-$18k, fun, and reliable sedans?
Posted by kylie_0926@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 45 comments
I’m looking into getting a new car as my lease is almost over and i’m DEFINITELY not buying this car out. I’ve had 2 cars previously, a 2011 bmw 328i, which I loved but i ended up getting scammed and was never able to get it registered and ended up selling it for way less than i bought it for. My second and current car is not my favorite, I was desperate to find a new car after selling my bmw so i jumped on the first option i had which landed me in a leased 2013 buick lacrosse with 140k miles. I don’t like this car and definitely not worth the $500 a month i’m currently paying.
Anyways, i’m trying to not make the same mistakes so i’m doing my research before purchasing. I would love something fun to drive like the bmw, but something extremely reliable and not a gas guzzler if possible. So far i’ve looked at a lexus is250 and i absolutely loved this car, along with a honda civic ex-t which i also enjoyed. any recommendations?
TheFragileRich@reddit
This post has to be faked. How do you lease a ten year old Buick?
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
LMAO i wish it was a joke 😭 why would i joke abt that? Check out markosian auto, thats how you lease a 2013 buick lacrosse
FordF150ChicagoFan@reddit
18k, fun, and reliable. Pick 2
AccurateIt@reddit
Focus ST fits all three requirements, and the Fiesta ST.
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
lol guess i’ll say -18k and reliable
burntkumqu4t@reddit
Corolla
BIahIaIaIa@reddit
4dr Civic SI. I still miss my 2012 coupe. It’s quick, gas efficient, and very reliable.
Infiniti G37. One of the fastest sedans for the price range.
Subaru WRX. Reliable, and AWD.
Avoid anything German that isn’t under warranty, they’re expensive to maintain and aren’t very reliable in general.
One-Attention4220@reddit
Frankly I’d buy another 328i.
rickybobbyscrewchief@reddit
A later production year F-chassis 328i/428i or 330i/430i is not a bad option, really. Especially if you have any moderate ability to do some basic maintenance yourself or access to a reasonably priced independent Euro-shop. In that about 2016-2018 age range, the price is about right. And when compared to what you get in other brands of similar age and price, it's a good buy. Reliability of those is actually not bad. There are definitely worse choices.
Some_Fennel1373@reddit
Get a Jagggggggg xf/xe lots of options with diff engine choices the v8 and v6 ones can come supercharge and are the more reliable ones tbh.
rickybobbyscrewchief@reddit
I like Jags (and have had one), but...no. You gotta have some wiggle room in the budget to own a Jag, in case. And with the current state of the brand and dealer network, I wouldn't be considering one unless I was prepared for some headaches. A 21yo, looking for a fun and reliable car on a modest/moderate budget is not an ideal candidate for ANY Jaguar.
boiyo12@reddit
Those are not even moderately reliable compared to 99% of other vehicles out there.
DatDamnDab@reddit
Acura rl, Toyota Avalon, Honda accord v6, Acura rlx, Acura tlx. Acura rl Acura rl .
Heinz_Legend@reddit
Used Corolla
Stahzee@reddit
Focus ST, Subaru WRX, Golf GTI. Fun and RELIABLE IF YOU DONT THRASH ON IT!!! And DO YOUR MAINTENANCE!!!
Yes there are a million stories of guys blowing up engines. Heck the WRX really gets a bad rap… I have a WRX. Modded for 30k miles. No issues. But I let it warm up, tune if it needed, and do regular maintenance.
Insurance will rip you a new one if you have a prior or under 25.
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
subaru wrx is my more realistic dream car, i’m under 21 but i’m a female with a clean driving record is insurance still gonna be outrageous? 😭
Stahzee@reddit
Back in the day girls used to be cheaper to insure than boys… but with cells phones and shit, girls are just as distracted and the cost difference is no longer the case… Insurance is gonna suck under 25 period.
Maybe start with a manual Impreza, non-turbo. Not fast but reliable and decent on gas. I had an old 5 spd forester and that thing was the best beater I’ve ever had
Manderthal13@reddit
MK7 GLI. Check service records.
boiyo12@reddit
I feel like people in this thread r focusing too much on the FUN word and not the RELIABLE one.
The only cars I've seen on here that aren't gas guzzling or super high maintenance costs and super high maintenance in general is the civic si and the Mazda 3. Every other car so far in this thread is either bad on gas or a "have fun on that repair bill if even the smallest component decides to break" cars.
The26thtime@reddit
Mazda 6 turbo
foofooca@reddit
People will trash the badge, but the V6 Kia Stinger is extremely solid. I’ve heard nothing but good things from it and it comes with 365hp.
I have the 2.5T Stinger and love it - but wish I had the V6
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
haven’t heard much about it but i’ll definitely have to check it out
RedditAddict6942O@reddit
They also blow rear differentials like crazy...
foofooca@reddit
It’s quick, looks good, and tons of potential mods! Good luck in your search
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
thank you sm!!
Users5252@reddit
If you're ok with hatchbacks and not a young male, focus st and mazdaspeed 3 comes to mind, but i heard that the insurance is crazy expensive if you are under 25
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
i’m not a young male, but i am 21, but i’ve a clean driving record if that helps but i’m definitely open to hatchbacks!
Users5252@reddit
If you're 21 your insurance will probably be rather high. Imo you should test drive them and see if you really like them
Upstairs-Fan-2168@reddit
My insurance I don't think knew what a speed3 was. They looked up the VIN #, and it popped up as a Mazda 3. Insurance has gone up like crazy lately, but when I first got it, I was getting full coverage for I roughly $40/month. I was around 33 at the time, I bought the car January 2021.
burntkumqu4t@reddit
Love my ST and it fits all your categories! May be a little tough to find but search around for a relatively untouched one and you’re golden
MayerMTB@reddit
21 is young in terms of driving and car ownership.
g2gfmx@reddit
If you wanna buy new, probably honda civic. Or elantra n/ sonata is pretty fun cars. But the hyundai you would wanna tradein within 3 years when the warranty goes.
Or used a genesis g70/g80. Good mix of reliability and fun. Not as reliable as lexus but a little faster.
Environmental-Rub933@reddit
If you’re wiling to play Russian roulette, the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 is a crazy value for what they cost. Unfortunately some of them have a timing chain problem and it’s hard to tell until it’s almost about to give out. If you’re willing to go a little bit older but still in the same vein, the G37 sedans are awesome and you can still find some with under 100k miles. Assuming you can find one unmodified, they actually having solid reliability
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
thank you so much!!
111olll@reddit
Mercedes W212 e350
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
ooh i love the look definitely adding to my list
Lost_Function4251@reddit
Extremely reliable, not a gas guzzler, and is250 don't belong in the same sentence. Your better off with that 328i
Nichia519@reddit
You’re saying a Lexus isn’t reliable..?
Lost_Function4251@reddit
average reddit hive mind, you have any proof that an is250 is considered reliable?
Nichia519@reddit
Do you have any proof that it isn’t?
I’m not sure what the hive mind on Reddit is; I’m a mechanic and see and wrench on all brands everyday and have for 13 years. I don’t go by the hive mind on Reddit, I go back what I’ve personally seen. Recommending a BMW over a Lexus for reliability is completely insane. BMWs have far more issues and failures and it’s not even close
Lost_Function4251@reddit
Well maybe you did not work on a lot of is250s then, because besides carbon buildup issue the other commenters mentioned, if you throw enough money to get regular valve cleanings done you will still face timing chain issues at high kms and these gr series don't take well to overheating at all.
MG42Turtle@reddit
It’s a gas guzzler and the engine in the 250 is actually not great for reliability. Unlikely to have a catastrophic failure but it is extremely prone to have carbon build up because it’s just direct injected rather than both direct and port injected.
I wouldn’t bother buying one considering similar options.
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
good to know lol thank you sm
rudbri93@reddit
civic si could be a good choice
kylie_0926@reddit (OP)
thank you!