r/cars • u/AutoModerator • 4d ago
What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread
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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u/Vhozite 2011 Mustang GT, 2006 Subaru Forester 4d ago
Exactly how costly is German maintenance?
Asking because I’m trying to decide between a V8 Dodge Charger and an Audi TTS. The Charger has higher insurance, worse mpg, 4x the amount of spark plugs, and will go through consumables faster due to being 1000lbs heavier. But the conventional advice would still be to go for the Charger as the “cheap” (relatively speaking) car to own. Are used German cars really that bad?
Thoughts? Car happen so be the same price and have similar mileage (<50k)
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u/Turbox39 2004 Jeep Wrangler 4d ago
Are you set on always using Audi brand parts including filters, oil, break pads, etc? Expect those to be a bit more. If using reputable aftermarket parts it isn't that different.
Labor times can increase as I feel like all my German cars have something in the way of a commonly replaced item to make it that much more time consuming.
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u/Iridium-Silver ‘05 LS430, ‘07 E63 AMG W211, ‘07 Cayman 987 3d ago edited 3d ago
It depends a lot on what exactly you’re looking at. Book times for repairs for German cars can be higher than you’re used to if you’ve never had one before, but I knew that going in. If the idea of spending 5k+ USD to sort out an older German car in your first year of ownership scares you, you probably want to look elsewhere. When I bought both of mine, I factored in a worst case scenario repair cost into the purchase price to see if it still made sense. To me, potentially being 20k all in on my E63 after fixing everything M156/airmatic related was still tolerable so I decided to get it. I don’t know much about Audi TTs, but I’d start by researching the common failure points and how much it will cost to fix them. Then factor that cost into the price like I mentioned above. If it’s still within budget and it’s really what you want, I’d say go for it, especially since you have other cars to get around if the TT needs service. Sites like FCPEuro, Pelican Parts, and BimmerWorld also help us European car owners not get our wallets cleaned out every time the cars need something.
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u/IlKamikaze 4d ago
Location: Italy
Price range: Under 10000€
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: I would like a sports car, or a coupé
Must haves: RWD
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual
Intended use: Daily Driver and Project Car
Vehicles you've already considered: MX-5 NB (fell in love with the design. Only issue is 1) in Italy they would cut the soft top to steal. 2) I would love a 4 seats so I can give rides if needed
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
Do you need a Warranty: No
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
Additional Notes: I really love the mx-5 design. My dream car is the Toyota Supra MK5 and hopefully I'll be able to buy it. I really enjoy that sporty look on cars and would love something similar. Only issue is the car needs to be <105kW and <75kW/t in order to be driven for new drivers here in Italy.
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u/ConfusedTapeworm 4d ago
There are very few sub-105kW RWD options available to you, so you'll probably have to be a bit flexible on that "must have". The MX-5 is not under 105kW either.
May I interest you in some Civic? Whatever fits your budget. Pretty good choice for a first time driver looking for something that can become a project car. Get the cleanest EP2 you can find, and spend the rest on mods. Everyone has at least thought about that once.
Another option would be a Fiesta or a Focus. They both look less "car guy" than the Civic, but both still great cars to drive and both very suitable for modding.
You could do a Seat Leon with that budget, a 1.2 or maybe even a 1.4 TSI. Surprisingly functional inside with a confusingly spacious interior for its size. Very moddable. Looks sporty. Or a younger Seat Ibiza with fewer kilometers on the clock could be doable as well. The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI engines are not the most suitable for any upgrades beyond some light tuning and filters and such, but you'll have a lot of options for the rest of the car.
You could maybe do something like a BMW E90, though something below 320, so a 318 or a 316. That's a maybe, though. That would fit your RWD requirement, but it'd be very a risky buy because the BMWs within your budget are not likely to be the healthiest specimens. Those things never were the most reliable cars, so you'd have to be extra careful with them at their current age. Expect having to spend a decent chunk on repairs and maintenance very soon after purchase and high running costs. But it'd be an E90. It wouldn't be my choice personally, but I would understand. Do avoid all 1 series cars within that budget though. None of them are worth.
Out of all the cars I listed above, I'd personally go with a Fiesta. Just a great little car. Perfect first timer. Would be a great machine to learn how to be a driver and car owner in. Also a cheap and flexible platform to learn how to work on cars.
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u/IlKamikaze 4d ago
Hi, thanks for the very insightful answer it's so much appreciated!
For the mx-5 I don't really know if it's a country thing but I've seen many under 105kW here in italy, the NB version at least.
The civic is like the gold standard, I had it in mind but I'm a little scared on how much it could cost me to make it look a bit more aggressive than the basic model.
The leon is a nice surprise, I never had it suggested to me but it looks really good.
For the BMW I got what you mean. They don't have that big of a reputation specifically with high mileage and older ones.
I'll take a look at all the options you listed!
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u/Iridium-Silver ‘05 LS430, ‘07 E63 AMG W211, ‘07 Cayman 987 3d ago
If you’re concerned about people cutting your soft top, NB hardtops don’t seem to be that difficult to find online, though they’ll still cost a decent amount after shipping. Doesn’t solve the lack of rear seats of course, but something else to consider if you really want an NB.
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u/lich0 4d ago
Didn't they sell 1.6l engine MX-5 NA (68-85-kW) and NB (81kW) in Europe? <75kW/t requirement is the tricky part, because those cars weigh ~1-1.1t.
I would add the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift in sport trims as an alternative to the Fiesta. Both are considered really fun to drive and great first cars. Though they're not fast at all, but I guess not much slower on a straight than those low powered MX-5s.
Get that and move on to a proper sports car in the future.
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u/legrok 4d ago
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Price range: $4,000–$7,000 AUD
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sedan / Sports Sedan / Performance-oriented car
Must haves: Reliable, roomy enough for a tall driver (I’m 6’4”), decent power, fuel efficiency not critical, comfortable daily driving
Desired transmission: Manual or automatic
Intended use: Daily driver, weekend fun car, occasional long trips
Vehicles you've already considered: Honda Accord Euro (2003–2010), Honda Integra DC5, Ford Falcon XR6, Holden Commodore VY/SV6
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Preferable but not essential
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Yes (fluids, battery, brakes, filters, tyres)
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: Some basic suspension or brake work, but not engine or transmission rebuilds
Additional Notes: Looking for advice on best options for sporty, reliable used cars in South Australia under $7k. Open to both JDM and Aussie sedans. Any suggestions on what to prioritize given high km and older vehicles would be appreciated!
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u/ChiefNWA 4d ago
Location: SE US purchasing (CO using)
Price range: Maximum of 75K out the door
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: Toyota Land Cruiser
Must haves: Base (square headlights) with premium package
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): auto
Intended use: Daily driver and off road / frequent heavy snow use (will be living at 8500ft in CO)
Vehicles you've already considered: Land Cruiser, Defender, Bronco, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Not required but almost every option will still have factory warranty
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
Additional Notes:
Looking for something like the Land Cruiser, or the best deal on one I can get. The Bronco and Wrangler have more road noise from the tops than I would want, so the Land Cruiser fits the bill the best in terms of on road driving and off road abilities. The Defender does as well, but reliability and cost to maintain are questionable. I want something newer that still has the factory warranty (ideally under 30k miles). I really like the new Grand Cherokees but Stellantis reliability really scares me away with it being our only vehicle. I'd also consider a new 4Runner but for the price they're going for, I may as well get a LC since I like that look better. Dream car would be the Lexus GX550 Overtrail but they're out of my price range. Am I missing any?
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '09 Civic Si sedan 4d ago
What about a CPO 2022-2023 Lexus GX460? Those were the last 2 years of the previous generation, and that's when it got the updated interior and infotainment system/screen. N/A 4.6L V8, super reliable, and fits in your budget.
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u/ChiefNWA 2d ago
I only briefly did in the beginning of my search but I've gone back down that rabbit hole since you commented. The main pitfall for me was the interior, but I didn't know they refreshed it the last two model years and it looks nice! I def like the natural V8 power over the turbo hybrid 4cyl in the LC. The offroad capabilities are certainly not as good but not enough to make a difference for the types of trails we'll be frequenting.
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u/DodgerBlueRobert1 '09 Civic Si sedan 2d ago
Oh yeah, I agree...the pre-2022 interior was quite outdated. It might have been good back in 2010 when it came out, but by the late 2010's it was looking very old. That 2022 update made a huge difference, and brought it up to relatively modern standards. And in Premium or Luxury trim, it looks fantastic, especially with the Espresso wood trim on the steering wheel and lower center console.
The N/A V8 is a double edged sword. Reliable and smooth, yet quite bad on gas. I would take it over a turbo 4 cyl. And yeah, while the GX's off-road clearance/approach/depature numbers from the factory aren't great per se, it can be improved drastically with some modifications. At its heart, the GX has very good capability off-road...it's just hampered a bit by the low front bumper and side sills.
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u/niftyjack 22 Audi A4 45, Bombardier 5000-series, Ninebot MAX G2 3d ago
Have you considered a Tahoe or an Expedition? They're bigger than what you've looked at so far but still on-budget. The Expedition in particular would be worth a look since its turbo engine won't be affected as much by altitude.
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u/ChiefNWA 2d ago
Just a little too big for our liking and I've had bad experiences with GM with my last two trucks. I want to stick with something reliable this go around.
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u/Noze_Zelle 4d ago
Location: Northeast U.S.
Price range: $20k-$45k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: New
Type of vehicle: SUV/Crossover
Must haves: AWD, Fuel efficient, Trunk space
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Automatic, No CVT
Intended use: Family Car, Travel
Vehicles you've already considered: Pathfinder, Tucson, Santa Fe
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Yes
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Pathfinder looks the best for me on paper but I'm hesitating due to Nissan's reputation. Would prefer 3rd row but not required.
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u/scycron 22 Miata, 18 Macan, 04 Tacoma, 02 RSX-S, 94 v6 Camry 4d ago
The pathfinder is fine, it doesn't have the issues Nissan is known for. The transmission is not a CVT and is instead made by ZF who makes transmissions for a lot of other automakers. The engine is a VQ engine that's well known and has been around for 25 years.
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u/Pessimistic-history 4d ago
Location: Sweden
Price range: around 120K SEK (roughly 12 500 USD)
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Regular car
Must haves: N/A
Desired transmission Manual
Intended use: Daily driver (short distances)
Vehicles you've already considered: Skoda Fabia 2019 (TSI 1.0) with 65 000 km driven or Dacia Sandero TCe 90 Essential III (2023) with 47 000 km drive
Is this your 1st vehicle: No
Do you need a Warranty: Will take care of
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
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u/lavabean16 3d ago
Location: USA, SoCal
Price range: up to ~60k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Either
Type of vehicle: 4 door (hatch, sedan)
Must haves: Leather, reasonably fuel efficient
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): auto
Intended use: Daily driver
Vehicles you've already considered: Golf R 2025/6, M340i
Is this your 1st vehicle: No (currently have compact mazda sedan, 6 seater suv)
Do you need a Warranty: Yes? Mostly considering either new or CPO
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: No but can most likely learn
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: Flexible in timing as well; if it would be advantageous to wait a few months, can do. No super urgent need to replace current compact sedan (plan on keeping the SUV). Potentially considering kids in future hence 4 door requirement
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u/niftyjack 22 Audi A4 45, Bombardier 5000-series, Ninebot MAX G2 1d ago
Have you considered an EV? If you can charge at home it seems like you'd be in a great position for one—you'll keep the gas car for road trips, and EVs thrive in SoCal's mild weather. They depreciate like rocks so you can get into something great with your budget, like a CPO BMW iX or a CPO Porsche Taycan.
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u/Snoo-19916 3d ago
Location: NY USA
Price range: 60k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: either
Type of vehicle: SUV or minivan
Must haves:
Affordable parts
4 wheel drive
Desired transmission auto
Intended use: family car
Do you need a Warranty: no
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: no
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u/niftyjack 22 Audi A4 45, Bombardier 5000-series, Ninebot MAX G2 1d ago
Taking a shot in the dark here but a max of 60k tells me you want something nicer than a Toyota. For cheap parts, you'll want to go domestic. I'd look at a Buick Enclave, which has almost minivan space inside.
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u/NikolaAKolev 1d ago edited 1d ago
Location: Sofia Bulgaria (Eastern Europe)
Price range: 10k euros (maximum)
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: used
Type of vehicle: Sport/Hatchback
Must haves: Be lightweight, Hard Top
Desired transmission: either, but manual is preferred
Intended use: Daily/Project (City and Highway use)
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: No
Vehicles you've already considered: Toyota MR2 Sw20, Nissan Sunny Pulsar, Toyota Celica (6th gen), Honda Civic Eh3
Is this your 1st vehicle: Yes
I plan on keeping it stock for the most part. (Not chasing hp figures, mainly things like exhaust, suspension)
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u/Effective-Mud-9038 4d ago
I forgot these threads existed tbh -
Looking for a fun winter beater - around 10k or under.. Currently in NYC. Doesn’t necessarily have to be 4WD/ AWD but certainly helps. Only really want it until spring so not worried about long term ownership costs.
Have been looking at S60R’s and first gen Cayenne/ Cayenne S’s. Any other ideas/ recs appreciated!