this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2023
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Cars - For Car Enthusiasts

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I'm starting to get the new car itch, and I'm looking around there is just about nothing out there that interests me that is at a price I'd be willing to pay.

I've never really been in this situation before. I've always loved to look at what new cars are out and even think about what I'd buy if something happened to my daily driver, but man is the selection out there bleak as hell. New or slightly used. Here is my short list, but even the cars on the list all have at least one (and most have 2 or 3) thing I've not crazy about.

New Mustang. Never been a Mustang-guy before but I saw the new one in person and I liked it more than I thought I would.

New or slightly used Camaro. Like the Mustang, it's more impractical that I really want, but still tempted.

WRX. I still haven't forgiven Subaru for phoning-it-in with this redesign. I'm actually hoping a mid-cycle refresh solves this issue.

Genesis G70. I really want to like this car.

Kia Stinger. The lack of a manual is really the biggest issue - love the hatch design. There's just something about this car that feels cheap. Which is weird because in higher trims, it really isn't a cheap car.

CT5-V. No not the Blackwing. I wish. I'd definitely onky be looking at used ones. I feel it is underrated car. It's got probably the best proportions of any regularly priced car on sale today. That long hood, short deck proportions is phenomenal.

Chevy Trax. The new one. This one is a total left field pick, but I'm totally digging the super low price and small, but not too small, size. A neighbor has one ans it's lower than most other crossovers so the wagon-ness of it really appeals to me.

Nizzan Z. Like the Camaro and Mustang, this is very impractical but the old-school nature of it (manual, RWD) is incredibly appealing.

Toyota GR Corolla. Lots to like about this, but I get the feeling it would be unobtainium because I sure fuck am not paying a dealer markup.

What's your short list of cars?

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (5 children)
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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If my car died tomorrow I'd be looking at 30 year old cars. New cars don't excite me much. My commute is 15 minutes and I need something to occasionally haul big stuff for the house. Currently driving a lifted 99 Legacy wagon. Once I catch up with deferred maintenance (about $2k) the car will be perfect for my needs and reliable.

Looking at your list it looks like you want something on the sporty side. Do you ever to haul kids, groceries, etc?

My only comment for your choices is a bout the the Kia. I don't believe they try to do the right thing for their customers. They never took full responsibility for the exploding engines. Now with the "Kia Boys" hack they left customers on their own, again. I was caught up in the engine fiasco but my Kia is higher end so not easy to steal. The streets in my area were littered with stolen/trashed Kias for a while but I think the kids ran through the supply.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I'm with you on the 30 year old cars bit! I don't really want to own anything built long after 90 tbh, but have been looking longingly at some trucks from the late seventies to early eighties.

I just feel like, in general, automobile designs and engines have been going downhill for a while but it also could be that I'm poor and like to actually be able to repair my stuff. Some of those trucks from between the 70's to 90's? Easy as pie to repair, finding parts is the issue. Everything after around 2005 that I work on just gets increasingly complicated, with redundancies all around, meant for progress but breaking setbacks along with them.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I had to buy something tomorrow? Golf GTI. It's sporty enough and in a practical package. And I'm a sucker for the clean, simple exterior design. Unfortunately, the 6-speed manual is going away after the 2024 model year.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

This or a MT Impreza or crosstrek. But only because I’ve worked on a lot of Subarus and like their simplicity. Also, my wife needs AWD.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Just be careful you clean the old Subaru's oil stains off the driveway before you get the new one home. I've seen them get so worked up they blow a head gasket.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think I've decided if/when I get a new car it'll be an EV. I'm hoping the lineup will diversify beyond SUVs/crossovers by that point...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I honestly can't say that I find any EVs out right now all that interesting. At least not for me. And they almost all are a good $10k more than I'd be willing to spend. I'll stick to ICE for the time being.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I had to choose right now... probably something boring like a Subaru Legacy.

My car should hold out at least another 6, 8, or maybe even 10 years, though. I hope that small city trucks catch on by then.

The Mavrick wasn't a phenomenon, but people seem to like them. The Santa Cruz is weird looking, but I'm here for what it's trying to do. From what I know about the Stout, that seems like it'll be pretty cool.

Keep shrinking them, I say! Hell, let's go full ute & bring back the El Camino or the Ranchero. I'd love that.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Stout?! What the heck is that? Haven't heard about that one.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It's a small pickup that used to be in the Central & South American and Asian markets. It coming to the US and Canada is just a rumor, I think. But small truck enjoyers can hope!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Recent Miata’s seem like they would be in good company with your other picks

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I really hate the looks of the squinty headlights of the current model. It irks me so much. Plus I don't really live in convertible location. Would be a waste, but I do love sunroof. I do like the Miata, but I'd be more interested in an early gen model that wouldn't be a daily.

Would a miata be your pick if your current car exploded tomorrow?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not who you responded to, but I currently daily drive a 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder. If it gave up the ghost and I wanted a similar new car, yes. The Miata would be my current choice.

If my 2003 WRX died, well again since it's on its third engine, I'd probably rebuild it. Or get an Outback. I lifted my WRX, so I'm looking for more of the off-road and camping life with it. Its main purpose is to tow, do trail runs, and when it snows.

I probably would buy something older, I like wrenching and would get something pre-smog. But I also drive only something like 1500 miles a year.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I miss my bugeye Rex so much. Most fun car I've ever had. Put 240k miles on it and every last one of those miles was a hoot. Never get rid of that car - there's nothing else like it out there.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well theres a 67 Mustang with a 289 on craigslist right now for 3 grand. No ac, not much interior, first gear slips, and theres rust.

So that.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Definitely get an old car. The usual rule is to get the best example you can afford though even if that means a lesser car in better shape versus a higher end car in worse shape. Rust is a bitch. I love my '64 but I wouldn't daily drive it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If my STI died tomorrow it's getting a built block haha. That car is staying with me to the grave

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'd spend $75,000 on overhauling my car.

The 2002 Subaru Outback was perfect.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I’ve had three Jeep wranglers across the past 20 years and I liked them because they were fun to drive, easy to fix, and relatively cheap. That’s not the case anymore so when my current Jeep dies I’ll likely end up in some kind of EV. If money weren’t an issue I would do a new Bronco with 35s but those are insanely priced. If I had no choice and needed a car now I would probably do a used BMW 3 series like the e90 or something.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Biggest thing for me is way too many models have had decades of the same fucking design. Same shape. Same engine types. Just new paints parts and fancy cheap LED all over the place.

And when they do let a designer make something new we get the most stupid shit imaginable like the Santa Cruz

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Just new paints parts and fancy cheap LED all over the place.

The worst part about this is that when you have a single year version of stupid shit like taillights, they start getting super expensive. If you are going to do the same shit for 10 years in a row, just stamp them out, and don't dick with the little things.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

If my current car died tomorrow… I’d probably buy a 20ish year old car. Maybe an Acura Integra, TL, or a Honda Civic SI. Don’t think I could afford much newer than that and still have fun with it the way I want to.

Honestly, my main goal is to stick to what I’ve got, and pick up an old Honda Insight for daily driving. Of course, there are more practical cars to get, but I like what I like.

If I had to pick new cars, probably a brand new Civic

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I could get one at msrp I would get the GR Corolla hands down. It is the coolest hatch in recent years other than possibly the focus rs.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Damn shame Ford has decided to turn its back on cars (other than the Mustang).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah it makes me sad they had a really cool car, with one of the piece awd systems on a street car, and that was also affordable and decided to axe it in favor of electric cars and trucks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

And they didn't axe it and immediately replace them. Even now they only have like 3 EVs and none of them are Focus-sized and all of them are expensive.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Anyone have cool electric picks?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Maybe this doesn't qualify as "cool" in the sports car sense, but how about the Rivian R1S or R1T?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Rather than list a bunch of cars let's get a list of needs, wants, and nice to haves so we can make an actual suggestion?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I was more interested in what others find interesting for themselves. If your car shit the bed, what would you like to buy?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Dream car ɛ̃fini RX-7.

What I'm waiting for and hope does not suck: VW ID4 Buzz

If I had to buy something today and I'm not on a budget but also not a 1%er.. Volvo v60 Recharge or s60 Recharge.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Either a new Supra or an Alfa Romeo Giulia. Slightly more reasonable: top-end trim AWD/turbo version of the new Mazda 3.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I would it if Mazda got a little more serious about sedans. That new TT V6 power train in the CX90 would have been awesome in a sedan or sports car.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Supra is not what I'd call affordable. It's 50k euros here.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not from the US but I felt like sharing. I would get a Renault Clio station wagon It's about the right size for me and I can do some decent road trips through all of Europe with it. I currently drive a Smart and it would be a gigantic upgrade.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Wagons are awesome. It makes me sad that there are essentially no options for wagons in the US.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If my car died tomorrow I'd be pissed as hell, but I'd upgrade it with a 2nd gen MazdaSpeed 3. Planning to upgrade this summer assuming the budget allows.

Originally I wanted a Speed6, but seeing all the electronic and rust issues my standard 6 has I don't think it's a viable long-term car.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I always though a Mustang with the smaller engine (310 hp) would be fun. The lower weight should improve handling and 310hp would still be plenty of fun.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I dont know how many countries get them but the LDV T60 would be my pick. Its a 2L diesel dual cab ute, 215hp/160kw 500nm/368ftlb

Yes its made in China, but a 5 year 130,000 KM warranty on a brand new dual cab utility for $37,000 Aud ($24,000 usd) is hard to beat.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Never even heard of that brand before. From the pics, it looks cool. Good size - not too big. I don't think I could convince myself to get a Chinese brand though, but if it fits your needs, have at it.

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