What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread

Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 21 comments

Any posts pertaining to car buying suggestions or advice belong in this weekly megathread; do not post car-choosing questions in the main queue. 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. 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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Vhyrus@reddit

Location: Arizona

Price range: 30k

Lease or Buy: buy

New or used: used

Type of vehicle:

This is the long part of the post. I am a car guy. I own a 2016 subaru sti and a 2013 toyota frs. The frs is supposed to become my dedicated track car. I also own a 2015 jetta that was my daily until someone hit me and totalled my car. The car still runs and im planning on selling it but i need a new daily. Im currently driving my dads murano which i kinda hate. Heres my dilemma: I am really leaning towards a luxury sports car (the genesis g70 is top of my list) but the voice in the back of my head keeps saying you have a fast car buy something boring and cheap. There is nothing cheap though. A basic bitch camry is 20k used now and i can get a g70 for 25k.So the car either needs to be cheap, fun, or sexy. I do like offroading so not against an suv or pickup but it has to be a real suv not a pavement princess coughmuranocough

Tldr: luxury sedan, cheap shitbox, or offroad suv

Must haves: 4 doors. It also needs to either be fun, sexy, or economical

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto, but I can do a manual for the right car

Intended use: Daily

Vehicles you’ve already considered: G70 is top of the list but basically im trying to decide if i should be an adult or not.

Is this your 1st vehicle: no

Do you need a Warranty: no

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yep

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: depends on how major. I dont have a lift or engine crane so engine swaps are out.

Additional Notes: I think i covered everything.

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scycron@reddit

You could get a Lexus GX 470 for pretty cheap which is still a luxury offroader

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Fine_Introduction377@reddit

What about a BMW E46 330i? VW GTI? You said 4 doors but wondering if you need that much space or just like back doors.

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Vhyrus@reddit

I have a kid, i need rear doors to get her in and out of the car seat.

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Fine_Introduction377@reddit

I have two kids and my WRX wagon works well. Probably low on power compared to others out there. I hear you about VW. You can get a Audi RS4 with the V8 for around $25k but know they are a little maintenance heavy. Also the E90 M3, which i see alot of families own. Might need to just switch to a CUV like the CX-5. Crazy how little is our there with 4 doors and fun to drive.

nourayu@reddit

Location: middle east
Price range: idk I would say $20k maximum?
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or Used: New
Type of vehicle: Mostly sedan, although an SUV would be cool but idk
Must haves: idk much about cars but I know that 4 cylinders and 2500cc is like the best? but i’m ok if it’s 1.5ml i mean I only need it for about daily commute (I’m not sure if it would be used for traveling, but even if yes, it’d be rarely I guess)
Desiree transmission: auto for sure
Intended use: Daily commute
Vehicles I considered: At first I wanted Hyundai Creta, but then I was advised against it so not my choice anymore. I also wanted Mazda cx-9, but I got a nice reality check so no, then I wanted a Nissan Kicks (the 2025 is so better but it wasn’t released yet where I live and then again idk if it would be good for me to have an SUV as a first time car, budget and some family issues are there too), I’m currently renting Nissan Sunny and it’s well does its job so I might get realistic and go with it but idk, at first I really wanted a navigation screen with camera and all (unfortunately sunny standard doesn’t have it but idk if i can get the higher model). Now I’m just tired and want anything good quality? idk
Is this your 1st vehicle? Yes
Do you need a warranty? Yeah I guess I can’t do minor or major work unfortunately.

RalphWiggumEsq@reddit

Location: South Carolina

Price range: $30-55k

Lease or buy: Buy

New or used: New or certified

Type of Vehicle: Sedan

Must have: Smooth ride, comfort, fun to drive, easy shifting (haven’t driven stick in a few years)

Desired transmission: Manual

Intended use: Daily driver

Cars considered: Acura Integra A-Spec and S Type, Honda Civic SI, Subaru WRX

Is this your first vehicle: No, have a truck but looking for something with better MPG that will be more interesting on a 20-minute commute

Warranty: No

Minor, major work: no

PhlipYurLid@reddit

Location: Ohio, US

Price range: 35k

Type of vehicle: Not sure yet.. truck, some kind of suv

Must haves: (4x4, Fuel efficient-ish, Navigation, v6-8, Smooth ride

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto Intended use: Daily, family, camping, very light off-roading/trailing

Vehicles you’ve already considered: F150 xlt 5.0 v8, and been looking at Toyotas.

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: nope

Additional Notes: Looking to get out of my Kia Soul and I to something a little bigger and heavier. Something to use as a daily and switch to weekend fun in the woods and whatnot.

bullzFromAT@reddit

Used Colorado or Canyon

CalamitousSkark@reddit

Location: Germany

Price range: Max 25k

Lease or Buy: Buy

New or used: Used

Type of vehicle: Hatchback/Sedan

Must haves: Electric, Good Range

Desired transmission: --

Intended use: Weekend Trips, 150-600km one-way

Vehicles you've already considered: VW ID.3, Cupra Born, Tesla Model 3, MG MG4, Renault Megane E-Tech

Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes

Do you need a Warranty: Yes

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No, but could learn

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No

Additional Notes: I checked the local electric charging infrastructure, and it seems good. Can't charge at home. Since I might be doing trips longer than the range, quick charging is a concern. As is "fuel" efficiency.

(I posted this before about two weeks ago, but it was just before the thread was unpinned, so I didn't get any replies. I hope it's ok I'm trying again.)

East_Lettuce7143@reddit

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Price range: 30-60k euro.

Lease or buy: doesn’t matter

New or used: doesn’t matter

Type of Vehicle: Car, SUV, anything with space for a group of friends. Prefer taller cars for legroom and vision.

Must have: Smooth ride, safety.

Desired transmission: automatic

Desired use: daily errands and work in city. Weekend shopping trips, hobbies.

Is this your first vehicle: yes

Warranty: yes

send_the_gnar@reddit

Location: Tirol, Austria (in the Alps)

Price range: up to 25k EUR

Lease or Buy: Either

New or used: Either, there can be good offers in my price range for both

Type of vehicle: Small car is ideal, up to a medium-sized hatchback (e.g. VW Golf size)

Must haves: The only must have is AWD since its a lot of mountain and snowy driving for skiing

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): either

Intended use: Weekend car for skiing / hiking / MTB etc. Will do some road trips around Europe but not the main focus

Vehicles you've already considered: Suzuki Swift (new w/AWD is in budget as is slightly used), Mini Cooper, Fiat Panda, VW Caddy, Skoda Oktavia (here is where it starts getting into the upper price range and only then used with ~100k km).

Do you need a Warranty: nice to have

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yes with youtube

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: no but good friend down the street can help with certain things

Additional Notes: For the small car with AWD market it seems fairly limited especially without going over 30k eur, I'm not a car guy though and really don't know much so seeking advice! Thanks!

heavy-tow@reddit

Used 2018 VW Golf Alltrack SEL. AWD. 4 dr. Wagon. Seller asking 25k.or make offer. LED headlamps, fog lights, alloy wheels and roof racks. Private seller says auto in excellent condition. Blk. leather seats, navigation, Android Auto & Apple Car Play. Full length sunroof Fender Audio. Recently serviced turbocharger and transmission, with 4 on the floor, spare rims & snow tires. In your case, an AWD would serve you perfectly. Verified Seller. Great price for this auto. Word of advice, Hire an auto inspector/appraiser, to give car a good check-up for mechanics and a quality check.

leebe_friik@reddit

Subaru XV, as long as you understand it does not have much space. Outback would be much roomier.

For what it's worth, good winter tires are more important than AWD.

Thanks so much for the advice! much appreciated, i’ll take a look

last car was FWD with winter tires and that worked most of the time but given we’re huge skiers and when it snows the most we will be out in the mountains, I think AWD makes sense in our case

jarex13@reddit

Location: South Florida, USA

Price range: 10k USD

New or used: Used.

Type of vehicle: Car with four sets.

Must haves: Don't really know. I would like nice speakers, good AC, and a backup camera.

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Automatic

Intended use: I work from home so I only drive for errands and fun. I make semi-regular (maybe once a week) trips across south florida to see my girlfriend, about a 2 hour drive to Miami.

Vehicles you've already considered: I haven't really looked.

Is this your 1st vehicle: I've owned a 2005 Camry and currently own a 2010 Corolla. I love my Corolla, but it's showing its age and it has that paint issue that Corollas have.

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Not at all.

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Not at all.

Initial-D-and-GuP@reddit

Found this 2013 Lexus ES300 Hybrid near PBI. Very reliable, comfortable (air-conditioned seats!) and fuel efficient. Get a pre-purchase inspection first, if there are problems with the hybrid system (unlikely, but you never know) it will be expensive to mend.

Regular maintenance is the same as any other car. Tires, brakes, wipers, washer fluid, oil changes. For more specific hybrid maintenance, there are several good hybrid specialty shops in Miami. Realistically, the car should be very reliable.

Longdogxz@reddit

United Kingdom Under or just over £5,000 Buy - Used Car TRUNK SPACE // RELIABLE // fuel efficient Preferable Manual Daily Driver / project car This will be 2nd car (currently running Hyundai i20 2011) Can do minor work

CardBoardOso@reddit

Location: USA Southern California

Price range: No more than 10k Lease or Buy: Buy

Type of vehicle: Looking for something different than my 4x4 daily driver SUV. Something somewhat sporty but that is not a strict requirement. Love the look of late 80s' early 90s 3 Series. Miss driving a manual car but open to anything somewhat unique if that can be had under 10k.

Must haves: No must haves, open minded. I suppose something I dont have to dump a ton of money into right away.

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual

Intended use: Weekend car or around town driver.

Vehicles you've already considered: late 80s early 90s 3 series. 2002 m5 but that doubles my budget from what I have seen. They also seem like huge money pits. Would like a manual transmission. Saw a 1980 Mercedes 300D with 120k miles great condition. Absolutely love the look and style of the car but not sure if I'll love driving it.

Is this your 1st vehicle: No

Do you need a Warranty: No

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Can do minor work and feel okay following a youtube video for instructions for bolt on bolt off stuff.

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Would probably refer to mechanic for suspension or more intrusive engine stuff.

18voltbattery@reddit

Hey all, would be curious to get your suggestions on a new vehicle for our family…

We’re in the US and Florida specifically. We have a full size sedan, a 2017 S550, as our comfort car and a 2017 Honda CRV as our family SUV, we were originally planning to replace the CRV with an electric SUV namely the Volvo EX90 when it was released, Volvo obviously botched the rollout here so this isn’t fully off the table just not the ideal candidate anymore. My wife commutes about 25 miles a day and I work from home. Would have loved an electric luxury SUV in that 60-85k segment to replace the CRV and be more efficient with her commutes. We’re ok with used since I recognize these electric vehicles depreciate quickly. Not a Tesla fan so those are largely out for us as well. Considering used versions of the BMW IX, Mercedes EQS SUV, as well as PHEV like the BMW X5 40e. Would love to see a few years of warranty left that we could add on to if needed. Certified is great but only if reasonably priced comparative to not certified. Would welcome your recommendations.

BigBroncoGuy1978@reddit

I suggest the Ford Explorer ST but I am biased I love Gas guzzlers lol. Good luck with your choice and buy what makes you happy. Also you really cant go wrong with a Honda. BMW/Mercs longest warranty you can buy pending on how long your plan to have it. Their cool but they need the warranty