New Car

[dlayman]

Originally Posted By: Yup
I probably won't buy one this year, but after 11 years I tire of the same monotony known as my current daily driver. I also appreciate that I know everything about it. And the fact that's it's relatively cheap transportation, compared to a new one.

So, if I bought a new car in 2016, what would you recommend? My requirements...I currently drive a Civic. I want at worst decent gas mileage (above 25mpgs combined). I don't have kids so room isn't a factor. The model I currently drive is the SI so it's "sporty". I want something FUN to drive (you know, so every once in a while I can have the thought of, "hope there weren't any cops around" when I push it to the floor). I want something that doesn't have annoying issues (like the [censored] that goes wrong in EVERY Civic ever created of this era...seat belts, air bag light, cam shaft implosion). And I want the car to cost less than $30K. I also want a car I can drive 75+ mph halfway across the country to visit family and friends that doesn't have a decibel level of a fighter jet (like the Civic I currently have) and that keeps it's RPM's under 4,500 at 80mph.

Ok, GO! What car would you choose and why??!?!??!?



I haven't had ANY of the problems you describe with my 11 year old Civic at 300k miles. Perhaps they are more common on the Si.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd try a used caddie ATS or CTS, I'd think a mid $20's one would be pretty solid?
That said, a V6 sedan from anyone now has more than enough grunt to get you a ticket in under 8 seconds...
Or even the turbo 4's in the Malibu and others, I think most of the midsize cars handle better than used to, especially compared to 2001.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I'll chime in for the Buick Regal, the turbo or GS, but for your budget you'd probably have to buy used. However, they are swift, well sound insulated, mine has been reliable (and there are few posts on Buickforums.com about problems). Both run about 260-270 hp depending on the year.

My mpg has hovered around 22-24 on regular, but the turbo and GS recommend premium. The fun factor may outweigh that, however.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
I blast up and down texas toll roads at 85+ in a 14 camry, you can too.
The V6 Camry is a real sleeper.

 

[ottomatic]

VW GTI. Advice from someone who was a VW sales person & owns a 14 JSW TDI.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: Yup
I probably won't buy one this year, but after 11 years I tire of the same monotony known as my current daily driver. I also appreciate that I know everything about it. And the fact that's it's relatively cheap transportation, compared to a new one.

So, if I bought a new car in 2016, what would you recommend? My requirements...I currently drive a Civic. I want at worst decent gas mileage (above 25mpgs combined). I don't have kids so room isn't a factor. The model I currently drive is the SI so it's "sporty". I want something FUN to drive (you know, so every once in a while I can have the thought of, "hope there weren't any cops around" when I push it to the floor). I want something that doesn't have annoying issues (like the [censored] that goes wrong in EVERY Civic ever created of this era...seat belts, air bag light, cam shaft implosion). And I want the car to cost less than $30K. I also want a car I can drive 75+ mph halfway across the country to visit family and friends that doesn't have a decibel level of a fighter jet (like the Civic I currently have) and that keeps it's RPM's under 4,500 at 80mph.

Ok, GO! What car would you choose and why??!?!??!?


You are looking at a BMW 325.

 

[ryanschillinger]

Read Consumer Reports for reliability ratings. If you keep a car for 10+ years, that should be a major factor in your decision making. You even said you want something that won't have lots of issues. I would steer clear from the European brands. Mazda has a very impressive lineup that is reliable and fun. You can get a mazda3 with all the options you want and should be very happy with it. As much as I love toyotas, my next car will likely be a mazda3 hatch or cx5. Both are available with manual transmission, where most competitors don't offer one.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: ryanschillinger
Read Consumer Reports for reliability ratings. If you keep a car for 10+ years, that should be a major factor in your decision making. You even said you want something that won't have lots of issues. I would steer clear from the European brands. Mazda has a very impressive lineup that is reliable and fun. You can get a mazda3 with all the options you want and should be very happy with it. As much as I love toyotas, my next car will likely be a mazda3 hatch or cx5. Both are available with manual transmission, where most competitors don't offer one.


Gently used is my favorite. Saves money. I pretty much hate the boringness of all new models. VW has fun small cars. I wonder about their issues though. I know many people with them and they seem to nickel and dime with electrical issues. Ford is the only company that builds a hot small car(s) under 30k it seems. I'm really looking at a Focus RS or the new Civic R supposedly showing up soon. But, currently, the only fun cheap cars seem to be Ford Mustang (various engines), Nissan Juke Nismo, Fiesta ST and Focus ST. I've thought about the Mazda 3 but test drove one and thought, "I'm pretty sure this has less pep than my Si" so for $20k it's not an upgrade. I just can't bring myself to want a Ford so it's frustrating their smal, cars win the battle right now. The Focus and Fiesta ST were a BLAST to drive when I test drove them a few months back. They are more fun than my Civic. But, as a Ford, won't it blow up into 300 pieces after 6 years???

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
You are looking at a BMW 325.

The last time a 325 was sold in the US was in 2006, so he'd be looking at a 10-year-old car in this case.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
You are looking at a BMW 325.

The last time a 325 was sold in the US was in 2006, so he'd be looking at a 10-year-old car in this case.


Yes, I am behind times. It's 328 now, looks like.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Olas
Think of how much performance you could build for the same price.

supra, m3, STI etc etc are cooler, faster, more fun, less boring, and overall a far better choice than any modern boring bland Eco-box that you could buy for the same price.

For the "less than 30k" you could even have a 911, Corvette, early R8s are dropping in price..there's really no reason to look at anything that hasn't depreciated yet, or anything that doesn't go fast enoug to scare you.


Yet what will those cost to keep going? Purchase price might be ok, but I'd be worried about running costs. Those kinds of cars are great weekend cars, or at the very least, backed up by something else.

Which I guess does bring up a decent point: if the OP keeps his current car, would that sway the decision? Use the SI as a daily beater, and something else "nice" for longer trips.

 

[silverrat]

Another consideration should be is he planning on driving the car year round in snow and ice? In that case something like a Mustang, while doable, would not be ideal I guess.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Another consideration should be is he planning on driving the car year round in snow and ice? In that case something like a Mustang, while doable, would not be ideal I guess.


We have a Crosstrek I can use if needed. Although 99% of the time a 2wd Civic can get you through snow up to 8 inches deep. More than that and I'd stay home from work anyway.

Mustangs are still RWD, right?

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I'd try a used caddie ATS or CTS, I'd think a mid $20's one would be pretty solid?
That said, a V6 sedan from anyone now has more than enough grunt to get you a ticket in under 8 seconds...
Or even the turbo 4's in the Malibu and others, I think most of the midsize cars handle better than used to, especially compared to 2001.


I have to agree. My daily driver is a 2008 CTS 3.6DI. It's 304hp is plenty ample and mpg isn't bad. Luxury and power and at used prices can be a good deal.

 

[Palut]

A new WRX meets all of your requirements. I bought mine back in May and it's been fantastic! 28 mpg combined in 16k miles so far.

It's a ton of fun, and the lower trim levels start at $26k or so.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: Palut
A new WRX meets all of your requirements. I bought mine back in May and it's been fantastic! 28 mpg combined in 16k miles so far.

It's a ton of fun, and the lower trim levels start at $26k or so.


I was possibly leaning toward a WRX until a relative told me of their Subaru 2.5 head gasket issue. It seems to be common and Subaru seems to enjoy taking a couple thousand bucks from a customer to fix cruddy design and engineering. Makes me wish we hand never bought our Crosstrek. I'll wait to see if SoA covers any of the fix for them. They're making and waiting for calls...

 

[Nate1979]

^^^^ What headgasket issues? Haven't heard about any headgasket issues on any Subi made after 2009.

 

[Yup]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
^^^^ What headgasket issues? Haven't heard about any headgasket issues on any Subi made after 2009.


I believe an 06 with the 2.5. Still makes me wonder about their design.

 

[Olas]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Nascar-KURT-BUSCH-97-NASCAR-RACE-car-TRACK-CAR-ROUSH-RACING-FORD-TAURUS-/131696244303?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1ea9b5364f:g:zgAAAOSwIwhWSSk~&item=131696244303

Or maybe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Ford-Mustang-Vintage-A-S-Race-Car-Road-Race-Shelby-RMVR-Streetable-Track-/161918003570?hash=item25b310a972:g:wC4AAOSw7FRWaM3G&vxp=mtr

Or maybe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1982-Corvette-Vintage-Road-Race-Kevlar-Project-Car-SCCA-Wild-Street-Machine-/390408539328?hash=item5ae6298cc0:g:gkQAAOSwmrlUwxuh&vxp=mtr


All 3 a better than a new Honda and less than 30k.

 

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: Yup
Originally Posted By: Nate1979
^^^^ What headgasket issues? Haven't heard about any headgasket issues on any Subi made after 2009.


I believe an 06 with the 2.5. Still makes me wonder about their design.


Your Crosstrek and a 2006 with 2.5 have nothing in common. Even post 2009 there are almost no issues as they got the updated headgaskets. This thread is about a new Subi which has nothing in common with the previous gen Subie 2.5.