What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread

Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 52 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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simpsonb1@reddit

Location: PNW / Greater Seattle Area

Price range: $20-40k Used Purchase

Type of vehicle: Luxury Sports Sedan

Must haves: 4 Door Sedan, 300+HP, Remote Start, Bluetooth Phone AND Audio, Heated Seats, Premium Stereo, Auto Wipers, Auto Headlights, Auto Climate, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto Emergency Braking/Collision Avoidance Features, Good Safety/Crash Ratings

Not required but desired: Adaptive Suspension, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Ventilated Seats, Bird’s Eye Backup Camera, Auto High Beams, Square Wheel/Tire Setup (ie. not staggered like most sports cars), Heated Steering Wheel, Lane Keep Assist, Proximity or Door Handle Button Unlock (I don’t want to take keys out of pocket to unlock car), Wireless Charging built in

Must NOT haves: Hybrid, Auto Engine Start/Stop that can’t be disabled (If it needs to be turned off everytime you start the car, then the button better be on the dash, not hidden in a menu),

Desired transmission: Auto – RWD (preferred) - I’d love a manual but I’m realistic enough to know better

Intended use: Daily Driver

Vehicles you've already considered: 2017+ Infiniti Q50 Red Sport

Is this your 1st vehicle: No

Do you need a Warranty: No

Can you work on your own vehicle: I do all my own work except alignments and tire changes, but that doesn’t mean I want to spend all my free time wrenching. Parts also need to be easy to get.

Additional Notes:

I am coming from a 2009 G37s Convertible which is why the logical car for me to investigate is the Q50 Red Sport which I like but common complaints are that the cabin/road noise is more pronounced than other similar cars, technology and styling are outdated, and acceleration/sportiness are outdone by cars with less power. I’m mainly looking at comparable offerings from Acura/Lexus but am open to other possibilities.

Generally I’d like to steer clear of BMW/Mercedes/Audi due to reliability out of their warranty period and the tendency to make many repairs more difficult to DIY than their Japanese counterparts due to special tools being required or more complicated repair procedures (such as pulling the engine to replace a starter, removing the front radiator to replace an alternator, or…you know what I mean), but I’m aware that there are exceptions. If you think that they are a comparably reliable/easy to work on option and maybe only need a couple of special tools then I would love to hear about it.

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mgobla@reddit

HP numbers are misleading, take a look at acceleration nummbers instead. For example Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0T 280 hp does 0-60 in 5.1-5.5 seconds in all tests. You acn get a 2023 model year Giulia for \~$25k, it#s much better than its reputation.

used 2024 Genesis G70 2.5T (avoid the older 2.0T, much worse than the new 2.5T)

Odd-Ant-8966@reddit

Location: sask, canada

Price: up to 50k.

Lease or buy: buy or lease.

New or used: used

Type: sports car, car or suv

Prefers: nice interior, sunroof, nav, and enough room for a baby car seat in the back.

Transmission: auto

Use: daily

Vehicles i’ve considered: amg c43, amg c63, audi s5, s4, s3 ford mustang gt(s650) jeep grand Cherokee srt bmw m3, bmw m340i m550i, kia k5, genesis g80

1st vehicle: yes

Warranty: would prefer it

Minor work: yes

Major work: no

Additional notes: im 19 years old and people keep telling me i should get something a little cheaper, and that wont be so expensive to maintain but i got my heart broken twice by the girl i gave everything too since i was 14, so this is my gift.

chumbuckethand@reddit

Don’t let a heartbreak ruin you financially, you’ll get over it eventually

I have 45k cash lol.

jacketsc64@reddit

Just because you have it doesn't mean you should throw it all into a depreciating asset. Save it for your future, lest you be unable to afford your future.

Adventurous-Sound491@reddit

Volvo 2003-2019. After that they are dead.

Affectionate-Run168@reddit

Location: Colorado, USA Price Range: Up to $30,000 Lease or Buy: Buy New or Used: Either, Used more likely with price range Type of Vehicle: Car, SUV, Crossover Desired Transmission: Auto Must Haves: Capability beyond FWD, good MPG (open to hybrid for this reason), backseats (front seats bonus) that lay flat, trunk storage compartment(s), enough clearance for uneven mountain roads, traction for Colorado snowstorms, reliability, reasonable safety features Intended Use: Daily Driver and roadtrips, eventually carlife Is this your 1st vehicle: No Do you need a Warranty: No Can you do minor work on your vehicle: No Can you do major work on your vehicle: No

DharaniPatel@reddit

The nicest outback you can find under budget.

Mazda CX-30 or CX-5 or Subaru Crosstreck. Maybe you can also find a new Forester base trim for $30k.

TairyGreene716@reddit

I didn't know where else to post this.

I just got a 24 Terrain as a rental while my civic is in the shop. This fucker is the biggest POS ever, rattles like crazy, wallows like a boat, sound system is trash. How does anyone buy one of these????

CaptainGo@reddit

I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't a rental or some sort of fleet lease

I hate it I hate it I hate it

My civic hatchback has more hp lol

smoothness69@reddit

Yup that's how GMCs drive. They suck.

Pacific northwest USA

$35,000

Either or, would likely do large down payment

Either or, ideally if used very low mileage

Truck

I really like button layouts as opposed to digital dashboards/consoles.

Automatic

Daily Driver, some off-roading but just on gravel roads

Already considered a few Toyota Tacoma’s which I really like

It would be nice

Yes to minor

No to major, if I had a secondary vehicle I would. If I keep my clapped out car as a backup I will

Appy_Fizzy@reddit

Price range: 50-55K $

Type of vehicle: Minivan

Must haves: quiet, driver assist tech, comfortable

Intended use: Long distance/roadtrips

Vehicles you've already considered: in the order of preference 1) Carnival 2) odyssey 3) Pacifica 4) Sienna ( mostly because i cant stand talking to Toyota delaers)

Additional Notes: Not sure how the tariffs are going to affect the cost!

Odyssey

would it have tariffs?

RevolutionaryLine727@reddit

southeast PA under 25k buy new or used under 50k miles must: apple carplay, 2018+ considered jettas/passats 3rd vehicle warranty not needed but preferred can do minor work learning to do major additional notes: i drive a 2012 manual ford focus but idk how much longer it will last me so i want to upgrade and i have about 2.5k saved for a down payment so far. i’m 18 and my credit score is 625 no co-signer so something with under a 600 monthly payment would be preferred thank you.

southeast PA under 25k buy new or used under 50k miles apple carplay is a must considered jettas/passats 3rd vehicle warranty not needed but preferred can do minor work learning to do major additional notes: i drive a 2012 manual ford focus but idk how much longer it will last me so i want to upgrade and i have about 2.5k saved for a down payment so far. i’m 18 and my credit score is 625 no co-signer so something with under a 600 monthly payment would be preferred thank you.

Unrealistic-Painting@reddit

Location: Arizona, USA

Price range: 20k and under.

Lease or buy: Buy

New or used: Used because it fits in my price range. (Would ideally have a hatch back and be small. But I've given up on that.)

Type of vehicle: car/sedan open to SUV

Must haves: Great gas mileage!

Vehicles that I have concidered: chevi sonic, kia soul

1st car: No have an 2002 dodge durango i bought in my highschool years from a family friend. First time buying as an adult and having to figure out loans and APR and all of that.

Warranty: IDK

Minor work: yes.

Notes:

I work full time and I am going to start going to college soon. My campus is about 26 miles away. SO gas effect is a big one! I'm also on a tight budget. My down payment is about 2k plus whatever my cars trade in value would be. Also I'm super anxious and don't know what I'm really doing.

Thank you guys!

You could get aa brand new Mitsubishi Mirage for $15-16k.

Recktion@reddit

Civic or Mazda 3, both have hatch back. Civic better mileage, Mazda better interior. Both should be reliable.

Illustrious-Monk9227@reddit

Looking for clear tail lights anyone know where I can find?

brolix@reddit

Looking a V8 non hybrid truck or SUV that isn’t a total sack of shit. 50-60k would be a good price range (or less obviously.) Should be new enough where I can get a CPO warranty.

I’m normally a sports car/sedan guy so I’m waaaay out of the loop here

Why a V8? The have been replaced by turbo 6-cylinders.

I like them more. Sound, low end tq (city driving and highway cruising), and I’ve had turbo cars for several years now and miss big N/A stupid world

Sadly there aren't any recommendable SUVs with V8 nowadays.

If I had to get one I would look for a good deal on a Dodge Durango.

marksocials97@reddit

Michigan 80k budget Mid size Suv(not a pickup) Must be sporty-ish New or slightly used

What's more important to you, straight line speed / raw power or good handling, nimble, cornering?

Straight line power, highway speeds acceleration power

EV or gasoline? EVs are quicker.

No ev. I’m thinking used RSQ8 or a GLE 63 coupe

Jeep GC Trackhawk

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Definitely not a trackhawk since they get stolen so quickly where I live(Detroit) And I looked into the jag but Land Rover quality isn’t great

SoftwareDesperation@reddit

Looking for a large SUV. Something in the Suburban, Sequoia, Yukon range.

The main requirement is it must have second row captains seats. What models and trims come standard with captains seats?

Leather or spill proof seat material.

Used maybe $50-65k.

Rmblove22@reddit

AWD, reliable but fun SUV Auto pref, Daily, easier to maintain, East coast

AhoyGoFuckYourself@reddit

Northern NJ

20000-25000

I want an SUV that I can take camping and has decent gas mileage

I'll mostly use it to drive to work and back.

I'm trying to decide between:

Mazda CX50 2023-25 - will be newer with fewer miles. Seems like the safe pick.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2015-2019 - I will only be able to afford 100 miles+. I like the storage capacity for camping trips and the gas mileage, which I think is actually comparable to CX50's gas mileage. I also like how it seems like the more rugged, outdoorsy vehicle.

Thunder_Wasp@reddit

Since tomorrow is April Fools I have to remember not to get fooled by someone’s post that Honda is announcing a new S2000.

miguelfolsom@reddit

Hey guys just curious on how someone else would maybe go about this professionally. I have a car that I’m selling to this guy on marketplace, he wants to do monthly payments on it of 2k a month. Should I just hold on to the title and give him bill of sale? I’m not entirely sure what the best option is here.

Absolutely do NOT do this. This is a terrible idea in so many ways. If he needs a loan go to the bank.

I kinda figured it was a bad idea, what about a notarized payment agreement? Is that a thing I could do?

There is no shape this takes where its a good idea. At all. In any way what so ever.

I hope this makes it clear.

Thanks for the advice! Appreciate it

r00000000@reddit

Not sure if it's an option where you from but banks offer auto loans for private sales.

I’ll ask the guy

raydialseeker@reddit

60-85k

C8 corvette / alternatives

Would love a 911 but those are just way too expensive rn. Ideally looking for a brand new car or cert pre-owned.

I would get a Crovette.

Porsche 718, used, any version with the 4.0 engine (the 4 cylinders sound boring)

Lotus Emira or Evora

RogueWarriorII@reddit

25 bmw m2 or get a lightly used 24 for like 10+k off right around the 60k mark

Alive-Professor-9307@reddit

Looking to get a Lexus is350 and don’t know what year to get. Want to get the best value but wanted to see if there were any years to consider more than others or to avoid?

MTINC@reddit

Location: Ontario Canada Price range: 30k CAD, 35k max Lease or Buy: buy New or used: used, want under 75k kilometres Type of vehicle: sport hatch or sedan Must haves: relatively reliable, good styling, physical interior controls Desired transmission: no preference Intended use: daily Vehicles you've already considered: mazda3 turbo, mk 7.5 GTI autobahn, veloster N, Acura TLX tech v6, kia stinger GT AWD Is this your 1st vehicle: no Do you need a Warranty: no Can you do Minor work on your own: yes Can you do Major work on your own: no

Currently leaning towards mk 7.5 GTI.

fedsitprofile@reddit

2019 Audi A5 Premium Sedan 4D reviews? I need something reliable in the snow, preferably v6, not so expensive to maintain and around a $30000 budget. Please share your experiences or recommendations for this car!