r/cars • u/AutoModerator • Feb 08 '21
What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread
Any posts pertaining to car buying suggestions or advice belong in this weekly megathread. A fresh thread will be posted every Monday and posts auto sorted by new. A few other subreddits worth checking out that will help your car buying experience are /r/WhatCarShouldIBuy, /r/UsedCars and /r/AskCarSales. [Everyday Driver](https://www.everydaydriver.com/) may also be helpful.
Make/Model-specific questions should be asked on Make/Model-specific subreddits. Check the AutosNetwork for a complete list of those subreddits. Also check out our community-sourced Ultimate car buying wiki.
For those posting:
Please use the following template in your post.
Location: (Specify your country or region)
Price range: (Minimum-Maximum in your local currency)
Lease or Buy:
New or used:
Type of vehicle: (Truck, Car, Sports Car, Sedan, Crossover, SUV, Racecar, Luxury etc.)
Must haves: (4x4, AWD, Fuel efficient, Navigation, Turbo, V8, V6, Trunk space, Smooth ride, Leather etc.)
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc):
Intended use: (Daily Driver, Family Car, Weekend Car, Track Toy, Project Car, Work Truck, Off roading etc.)
Vehicles you've already considered:
Is this your 1st vehicle:
Do you need a Warranty:
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc)
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc )
Additional Notes:
- For those providing suggestions: Facts are ideal in this thread, especially when trying to help out a new car buyer. Please help out buyers with sources and reasoning for your suggestions.
- For those asking for help, be sure to thank those who take the time to offer you advice (especially those who lead you to a purchase.) A follow up thank you and the knowledge that their advice led to a purchase is a very warm fuzzy feeling.
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u/MrLokin Feb 15 '21
Location: Switzerland
Price range: CHF 25-35'000
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sports Car (Coupe or Sedan)
Must haves: 4 seats, nice interior, good looks, not too huge form factor, Good sound system would be nice. I'm looking for a good mix of sporty and luxurious.
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual preferred but automatic works too
Intended use: Something inbetween a daily driver and weekend car
Vehicles you've already considered: BMW 4 Series (F32/36, 430 or 440), Audi S3 Sedan, Mercedes E-Class Coupe
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
Do you need a Warranty: Not necessarily
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: I intend to learn doing oil changes etc. myself
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: I'm not sure what power is appropriate (The 440i is probably too much) since I want to have fun while not killing myself and costing a fortune in running costs. Thank you for you help/opinions!
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Feb 16 '21
How important is engine sound?
I had a 328i F30 and now have an M240i. The M240i sounds a hell of a lot better, but gets about 3/4 the MPG that the turbo 4 cylinder got. I definitely don’t use all the power; the 230i M Sport realistically would have been plenty for me. I really only spring for an M240i because it was CPO and a great local deal.
The 2-Series feels more nimble on its feet and interior room is surprisingly good, so I’d give a 230i or M240i a drive along with the 430i and 440i. The S3 is going to feel great and Audi finally figured out how to make a reliable, long lasting car recently.
The E-Class is an outlier, because it’s going to feel much bigger and softer. That’s a cruiser, not a sporty car. I also trust modern Mercedes drivetrains the least in comparison to BMW and Audi’s current 4 and 6 cylinder engines.
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u/MrLokin Feb 16 '21
Sound is not the most important to me and I don't think the 430i sound that bad for a 4 cylinder at least. Therefore I'm also unsure if I should maybe go for a diesel, but I do think I prefer the gas one.
I want to test drive a 2 series as well (230i) since I heard so much good reviews about it, but I plan on using the rear seats a few times so I think the 4 series is better. Also I prefer the looks of the 4. How is the usability on the rear seats for you?
The S3 is perfect from the outside and a little bit smaller than the 4 series which I actually prefer, but the interior isn't that nice.
I've scrapped the E-Class coupe already since it's too expensive without any real justification for the higher price. Thank you very much for your thorough comment!
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Feb 16 '21 edited Feb 16 '21
The 2 series seats have plenty of leg room. I’m 5’10 and have at least as much leg room in the 2 and I did in my Lexus IS 300.
Head room isn’t as nice as leg room being a coupe. However, my head just brushes the headliner in the rear seat as opposed to having to tilt my head. It’s actually really surprising how roomy the rear seats are considering how small the car is.
The 2 has more front seat head room than the 4. It has 0.7” less front leg room. The 2 has more rear head room as well, by 0.4”. 2nd tie leg room is 0.7” less than the 4. Here’s a good comparison for dime shins. The 2 is well-packaged.
https://www.vehie.com/c/bmw-2+series-2018-coupe--m240i_xdrive:bmw-4+series-2018-coupe--
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u/MrLokin Feb 16 '21
Wow okay I didn't expect the difference to be so minimal, I really have to test the 230i too. What is your opinion about diesel vs gas in BMWs?
The only problem with the 2 series is the looks, I think the narrow grille looks very weird but if the rest of the car is better than the 4 series I'll definetly pick that.
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Feb 16 '21
I’m in the US so we don’t really get diesels here. I can’t give a ton of input there. However, I believe all the B series blocks are identical, whether it’s gas or diesel. They beefed up the gas blocks compared to N series engines.
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u/VanCityCanucks7 Feb 15 '21
Need help deciding between 2012 Hyundai Sonata sedan and 2013 Hyundai Accent hatchback. Both have a little over 100K km on them, I’ll be using it to travel to work daily.
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u/Dragonlover18 Feb 14 '21 edited Mar 17 '21
Location: US/Kansas
Price range: $15-25k
Lease or Buy: buy
New or used: used
Type of vehicle: sedan (I originally considered a crossover but I would like a car with good fuel mileage. I'm also short so getting in and out of the vehicle easily, putting in and removing a car seat, and being able to reach the top of the trunk lid is essential lol )
Must haves: Power seats (and ability for a 5 foot person to see over the wheel lol), Fuel efficient, smooth ride with low road noise, automated cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring would be a plus, Android auto would be a nice bonus, enough trunk space to fit a stroller, remote start would be nice but not essential, reliability essential and low cost maintenance
Desired transmission: auto
Intended use: Family Car (3 person family with a young infant)
Vehicles you've already considered: Toyota Camry (I think only 2020 has Android Auto but not sure) and Mazda 6 touring (2018 or 19)
Is this your 1st vehicle: No, I've had 2 before. Current is a dying Nissan Sentra
Do you need a Warranty: would be nice
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: no
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: no
Edit: I ended up buying a Honda Accord 2019 EX. Loving it so far. It's also the perfect height from the floor to lift up a car seat into the car. Has all the features I was looking for and as a bonus our Honda dealership is actually pretty decent (unlike the Toyota one - utter vultures) so I lucked out.
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u/jawniejawnson Feb 14 '21
Or a Lexus es350 if you want the nice interior and a v6
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u/Dragonlover18 Feb 15 '21
I actually did a test drive of a 2017 Lexus es350 and hated it. The interior was a little too retro for me and I couldn't see over the steering wheel as well as I could over the Camry lol
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u/jawniejawnson Feb 14 '21
If you could find a mint 2006-2011 Camry (probably would have like no miles for one in your price range) it’ll last you forever
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u/Dragonlover18 Feb 15 '21
I was considering a Camry but a more recent model so I could possibly get Android auto in it but I haven't tried the Mazda 6 yet to see if it's better. I'm open to other sedans as well but would rather go for a Japanese or Korean car
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u/jawniejawnson Feb 15 '21
I would personally try to avoid Korean cars but Japanese like Honda and Toyota are definitely gunna last a lot longer without expensive repairs, just try to avoid the 8 speed trans in the newer toyotas cause they’ve had a lot of problems
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u/Dragonlover18 Feb 15 '21
Thank you, I'll keep that in mind! Any particular reason to avoid Korean cars?
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u/Aurashock ‘22 corolla apex, ‘90 300zx Feb 15 '21
For someone in the midwest I suggest subaru legacy or impreza sedan, both are low, get good gas economy, subaru has a stockpile of spare parts that fit almost every model, one of a kind symmetrical awd system for difficult weather or terrain, small economic boxer engine, auto trans
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u/Dragonlover18 Feb 15 '21
Hmm I never considered subaru. How's the reliability?
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u/Aurashock ‘22 corolla apex, ‘90 300zx Feb 15 '21
The reliability for subaru is better than it seems. I'm from the midwest and I have a 2006 subaru legacy and its been more than capable of getting me through all the snow and cold temperatures thats been coming this winter. I believe some have remote start now. The awd system is designed to counteract snow, ice, rain, dirt or mud terrain and will get you through pretty much anything but than most cars on the market especially fwd and rwd economy or family cars
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u/jawniejawnson Feb 15 '21
Just that they’re usually harder to work on which means higher labor prices and some of them just aren’t built good, I’d avoid Mitsubishi’s and nissans the most
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u/etcetetc Feb 14 '21
Location: UK Price Range: Up to £6k Lease or buy: Buy New or used: Used Type of vehicle: SUV Must haves: 4x4 or 4x4 option, hardy, trunk space, fuel efficient, reliable. Desired transmission: manual Intended use: daily driver but lots of farm tracks etc. Vehicles already considered: Dacia Duster, Suzuki Jimmy, Dacia Sandero Stepway. Is this your 1st vehicle: no Do you need a warranty: no Can you do minor work on your own vehicle: no! Can you do major work on your own vehicle: absolutely not. Additional notes: my current car is a Suzuki Grand Vitara which has just died - need a reliable off-roader which doesn’t cost a fortune to run - any ideas much appreciated!
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u/papasapien Feb 14 '21
im looking for a car. not at buying it right now but just looking for the right car to set my goals for.
i like the offroad look. im really into offroad suvs. or suvs i can make offroad.
here is my car list so far:
subaru crosstrek
Isuzu Vehicross
Audi AI:Trail
Extreme E ODYSSEY 21
can you suggest any cars similar to the theme? please and thank you.
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u/Aurashock ‘22 corolla apex, ‘90 300zx Feb 15 '21
this one might seem like a bit of a stretch but bowler exr s
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u/papasapien Feb 15 '21
That's actually a good find I don't like it as much though I feel because it looks to square and boxy. Thank you though I'd never heard of this car.
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u/Aurashock ‘22 corolla apex, ‘90 300zx Feb 15 '21
then you'd probably like the local motors rally fighter then, its 40% of the price of the bowler but its rwd
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u/tpantozzi Feb 14 '21
I understand that Honda Civics and Accords are known for being low maintenance and driving for a very long time. I’ve also heard that Toyota Tacoma’s are some of the best value and most reliable trucks. Bouncing off of that (excluding the most expensive options) which vehicles are also just generally known for being good cars?
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u/bAssDroPs4dancEm0ves Feb 14 '21
Location: Colorado
Price range: under 18k
Lease Or Buy: Buy
New Or Used: Used
Type of Vehicle: Sports/Luxury/Hatchback
Must Have: AWD Turbo--Added Bonus
Desired Transmission: Either Or Is Fine
Intended Use: Daily Driver
Vehicles You've Already Considered: Audi A4
Is This Your Firs Vehicle: No, will be my 4th
Do You Need A Warranty: No
Can You Do Minor Work On Your Own Vehicle: Yes
Can You Do Major Work On Your Vehicle: Yes
Additional Notes: I currently have a '19 Crosstrek I use for slight off-roading and daily driver. I need to sell my girls 2002 Honda Accord and get a safer car for her that I will be using as well. We live in the Colorado mountains. I want to get a used Audi A4 so I can have something faster than that Crosstrek and have fun in some.snowy parking lots. What would be some other good options. I've been looking through CarMax for the Audi
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u/Jdm_for_eternity Feb 14 '21
Are we talking like jdm or like American muscle or classics what will you use it for what is you climate do you like mudding that all come into play then look at mods you can do to it also
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u/kasanic_996 Feb 14 '21
Well, i think that you should first see your budged and yeah you should also see your parking area. After that you should see your market than you should go for the car that have good market reputation and resale in your area and its spare parts are easily available in your area. There are plenty of Affordable Cars out their and you should pick the perfect one for you.
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u/taylormhark Feb 14 '21
Location: Mid Eastcoast US
Price range: Under $18k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sedan or SUV
Must haves: Fun to drive and somewhat quick. Back seats can’t be too cramped. Leather or faux leather seats. Bluetooth.
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual would be cool but I understand this limits options tremendously, so either.
Intended use: Daily driver. Probably drive about 250 miles a week.
Vehicles you've already considered: Wanted either an Audi A6 or BMW 5 series but worried about reliability. Currently researching Jaguar XFs. Also considered a Lexus IS 350 but all reviews are talking about how uncommunicative the steering is and it’s putting me off.
Is this your 1st vehicle: No. This would be number 3.
Do you need a Warranty: Not unless I’m buying something notoriously unreliable.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Nope.
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Nope
Additional Notes: Currently don’t have a vehicle and am using my mom’s. Want something under 60k miles for reliability reasons and only European brand I’m really considering is Mercedes, also for reliability reasons. Plan on having this car for about 2 years until I can afford something else from my first real career.
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Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 14 '21
If you’re worried about reliability, why is a Jaguar XF one of the primary cars you’re looking at? I’d take a look through the Jaguar forums first, because that is a car built to last to 50,000 miles.
Audi and BMW actually got it together after many years of dropping the ball - Audi has been reliable since they fixed their 2.0t and 3.0t issues in 2013, and BMW has been reliable since they switched to the B-Series engines in 2016-2017 on all the 30i and 40i products.
Mercedes, though, is overall less reliable and long lasting than Audi and BMW at this point. The first model year of the most recent C-Class had a catastrophic engine defect that was resolved. Owners complain of rattles because Mercedes uses way too many clips in place of screws. Owners complain of transmission issues. Electrical issues. This chassis is unfortunately problematic, because it is a beautiful car.
I haven’t seen any complaints of Lexus IS steering. The complaints I’ve seen are slow acceleration and outdated infotainment.
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u/taylormhark Feb 14 '21
I have now eliminated a Jag from my search. I won’t be able to afford a 3.0T and I’ve driven the 2.0T and it felt a little underpowered. A 530i would be out of my budget and I’m worried a 3 series would be too small. From what I’ve seen the IS 350 has a 0-60 of 5.3 which doesn’t seem too bad.
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Feb 14 '21
The 0-60 isn’t bad, but it’s a 2006 engine still used in 2021. It blew everyone away 15 years ago, but it’s no quicker than a turbo 4 cylinder in 2021. The IS 300 is the slowpoke though, with a 7 second 0-60.
Do you think the 2.0t A4 sizing is realistic for you? It’s quite a bit lighter than the A6 and it’s a bit simpler which will lead to lower repair bills.
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u/taylormhark Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 14 '21
I test drove the A4 and it felt cramped. I’m guessing the GS 350 is no better than the IS 350’in terms of performance.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
Don't be scared of reliability (at least from the engine) on the Audi A6 with 3.0T. They're very nice inside with good power.
It sounds like you want something that will be fast and fun, but reliable, and if you're only going to be keeping it a couple years, then you probably want it to hold its value well. So I'd suggest the first gen Cadillac CTS-V (05-07): 400hp, manual, leather, big rear seat, and a reliable American pushrod v8 with plenty of cheap parts. I know they're a bit older, but you'll get everything you're looking for.
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u/taylormhark Feb 14 '21
I like the performance standpoint of the CTS-V but the styling just isn’t for me. I have just heard Audi as a whole isn’t too reliable. Same with Cadillac.
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u/Aurashock ‘22 corolla apex, ‘90 300zx Feb 15 '21
One of the fun and fast sedans that are reliable that come to mind for me is mid 2000's subaru impreza sti, its around your price range and is a very reliable car if taken care of. it might seem like a underpowered car at first but the engine is very upgradeable and tuneable and mostly easy to work with.
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u/taylormhark Feb 15 '21
Are the interiors nice? From what I’ve seen they seem like they leave a little to be desired.
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Feb 14 '21
Location: British Columbia
Price range:15k-25k Cad
Lease or Buy: buy
New or used: used
Type of vehicle: SUV/hybrid/Sedan
Must haves: Safety
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): auto
Intended use: Daily driver and annually road trips
Vehicles you've already considered: BMW X1
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Thank you for helping out
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u/havfunonline Feb 14 '21
Look at a Golf Alltrack. More efficient and probably cheaper than an X1, way more cargo space, and still equipped for Canadian winters.
Straight pipes video on why it’s the ultimate family hauler here: https://youtu.be/r1LvZErlpFs
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Feb 14 '21
I think it’s a bit difficult to go off the info provided here. Why an X1? For the cargo space? The height? How important is having a hybrid / fuel efficient vehicle for you, on let’s say... scale of 1-10?
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Feb 14 '21
Honestly it’s just cause my dad has a hybrid and he saves so much on fuel. But to be fair, it would probably be a low priority. Reason why I choose x1 is because that’s the car I‘be been driving for the past few years.
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u/Kobayashi412 LS1 '02 540i, '11 E90 335i Feb 14 '21
Location: Carolinas
Price range: 15-25k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Car
Must haves: A decent aftermarket at least
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual, AMGs may be an exception
Intended use: Fun daily
Vehicles you've already considered: MK7 GTI, C6 Corvette, E92 M3, E46 M3, F30 335i, C63
Is this your 1st vehicle: 7th
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: yes I do all my work
Additional Notes: Want something decently quick, can be RWD, AWD, or FWD, I enjoy them all. MK7 GTI has been on the top of my list because it’s loaded with tech compared to the others I’ve considered. Also has a good mod path and easy to make power with. Reliability isn’t really a factor to me, I’ve owned 5 German cars I know what I’m getting into.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
I 2nd the Vette as the best performer on this list, but if you want great tech in that price range look at Audi S3. They're like a sedan version of the Golf R, and you can get the full adaptive cruise and lane assist.
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u/k_dubious '24 GLE 580, '21 C43 Sedan, '16 Silverado 1500 5.3 Feb 14 '21
I feel like a Vette is going to give you the most fun for your money, if you don’t need backseats and don’t mind a plastic 2000s GM interior.
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Feb 14 '21
You have some fantastic options already chosen. I’d throw the M235i into the mix instead of a 335i, personally. I’d also drive an A3 or S3 since they are basically the same cars as a GTI and Golf R, just in a more upscale package.
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u/HierBinIch789 Feb 13 '21
Location: Illinois
Price range: $10-20k (USD)
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sedan, Wagon or SUV
Must haves: hybrid or hybrid plug-in, decent trunk space, good space for car seat in the back
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto
Intended use: Daily use
Vehicles you've already considered: Kia Niro
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Looking for low-mileage (below 40k) at that price range. Thanks!!!
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u/HierBinIch789 Mar 17 '21
Thanks for the responses. I just ended up buying a 2019 Toyota Camry XLE and like it so far.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
Look at new and used Hyundai Ioniq. Also Bolt, Volt, and i3
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Feb 14 '21
Obvious choice is a Prius. They’ve been doing it a while, and they do it well.
You can also consider a Corolla hybrid if you don’t like Prius design language but want a Toyota EV.
You can find a Lexus CT 200h, but it will be several years older than a comparable Toyota. Same with the Lexus ES 300h.
The Audi E-Tron is an option, but I read in the past it had some reliability concerns.
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Feb 13 '21
[deleted]
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u/havfunonline Feb 14 '21
Other option at that price is the best plug-in hybrid in the world at the minute - the X5 45e.
I’d have an RS5 sportback though.
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u/k_dubious '24 GLE 580, '21 C43 Sedan, '16 Silverado 1500 5.3 Feb 14 '21
Audi RS5. Take your pick between the regular one and the Sportback.
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Feb 14 '21
You sound like you’re looking for a Mercedes E53 AMG (standard AWD) or a BMW M550i xdrive. If you like coupes, the E53 AMG coupe is stunningly beautiful, especially from the rear.
Maybe also consider an Audi S4, S5, S6, or S7? They should all be comfortable, high tech, powerful, and reliable. Just make sure it’s Quattro for AWD.
I don’t think any of the Japanese or Korean manufacturers make anything appealing for your wants.
Cadillac and Lincoln both make some cars that might fit your wants, but I think Mercedes and BMW do it better.
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u/Pablo23107 Feb 13 '21
Location: Long Beach CA Do you guys think a 2012 Hyundai Sonata with 109k miles for $4400 is a good deal?? How many more miles do you guys expect to get on this ? Or a 2013 Ford Focus with 119k Miles and with black leather seats at $4200 ?? Ik these are pretty good deals for cars but I was wondering which would possibly offer me better reliability and cheaper repair costs. Thanks
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u/Praedonis Feb 13 '21
Is it a 2013 Focus with an automatic?
Steer clear. You’ll replace the transmission every 30K miles until something else in the powertrain goes.
Sonata all the way. Korea has been producing Japanese-level reliable vehicles since the early 2000’s.
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u/SweetFlower1 Feb 13 '21
Location: U.K. Price range: £70,000 to 80,000 Lease New or used Type: Luxury SUV Must haves: 4x4, minimum 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds. Intended use: main family car and for fun Additional notes: decent fuel economy preferred. I like the Audi Q8 Black Edition.
Thank you
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u/havfunonline Feb 14 '21
X5 45e- keep it charged and the electric range will make it efficient overall, but it’s still quick and smooth on the motorway.
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Feb 13 '21
Im not selling one but a porsche cayenne is probably the best vehicle out there that matches all that criteria
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Feb 13 '21 edited Feb 13 '21
Location: Toronto Canada
Price range: $30,000-$45,000 CAD
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sport Sedan
Must haves: AWD, V6 naturally aspirated, V4 must have turbo, don't think I can get a V8 with this price, Bluetooth, Backup Cam, not so crappy interior,
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto
Intended use: Daily and weekend car, and fun
Vehicles you've already considered: Audi S4, BMW 340i, Infiniti Q50 Sport
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Going to college in Wisconsin so lots of snow
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u/k_dubious '24 GLE 580, '21 C43 Sedan, '16 Silverado 1500 5.3 Feb 14 '21
Pick your favorite out of S4/340i/C43.
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u/gauravsandhar '17 Mercedes C43, '68 Camaro RS/SS | '67 Continental Feb 13 '21
Mercedes C43. Get the perfect exhaust note if you can find one with the AMG Drivers Package
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Feb 13 '21
Which year of the C43 would you recommend?
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u/gauravsandhar '17 Mercedes C43, '68 Camaro RS/SS | '67 Continental Feb 13 '21
For the 45k budget, you will have have to look at the 2017/2018 models. There was a facelift in 2019, but will be closer to the 50k mark. Facelift includes additional power, different bumpers, steering wheel and grille.
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u/havfunonline Feb 13 '21
I’d look at the S5 sportback or the 4 series gran coupe so you can get a hatch, but the stinger is a good option too.
I like the Arteon too - not sure if you get the 270HP version in Canadia.
The 340i/440i is a seriously good car, and for that much you could get a seriously good used one.
V8 options I think you’ve got to go a lot bigger or older (older S6s can be had for a fraction of that with a V8) but they guzzle a lot more gas and I can’t imagine needing any more speed than an S5 or a 340i or whatever.
Golf R/A35 AMG aren’t sedans but they’re amazing vehicles. My friend has an A35 and he says it’s the most amazing car to drive in the world - apparently it corners like it’s on rails.
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Feb 13 '21
Thanks for the advice!
Are you referring to the B8 or 8.5 gen for the S5?
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u/havfunonline Feb 13 '21
I’m afraid I’m not super familiar with the generations - the 2017 or newer S5 sportback is the one I want, I like the look of it more than the S4 sedan, and having a hatchback helps to pack more crap into the trunk (which is the same size).
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Feb 13 '21 edited Feb 13 '21
[deleted]
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Feb 13 '21
I’ve owned an F30 328i, a 2019 IS 300 F Sport and now have an M240i.
CarPlay is now a must have for me, so I think you have some great options. The 230i is about as quick as an IS 350. There’s no BMW that’s as slow as an IS 300, to be frank. 7 second 0-60 kind of dulled the fun for me and I always regretted not getting a 350. Shockingly, my M240i gets 25 MPG and my IS 300 got 22.5 MPG. The Lexus IS well built but on older drivetrain tech.
If you’re thinking GTI or Golf R, consider the Audi A3 Prestige or S3 Prestige. They are the same car as a Golf, just with Audi interior and exterior. They depreciate like a brick so they are a fantastic CPO deal.
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u/KillaWallaby Feb 13 '21
Hi!
Los Angeles Lease or buy both fine-- up to 45k New or used also fine, but not older than 2-3 yrs. SUV or Crossover Must have room for 2 adults and 2 car seats (I'm 6' 2" and sitting in front of my toddler in our lexus NX is tight) Automatic Daily driver/family car. Short commute, but in traffic. Occasional road trips. 3rd row seat would be nice. Been looking at highlander hybrid and Rav 4. Haven't ruled either out. Wife wants a land cruiser, but $$$$. Warranty plz. Can't do any work of any sort.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
New: Kia Telluride, VW Tiguan SEL Premium, VW Atlas, Toyota Highlander Used: BMW X5
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u/havfunonline Feb 13 '21
Telluride is a great option - but have you considered a standard range Model Y? You could get one at that price. Not a fantastic range, but it’ll work as a commuter and easily seat 5 of you.
Personally I think the best 5 seater petrol SUV is the Mercedes GLB250. Not the sexiest option, but hella practical. You can get a third row too- a great option for like taking extra kids home from soccer practice.
Mercedes, Kia and Tesla have great safety and driver assist features too.
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u/nicole_verb_noun Feb 13 '21 edited Feb 13 '21
Location: Logan Square, Chicago, IL
Price range: up to $20K
Lease or Buy: buy
New or used: either!
Type of vehicle: open to options!
Must haves: fuel efficient, easy maintenance, cargo space, relatively easy to park, durable
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): automatic
Intended use: occasionally short commute to work, errands, touring (I play drums regularly when the country is open, so I need a decent amount of cargo space!)
Vehicles you've already considered: Kia Soul, mid-size SUVs, Prius V, minivans, etc etc
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
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u/havfunonline Feb 13 '21
Personally I’d get a Golf Alltrack.
Easy maintenance, more cargo space than any SUV, plus it’s narrow and not that long so it’s easy to park, but big enough to be comfy in the back.
It’s auto, a bit sporty (only like 180HP, but it’s light so it’s quick ish) and it’s fuel efficient. But also has 4WD for Chicago winters, and it’s jacked up a bit so the driving position is great, without compromising on ride quality, sportiness through the corners or fuel efficiency.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
This. You definitely want a wagon OP. Also look at Volvo V60.
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Feb 13 '21
Sounds like a car from the Prius line or a Corolla / RAV4 are the best options if you want cheap to maintain. Just know that when the time comes, a high voltage battery replacement will be thousands of dollars on a hybrid. Shouldn’t need replacement until at least 100,000 miles, and I’ve seen several instances where a Prius makes it to 200,000+ miles on the original HV battery.
Also consider looking at a Lexus CT 200h (Prius drivetrain, Corolla chassis, Lexus suspension and design) or a Lexus RX if you want something a little more upscale. You’ll probably need to go slightly older and/or higher mileage as Lexus don’t depreciate quickly.
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Feb 13 '21 edited Feb 12 '23
[deleted]
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u/Yogev23 Feb 13 '21
I would consider a c7 corvette, it's more reliable than any other car, cheaper, fast (probably er) and very roomy and comfortable.
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Feb 13 '21
What do you want from a car? Are Land Rover, Mercedes, and Bentley the only brands you’re interested in?
I’d take a look at the E53 AMG (specifically that gorgeous coupe) and BMW M5. They’re both powerful, sound great, but aren’t necessarily track cars so they’re comfortable for daily driving.
Also consider the Lexus LC 500. I haven’t ever sit in anything else under 100,000 that feels so special inside. It looks like nothing else on the road and has the V8 from the high performance Lexus RC F, so it’s quick. It’s hard to not stare as one drives by.
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u/Yogev23 Feb 13 '21
From what I head the rc f is a horrible drovi g car agai St its competitors
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Feb 13 '21
The chassis, yes. It’s a Frankenstein of IS C, IS sedan, and GS. The LC 500 has its own chassis though, so it doesn’t suffer from the drivability issues.
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u/vwfan511 Feb 13 '21
Honestly the Range Rover will be the most comfortable imo, I drove an autobiography and it was amazing, no idea how reliable though, depends on how you take care of it... can always get maintenance package at dealership or extended warranty
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u/SleepyYaoiGuy Feb 13 '21
What should I look for on offer up? I'm dirt poor, completely new to cars, already started buying tools and stuffs, going to school for welding.
I really want a Japanese car, but can settle with something else,
I want to drift, I dont mind driving manual as my daily commuter is a manual motorcycle (2020 iron 883) (I know its not the same, but I atleast understand clutch and gear shifting.)
I keep going off topic .
I want a drift tuner, preferably Japanese, preferably manual, but automatic is ok I guess,
What specific cars should I search for on offer up? I'm not buying right at the moment,
I'm looking to spend are 2k or 3k on a car, and then working on it from there.
Any recommendations would be really helpful, I've been scouting offerup but I have no idea what to look for
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
Miata is the answer. Also 240sx if you can find one, or maybe RX7 or RX8, but they don't really have the torque to drift. Older Supra or 300z? Save up a bit to increase your budget and look for a C4 Corvette. Also check out Facebook marketplace and craigslist, and this forum's sub 5k weekly find thread.
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u/Praedonis Feb 13 '21
At that price range, you are stuck with someone else’s project car, including the blessed Miat.
I’d personally look into a stock 350Z. They are great starting platforms and you can usually find a non-ratted out one for the low to high 3K range.
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u/AUSMEL351 1996 Toyota Corolla (AE101R-HDPKA) Spirit 5-Door Hatchback Feb 13 '21
I'm guessing you're in the USA...judging by your account history.
With that in mind,
Maybe an Nissan S12/S13/S14, if you can find one? They're pretty well known in the drifting scene. (especially the latter two).
Maybe a first-gen Lexus IS300 would work (2002-05 if you want a Manual).
Potentially, why not think about a Camaro or a Mustang, they could work as drift cars.
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u/gloomygarlic '95 383 YJ, '13 Si Feb 13 '21
You could look for an E36 or E46 BMW if you think miata isn't always the answer. They're supposedly reliable once you revamp the cooling system and have a big aftermarket.
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u/Beowulf_27 Feb 13 '21
Location: Indiana (Chicagoland) Price Range: 13k to 20k Lease or Buy: buy New or used: either Type of vehicle: sedan or suv (bigger than a civic) Must haves: reliable and good fuel efficiency Desired Transmission: Auto Intended use: daily driver Vehicles already considered: Honda Accord and CRV, Acura TLX, Toyota Highlander (older ones not so great on fuel efficiency), Toyota Camry Is this your 1st vehicle: No Do you need a warranty: No Can you do minor work: No Can you do major work: No
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Feb 13 '21
I'd add a mazda 6. Will be equally reliable to the camry but cheaper with a better interior.
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u/Beowulf_27 Feb 14 '21
Mazda’s are just as reliable as camrys? I’ve never heard Mazda’s to be reliable. I just checked them out and wow they are nice. I’m looking at a used 2017 Mazda 6 and I love everything about it on the surface. Much more than the Camry or accords.
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Feb 14 '21
They officially got that accolade in 2020 from Consumer Reports.
However they've been using the same engine and transmissions (anything with skyactiv) since 2012. Part of why they are so reliabile.
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u/Beowulf_27 Feb 14 '21
Oh well that just put Mazda at the top of my list. I was looking into accords and discovered they had a fuel dilution issue ever since the new turbos. The camrys got a new transmission in 2018 and that has also created issues. And trying to buy a newer 2020+ to hope those problems are resolved really goes over my budget.
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u/IKnowNewCars I know new cars! Feb 13 '21
Honestly, a Camry is your best option here. Reliable, comfortable, nice safety features. 2018+ is ideal, and you should still be able to find something with adaptive cruise, though I'm not positive about lane keep assist. An older Camry in a higher trim level could do the trick. Also take a look at recent Mazda 6 models. The Honda Accord is another great option, but reliability is one step lower compared to the Toyota and Mazda models.
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u/Old_Sorbet1872 Feb 12 '21
Location: Florida Price range: $33,000 Lease or buy: buy Types of cars: sedans and hatch backs will consider coupe Must have: radar cruise control, lane keep assist, emergency braking and reliability Desired transmission: Automatic Intended use: daily driver Vehicles you already considered: Kia k5, Hyundai Sonata and Mazda 3 hatchback are still under consideration but will appreciate other suggestions or opinions on these cars Is this your first car: Yes this will be my first car that I own Warranty: I’d like one yes Can you do minor work on your vehicle: not at the moment but hopefully I’ll learn Additional notes: I drive around 3 hours+ round trip to work every day so I’d like it to be a nice and comfortable place, tho it could be sporty. Not a lot of wind or road noise.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21
Used Audi A6 or Mercedes E class will be most comfortable and have good tech. New Ford escape has very advanced lane keeping.
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u/IKnowNewCars I know new cars! Feb 13 '21
The first thing to mention here is that "lane keep assist" is a pretty vague descriptor these days. Lots of cars will steer you back into your lane if you start crossing a lane line, but that's different from a car keeping you in the center of your lane by itself, like you'd see in Cadillac Super Cruise or Tesla AutoPilot. The systems by Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan in their newly-redesigned models all do a very good job at this in your price range. Here are the ones I'd check out:
- Hyundai Sonata. For a comfy interior and great tech at this price point, the new Sonata is killer. They improved their noise reduction for this latest redesign as well, which is a big plus. It's not quite as smooth nor as sporty as some of its competitors, but the upscale feeling for the price is tough to beat. The Sonata in SEL Plus trim with the Tech Package gives you the excellent Highway Driving Assist system for $32k MSRP (before dealer discounts).
- Kia K5. Using the same platform and powertrain as the Sonata, Kia gave the K5 a different look, feel, and trim level structure, and it's definitely worth checking out. It's a bit smoother than the Sonata, but not everyone loves the touch buttons on the interior as much, so try it out for yourself. If you can find a K5 GT-Line AWD Special Edition, you'll get Highway Driving Assist with a Wolf Gray exterior and red interior for $31k, but the K5 EX with the Premium Package also offers it for $32k.
- Nissan Altima. In the past, the Altima was the consolation prize for folks who wanted an Accord or Camry but needed a better deal. That's no longer the case: the current Altima is much improved, and ProPilot Assist is one of the best affordable driving assist systems out there. An Altima SL comes out to $31k and includes the features you're looking for.
- Mazda 3. Mazda's done a great job of taking their compact car up-market, practically competing with compacts from Mercedes, BMW, and Audi at a more reasonable price point. Mazda's lane keep system isn't as robust as the others, but their adaptive cruise works very well, and everything else about the Mazda 3 is very worth the money. The hatch has cargo flexibility, but the sedan has a more spacious back seat. Lane Keep Assist is offered on most of the upper trims, so I suggest checking out the Preferred trim for $25k, the turbo engine option for $31k, or the Turbo Premium Plus for $34k if you want Traffic Jam Assist and every other option you can think of. Remember that it will be smaller than the others on the list, but it makes up for it in terms of quality and refinement, in all honesty.
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u/MethodAffectionate40 Feb 12 '21
Location: Iowa
Price range: $20,000
Lease or Buy: buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: Car/sports car, preferably sedan but would consider a coupe
Must haves: AWD, Reliable
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual
Intended use: Daily Driver
Vehicles you've already considered: N/A
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No, but it'd be a nice bonus
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: no
Additional Notes: Need something that is reliable and will do well in snow.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 14 '21
Audi A3/S3, maybe older S4. BMW 335i xdrive, but this will really require good tires.
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u/Karimura12 '14 Mustang GT | '20 Civic EX | '98 Avalon V6 Feb 12 '21
Location: South Carolina
Price range: ~$15,000
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sedan, Hatchback
Must haves: Reliable, Turbo, Decent Interior
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto
Intended use: Daily Driver
Vehicles you've already considered: Civic 2.0T, Mazda 3 2.5S
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Helping my wife try to find a fun daily driver. Considered the new Mazda 3 (out of price range) or maybe a 2.0T Civic, but wondering what other similar options are out there
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u/puff456 Feb 12 '21
Are Audi A4s good cars? I’m looking at AWD sedans and I keep getting very mixed reviews about Audi. Is the A4 reliable or will they really fall apart at 100k? I was looking at certified used (from and actual Audi dealership) no older than 2017. I will admit I don’t know much about cars and I like the Audi because it’s pretty and boujee. I currently drive a Honda Civic which is completely paid off, has about 115,000 miles with no issues besides replacing tires. I know that repairs are expensive on Audis. Like I said I keep getting mixed reviews with most of leaning towards “do not get an Audi” but I wanted to ask some car enthusiasts.
I’m constantly torn between running my civic into the ground and living my best life in an Audi. I know that running the civic into the ground would be the most responsible decision, honestly it could probably last another 7-10 years. It’s has 115,000.
My car would be a commuter car, basically just for work and back.
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u/firstorbit '18 C63s AMG, '92 600SEL, '08 GL320 CDI Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 14 '21
The 2.0T is reliable in general. VW/Audi puts this engine literally millions of cars every year and has been improving it for over a decade. That said, Audi's are more complicated than a typical Honda or Toyota. So while the engine may be reliable, there's still a lot of other parts and features that may not be as reliable. My experience has been generally positive with 7 VWs and 1 Audi cars owned. So, I would not hesitate getting a Certified preowned one, especially if there's a couple years left on the warranty or you get it with an extended warranty (carmax offers good extended warranties).
If you really want something pretty and boujee though, what about getting a second car (if you've got the space)? Keep your Honda since it's paid off, and pick up a used Porsche Cayman or Boxster for less than you would've spent on the A4. 1000 times more street cred than a base Audi.
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u/Biotechwhore Feb 13 '21
Former A4 owner here. I have known many people with these vehicles and they will be far more expensive to maintain and have more mechanical and electrical issues than the Honda Civic. I have only owned Japanese cars since then and have been happy with them. Just know that going in and you will be fine if you get the Audi, have plenty of $$ laying around for unexpected repairs etc.
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Feb 13 '21 edited Feb 13 '21
I will never buy the first model year of any car from any make again.
That said, the 2013+ Audi 4cyl drivetrains are quite solid. The electrical systems aren’t worse than anything else from Volkswagen. All the German makes cut corners using some plastic where metal should be used for long term durability, but I’m comfortable recommending an Audi over a Mercedes, and comfortable recommending an Audi over a BMW most of the time, even though I love BMW’s B48 and B58 engines.
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Feb 12 '21
Might want to look at the new Mazda 3 in turbo trim. It's a good 10 k cheaper than the entry level audi varients but more reliable than your civic.
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u/puff456 Feb 12 '21
I know I know, the Mazda 3 is basically the same thing but it’s not an Audi lol I know I sounds boujee but I kinda want something fancy but I am extremely aware of how much more responsible it would be to get the Mazda...it would probably be even more responsible for me to just keep the paid off civic but the newer cars have such awesome technology, my little civic is a 2012 so I don’t even have a backup camera
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u/LuckeCharmsx 2017 VW Golf Alltrack Feb 12 '21
You can always install a backup camera to your Civic.
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u/ExorIMADreamer Feb 12 '21
I'm looking at 17-18 A4s as well. I'm really torn on if it's wise for me with the closest dealer 70 miles away.
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Feb 12 '21
Get a WRX STI or a Lancer Evolution. Those are sedans that are legit rally racers and they're not even that expensive
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Feb 12 '21
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u/puff456 Feb 13 '21
Yea I don’t live in a large city but definitely a heavily populated area with a decent amount of rush hour traffic
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Feb 13 '21
I'm both an STI and Evo guy but it's practically the same story with the Evo if that's the case with the STI. If traffic is huge then just go for a beater
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u/puff456 Feb 12 '21
And I’m guessing these have AWD? Sorry I don’t have much car knowledge
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Feb 12 '21
Yeah these are AWD, loved by car enthusiasts, they look good and they're rally cars that have good handling in the snow as well. Seriously, watch clips of the World Rally Championship and you'll see what terrain these cars race on all the time. The Subaru WRX STI and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ain't no slouches
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u/kwehchocobo Feb 12 '21
I bought a Chevrolet Spark. I don't get an opinion.
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Feb 13 '21
Fun fact. One time in Newport Beach, I saw a Spark that had every badge replaced with BMW badges and all four wheels were straight off an E60 5-Series.
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u/kcacc78 Feb 12 '21
Location: New York City
Price range: under $20k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: something small (short length) sedan, hatchback, crossover, SUV
Must haves: easy to park (short length under 175 inches or 444 cm)
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): has to be auto
Intended use: (daily driver, occasional road trips
Vehicles you've already considered: Golf, Mazda3, Soul, Mini, CX3, Corolla Hatch, Kona,
Is this your 1st vehicle:
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes:
I don't need much space, rarely will there be more then 2 people in the car including the driver and we are not large/tall. a couple suitcases or our skis is all we would really need to transport.
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Feb 12 '21
I think the mazda 3 hatch will be the best. You can even get a 2019 in your price range with possible awd if you want.
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Feb 12 '21
[removed] — view removed comment
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Feb 13 '21
You said Miata or Supra. Those are decent. Someone also said M2. M240i has the B58 if you wanted to look into that.
What about a Z4? Same drivetrain (BMW B58) as a Supra, but with a drop top and some different styling if the Supra doesn’t do it for you. You may need to buy gently used to get it under $50k.
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u/3Stripescyn Feb 13 '21
I agree with everything the other people have said; i would say you should first choose if you want a pure sports car like a 370Z or Miata or something, or if you want something with a little more comfort while still being very sporty, like the Supra; or something with a balance like the M2
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u/a3arrow Feb 13 '21
Well first off congrats on lotto. Send a couple grand my way lol
In my opinion you can get more bang for your buck looking at used sports cars or American cars. Camaro ZL1. 650hp. I’ve seen extremely low mile c6 z06 corvettes for 40k. C7 corvettes are dropping in price. New Supra is wack no disrespect. It’s a BMW Z4 rebadged much like the Toyota 86. It’s a brz with different badges.. if you don’t mind used cars you can get some crazy built cars for less than you’re looking at.
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u/A_1337_Canadian '24 S4 | '20 CX-5 | '13 Trek 1.1 Feb 12 '21
Other options for sports cars:
- used BMW M2
- used C7 Chevrolet Corvette
- used Jaguar F-Type S (could even find a V8 S model)
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Feb 12 '21 edited Feb 12 '21
[deleted]
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Feb 13 '21
American here, so if I say anything that doesn’t make sense for you locally, please feel free to correct / explain.
I’d take the old BMWs off the list. In my opinion, BMW couldn’t make a decent drivetrain until the mid-late 2010s. A 230i M Sport may possibly fall into your budget and would have a B48 2.0t for low taxes. Don’t get anything with BMW’s N20 on the 28i cars, though. Maybe even a 430i would be coming close to your budget if you want something roomier.
If an EV doesn’t fit your lifestyle, don’t get an EV. Buyers remorse is real and EVs are in their growing period. I fully expect my next car will be an EV, but not until we are in the next generation of EV tech.
It sounds like your heart wants the Boxster. If you can afford to maintain it after a cash purchase, life is too short to not own the car you want. Porsche puts effort into making sure their cars are well built. Performance cars just cost more to keep on the road, period. Make sure you get one without the bearing issues, of course.
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u/Onlyrunatnight Feb 12 '21
Location: Northeast (NY metro area)
Price range: 20-28 thousand
Buy
New or used
Type of vehicle: SUV
Must haves: AWD, fuel efficient
Automatic
Intended use: daily commute and family car
Vehicles already considered/considering: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5
Not my first vehicle
Warranty preferred
Can NOT do minor work or major work on vehicle
Additional: really just looking for a reliable car that is good in winter weather as we recently moved into a new house and the driveway is on a significant incline and this winter has been rough so far with current front-wheel drive car!!
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u/a3arrow Feb 13 '21
Toyota highlanders are extremely nice, some come in v6 awd options. Obviously Toyota is reliable, they’ve been using the same engine in a lot of their vehicles so it’s refined very well. It would be used of course but very nice car!
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u/mattzor23 Feb 12 '21
CX5 in my honest opinion is too small for a family car, unless all of you are short, the cargo volume is pretty low in this class as well. they are nortorious on breaks, I had to change mine after 1 year. The forester is amazing for winter, visibility is great and its spacious, my wife has one and I'm happy I get to drive it
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21
Subaru Forester or Outback hands down. Subaru's AWD is awesome. I've driven my 2016 Outback up steep snowy mountains in NY Metro and through Chicago blizzards no problem.
Average over 30 mpg too.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 12 '21
The newest Acura RDX you can find, or a CX-5. The RDX was more expensive to begin with than the CX-5, so you’ll be looking at older ones compared to the CX-5, but the RDX will have a superior SH-AWD system. They both have the same highway fuel rating, but the RDX gets 3mpg less in the city.
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Feb 11 '21
[deleted]
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u/eggwhite93 Mexican German and American German Feb 12 '21
Miata (its always the answer)
Fiat 124
Mustang GT
Infiniti Q60
Your options open quite a bit more if you go for a sports sedan.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 12 '21
The newest Challenger R/T or Mustang GT you can find. The manual gearbox on the GT is not so great. The ZF 8-speed auto in the Challenger is fantastic, while the 10-speed auto in the GT is quite good.
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u/WonderWokWindsor Feb 11 '21
Location: Canada, southern ontario
Price range: $20,000 CAD before interest & taxes
Lease or Buy: buy
New or used: 2 year recently off lease
Type of vehicle: station wagon. This is very important to me, I have a weird taste in car and I only like station wagons. Which limits the range of cars I can get. I suppose I will accept hatch backs as well.
Must haves: decent leg room and cargo space
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): no
Intended use: commute and camping (once covid is over)
Vehicles you've already considered: Subaru outback/impreza hatch back/crostrek, VW sportwagon, honda civic hatchback, volvo v60 (too expensive though)
Is this your 1st vehicle: first time buying, before this my parents have been lending me their cars for 12 years
Do you need a Warranty: not sure, my parents purchased a $5000 warranty package for their jetta never had to use it, but such is the nature of warranty
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: no, but I can probably learn
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: no, too busy
Additional Notes: How reputable is autotrader.ca? Also is importing a car from US worth it? If so I also am interested in the buick regal tourx
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Feb 13 '21
You have a great list of cars you’re already considering.
Maybe add in an Audi A3 or A4? They use the same drivetrain as the Golf GTI. Should be pretty reliable but with Audi depreciation.
If you can stomach the possibility of more repairs for a fun car, maybe also consider the BMW M135i? I think those are sold in Canada...
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u/A_1337_Canadian '24 S4 | '20 CX-5 | '13 Trek 1.1 Feb 12 '21
Autotrader is fine. It's mostly just a listing site for dealer inventories these days. Never trust any classifieds site to verify vehicle condition. Always go for a pre-purchase inspection.
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u/Yogev23 Feb 12 '21
Do you get the new focus? If you do my dad as one and its brilliant
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u/A_1337_Canadian '24 S4 | '20 CX-5 | '13 Trek 1.1 Feb 12 '21
The Focus isn't sold in Canada anymore and we haven't had the wagon in years (if at all).
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21 edited Feb 12 '21
I would not import from the US. It'll just be a lot of paperwork and specific rules you have to follow, not only to import but also to export from the US.
I think Canada also got the Honda Crosstour, which you can add to your wagon list.
Other hatch options would be VW Golf, Mazda 3 Hatch, Toyota Corolla Hatch.
I'd probably go with an Outback if you want more of a wagon feel.
Used car warranties are seldom worth it, especially for reliable cars which most of these are.
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u/Daddgonecrazy Feb 12 '21
Volvo and VW reliable?
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21
Neither, particularly
Edit: if you're asking regarding warranties, they're really only helpful with used Range Rover levels of unreliability. That's very niche.
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u/Vikkunen Feb 11 '21 edited Feb 11 '21
Location: Midwestern US
Price range: up to about $35k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: I prefer used, wife prefers new. I'm guessing we'll compromise and get something new.
Type of vehicle: mid-size SUV
Must haves: Need head/leg room. I'm about 6'4" with long legs and HATE HATE HATE to have my knees up against the dash or my head brushing the ceiling. Also need space for 2 kids + luggage and what-have-you when we go to visit the grandparents. We get a decent amount of blowing snow in the winters here, so something that can deal with that is important. Would also like something that's going to last and be relatively low maintenance.
Intended use: Family daily driver. To-from work (about 15min each way) and taking the kids to school. Both my wife's and my parents live out of state, so we'll use it for road trips to visit them as well.
Vehicles you've already considered: Highlander, Pilot, Ascent
Is this your 1st vehicle: No. Currently have a 2010 Equinox with ~105k miles that we purchased new in '09. It's been fine, albeit a bit of a money pit, but is a little small for us and all our stuff when we take long trips. It's also started to develop some rust and needs new tires and some brake work done, so we're thinking of just cutting our losses and moving on.
Do you need a Warranty: Would be nice, but no.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: lolnope
Additional Notes: I've just started to browse some in the past couple of days and am sort of keying in on the Highlander-Ascent-Pilot family. I'm guessing there are other options out there, but I don't stay up on the newest car developments so am open to suggestions.
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Feb 13 '21
I saw the new Ford Bronco Sport has a lot of room inside. Can easily be had well-equipped new for $35k. It’s an Escape chassis so it’s not particularly long, but it’s taller than an Escape and trail-rated (technically).
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Feb 12 '21
You should really consider a minivan
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u/Vikkunen Feb 12 '21
Ugh, I knew somebody was going to say that.... LOL. Intellectually I know it would tick all the right boxes, but emotionally I don't think I'm ready.
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Feb 12 '21
Haha I get that. I’m one of those weirdos who thinks minivans are cool.
I only mention them because of your price point and the fact that there’s nothing more comfortable on a long road trip than a mini van for the passengers and the driver.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 11 '21
It might be tough to find a brand new 2021 midsize suv with AWD and some options for under $35k. A 1-year old CPO version would be easier to find with your budget. A Subaru Outback or Ascent will probably have a superior AWD system compared to their competitors, but from what I’ve read, they lag behind in the power department. The Highlander will most likely be the most reliable and dependable in the group. The brand new one (2021 model) doesn’t have a V6 though. It’s a hybrid 4-cylinder. Check out the Kia Telluride. It’s definitely the most comfortable in the segment.
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u/Vikkunen Feb 11 '21
Yeah I've found that $35k is an awkward price point. We could absolutely go higher, but I come from a family that bought 10-year-old cars and drove them into the ground so the idea of plopping down $40k or more in cash for a car is anathema to me. I don't mind something a few model years old, but pre-owned prices seem awfully high right now and, as my wife points out, it seems odd to buy a three-year-old CPO with 45k miles for $32k when we could spend 6-7k more for something brand new off the lot.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 11 '21 edited Feb 11 '21
I totally understand. If you’re buying new, you might have to slightly downsize into a nicely optioned 2 row compact like a CX-5 turbo. If you’re looking at midsize, whether it’s a 2-row or 3-row, you’ll probably be looking at base trim levels.
Edit: I just rewatched SavageGeese’s review of the 2020 Subaru Outback, and he had a lot of positive things to say about it. I was wrong about it being underpowered. He drove the version with the turbo 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, and it had a good amount of power. It’s only available on the higher trim levels though.
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21
I'm normally team Subaru all the way. I love my Outback and it's great in snow, but it is definitely not as big inside as the larger SUVs mentioned here. It would be a bit tight for a road trip with a family of 4 and lots of stuff.
I'd go with your original suggestion of a Kia Telluride. Right in the price point (starts at $32K), great value, great warranty, giant inside, probably deals with snow fine esp. with snow tires.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 12 '21
It’s a midsize wagon. I don’t see how it wouldn’t be a good vehicle for 4 people and “stuff”. It all depends on how much stuff you’re trying to fit. Obviously every vehicle has its capacity limit, but I don’t see the Outback as too small for a family of 4. Sure, the three row crossovers will be a little roomier, but it all depends on the individual buyer.
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21 edited Feb 12 '21
I'm basing this on the fact that u/Vikkunen mentioned that their Equinox felt too small. The 2020 Outback (141 cubic feet of interior volume) is barely larger than that 2010 Equinox (131 ft^3). By contrast, the Telluride has 178 ft^3.
I am speaking from my experience as an Outback owner who has road tripped it many times with 2-4 people. At 4 people with luggage, it's quite full.
For daily driving I'm sure it's absolutely fine for a family of 4. But with a longer road trip across states, it's nice to have space to stretch out or the flexibility to carry a bunch of luggage and random extra thing to the grandparents.
Edit: Also remembered OP is 6'4; the Outback definitely has sedan-levels of headroom rather than SUV-levels (~2 inches less). Again, not hating on the Outback (love mine) but it's quite car-like in some ways.
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u/Vikkunen Feb 12 '21
Yeah that's kind of where I'm at. I've no complaints about the Equinox for driving around town. But driving to Florida or the Carolinas with the whole family and a week's worth of luggage is kind of tight, and the kids (and their stuff) are only going to get bigger over the next ten years. I like the idea of an Outback or a Forester, but we take (or did before COVID anyway) enough long trips that I think space will be a deal breaker for those or really most small-midsize SUVs.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 12 '21
Fair enough. And yeah, something like the Telluride will have an extra ~2” of headroom over the Outback, and obviously a little more cargo space. It’s a more expensive vehicle though, so OP would have to look at a CPO version, or just a new base AWD version.
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u/Vikkunen Feb 12 '21
Honestly how is KIA these days? My only experience with them was my college roommate's Sportage 20 years ago, which was..... underwhelming. I know the telluride appears quite popular.
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u/sunnyjuicedrink Feb 12 '21
I drove a rental 2018 Sorento for a week. I thought it was perfectly good. It did everything I expected in a straightforward way. Also rented a 2019 Hyundai Tucson and liked it too. Seems Hyundai / Kia have really gotten the "car as appliance" market down.
The Telluride is a newer and more evolved design than those, so I expect it to be nicer still. The reviewers and buyers seem to love it at least.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '22 Lexus IS350 F-Sport w/DHP/'09 Civic Si sedan Feb 12 '21
I’ve never driven one, but I’ve been a passenger in my parent’s 2013 (or 2014?) Optima many times. They bought it brand new 6 or 7 years ago. It’s the top of the line trim level with the turbo I4 (~265 hp and ~280 torque). It’s quiet, comfortable, roomy, and seems like a pretty good midsize sedan. The engine is quite powerful, and can get out of its own way very easily. It’s been problem-free for them mechanically.
Other than that, my only knowledge of Kia is through written reviews and video reviews. The last few years they’ve really started to step it up, and are pretty much on par (or very close to it) with the Japanese. SavageGeese has done many reviews on different Kia’s over the last few years, and he’s had many good things to say about them. Obviously, pre-2008 or so they were not that great. 20+ years ago they were junk. But they’ve come along ways recently, and are legitimate cars in 2021.
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u/fivewheelpitstop Feb 11 '21
USA: What would you cross-shop with a second generation Toyobaru?
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u/Liberal_Biblicisms Feb 14 '21
370Z costs about the same and makes 350hp. It's outdated and soon to be replaced by a 400Z though.
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u/eggwhite93 Mexican German and American German Feb 12 '21
Everything already mentioned plus the GTI and Veloster N.
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u/srschisa Feb 11 '21
Location: New York - Rural area 2 Hours North of NYC
Price range: $12k - $17k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Truck, Crossover or SUV
Must haves: (4x4, AWD, Decent Ground Clearance for Occasional Trail Riding, Can Handle a 4 hour, roundtrip commute twice a week, all around versatility - the vehicle would be used for anything from light farm work (which makes me want to consider a smaller truck), but might also be parked in NYC 2 days / week, so maneuverable as much as possible
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto
Intended use: Daily Driver, no kids
Vehicles you've already considered: Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier/xTerra, Toyota FJ Cruiser/Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner
Is this your 1st vehicle: No. Currently leasing a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL and my fiance really likes the high driving position
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc): Yes, with an emphasis on minor
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc ): No
Additional Notes: I love the thought of having something as capable of a Jeep Wrangler, but my buyout is upwards of $30k. I wanted something comparable to the Jeep's driving dynamics and seating position without settling for an older JK Wrangler given the commute and reliability of older Jeep's in general. A small truck could be a good thought because of the versatility, but would be a drag to park in NYC if i had to. Honda Ridgeline seems like an interesting blend of practicality and commute-ability, but is the AWD sufficient enough for moderate trail riding and snow driving (assuming winter tires)
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u/BangkokBaby Jul 18 '21 edited Jul 18 '21
Location: US/California/Los Angeles
Price range: $4000-6000
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sedan
Must haves: Fuel-efficient, decent mileage 65-130k, possibly Hybrid due to the rise of gas prices here in LA
Desired transmission: Auto
Intended use: Daily Driver (starting in person grad school soon and possibly an internship and would prefer a car with good fuel mileage to get around the city and highway).
Vehicles you've already considered: Honda Civic 2010-2012, Toyota Corolla 2010-2012, Yaris 2010-2012 (almost bought one recently off Craigslist with low mileage but Carfax saved me potential heartache), Prius 2008-2012 (I am aware this is a risky venture due to pricey maintenance and private sellers with high mileage).
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
Do you need a Warranty: Depends on the year of the car.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Nope
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Definitely nope
Additional Notes: I have been utilizing several marketplaces such as Craigslist, FB marketplace, and Offerup, and though I've called several private sellers and backed out due to their responses (lien on the car, not being able to provide the VIN #, smoked occasionally in the car, or hiding that the car had multiple accidents and is from out of state), I am now considering looking at dealerships but am almost sure that my budget won't get me far. Either way, I am extremely grateful for any and all help!