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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
GR86
I could definitely see it being on the top of the list for many people.
Lol, my current car is an 86, if it died tomorrow I’d buy another 86.
Ditto!
I’ve already had two and I’d have another if it weren’t for having kids now.
A tree fell on my FR-S. It got replaced with an STi because they’re only going to get older and higher mileage from here on out. It was one of the last of a dying market segment.
If a tree fell on my STi tomorrow, it’d probably get replaced with another 86. They’re fantastic cars.
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.
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.
I’d spend $75,000 on overhauling my car.
The 2002 Subaru Outback was perfect.
If my STI died tomorrow it’s getting a built block haha. That car is staying with me to the grave
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’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.
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 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.
I’m ready for another Mustang even though they aren’t the most practical. About a 2016, I don’t like the new ones.
