My two cents: Go relatively inexpensive for car camping. Assuming that you have a decent amount of trunk space, size (up to a point) is not an issue. Assuming that you are doing three season camping (no winters with heavy snow), you can use a cheaper tent.

It IS true that you get what you pay for. But what do you actually need? For car camping, even if you have a catastrophic failure, you can sleep in the car or even drive to a hotel. This is quite a different situation from a guy who has to walk 20 miles, and equipment failure may kill him. More money will also buy durability, but you first camp a few times to get experience to know what you like and don't like in gear. Don't over-buy for your very first time. Even if the stuff wears out after a dozen uses, if you didn't pay too much, no big loss. If you don't like camping and sell the stuff at a garage sale, no big loss.

I would recommend checking the sales at places like Sports Authority, Dicks, Big-5, and Sportman's warehouse. Stick with a good brand like Coleman, and get a tent large enough for your group (note that the "person" rating of a tent will pack you in like sardines -- always go one or two persons bigger). Get sleeping bags large enough and warm enough for the expected weather.

Also, get a cheap air mattress and a pump that can be powered from a cigarette lighter plug in your car. Some people might scoff at the idea, but you will get a better night's rest. Of course, this is a bad idea for backpacking, but just fine for car camping in the summer. Your wife will also thank you for the extra comfort.

I just piked up a $30 Coleman tent and a pair of $15 generic sleeping bags at a great Memorial Day sale. Sure, this is not the stuff to take to Everest, but I am not going to Everest. I just want to take my young kids car camping.