What car should I buy?

[Craig234]

I am probably in the market for a replacement car.

Not a lot to go on. I've always wanted a convertible but not sure it's a good idea at all.

No firm guidelines except I'd like comfortable and inexpensive and easy to maintain.

No fixed budget, but don't see a need to waste too much on a car, so thinking used somewhere $5K to $20K.

Basically that leaves 'value' as a criterion - spend whatever if it's worth it. Tesla's are still at least 40k's used which is a bit more than I want for this. Something not TOO plain Jane would be better.

I guess I'm thinking some quite nice cars have high depreciation that might make a good car a good value to buy and use.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KlNeiY4Rf4

In terms of absolute least cost per mile driven, you can't really beat a $500 car, even if you have to replace it every year or two.

But seriously - if you're averse to spending more on tow trucks than on your car - the best "value" will be in 3-5 year old used cars. Beyond that, are you looking for a sedan/coupe/SUV/pickup/AWD/Hybrid/what?

$15k and some shopping should you get a relatively recent hybrid sedan. (Accord/Camry/Fusion) That's the right answer like 99% of the time, even if they are "plain jane." Reliable as hell, parts are everywhere and cheap, etc. Nissan Altimas are also nice, and a little different. Cheaper too, but not as popular.

If you max out your $20k budget, you're well into used or off-lease luxury car territory. They do generally cost more to maintain though, particularly the German makes. (BMW/Audi) I drive an Acura for this reason (Accord parts! Accord parts everywhere!). Lexus is also a good answer. But six months later you're sitting there wondering "why did I pay $5k more for this vs. a Toyota Camry?" (That's not intended as a slight against the Lexus, more that a Camry is actually really nice.)

With "entry level" luxury cars, the long term problem I see is body work. The fenders, bumper covers, etc., are a lot more rare/expensive than they are for the equivalent or related "mainstream" model. Which means a lot of people don't/can't fix them.

Convertibles don't seem to be as common as they used to be. But if you're looking for a "summer car" you should probably figure out how to work an older Miata into the budget. Hunt craigslist for a little bit.

 

[Craig234]

Pretty great post Hm some things to think about. I test drove Acura once and liked it...

 

[Craig234]

OK what about something like this 2007 Jaguar convertible w/65K miles from a dealer for $20K? Similar should be available a little less private party?

 

[razel]

Avoid the Ford era of Jaguars. For luxury sedans, at $20k budget I'd look into late model 2011-2014 Infiniti G37s @ the $15k range with <50k miles. Easily doable, reliable, and a 330 HP power plant. Plenty of life in the online G35/7, 350Z/370Z community if you are DIY.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

OK what about something like this 2007 Jaguar convertible w/65K miles from a dealer for $20K? Similar should be available a little less private party?

A car that age will usually have a lot more miles on it - that's rare. Similar from a private party probably doesn't exist. Also, like razel said - it's a ten year old Ford... don't.

Infiniti are nice. Sorry I didn't mention those.

 

[Craig234]

Hm ok. And the Infiniti 37 does come in a convertible.

Then there's the Porsche Boxster, the Mazda MX-5 - though we're losing the 'comfort' part I suspect. Lexus convertible? Some older ones are affordable.

 

[Fenixgoon]

infiniti Q50, cadillac CTS? these were some of the highest depreciating value cars over the past couple of years. 2015 MY's are down to about 20-25k. if you're a hard negotiator (i suck), you can probably get within your budget.

as far as non-luxury cars, or more mainstream ones, a mazda3 hatchback has my vote.

 

[PricklyPete]

Mazda mx5 if you don’t need much utility. Actually pretty comfortable if you fit in. Super fun to drive & very low maintenance.

 

[PricklyPete]

Lexus is also a good answer. But six months later you're sitting there wondering "why did I pay $5k more for this vs. a Toyota Camry?" (That's not intended as a slight against the Lexus, more that a Camry is actually really nice.)

Just to be an ass...I think that statement applies even more to Acura than Lexus? They both are guilty of platform sharing...but with the exception of the NSX, every Acura has a complimentary Honda. There is no Toyota version of the LS, GS, or IS (which are pretty much the only Lexus models I’d consider)

Your use of the pedo bear image is phenomenal in this context.

 

[Craig234]

Here's a crazy idea - Bentley has always seemed like a desirable brand for comfort but crazy expensive, but here's an older one for $20K with low mileage (45K):

http://preowned.bentleymotors.com/u...iceto=40000&pageSize=10&page=0#VehicleDetails

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Just to be an ass...I think that statement applies even more to Acura than Lexus? They both are guilty of platform sharing...but with the exception of the NSX, every Acura has a complimentary Honda. There is no Toyota version of the LS, GS, or IS (which are pretty much the only Lexus models I’d consider)

Oh, yeah, definitely everybody platform-shares and badge-engineers, especially in the US market. I remember reading somebody from Honda saying that, basically, their research showed that US consumers are aware of brands, but not individual models. So if they sold Acura models as Hondas (like they do virtually everywhere else) they wouldn't sell as many, since the Honda brand is associated with boring-but-reliable Civics and Accords.

I just happen to think that the Camry is rather closer to the ES than most mainstream/luxury counterpart models, and only by virtue of the Camry being particularly nice. So I didn't feel bad calling it out.

Your use of the pedo bear image is phenomenal in this context.

*bows*

 

[Craig234]

Are there any particularly good review sites to go get ideas from as well? For example, Consumer Reports seems safety and reliability focused without much else considered.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Are there any particularly good review sites to go get ideas from as well? For example, Consumer Reports seems safety and reliability focused without much else considered.

Jalopnik and Car & Driver are the ones I usually enjoy reading the most. But honestly, if you're looking for candid reviews and shopping for used cars (which are almost invariably going to be older than anything the pro reviewers are driving - even their "long term" tests are usually <3yrs) you probably want to ask in an owner forum. Either brand-specific or some place like right here. (e.g., "Does anybody drive an Accord and do you like it?")

There's also /r/Cars.

 

[razel]

Are there any particularly good review sites to go get ideas from as well? For example, Consumer Reports seems safety and reliability focused without much else considered.

Yes! Car and Driver 10 best of the year. Motor Trend car of the year. Also for more nerdiness Ward's 10 Best Engines. Guess what v6 won nearly 10 years in a row... the Nissan VQ engine and it came back for the awards in 2016.

 

[Craig234]

Hm Mazda 6 more affordable, Porsche Cayman... so many

 

[RLGL]

You don't know what you want, neither do I

 

[XavierMace]

Just to be an ass...I think that statement applies even more to Acura than Lexus? They both are guilty of platform sharing...but with the exception of the NSX, every Acura has a complimentary Honda. There is no Toyota version of the LS, GS, or IS (which are pretty much the only Lexus models I’d consider)

Just to be an ass, that's not strictly true given he's looking at used models. With a 20k MAX budget, that means he could easily be looking at previous generation models.

LS = Toyota Celsior until 2006
GS = Toyota Aristo until 2005
IS = Toyota Altezza until 2005

They were sold as Toyota's first in Japan, then brought to the US as under the Lexus name until Toyota started selling them under the Lexus name in Japan. A lot of people complained about the first gen IS because it didn't feel like a Lexus. The smarter people loved the first gen IS because it was a very light weight rear wheel drive sedan.

 

[AdamK47]

You need to tell us what car you're replacing in order for us to give you accurate recommendations for a replacement vehicle. We will require the year, make, model, and color.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Hm Mazda 6 more affordable, Porsche Cayman... so many

If you're cross-shopping the Mazda 6 and a Cayman, I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[Craig234]

If you're cross-shopping the Mazda 6 and a Cayman, I'm not sure what to tell you.

I understand, but I am; they can both be had for the price range and have good qualities and I have a lot of choices.

 

[shortylickens]

Noble M400.


If not: I like the Murano. Its been really good to me. Much better than that god damn chevy.

 

[bradly1101]

In my book, this tells you (almost) everything you need to know, although you didn't mention reliability in the OP, but I assumed.

 

[Craig234]

In my book, this tells you (almost) everything you need to know, although you didn't mention reliability in the OP, but I assumed.

Reliability is good but a secondary priority to comfort and value and liking the car.

 

[Crono]

We should probably direct the OP to the similarly broad Trident thread.

There should be an equivalent of the PC build guidelines in the General Hardware forum, where the OP should be expected to narrow it down before asking.