Mastodawn

Are there any reasonably-priced cool cars anymore? If your current car died tomorrow, what would you buy?

https://lemmy.world/post/5730696

Are there any reasonably-priced cool cars anymore? If your current car died tomorrow, what would you buy? - Lemmy.world

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. What’s your short list of cars?

BigFig Sep 25, 2023

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

FigMcLargeHuge Sep 25, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 25, 2023

No German cars. On top of that, of all the impractical cars I did list, it seems to be even more impractical still.

FigMcLargeHuge Sep 25, 2023

Ahh. Well, this would really be the first time in my life where I can just get a two seater, and it’s refreshing to think about.

Hazdaz Sep 25, 2023

If I was spending new Supra money, I would honestly just get a C8 Corvette. The more I think about it though the less and less it makes sense. Roads aren’t getting better, in fact they are getting worse. There’s always traffic or cops around. And it’s not like anyone is going to really track their car that often. My current daily driver can already get me into trouble in terms of speed so an even faster car would have even more of its performance that goes untapped 99% of the time.

Of course having said all that, I’ve been eying C7s a LOT lately though. LOL

jscummy Sep 26, 2023

Since when are C8s and Supras remotely comparable in price? C8s are running 80-90k for the most part

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

You are right, they are further apart in price than I realize. I always thought the Supra followed it’s BMW-heritage and cost more. I thought it started at 60, but the I6 could be had for $54k and up. I’d never even consider an i4 with that car.

Still, the Corvette starts at only $66k. Neither of these cars are going to be sold at a discount and I’m sure both Chevy and Toyota dealers are trying to add on mark-ups, but you don’t have to get crazy with options on the Vette and spend nearly 6-figures. Still, if I was dropping between $55 and $60k on a sports car, I rather get a used C8 (or even a C7) than a new Supra.

Throwaway Sep 26, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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.

Gleddified Sep 26, 2023

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…

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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.

infinitevalence Sep 26, 2023

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?

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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

skip0110 Sep 26, 2023

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

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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?

Sentientted Sep 26, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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

Sentientted Sep 26, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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.

ivanafterall Sep 26, 2023

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

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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.

hrimfaxi_work Sep 26, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

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

hrimfaxi_work Sep 26, 2023

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!

Toyota Stout - Wikipedia

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

We’ll see. I like that the Ford Maverick has become as big of a hit as it has because that means more companies will eventually release competitors. I’m hoping for a modern El Camino. I really think that if GM had released an El Camino on the RWD Alpha platform, it could have saved the Camaro since it also rides on that platform.

hrimfaxi_work Sep 26, 2023

A new El Camino would be so sick. It’s highly unlikely, but in my mind the success of the Maverick could conceivably prod Ford into beating GM to the car-truck punch and dust off the Ranchero to serve a more pragmatic side of the small truck-wanting market.

I think performance is more part of the El Camino’s DNA than the Ranchero’s. It would be fun if Ford offered an economical ute thing with a smaller motor and few substantial performance options. Maybe a small Ford Ranchero SHO (RancherSHO?) production run for funsies, but otherwise super basic. If those did well, then Chevy could go “hold my beer…” and make things fun.

Hazdaz Sep 26, 2023

Unfortunately I think we are caught in a weird holding pattern for cars like that. For the last few years all car makers have been cutting almost anything fun or interesting as they ramp up their EV game. And that’s going to continue for a few more years as there is a whole ton of stuff going on internally and tons of uncertanty. I think (or at least I hope) that once these comapnies figure out their EV game-plan, they will use the cost savings allowed by using a common skateboard platform and let their designers run wild with crazier designs. But if that does happen, it probably won’t for a while. I think the first sign of this is that rather cool ID.Buzz retro EV van from VW.

RotatingParts Sep 26, 2023

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.

Hazdaz Sep 27, 2023

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.