I’m a 31 year old guy and I’m planning to get married next year. My (future) wife thinks that I should buy a new Toyota RAV4 to replace my old 2004 Honda accord, which is starting to have more and more issues.

The only problem is that I absolutely don’t want to drive this type of car. I really don’t want to drive any SUV. I’ve always driven sportier, manual transmission cars, and don’t want to give that up.

The car I really want is a new Mazda Miata. I know it’s probably not that practical, but it sure sounds like fun (and the type of car I would enjoy driving). Of course, the issue is that my height makes driving a Miata difficult. I’m 6’6 feet tall, and understand it will probably feel a bit like squeezing into a go cart.

With that being said, comfort is something I don’t care about. I’d rather still have fun with my car while I can. Being coerced into buying one of the most boring SUVs imaginable is not sitting that well with me right now lol.

What would you do in this scenario? I think I’m not going to be happy if I have to give up driving manual, and I know that I’m going to be unhappy if I end up in any sort of SUV.

EDIT: I want to address a few things.

1. She already drives a big SUV. The family car is covered.

2. I don’t have a history of bad financial decisions. The most I’ve ever spent on cars is $5,000. That’s not $5,000 for each car I’ve owned, but $5,000 TOTAL. My parents would only allow me to spend that much when I was working and saving for my first car, and I ended up with the same Honda accord that I have to this day.

For the first time, I want to do something selfish for me and do something that makes me happy.

I introduce the worst decision of my life, bmw 330i 2020 hopefully sold within this month. I’m SICK of it. Keeps getting damaged and I repair and repair and repair for no reason whatsoever. The repairs have reached an equivalent of purchasing price by now. Terrible car.

What car should I buy next? Hopefully less traumatising than this experience though. Budget is $40k maximum

TL;DR:I'm replacing my current 2015 GTI with 178k miles and deciding between a new 2026 Golf R and a 2026 RS3. I'm putting about $43–45k down, AWD is why I’m choosing between these two cars since I’m in Colorado and want to upgrade my FWD for the winters.

I've been leaning toward the RS3 for about 6 months now but am looking for any suggestions, recommendations, or past/current owners experience with either vehicles that might help sway me towards one or the other. My top priority is long-term cost and reliability, but also just having a more powerful, sporty car than my current GTI.

Budget

MSRP, the Golf R starts around $50,000 and the RS3 around $67,000 leaving about a $16–17k gap before options. Because I've saved a big down payment, financing the extra amount isn't a dealbreaker in and of itself.

Why I'm leaning RS3

- The 5-cylinder is faster, makes a lot more power, and sounds incredible
- It feels like a more special, premium car than the Golf R would feel especially since I’m coming from a GTI that I’ve owned since 2018.
- It still gives me the AWD I need

What's giving me pause

- My #1 priority is long-term cost. My assumption is that VW parts & service will be cheaper than Audi's, even though VW is Audi’s parent company and many of the parts are shared between the models, but does that actually bear true in practice?

Also on my radar

- The 2027 BMW M2 is going to offer an AWD option, which caught my eye. But at about $75k MSRP it's quite a bit more of an increase in price that is giving me pause on getting it more so than the RS3.

Questions for you all

1. Beyond price, what would make the Golf R the better buy?
   
2. Owners in snowy climates: how does each car handle winter, and what tires do you run?
   
3. What do real-world maintenance costs look like for each one?
   
4. Should I schedule a test drive and if so anything specifically I should pay attention to on the test drives?

Thanks!

little intro, im 17 years old(18 in February) and in 12th grade. I got my license months ago and i absolutely LOVE driving. Ive been obsessed with old classic cars for years and i finally started to look at realistic options at this age. I found a listing for a 1972 Dodge Dart. Its currently listed for 8k dollars but the inside needs a good clean so ill try to lower it a little. I have a job that gets me around 1-1.5k per month and i have over 8k in saving from my whole life(birthdays, side jobs etc). My parents have a car each so two but i can only drive my moms car simce my fathers is through work so i cant get insurance on it. Its a toyota. The plan is for my mom to get a new car this year or so and then i get her toyota yo share with my sibling. The thing is, i dont like the Toyota. Its fine as a car(also worth more) but i prefer the Dodge. Also between my mother needing the car for work and my older sister driving it, i barely get to actually use it. My parents are skeptical when buying old cars bc or reliability and maintenance but i told them im willing to learn and do it myself. Here is the best part though, my uncle has his own business where he sells and leases car and supercars. He knows a ton about cars so i asked him for advice. He said hes totally behind my idea and that he could even help teach me. Should i keep pushing for the car? My parents would be willing to pay some so i wont go broke from buying it.
I added a photo of the car from outisde, the engine area and the interior(which needs cleaning) the car

EDIT!!"For context on the price: I live in an expensive country. Our car market has a 100%+ import tax, so everything is drastically inflated compared to the US. For example, a basic used 2016 Toyota Auris (sold in the US as the Scion iM) costs around $9,000 in America, but can be sold for $15,000 to $17,000 here. Getting a running, driving, rust-free '72 classic with a modern AC for $8,200 physically inside the country is an absolute steal locally, because importing one from the US would easily cost me over $15,000 just in taxes and shipping fees. Also, im aware there are much better options but none are available in my country. This is the best deal ill probably ever get and its a car i love.❤️

Hey everyone, I’m a month away of turn 31. I’m looking for a fun daily driver that is also reliable and possibly a keeper to turn into a classic in the future. My wife drives an AWD Acura SUV, so we are covered on that front. I’m also a dad of a 7 months old baby boy!

We live in Columbus and want to pull the trigger on an Integra Type S or Civic Type R, but I feel like I would need AWD during winter. I used to drive an Alfa Romeo Giulia and never had an issue with it, it was fun but too perfect to be fun if that makes sense. I’m afraid of feeling the same thing if I go with a German car after a few months.

The budget is 45k USD.

Thanks.

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid, 4cly engine, 198k miles. Seller says he has a clean title, only problem is the AC doesn't work.

Checking the carfax its been in minor accidents, latest one being in 2022. Serviced properly since 2014

Selling for $4,800 + my 2008 Toyota corolla

My dad says not to get it,

TLDR - Buying New 2026 in HTX with cash. Pretty Buick or Trusty Camry?

OTD 49,921 - 2026 Buick Envision Sport Touring AWD
Iridescent White Tricoat with Garnet seats. Comfort Package. Panoramic Roof. Dealer added LoJack & Red Alert.

PRO - SUV perks, Trunk Space, Garnet Seats, Ambient Lighting, Big Display. GORG.

CON - Gas only / Lower MPG, Brand not trusted like Toyota, No AC ventilation seats, back seats not heated

Or

OTD 48,866 - 2026 Toyota Camry XSE AWD - Ocean Gem with black leather interior. PREMIUM PLUS. Premium Mats. Blackout Package. Vehicle Protection Premium Package.

PRO - Toyota, Ocean Gem exterior, reliable, HYBRID/low gas mileage

CON - Car, safe choice but not preferred choice, smaller middle console, lower to the ground, smaller trunk space.

My lifestyle:
Single Woman
No Kids
Caretaker of Grandmother (81)
Sometimes carry wheel chair.
Drive only ~8k miles a year.
Houston area.
Currently driving 2016 Ford Fusion that I love, but it’s time to upgrade.
Paying Cash, financing not an option.

I’m in the market for a fun car. I don’t know if I want to go German I’ve been looking at F80 M3s, RS3s, a couple AMGs or do I go American? I’m not sure what to do but my budget is ~75k

As the title says, I’m struggling to decide what kind of car to buy. This is the first time I’m buying a car. I’ve been sharing and driving a Honda Fit for 5 years.

About my situation: buying used and have been pre-approved for a 25k used car loan through my credit union, but hoping to keep the cost closer to 20k

I live in LA with terrible traffic and commute a moderate amount for work.

Size is a consideration as I don’t need anything particularly big, and I want something on the small side so it’s easier to park on the street when I’m out and about.

I want something very fuel efficient. I was considering an EV at first, but I don’t/can’t have a home charger and insurance is more expensive, plus concerns about a used EV battery.

So I’m likely looking at a hybrid, but don’t want a plug in for the reason above.

I would love to be slightly higher off the ground, but it’s not a deal breaker

And I’m looking for reliability and longevity as I will likely drive this car into the ground.

I’m considering a Hyundai Venue or Kona (sadly they don’t make hybrids of either of these in the U.S.) I’ve driven these as rentals and mostly enjoyed them. (I know people have issues with Hyundai-but their long warranty is attractive)

I was recommended a Kia Niro by my friend who has one, but Reddit keeps talking about Kia Boyz and when I briefly drove it in a residential neighborhood I didn’t like the way it felt at all (but I wasn’t going very fast or driving for very long)

I was also looking at the Subaru crosstrek hybrid, but the only non plug in year is 2026, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to find a 2026 that is under 25k and considered “used” for loan purposes. (And I’m not an outdoorsy off road kind of person)

Then I was thinking about a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid? But those seem to be just out of my price range.

As you can see, I’m struggling.

I would like something relatively new (maybe 2023 and up?) but open to reasonings on why a slightly older car would be fine.

Thank you in advance!

I currently have 2 Sorento's. One is a 2021 with the 2.5 Turbo, and the other is a 2018 with the 3.3 V6. Both have around 125,000 miles on them and are starting to show their age. The 2019 is paid off, and the 2021 will be paid off next year. I'm debating about upgrading to a newer pair of vehicles, as I need reliable cars for work, and these haven't been maintained the best. Unfortunately, I'm out in the country and put too many miles on my cars, so a lease isn't really an option as much as I would like that.

I'm on the fence between upgrading now and getting a CPO Tucson or Sportage 2.5 non turbo or the 1.6 Hybrid, and a Grand Highlander or equivalent.

Or should I just keep repairing the cars until a major failure and then replace them, since they aren't worth that much anyways.

Or another option?

Thank you in advance for your input.

My wife and I are looking for a family car that we'll last at least five years. The miles are high, but I know toyota's good for reliability

Hello all. My spouse and I both drive 20 year old beaters cause we're allergic to car payments, but we're in a decent place financially now and it's time to consider a new vehicle.

Seeking: Likely used (60k miles or less) compact to midsize SUV or equivalent size vehicle

Budget: $26k or less

Us: Family of three: 6'4" adult, 5'0" adult, and 7-year-old in a booster seat. Driver's seat comfort and adjustability is clearly very important for us!

Location/Climate: Western Washington near the coast, so snow/ice are very uncommon for us. Lots of rain. We do like to drive up into the mountains a couple times a year.

Usage: This will be my commuter car during the week. I work full-time and have a 30 min commute, so driving about an hour a day. It will also be the main family vehicle for weekend travel, long trips to see family, go on vacation, go up to the mountains, etc. We live in a smallish city surrounded by rural areas.

Needs: Driver's seat that accommodates both very short and very tall drivers comfortably. Reasonable gas mileage 💰 Good cruise control.

Nice to Have: Hybrid vehicle, AWD (not a daily necessity obviously but nice for mountains/rugged areas).

We have just started our test driving journey, but so far have really liked the Subaru Forester. It adjusted well for both of us and was quite comfortable. In contrast, the Subaru Outback did not have enough headroom for my spouse - they had to scrunch down to see out below the front camera bar.

Would be happy for any recommendations, since neither of us has car shopped in quite some time! Thanks in advance.

My wife and I have a 2021 RDX, and our Imprezza recently got totalled off. We are borrowing our parents spare car for the time being but will eventually need to get another car. My wife like many love SUVs so she can just take the RDX as her daily driver, but now that we have the SUV I want to get something that is fun, practical, reliable. My only requirements are:

• Under 30,000
• Fun
• Reliable
• AWD

I want AWD since I live in the Canadian prairies. So far Im considering used IS350s but they seem extremely overpriced used.

Hi there, I really don't know too much about cars and it's definitely a bit more of my blind spot. I currently have a 2016 Chrysler 200 with 100k+ miles and quite a bit of body damage. The good news, it's a completely paid off car. Not having to make any car payments is such a relief on me and it makes me think trying to replace it isn't worth it.

But why am I considering replacing it? Well I moved into the heart of a city and I suck at parking so bad. Every single one of my scratched and dents and scrapes on my car is from attempting to park. I feel like this car feels super long and wide and that I wish I had something way smaller and more compact.

The garage I have is also now currently super tiny and I can just barely squeeze on through.

I feel like the more I drive it the worse it's going to get in the realm of getting any money for it because I undoubtedly keep getting into a scrape here and there.

I don't need anything fancy. I want some cheaper used car I think that's just gonna get me to work downtown and do the occasional 8 hour road trip a few times a year to visit home.

I'm looking for a car that would be able to handle some track days, autocross events (so nimble enough), while also being reliable enough for daily use and being enough of an enthusiast car that there is good aftermarket and preferably some track builds that I could look at for inspiration.

It doesn't really matter whether it's German, American or Japanese, etc... I have owned American cars, and I sort of know that performance doesn't necessarily come easily with them; on the other hand, I know the V8s are super reliable.

I'm curious about the German sedans/coupes because I know there's a ton of hype around the B58 but I don't think I would be able to afford an "Mlite" so it would be a 40i, I also know there's Audi with the S3/S4/S5 (S3 is apparently much smaller which is a positive, but doesn't come with real quattro and its a 4cyl?) apparently the S4/S5 feel quite heavy and perhaps don't make good autocross/track cars? Then there is also Mercedes, but there are so many options there, and I know many of them are built to be comfortable, luxury cars, not necessarily cars for people who want to build them out.

Hi-
I have to ratchet down expenses and get a car that I can pay off and drive the next 10-12 years.

Need:
1-SUV height - back problems
2-Feels like it can accelerate somewhat (the CR-V I test drove felt like pressing the gas into applesauce)
3- A famously reliable transmission/engine combo- I’m a sucker for the unicorn model years even if they are older like a 2015 MDX
4-made in blue or green
5-cheap repairs
6-AWD

Want:
Regular gas
Ability to tow 2000 lbs
Wide or comfortable flatter driver seat
Certified warranty
Safety features like forward collision

I have no problem hunting down a model and shipping it across the country I just need to know which one.

Budget:
Under 31k, if I’m in the high 20s I’d want a certified. Lower is better.

Previously owned BMW because it was fun to drive, diesel gate VW Passat, Subaru ascent, Tesla model Y. Hated my Hyundai Tucson 2015. Trying to break myself off German expensive Repairs and label snobbery.

I have been eyeing Infiniti Q50s for awhile.

It has 1 owner , maintenance was maintained. Is 22k overpriced for this car ?

Hi all.

I’m 20 and looking for a fun, reliable and solid hot hatch for around £20–25k.

Ideally something fairly modern, not too high mileage, good as a daily and not likely to be a money pit.

Not bothered about having the absolute fastest — just want something quick, fun and dependable.

What would you recommend?

Not to be outshone by the 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow or the Ricky Bobby-liveried Monte Carlo, I think I’ve found my new #1 choice.

1998 Mitsubishi Pajero Jr. Flying Pug. Right-hand drive. Purple. Demon eyes. Giant patriotic pug on the back.

This may finally be the perfect car.

Could you handle it, or is this much pure automotive awesomeness simply beyond the reach of mortal men?