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?
GR86
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.
If my car died tomorrow I’d be looking at 30 year old cars. New cars don’t excite me much. My commute is 15 minutes and I need something to occasionally haul big stuff for the house. Currently driving a lifted 99 Legacy wagon. Once I catch up with deferred maintenance (about $2k) the car will be perfect for my needs and reliable.
Looking at your list it looks like you want something on the sporty side. Do you ever to haul kids, groceries, etc?
My only comment for your choices is a bout the the Kia. I don’t believe they try to do the right thing for their customers. They never took full responsibility for the exploding engines. Now with the “Kia Boys” hack they left customers on their own, again. I was caught up in the engine fiasco but my Kia is higher end so not easy to steal. The streets in my area were littered with stolen/trashed Kias for a while but I think the kids ran through the supply.
I’m with you on the 30 year old cars bit! I don’t really want to own anything built long after 90 tbh, but have been looking longingly at some trucks from the late seventies to early eighties.
I just feel like, in general, automobile designs and engines have been going downhill for a while but it also could be that I’m poor and like to actually be able to repair my stuff. Some of those trucks from between the 70’s to 90’s? Easy as pie to repair, finding parts is the issue. Everything after around 2005 that I work on just gets increasingly complicated, with redundancies all around, meant for progress but breaking setbacks along with them.
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.
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…
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?
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.
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.
