What cars are worth buying nowadays?

Posted by zionstatus@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 58 comments

What cars are worth buying nowadays but are still cool?

Cool meaning some sort of fun factor or novelty to them

I don't want a basic Civic or Corolla even though it's the most economical choice

Thought about Tacomas or 4Runners but the used ones are so inflated it's almost the same price as new

There's no small compact trucks anymore they are getting larger and larger and I don't need a giant Ford Raptor for a daily vehicle

What are you guys driving? Just want some cool options for vehicles

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firewoodrack@reddit

I have a 2001 Land Cruiser and a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport

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mHo2@reddit

Those repair bills for the Land Cruiser must be astronomical

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Yes they are lol. I just got a quote from my local Toyota service center for $18,000. Nothing egregious needed to be fixed or replaced. The service advisor was cool though and said if I sourced parts, they would put them on for the cost of labor. That knocked the price down a lot.

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Illustrious_Rich_311@reddit

Independent probably a lot cheaper than stealership

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firewoodrack@reddit

Not in my area, ask me how I know

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lou95340@reddit

This guy gets it

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s1dneys@reddit

I just bought a used mazda3 hatch carbon edition and I love it. So beautiful, sporty, and sleek. Drives so smooth I accidentally speed all of the time. Automatic AWD and red leather interior. With your budget, you could buy a brand new turbo edition if you like sporty with great drive handling

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Creecher10@reddit

Hyundai Elantra N can be had brand new for under 40k and can compete with Civic type Rs (although the type r is still the better car, as it should be for 10k+ more). DCT or 6speed manual. Can be a good commuter car that gets 35mpg in Eco mode or put it in N mode and thrash it about on some back roads.

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polarityofmarriage@reddit

VW Golf GTI is under 40. To be cooler go for a used Golf R. The ultimate well balanced sleeper.

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jeepsies@reddit

Gr86

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zionstatus@reddit (OP)

Actually had one a while back when it was the scion frs!

Haven't kept up with them recently on the changes they made, maybe I'll look at them again

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IronyIntended2@reddit

Same but bought one of the first brzs off the boat had to trade when the 3rd child came for a van…….

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jeepsies@reddit

Which van?

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IronyIntended2@reddit

Sienna

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jeepsies@reddit

Hell yeah. Im looking at them.

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alexithunders@reddit

The new generation is better in every way. There is a reason it is lovingly referred to as a Poorsche and receives almost unanimous acclaim.

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avoidhugeships@reddit

It is improved in a lot of ways but not all. Not as connected as the previous version and problems with oil starvation if tracking.

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alexithunders@reddit

While I have not driven the previous generation, those are well-documented weaknesses. Still, I can’t think of a car that offers as much driving bliss at this price range (I much prefer the GR86 to the ND2 Miata which I almost purchased).

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avoidhugeships@reddit

It's a fantastic car with no real competition in its price range.

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apotheosis24@reddit

Audi A5, S3. BMW 230i, 330i. German cars are cheaper and more reliable than ever compared to overpriced Toyotas.

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Agile_Lawfulness9678@reddit

The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness might be a good fit for you ,Sporty and has some serious off road abilities

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mmspider@reddit

Look into a Alfa Romeo Giulia if you want a cheaper cool car. They drop like crazy in value from new but still has a cool design. Also fun to drive. The used market isn`t a good deal for slightly used cars.

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zionstatus@reddit (OP)

How reliable are Alfa Romeos? Hardly see them on the road not sure if that's a good or bad thing

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mmspider@reddit

I had 2 of them and they never gave me any problems. I find them to be reliable. But try to buy the newest model year you can. They made some updates in 2020 model year. You can also buy a warranty through Mopar that is pretty affordable when bought at the right dealership. I know of a few from being on the forums for years.

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IntrepidLecture8405@reddit

The Stelvio is a great car too, a bit more space and still a great handling, sporty ride. The 2.0 turbo is surprisingly quick, and delivers diesel like torque. Just gotta buy 2020 or newer

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keithrc@reddit

Why no EV's? That's where you'll find a lot of interesting design and innovation right now.

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avoidhugeships@reddit

Strong disagree. Replacing buttons with a tablet is not innovation and bubbles are not interesting design.

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keithrc@reddit

Oh, come on. There's a lot more than that going on in the EV space. Just say you're not interested (or, don't) and move along.

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IndraBlue@reddit

Jeep grand Cherokee and I love it but will be getting a ram 1500 soon probably by the summer

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zionstatus@reddit (OP)

No issues with the Jeep grand cherokee? Everyone says jeeps break down all the time

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IndraBlue@reddit

Yeah I had a check engine light on for a year because of an emissions sensor I’m only at 75k miles I’m in the belief that all modern cars are pretty reliable if you take care of them I’ve been changing my oil every 5k miles V6

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216LC@reddit

I just bought a (Used) Mazda 3 turbo premium plus, the thing is SUPER nice and a fun ride! Very premium feeling interior for not being a “luxury” vehicle. It has plenty of power and I think it’s a damn fine looking vehicle, also it has AWD if you live in an area that gets snow. If your budget is $40k assuming USD new ones are around $37k

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Kent89052@reddit

Ford Maverick hybrid

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Fatal_Blow_Me@reddit

Those things are so overpriced nowadays and aren’t really capable of doing anything that a truck can do. I don’t see the point in them

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Kent89052@reddit

Still under his 40k budget NEW with AWD and Tow pkg.

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Fatal_Blow_Me@reddit

The AWD doesn’t have the off-road capability of what he seems to be looking for and the towing capacity is super small on those.

There are brand new 25 Ford F150’s in my area for $37k so I never understood the hype for Mavericks personally.

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Kent89052@reddit

Using the same math as you there are 25 Mavericks for $ 27k or so. And there all super crew.

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HopeSuitable669@reddit

Civic Si and Corolla/Matrix XRS are fun and super cheap. Newer stuff/price range you're talking is probably going to be a Porsche or something. You could look into importing something old and fun in good condition. I've been eyeballing a JDM '94 Celica GTFOUR with like 70k miles for about $28k (shipping and registration included.

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10_Ply_Big_Guy@reddit

I have a 2013 Avalanche with about 140k miles, runs like new and a 2012 Boss 302 with about 35k miles. I love both vehicles, im less optimistic on most new cars

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Fatal_Blow_Me@reddit

If you’re aching for a vehicle like a 4Runner or Tacoma, trying looking for deals on certified or gently used trucks like Ford or Chevrolet. They will generally depreciate a little faster starting out (compared to those Toyotas) so there are deals to be had there.

Just do your research on the engines and transmissions for the year you are looking at. There are good years and bad years for every truck brand.

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zionstatus@reddit (OP)

Are used Ford trucks a good buy? I've looked at some older rangers but just unsure of Ford in general

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Fatal_Blow_Me@reddit

Most of the engines are fantastic and very reliable. The 10 speed transmissions can be iffy tho. If you are getting one then I would get a 2023+ as they have had more time to fine tune them.

I was looking at a ranger recently but after test driving one and an F150, I’d rather have the F150. Some brand new 150’s in my area are going for 37k and you can find a great deal on some gently used ones well within your budget.

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Swatkinos2@reddit

I went with a Ford Maverick, it’s the smallest truck on the market now, and there are lots of different options for different uses. I absolutely love the truck! However, I don’t trust its reliability long term, so I opted for an extended warranty. It truly is my dream truck and I highly suggest it to anyone who is interested.

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Material-Ice9082@reddit

I bought a 1988 Wrangler off of facebook that rins and drives for $500 bucks its been alot of fun

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CommissarCiaphisCain@reddit

My son just spent the last year and a half restoring an 88 Wrangler. The community was so incredibly helpful and positive, and he learned so much. Parts were readily available, and it was relatively easy to work on.

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ai_bot_account@reddit

Love a good $500 beater. That’s what I paid for my 2007 Pathfinder. Some wrenching and now it’s a reliable snow beater that can do easy off roading.

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shadowfoxxy007@reddit

Mk 8 GTI, also the Maverick fits the compact truck well and can be awd plus hybrid.

Also used a Focus RS could be fun.

And dark horse: v6 stinger, Buick Regal GS (last gen they made).

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Clean-Entry-262@reddit

40 years of dealership service dept experience …All of my cars come home broken, in boxes. Fix them and drive them. All cars have gotten increasingly more expensive and have ever lower quality.

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