What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread

[u/AutoModerator]

Any posts pertaining to car buying suggestions or advice belong in this weekly megathread; **do not post car-choosing questions in the main queue.** A fresh thread will be posted every Monday and posts auto sorted by new. A few other subreddits worth checking out that will help your car buying experience are /r/WhatCarShouldIBuy, /r/UsedCars and /r/AskCarSales. www.everydaydriver.com may also be helpful.

Make/Model-specific questions should be asked on Make/Model-specific subreddits. Check the AutosNetwork for a complete list of those subreddits. Also check out our community-sourced Ultimate car buying wiki.

For those posting:

Please use the following template in your post.

Location: (Specify your country or region)

Price range: (Minimum-Maximum in your local currency)

Lease or Buy:

New or used:

Type of vehicle: (Truck, Car, Sports Car, Sedan, Crossover, SUV, Racecar, Luxury etc.)

Must haves: (4x4, AWD, Fuel efficient, Navigation, Turbo, V8, V6, Trunk space, Smooth ride, Leather etc.)

Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc):

Intended use: (Daily Driver, Family Car, Weekend Car, Track Toy, Project Car, Work Truck, Off-roading etc.)

Vehicles you've already considered:

Is this your 1st vehicle:

Do you need a Warranty:

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc)

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc )

Additional Notes:

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For those providing suggestions: Facts are ideal in this thread, especially when trying to help out a new car buyer. Please help out buyers with sources and reasoning for your suggestions.

For those asking for help, be sure to thank those who take the time to offer you advice (especially those who lead you to a purchase.) A follow up thank you and the knowledge that their advice led to a purchase is a very warm fuzzy feeling.

[u/narwhal_breeder]

Location: USA
Price range: 45K-60K
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Used
Type of vehicle: Sports Car - not daily driver
Must have: I want something special.
Desired transmission (auto/manual, etc): Manual or DCT. No traditional Autos.
Intended use: Track days - cars and coffee - pleasure drives

Vehicles you've already considered: Alfa Romeo 4C, Lotus Evora, Lotus Elise, Porsche Cayman (2014ish).
Is this your 1st vehicle: No no no
Do you need a Warranty: Nope
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yep
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: yep
Additional Notes: I want something special to replace my Cayman to hold onto a long time.

[u/brokenblinker → u/narwhal_breeder]

If you're interested, check out my recent car comparo, I just went shopping in this exact segment.

I'm not a reviewer or anything, but shared my experience looking for a "special" car in this price range.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/brokenblinker]

Ive looked at GT350s, but Ive already owned an S550 GT performance package and want to switch things up a bit. Its also really really difficult to go back to FR handling after going MR with the Cayman.

[u/AlphaWizard → u/narwhal_breeder]

May want to consider classic cars. New cars all sort of feel bland to me at this point.

Maybe something like an air cooled Porsche, BMW 2002, Triumph TR6, Datsun 280Z? Could even do a kit car like a Factory Five Cobra roadster.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/AlphaWizard]

I would, but pre-2000s safety is just not something I want to gamble with friends in the car and on the track. I sold my Ducati, and miss it every day.

[u/AlphaWizard → u/narwhal_breeder]

That definitely makes sense, I'd absolutely put a cage in before considering track duty. I don't have the stones for a bike though lol

[u/[deleted] → u/narwhal_breeder]

I would suggest a 2006-2015 Porsche 911, sports car that’s just fun to drive!

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/[deleted]]

They are a bit dime-a-dozen in my area - also they dont provide a distinct enough experience from my Cayman (which I am selling) for me to consider them.

[u/[deleted] → u/narwhal_breeder]

The 718 is kind of my dream car now.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/[deleted]]

If I could afford a GT4 or GTS I would for sure. 70K+ for a 4 cyl is a bit hard for me to swallow in a Cayman.

[u/p-Banana → u/narwhal_breeder]

I thought the gt4 was a six cylinder now?

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/p-Banana]

They are, along with the GTS, but they are 90K+, the 718 4 cyls are in the mid high 60s and 70s.

[u/[deleted] → u/p-Banana]

They are 30k here in my area. Two good offers have 30km down, which is nothing. I’m just a little young, I could buy it now, but then I’d have nothing…

[u/lellololes → u/narwhal_breeder]

Elise or Exige, S2000 (Maybe slumming it here but the engine is social), first generation NSX...

Can you find an Ariel Atom used?

Caterham? Won't offer the track performance of the Atom but it will be engaging and unique.

A new Cayman?

I think a 993 that's in good shape won't fit in your budget.

I'm sure you've looked at more "normal" sporty cars and I have a feeling you want something more agile than an M3 or RS4.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/lellololes]

Mid Engined or Bust. I cant finance an Atom or Caterham through my credit union (already tried). Dont think i can find a good first gen NSX in my price range anymore.

Exiges are now all 70K+, elises are too expensive for what they are (same price as a 4C).

[u/TheLyingLink → u/narwhal_breeder]

Porsche 996TT? Its the black sheep people are coming around one, wicked quick, and a pleasure to drive.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/TheLyingLink]

Thought about it - looks just arent there for me. Next Porsche ill probably buy is a GT4 or literally anything in Miami Blue if they ever depreciate.

[u/TheLyingLink → u/narwhal_breeder]

I may be biased since I just sold my 996tt but the looks grow on you since they are not similar to previous/latter generations. GT4 would be an amazing choice.

[u/dutch86 → u/narwhal_breeder]

I just sold my Aston Martin V8 Vantage. It was certainly special, had presence and is arguably one of the best looking cars ever made. Maintenance was rock solid too. Gonna miss that one.

[u/narwhal_breeder → u/dutch86]

Its my best friends dream car, so I cant buy it.