to an independent mechanic friend. Might be a tad smaller than the 4th gen though. Usually around $20K +/- a few thousand based on mileage and condition. They also have an assortment of trim packages, so research what fits your needs best.

 

performance, http://www.zeroto60times.com/sleeper-cars

 

Cool list, thanks