What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread
Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 27 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.
hiebertw07@reddit
[b]Location:[/b] Central NC [b]Price:[/b] $5k - $15k [b]Lease or Buy: [/b] Buy [b] New or Used: [/b] Used [b]Must haves: [/b] RWD or AWD, something with personality, decent reliability, must be able to fit (I'm 6'4" so no Miatas or RX8s), works as a touring car / highway queen; preference for turbocharged [b]Transmission:[/b] manual or flappy paddle double-clutch [b]Intended use: [/b] weekend / project car, backup for DD [b]Vehicles considered [/b] Lexus IS, Toyota FR-S, Subaru Legacy GT (BT), GR Corolla, BMW 335i / 235i, Infiniti G37 [b]Work (major or minor):[/b] I can handle minor work up to medium if Japanese.
yellow-ledbelly@reddit
Location: New England
Price range: $3000-$7500
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Very Used
Type of vehicle: Cars or Trucks
Must haves: 4 seats, 4 or more doors.
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual preferred, but fine with automatic. Prefer to avoid CVTs.
Intended use: Commuting pig. 90 miles per day, 4 days per week. Nearly 100% highway 65-80 mph.
Vehicles you've already considered: Volkswagen Passat, CC, Golf. Volvo XC60, XC70, V70, S60, S80, Subaru Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, Toyota Matrix, Mazda3 or Mazda6, Acura TL or RL (no beak), Lexus IS/ES/GS/RX/LS, Ford Flex, Focus (manual), Toyota 4Runner, Sequoia, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V, 2009 MB E350.
Is this your 1st vehicle: Nope.
Do you need a Warranty: Nope.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yup.
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Nope.
Additional Notes: Would like the ability to add a stereo with Apple Car Play. Would like little to no rust. Don’t want a Civic, Corolla, or Camry. Want something that is a least a little interesting to drive. OK paying a bit more for maintenance. List of considered vehicles is what I’m seeing on Marketplace locally in my desired price range. Any of these that would be ideal or huge red flags?
hiebertw07@reddit
I've owned a Lexus IS for 7 years and a VW CC for 4. I wouldn't recommend the CC because the repair costs (e.g. $900 for a single fuel injector). I loved the IS, but RWD is not ideal in New England.
I'd go with a BT (7th gen) Subaru Legacy GT. AWD with options for a 2.5 turbo paired with a six speed. Working on a flat four isn't fun, but is much better than a German equivalent.
duncecapwinner@reddit
Complete car noob here. advice appreciated.
Location: north carolina
Price Range - 15-30k
Buy
Probably used, to save money
Car
Fuel efficient would be nice
Auto transmission
intended use: not a frequent driver. intended to be a weekend car, but would have to use it daily if my job isn't remote anymore
no, don't know how to do minor work or major work
hiebertw07@reddit
Greensboro here. What part of NC are you in? I ask because what I'd recommend for the mountains is different from the beach. Also, does your job limit what kind of car you'll need (e.g. an office worker showing up with a loud muscle car might not set the best image). Family? Open to EV?
Good all-rounders:
Lexus CT hybrid (used, ~$20k, ~2016, ~30k miles) Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (new, $29,500) Toyota Camry Honda CRV hybrid (new, $29,500) Ford Mustang Mach E (used, just under $30k) Mazda3
Fun & flashy
Toyota 86 (used, $20k+ for good example) Lexus IS250 (used, ~$20k for a good example) Mazda MX5 (2018+ for $20k good condition) Ford Maverick (if trucks are an option)
No_Communication5715@reddit
Location: New York
Price range: 30-50k
Lease or Buy: Lease
New or used: New preferred, (2019 or newer used)
Type of vehicle: SUVs, Sedans
Must haves: V6, AWD
Desired transmission: Automatic
Intended use: Daily(new driver!!)
Vehicles you've already considered: Kia K5 gt-line, Dodge Durango, V6 chargers(track pak, r/t, scat pack)
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
Do you need a Warranty: Yes
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Maybe my father, not me personally though.
No_Communication5715@reddit
New York 30-50k Any(lease or buy) New preferred(used 2019 and newer) Sedan and SUVs V6 Auto transmission Daily driver(new driver aswell!!) Civic Sport 2025, Kia K5 Gt-line, Dodge Durango This will be my first vehicle. Yes Yes No, maybe my father though
woowoo293@reddit
Shouldn't the template be modified to add something about preferred powertrain fuel? That seems like a pretty foundational question this day and age.
Pkron17@reddit
Location: Washington, DC
Price range: $50k (flexible by a few thousand)
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: Not sure. A sportscar, hot hatch, 4door sedan, or even a smaller SUV would be okay. Considering maybe electric, but not unless I absolutely love the car.
Must haves: Some pull (under 6sec 0-60), 360° backup camera, high safety ratings, Android auto. It doesn't need a wireless charger, but if it has one, it'd better fit a Galaxy S23 Ultra lol.
Desired transmission: Auto
Intended use: Daily drivable, but fun
Is this your 1st vehicle: No. I previously owned a 2019 Genesis G70 3.3T. I loved it, but had to sell it last year because I moved to a different country for a year :(. Looking at those too.
Do you need a Warranty: Preferably, yes
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Thanks!
throwawayfuqreddit@reddit
If i had 50k for a car I would get a Mercedes C300 4Matic. It doesnt look terrible on the outside but they look great on the inside.
Quizzlickington@reddit
Location: Ohio
Price range: max $18k for a compact or 22k for something that can carry 2 kayaks.
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: compact car or whatever a crosstrek is
Must haves: AWD
Desired transmission: Auto
Intended use: work, town, highway travel
Is this your 1st vehicle: No. I previously owned a 2013 Hyundai elantra, but was hit by a semi and now im forced to get a car. I liked the Elantra.
Do you need a Warranty: Preferably, yes
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
**Additional Notes: Im not fluent in cars. Is there a pro to buying versus leasing? I understand leasing as essentially renting a car. Id like a car that doesnt have known expensive issues like how suburus have head gasket issues. I like the crosstrek, but seeing all the head gasket issues I don't want a 7k time bomb.
Thanks!
Pizzaandsodashakes@reddit
Location: Denver, CO
Price range: 10,000-25,000
Lease or Buy: lease
New or used: used preferred
Type of vehicle: car (sportier car?) or Sedan
Must haves: Apple CarPlay, backup camera
Desired transmission: auto
Intended use: daily car, driving in the city or down the highway / freeway, would prefer something that can safely make it up an uphill paved mountain road and can tolerate normal city snow
Vehicles you've already considered: Volkswagen gti
Is this your 1st vehicle: no
Do you need a Warranty: possibly
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc) no
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc ) no
Additional Notes: I loved driving the Volkswagen gti I rented because it was zippy and fun but not a super high edition, flashy luxury car (nothing wrong with that! Just not for me) but I’ve heard the reliability is poor and maintenance/ parts are expensive.
Would love to find something similar in a reliable Japanese brand. Would just be for me (and maybe a few others)driving in the city 99 percent of the time, with the occasional road trip but nothing through very rough terrain. Denver has some snow and mountain roads but I don’t camp or ski so I don’t expect to get up there often.
niftyjack@reddit
The GTI doesn't really have a direct Japanese competitor; the closest thing is the Honda Civic Si but it doesn't have an automatic, and the Toyota Corolla doesn't have a mid-performance version. A Hyundai Elantra N-Line has a hotter engine and sportier suspension, but it's not the best automatic.
The closest Japanese equivalent would be a Mazda3 Turbo, which has a good amount of power but less of a zippy feeling, they're tuned more for luxury than sport. Could be worth a look.
The GTI and Jetta GLI have been super reliable since the 7th generation (2016+ for the GTI, 2018+ for the Jetta GLI) and it would be my main pick. I had a 2017 Golf for 5 years with no real issues and Car and Driver's long-term test of a GTI was also low-maintenance. I would look at the Jetta GLI over the GTI since it has more back seat space—they're almost identical to a GTI mechanically so the reliability between the two is the same.
Pizzaandsodashakes@reddit
Oh that makes me feel a lot better… I fell in love with the GTI but a friend who had a bad time with a jetta was going ham convincing me that VW cars were terrible. I think I’ll look into getting the car I wanted originally …thank you!!
treeemoji98@reddit
Location: Northern Utah
Price range: Under $10k, ideally as close to $5k as possible
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Don't care
Must haves: As reliable, cheap to repair, and fuel-efficient as possible
Desired transmission: Auto
Intended use: Daily driver
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
Do you need a Warranty: No
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Maybe? I'm willing to learn
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
miikolh@reddit
Location: SF Bay Area
Price range: <$100k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: SUV or smaller with trunk space
Must haves: Fuel efficient, Trunk space, Smooth ride
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): auto
Intended use: Daily driver
Vehicles you've already considered: 4Runner, Rav4, Mazda CX-90
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: 2 kids under 5, so two car seats. Would love to be able to take them on weekend trips comfortably (stroller, suitcase, random stuff). I have a parking spot, so size not a big issue. But I don't love low milage of the 4 Runner and don't want full electric / plugin.
I've had my 2008 Honda Civic for well over a decade and it's been wonderful to me. Would love something with proven reliability.
niftyjack@reddit
Your budget gives you a lot of play with solid options. If you're looking for smoothness there's a major difference between mass market brands (Toyota, Honda, etc) and premium cars (Audi, Lexus, etc), and your budget gives you room to play in that echelon. Getting NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) down in a car is almost logarithmic in how much effort it takes so it generally pays to play for a better experience. A crossover is a good choice for your lifestyle, too, so here's what I'm thinking:
A BMW X5 will treat you nicely. The X5 has a noticeably nicer interior than the X3, and the car has been proven extremely reliable over time—Toyota uses the X5 40i's engine and transmission in the Supra. I think this is the most balanced between smoothness and reliability.
The Volvo XC90 is a segment stalwart since the design is chic and the technology isn't annoying. It's easier to find an air suspension on these than other options in the segment so if you're looking for the ultimate smooth ride, this would be a good choice—dealers will know which have the air suspension and which don't.
The Lexus RX500h will be the ultimate reliability option if that's your focus. If you're looking at the RX, I would specifically focus on the RX500h versus the RX350h since the 350h's engine is a little too small for how much car it's attached to, so it can be loud/feel stressed in a way that's unbecoming of what's supposed to be a premium vehicle.
For a mass market option, take a look at the Toyota Crown Signia, which straddles the mainstream/premium border—it won't be quite as smooth as a luxury car, but it won't feel like a tin can like the RAV4 sometimes does.
gabboinks@reddit
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Price range: 20,000,000 - 40,000,000 Korean Won
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Any would work within the budget
Type of vehicle: Car, compact suv, hatchback (no sedan)
Must haves: Sunroof!
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Automatic
Intended use: Daily Driver
Vehicles you've already considered: 2024 BMW 1 Series F40 120i Hatchback, 2024 Benz A-Class A220 Hatchback, 2023 Mini Cooper Clubman High Trim
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Not Necessary, would be great addition though
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Upgrading from 3 door mini cooper 2019. I want something bigger but not too much. Im worried since the mini cooper clubman is discontinued, parts might be difficult to get in the future, for bmw and benz it looks nice and luxurious but im not sure if its worth it or get something new with that price.
niftyjack@reddit
The Clubman uses a lot of shared parts from other cars (engine/transmission from BMWs, lots of shared interior pieces from other Minis, etc) so if you like the unique vibe of a Mini I'd stick to the Clubman. The closest thing to it will be the BMW 1 series you mentioned, which shares the bones of a Mini underneath.
VisualKeiko@reddit
Location: New York
Price Range: $15000-$19000
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or Used: Either
Type of Vehicle: Coupe preferably, sedan is fine as well. Wagons are fine as well.
Must Haves:
Reasonably quick, doesn't need to blow the doors off, just something that doesn't feel anemic.
Heated seats where possible
Reasonably good reliability
Desired Transmission: Automatic
Intended Use: Daily driver, road trip car
Vehicles You've Already Considered: Challenger RT, Mustang GT
Is This Your First Vehicle?: No
Do You Need a Warranty?: Doesn't have to have one
Can You Do Minor Work on Your Own Vehicle?: Yes, I can do fluids and brakes, possibly joints as well if I have the time.
Can You Do Major Work on Your Own Vehicle?: No
Additional Notes: Ideally it'd be something more unique, I'm coming from a JDM Celsior and I'd miss the ability to turn heads. Something like a Challenger RT would be great, but nobody stops to look at a Challenger. V8s are ideal, but not 100% necessary
bjguy510@reddit
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Price Range: $5,000 - $25,000
Lease or Buy: Lease (open to buying used if it's a great value)
New or Used: Either
Type of Vehicle: Sedan, muscle car, or midsize truck
Must Haves:
Four doors and a real trunk (not a hatchback)
Spacious cabin with wide shoulder and hip room
Comfortable driver’s seat I’m a big guy 5’8", ~260 lbs with broad shoulders and a wide waist
Smooth ride quality
V6 or turbo preferred (but open to 4-cylinder if it’s not underpowered)
Fuel efficient or at least not terrible on gas
Modern safety features (blind spot monitoring, backup camera, lane assist, etc.)
Apple CarPlay
Would love leather or at least good quality cloth seats that don’t feel tight
Desired Transmission: Automatic
Intended Use: Daily driver, occasional weekend trip car.
Is This Your First Vehicle?: No, but it’s my first car in 10 years. Haven’t owned one since moving to the Bay Area.
Do You Need a Warranty?: Yes—would prefer something with warranty or lease coverage for peace of mind.
Can You Do Minor Work on Your Own Vehicle?: Yes, basic stuff like battery, brake pads, fluids.
Can You Do Major Work on Your Own Vehicle?: No, I’d rather avoid major wrenching.
Additional Notes:
I'm a bigger guy and interior space/comfort really matters to me. I’ve test-sat in some cars that feel too narrow or hug too tight, and that’s a deal breaker.
lemonylol@reddit
Location: (Specify your country or region)
Price range: (Minimum-Maximum in your local currency)
Lease or Buy:
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sports Car, Sedan
Must haves: AWD/RWD, NA, V8, V6, Smooth ride, nice interior
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): manual
Intended use: Daily driver/project car/weekend car
Vehicles you've already considered: Honda Accord, BMW 2/3 series, Porsche 944
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: Some suspension and engine.
Additional Notes: Just using this to mainly commute to work, all highway, but want something fun to drive around the city or on country roads on weekends as well.
DoctorDetrimental@reddit
How about an Infiniti G35/G37?
lemonylol@reddit
It's another consideration, but I've heard a lot of people claim the Honda V6 is much better for whatever reasons.
DoctorDetrimental@reddit
Only thing I can think of that has a Honda V6 and fits all your criteria would be a SH-AWD Acura TL; but that might be tricky to find in manual guise.
SeatVisual4018@reddit
Location: (Specify your country or region) West Georgia, USA
Price range: (Minimum-Maximum in your local currency) $22000, I have about $3k to put down right now, could put down more in a month
Lease or Buy: Buy with financing
New or used: New or Used, need to see options from there
Type of vehicle: (Truck, Car, Sports Car, Sedan, Crossover, SUV, Racecar, Luxury etc.) Doesnt really matter to me, want to avoid anything too high maintenance
Must haves: (4x4, AWD, Fuel efficient, Navigation, Turbo, V8, V6, Trunk space, Smooth ride, Leather etc.) Fuel efficiency would be nice but not required. Smooth ride would be nice
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Auto
Intended use: (Daily Driver, Family Car, Weekend Car, Track Toy, Project Car, Work Truck, Off-roading etc.) Daily driver
Vehicles you've already considered: N/A
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Maybe
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc) Yes
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc ) No.
DoctorDetrimental@reddit
2013-2018 Lexus ES's can be found pretty easily at that price point. Also consider its Toyota counterpart, the Avalon.