It's time for another "Recommend me a car" thread!
 

That's right, ladies and gents. Don't we all love these generic threads? I know I do!

:ilied:

So, here's my deal. My Mz3 crapped the bucket over the weekend so I'm in search of a new car. I've almost exclusively ever had used cars as I don't mind tinkering and doing my own work. However, life is starting to get a little busy and I don't have as much time to devote to car repairs as I once had. Therefore, I'm looking to pick up a new or CPO vehicle. I've browsed through most manufacturer's websites to get a feel of what's out there and it seems like nothing is really jumping out at me. I'm also not sure I want to take the initial depreciation hit of simply driving a new car off the lot, hence the thought about going the CPO route. And instead of my usual habit of flipping cars once or twice a year, I'd like to keep this thing for a while. Therefore future maintenance out of warranty should be kept in mind.

Requirements:
- <$30k
- Ideally a compact sedan or hatch. No trucks, full-size sedans, or C/SUV's unless there's an absolute exception I should consider
- Decently loaded as I dislike driving bare bone cars. I realize this ups the future maintenance load potentially, but I'm okay with that risk.
- Ideally good fuel mileage and safety ratings
- While I prefer certain brands, I'm not a brand whore and don't mind considering companies outside of my past history (mostly VW, Mazda, Nissan)
- Has a warranty. The longer, the better.

I've been eyeing late model VW Golfs and Acura ILX's, just to get a general idea of where my preferences are at. Been considering a new MZ3 as well, but I haven't had much luck with their cars in the past. I'd also love a Volvo but the only ones that fall under the budget are still all last generation models and those things are far too long in the tooth, design wise.

Anyway, fire away!

:chairdance: :moderatorban:

If you're getting a vw stay away from the dsg and all wheel drive combo. My dsg is dog shit, lurches around, delayed response, and feels like it'll break apart any minute now. It's only a year old and with 25k on it.

Get the 6speed with 4matic and you'll be fine...ish (it's a vw after all).

Maybe a Volvo c30 ? You don't see too many of these around. I always liked them in the Polestar blue.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/...646624556.html

you want a long warranty eh? Mitsubitshi!

Sadly they don't make the Lancer Sportback anymore but the lancer is still available with years with out changes I'm sure it'll be reliable.

CPO gti is my suggestion

2015+ A3
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/...669961485.html

2017+ Elantra
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/...667611628.html

(links are just the first CL example i found)

You can get it with a manual and it rev matches.

Those rear 'fake exhaust tips' look hideous though.

FK7 Civic hatch /thread. Can't possibly think of a better overall balanced package in terms of reliability, performance, fuel efficiency, space, etc. than that at this point.

Corolla iM/Corolla hatch springs to mind immediately, or a CPO Lexus CT200 if you want something a bit nicer/pricier.

Only problem with the Civic Hatch is that it requires premium... which may be a deal breaker for some based on gas prices these days.

We had an 09 Matrix and it was a good car. Back seats fold flat.
Just be sure to get the larger 2.4L as the base 1.8L was under powered.

This would give you less interior features but leave more cash in your pocket.

Civic Si or Civic hatch

I liked the Golf but didn’t like the 5-speed transmission and some common features are missing on the Comfortline (i.e. automatic dual zone climate control)

Mazda 3 GT was okay but felt a bit weak compared to its turbo competition.

Hyundai Elantra GT felt nice but fuel economy isn’t as good as competition and some materials felt/looked cheap

Toyota Corolla was way too weak to consider for me.

What about the Subaru BRZ? It's the one car I consistently have to check out every time... it looks so badass...

With the rear window louvers... mygod...

https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/UT87OpYXq...ear-Window.jpg

how about a cx3? a bit of utility with the higher stance, reliable, optional awd, hatch..

Hesrightyouknow.jpg

Only issue for me is those looks. I’d rather find a low km ~08 or whatever 4 door Si

I fucking love my Corolla iM! Toyota reliability, extremely practical and functional, Macpherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension? :fuckyea:

You can easily pick up the Scion iM for less on the market, and have lots of money leftover to maintenance and wheels/tires, however.

If gas wasn’t so expensive I’d definitely recommend a G37, whether it be coupe or sedan.

I’ve been super impressed with the wife’s 2011 G37x sedan. Great car.

Fully loaded, power everything, a decent nav, great power (330hp “AWD”) very comfortable to drive even on longer hauls.

Seems to be a very reliable car and general consensus on this generation of motor is that it’s one of, if not the greatest V6’s ever made.

Could have a coupe or sedan, with sub 100k for around 20 grand for a 2011 or newer.

The gas is the killer though. Bad fuel mileage drinking 94 octane

Have you driven a 1st gen Matrix by chance? I'm curious how they compare since we've got one and I feel like the iM would give a bit more sportiness with almost as much practicality (I really wish the hatch glass still opened). Eventually I think I'll find myself in the 19+ Corolla hatch, if they ever release an AWD version I'd be all over it.

I thought g37 takes 91?

I’m pretty sure the owners manual recommends 96..

Our car though was purchased from a family friend who was the first owner and never used anything but 94 so we figured might as well keep going with that

This post reminded me of the old Timpo.

I would suggest the new Civic hatch sport as others have but the touring model would be just of budget.
Also facelifted version should be coming soon

You are just wasting money going with 94 oct.

Yes I did, I believe it was an XR. Great car, but certainly fell into the grocery getter category, unless you got the S, which I never got to drive.

The iM certainly is much more sportier in all regards. Great seats, nice interior, and best of all, made in Japan. The only thing I wished differently about the iM were the stock tires. You probably saw my thread asking about the Michelin tires, which I'm getting later this week.

As a side note, despite the iM being a great car, it will never satisfy the itch of a sports car, so I ended up buying another Porsche. #fwp :okay: Do get the 19+ Corolla hatch. I wish I knew about it earlier. I may even consider trading it in.

The price difference over a year is like $300. Considering it’s only seen 94 I don’t consider it a waste. However if prices continue to rise I may change my tune. Also past a certain point in KM’s likely will begin to care less as well

I own a cx-3 and I can say it's an awesome little car to drive but it's not all that practical. Based off the Mazda 2, the trunk space is limited can't even fit a full size stroller.

For now I would say the best bang for buck would be the Civic Hatch, Sport trim.
They're good on gas, great safety features, and priced right. The touring trim adds some stuff most people won't need so I would say the Sport trim would be good enough.

If you're looking for something with a bit more power, the civic hatch with a tune is great but may void warranty. A Hyundai Elantra Sport comes with great power, features and a looks pretty good.

If you want a good daily driver, how about another Mazda3? This should be the last of the current body style, so dealerships are clearing them out offering 0% financing, rebates/incentives. New model should be coming out later this year with the Skyactive X, however, I wouldn't want to be an earlier adopter.

I've owned my 2018 2.5 GT since April. Feels so good not to have to put in 94 (plus E85/methanol) in my daily and $40 gets me 550km in the city. Handling is still pretty good, engine performance is adequate and there's no CVT. No turbo, but that also means less headaches when it comes to future repairs.