:icon_scratch: 40k....well I think you should consider spending a little more
Help Me Choose a Car!
Hey all,
So I'm all grown up now and I want to get a car. There are a number of reasons for this, mainly because I feel bad about my friends usually having to drive on our weekend trips since my parents need the car on Sundays more often than not. But there's also the freedom of having my own shit and is another life milestone (I'm in my mid-20s). Here's what I'm looking for in a car:
1. Fun to drive; something that can at least sort of haul ass when I want it to.
2. Preferably a 4-wheel drive, or at least a car that can handle potentially sketch driving conditions.
3. Decent amount of trunk space, at least a 50/50 backseat.
4. I'd like to avoid SUVs and trucks and stick to sedans or hatchbacks.
5. Semi-decent gas mileage.
I'm looking to keep it in below $40k; below are some of the ones I've looked at and the pros and cons.
1. Subaru Impreza WRX - It's got pretty much everything I'm looking for in the above and the price is right. Realistically, I'd pull the trigger on this one. Only issue is that it only comes in manual transmission. Not a huge issue, but not many of my friends can drive stick and if I get tired I'd be shit out of luck.
2. Volkswagen GTI - Better gas mileage but the fun factor suffers. Another hatchback with decent trunk space, but the seats apparently don't fold completely flat and not much storage up front for accessories (phones, keys, etc.).
3. Mini Cooper - I just like the retro look of the car. Otherwise it's weaker than the other two, though it looks like the Clubman has more cargo space.
What do you guys take on your weekend trips and what cars can you recommend based on what I'm looking for and what I've already checked out?
Thanks!
So I'm all grown up now and I want to get a car. There are a number of reasons for this, mainly because I feel bad about my friends usually having to drive on our weekend trips since my parents need the car on Sundays more often than not. But there's also the freedom of having my own shit and is another life milestone (I'm in my mid-20s). Here's what I'm looking for in a car:
1. Fun to drive; something that can at least sort of haul ass when I want it to.
2. Preferably a 4-wheel drive, or at least a car that can handle potentially sketch driving conditions.
3. Decent amount of trunk space, at least a 50/50 backseat.
4. I'd like to avoid SUVs and trucks and stick to sedans or hatchbacks.
5. Semi-decent gas mileage.
I'm looking to keep it in below $40k; below are some of the ones I've looked at and the pros and cons.
1. Subaru Impreza WRX - It's got pretty much everything I'm looking for in the above and the price is right. Realistically, I'd pull the trigger on this one. Only issue is that it only comes in manual transmission. Not a huge issue, but not many of my friends can drive stick and if I get tired I'd be shit out of luck.
2. Volkswagen GTI - Better gas mileage but the fun factor suffers. Another hatchback with decent trunk space, but the seats apparently don't fold completely flat and not much storage up front for accessories (phones, keys, etc.).
3. Mini Cooper - I just like the retro look of the car. Otherwise it's weaker than the other two, though it looks like the Clubman has more cargo space.
What do you guys take on your weekend trips and what cars can you recommend based on what I'm looking for and what I've already checked out?
Thanks!
1 - 20 of 91 Posts
Hmmm, well I wanted to set a price cap before people suggest cars way out of my somewhat flexible price range.
Assuming that it's not a factor, what would you suggest I take a look at?
Assuming that it's not a factor, what would you suggest I take a look at?
Of your list, I would definitely pick the WRX. I've owned one and they are great cars.
In your budget though, you could probably even start looking at some Audis. I always hear great things about them in the snow and they certainly seem like nice cars. I've never personally driven one though.
In your budget though, you could probably even start looking at some Audis. I always hear great things about them in the snow and they certainly seem like nice cars. I've never personally driven one though.
I'm incredibly biased towards the WRX. Take this with a grain of salt, but I've *heard* the Mini Cooper's have reliability issues with starting during the winter. <-- Just what I've heard though. And I can't say too much about the VW. If you're willing to buy used, Subaru made an auto version of the WRX in 08 and 09. Perhaps that is something for you to consider.
fuck i would never spend that much on a vehicle that is going to get mud, snow, salted...potential to get hit by some douche snow driver, slamed in to a snow bank, dinged and scraped by boards and skis....and....Hmmm, well I wanted to set a price cap before people suggest cars way out of my somewhat flexible price range.
Assuming that it's not a factor, what would you suggest I take a look at?
I'd drive some reliable old pos tercel sr5 or old toy with a 22r and spend some of the budget on a heli/cat trip.
as for the fun factor...get a pos vw camper van and have a snow bunny harem
wrx is cool and all but really only fits 3 at the most comfortably with all the gear...and since you are a relatively inexperienced driver...you'll wreck the damm thing in relatively short order
With a $40k cap I would go with a certified B8 (2010 or newer) Audi S4 hands down. The cars are real solid, fast, classy, quattro awd, all the features you'd want, the S-tronic 7 speed transmission is the shit, body is galvanized and there's a 10 year warranty against corrosion, there's plenty of mods available if you want to go that route but the car is still great out of the box and it gets 28 mpg highway. There are several certified ones available around the country for just under $40k.
only get an Audi if you want the best all wheel drive around, but you'll also spend as much time fixing an Audi as you do driving one.With a $40k cap I would go with a certified B8 (2010 or newer) Audi S4 hands down. The cars are real solid, fast, classy, quattro awd, all the features you'd want, the S-tronic 7 speed transmission is the shit, body is galvanized and there's a 10 year warranty against corrosion, there's plenty of mods available if you want to go that route but the car is still great out of the box and it gets 28 mpg highway. There are several certified ones available around the country for just under $40k.
Well, I think with sedans I'm resigning myself to fitting in 3 at most regardless of anything I get. There's always the option of getting a roof rack, which expands my options tremendously. As for cost, well, it's also going to be my everyday car, so why not? I'd like to not touch the $40k ceiling, but again, that was just an arbitrary cap I set so that I don't get people who recommend ridiculously priced cars.fuck i would never spend that much on a vehicle that is going to get mud, snow, salted...potential to get hit by some douche snow driver, slamed in to a snow bank, dinged and scraped by boards and skis....and....
I'd drive some reliable old pos tercel sr5 or old toy with a 22r and spend some of the budget on a heli/cat trip.
as for the fun factor...get a pos vw camper van and have a snow bunny harem
wrx is cool and all but really only fits 3 at the most comfortably with all the gear...and since you are a relatively inexperienced driver...you'll wreck the damm thing in relatively short order
As for experience, I have about 7 years of driving experience at about 10k miles per year, which is a significant amount of driving for someone living in NYC (keep in mind I'm only 26). Plus, with some exceptions I'd much rather drive in the middle of a snowstorm out on the road than through the streets of Manhattan (pedestrian traffic lights are treated as suggestions more than laws, and there are A LOT of pedestrians). So I wouldn't worry too much about that part.
Seems like the WRX is worth a good, hard look. Thanks for the tips, boarderholic. Stickz, I heard the same thing about Audis unfortunately, but when they work they are incredibly fun to drive! I would love it if anyone has ever had experience driving a GTI.
150 K on my 06 WRX and not a glitch. Having the Turbo is fun, but you get the best bang for your bucks with the non turbo version.
That said I would get another WRX if it was me
I would love a hybrid version for commuting.
That said I would get another WRX if it was me
I would love a hybrid version for commuting.
I'm with wrath, $40k on a car is a big waste of money. Cars are money pits. Unless you're just pouring with money, look at the regular impreza instead of the WRX. Sorry but I've owned many a turbo car and you don't get better mileage, you drive like more of an ass and burn through the gas.
I think $10k on a used car/truck is a much better option. Get some used toyota with 100,000 km on it and drive the shit out of the thing. Sell it a few years later for $6k and move on to the next one (or keep driving it forever).
A $40k car will always be worth less than what you owe on it. Sound like fun? Nope.
I think $10k on a used car/truck is a much better option. Get some used toyota with 100,000 km on it and drive the shit out of the thing. Sell it a few years later for $6k and move on to the next one (or keep driving it forever).
A $40k car will always be worth less than what you owe on it. Sound like fun? Nope.
I have an 04 STI which is my daily and ski car (40+ days/year). I think the WRX is probably the best value for practical performance out there. You may get tired of the stick in heavy traffic put it's a plus for mountain driving.
The current WRX is as fast as the STI, however if a 6 speed, brembos, and a driver controlled differential (DCCD) are worth the extra money to you, consider the STI, it'll still be within your pricepoint. Either car will be fun to drive, carry all your friends, and with a few mods beat about anything on the road.
The current WRX is as fast as the STI, however if a 6 speed, brembos, and a driver controlled differential (DCCD) are worth the extra money to you, consider the STI, it'll still be within your pricepoint. Either car will be fun to drive, carry all your friends, and with a few mods beat about anything on the road.
I've driven a GTI a few times, they are fast, fun, handle great, but same issue with the Audi. they break down WAY too much.Well, I think with sedans I'm resigning myself to fitting in 3 at most regardless of anything I get. There's always the option of getting a roof rack, which expands my options tremendously. As for cost, well, it's also going to be my everyday car, so why not? I'd like to not touch the $40k ceiling, but again, that was just an arbitrary cap I set so that I don't get people who recommend ridiculously priced cars.
As for experience, I have about 7 years of driving experience at about 10k miles per year, which is a significant amount of driving for someone living in NYC (keep in mind I'm only 26). Plus, with some exceptions I'd much rather drive in the middle of a snowstorm out on the road than through the streets of Manhattan (pedestrian traffic lights are treated as suggestions more than laws, and there are A LOT of pedestrians). So I wouldn't worry too much about that part.
Seems like the WRX is worth a good, hard look. Thanks for the tips, boarderholic. Stickz, I heard the same thing about Audis unfortunately, but when they work they are incredibly fun to drive! I would love it if anyone has ever had experience driving a GTI.
Any vehicle Mfg that thinks burning 2qts of oil every 1500 miles is not worth looking at IMO.
I had a jetta and an audi A4 that both did this and both times VW/Audi warranty stated that this is acceptable.
I would never own another vehicle in their lines.
Id go Subaru or infinity G35 X.
I had a jetta and an audi A4 that both did this and both times VW/Audi warranty stated that this is acceptable.
I would never own another vehicle in their lines.
Id go Subaru or infinity G35 X.
I'm not really interested in an economics lesson, no offense intended. As I've pointed out twice thus far, $40k is an arbitrary cap. All the options I listed are WELL under that number. I get the spirit of what you and wrath are saying: Go for a used cheap POS that I can drive into the ground and toss away without a second thought. And I agree as I understand buying new cars is a sucker's game. And perhaps I'm over-thinking it and common sense and caution will do more to help me navigate through stormy conditions than any car's features. I do appreciate your advice, but I'm getting a sense of self-righteousness from these kinds of replies (apologies if this wasn't intended).I'm with wrath, $40k on a car is a big waste of money. Cars are money pits. Unless you're just pouring with money, look at the regular impreza instead of the WRX. Sorry but I've owned many a turbo car and you don't get better mileage, you drive like more of an ass and burn through the gas.
I think $10k on a used car/truck is a much better option. Get some used toyota with 100,000 km on it and drive the shit out of the thing. Sell it a few years later for $6k and move on to the next one (or keep driving it forever).
A $40k car will always be worth less than what you owe on it. Sound like fun? Nope.
I'll likely stick with the WRX instead of the STI, SJ10. That seems to be a bit too much car for me. I'll look into Infiniti as well.
I'm new here, but I'm a car/truck nut. You can get a brand new Subaru Outback for far less than $40k. It will have more space than a WRX, and I think they're still fun to drive. You could also get an Outback Sport, which to my understanding shares a lot of components with the WRX. $40k seems like a lot to spend. I agree with the previous posters, spend less than that and use the rest to go on an awesome trip.
Also, the Outback from the last few years matches Jeeps for stock ground clearance. Those newer Outbacks are ALOT of car for the money (maybe not much oomf, but so much else)
That's actually a really good point, however, I'm getting the impression from the OP that mods *may* be in the future, just based off of the other vehicles he listed initially. With that being said, if that is the case, then as far as I know, there are little to no mod options available for the new Outback body style. OP, please correct me if I'm wrong.I'm new here, but I'm a car/truck nut. You can get a brand new Subaru Outback for far less than $40k. It will have more space than a WRX, and I think they're still fun to drive. You could also get an Outback Sport, which to my understanding shares a lot of components with the WRX. $40k seems like a lot to spend. I agree with the previous posters, spend less than that and use the rest to go on an awesome trip.
Of your list, I'd go with the Subaru. If at all possible, I'd also make it an STI hatchback. You should be able to get one of those under $40,000.
1 - 20 of 91 Posts
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