Are there any reasonably-priced cool cars anymore? If your current car died tomorrow, what would you buy?
Are there any reasonably-priced cool cars anymore? If your current car died tomorrow, what would you buy?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
The Stout?! What the heck is that? Haven't heard about that one.
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!
Recent Miata’s seem like they would be in good company with your other picks
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?
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.
Well, I just bought my current car (actually, truck) a few months ago so I certainly hope it does not explode tomorrow! A Miata was in the running for this recent purchase, though. What does a truck and a Miata have in common that I would be considering both? IMO they are both honest about what they are: there is minimal software interfering between me and the machine (at least the case for basic work trucks). No drive modes, lane assist, intelligent cruise, auto braking, etc. Thats pretty rare in modern autos.
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.
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.
If my STI died tomorrow it's getting a built block haha. That car is staying with me to the grave
I've had mine for about a year. It'll be paid off in another 2-3 years.
I'm already budgeting for an eventual IAG block. Just EJ25 things.
My most fun car was my OG bugeye Rex. Wasn't an STI but damn did I love that car. Was so sad to have to say goodbye to it after 13 years of daily driving it.
I'd spend $75,000 on overhauling my car.
The 2002 Subaru Outback was perfect.
I've got a lifted 99 Legacy with a manual trans. It needs a little work then it will be fine for short daily commute.
Instead of having a new car payment I can get another older car. Wife is on board and her only request is automatic so she can drive it too.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Anyone have cool electric picks?
Maybe this doesn't qualify as "cool" in the sports car sense, but how about the Rivian R1S or R1T?
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.
Wagons are awesome. It makes me sad that there are essentially no options for wagons in the US.
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?
I was more interested in what others find interesting for themselves. If your car shit the bed, what would you like to buy?
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.
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.
I might agree with previous, smaller generations of Mustang, but I think at this point a V8 is the way to go. Especially when you consider that the days of new ICE cars is limited.
Either a new Supra or an Alfa Romeo Giulia. Slightly more reasonable: top-end trim AWD/turbo version of the new Mazda 3.
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.
Supra is not what I'd call affordable. It's 50k euros here.
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.
I really wish Mazda would release some new Speed models. The 2nd gen S3 came out about a decade ago, and the S6 is nearing 20 years old. Really, I wish they would release any new non-crossover models because its a brand I want to like, but nothing in their lineup really suites my needs.
I wish they would release a new Speed model too. Unfortunately I don't see it ever happening. Best replacement for the S6 is the WRX, and I suppose the S3 the Focus ST. And yeah, I think Mazda as a brand is pretty unique.
To be honest, I might not buy another car. With the same amount of money for a new tesla, I could buy Opener's blackfly, a single person operated drone that can fly me to work and back. Cars are going to be a distant memory soon.
I'm ready for another Mustang even though they aren't the most practical. About a 2016, I don't like the new ones.
No Supra on the list? I really think that's where I would lean if my current car was swallowed by a sinkhole tomorrow. I hear they are coming out with a manual version, which is also on my list of pros.
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.
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.
I doubt I'd hold onto it much past the warranty period.
If my 2015 Mustang GT (base 6MT, non performance-pack) got t-boned by a dump truck tomorrow, I'd buy another 2015-2017 Mustang GT base. I might try to find a Premium. The 2018-2023 looks a bit better, can have active exhaust, and has marginally more power, but they screwed up the manual gear ratios; it's viable in automatic.
It's fast, loud, comfortable, surprisingly economical, and has a big trunk. It's not really a sports car (hence omitting the performance pack), but it's a damn fine grand tourer and a very livable daily driver.
I've tried a lot of the other options, for durations ranging from a test drive to a few years.
- Hot hatches are fun if you drive like an asshole but don't feel special if you drive them normally. Some people love that aspect, but personally I think it makes them boring too often.
- The GR86 is an absolute riot if you live near twisty roads and punishing if you don't.
- Corvettes feel huge and unwieldy in traffic even though they're not that big. The lack of even token back seats makes them a lot harder to live with, too.
- Camaros have lousy visibility.
- The Challenger drives like a moderately-quick truck.
- Kia dealers treat the Stinger like it's a Ferrari, so good luck buying a new one.
- The WRX is still decent, but I think it also suffers from the hot hatch syndrome where it only feels special when you drive it hard.
- I haven't driven a Z. My instinct is that it'll be years before the price gets reasonable on a new one, but the old models might be fun if you don't need back seats.
- I haven't driven a GR Corolla. No idea if it'll have the hot hatch problem or not, but I can't find one to try anyway.