Anonymous
Post 06/10/2020 15:04     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
Anonymous wrote:Hi All - I've always been a fairly lame Honda/Toyota guy because I want reliable and low maintenance costs, but I'm now late 40s and thinking about something more fun. At the same time, when I think European, I'm concerned that I'll be in the shop a lot and that will piss me off. I could buy CPO Audi A4, for example, but I believe that's just a one year warranty. I also keep my cars a long time and so that's a factor. Lastly, I want a good infotainment system and so that's why I'm not really focused on Lexus, plus they are expensive, even used. I don't see myself as a BMW or Mercedes, or Cadillac guy.

Basically, I want something sporty, yet understated, reliable and comfortable, good infotainment, and reasonable maintenance. Oh, and I want to keep the total price in the mid-upper 20s. Does such a unicorn exist?

Here are my thoughts:

2018 Mazda 6 - Inexpensive, fun and sporty, though not a true sports sedan, so-so reliability
2018 Accord 2.0 - Reliable, strong 0-60 times, somewhat bland
2017 Genesis G80 - Luxury, reliable, possibly too big and an old man's car, not especially sporty
2017 Audi A4 - Sporty, reliable, high maintenance costs
2019 Kia Stinger Base - Sporty, maybe too youngish, not sure about reliability


tl;dr - I am having a midlife crisis, and want to get a fun car, but I don't have a lot of cash to spend on it. Any suggestions?

Also OP described an accord as "somewhat bland." Yeah, somewhat. In the same way that Mr. Everest is "somewhat high."
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2020 14:53     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
I have the Sport 1.5 version of the Honda Accord, and I really like it. The sport tires do exaggerate road noise, but I wanted the stick and only the sport model comes with stick. It does have great pickup, which is one of the reasons I got it. It's also kind of easy to speed in, though.

I love my boring cars, though. This is my 4th car, and only one could be described as even mildly interesting. I figure if I like driving it, who else really cares?
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2020 14:48     Subject: Re:Please read my car thoughts below...
I don't think your list is boring...looks like you're focused on four door, mid-to-large sized sedans. In that genre and your stated price range, I'd go with the Genesis or the Stinger. Lean slightly towards the Genesis, as I'm a big fan of the brand. Also, it' the equivalent to Hyundai as Lexus is to Toyota and you mentioned being a big fan of Lexus. If you're worried about the G80 being too big, look at the G70.

Anonymous
Post 06/06/2020 00:27     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
Oooh! Miatas are fun as hell to drive. Even Jeremy Clarkson once said "the only reason I'm giving it 10 stars is because I can't give it 11."
Anonymous
Post 06/05/2020 21:12     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
Anonymous wrote:Hi All - I've always been a fairly lame Honda/Toyota guy because I want reliable and low maintenance costs, but I'm now late 40s and thinking about something more fun. At the same time, when I think European, I'm concerned that I'll be in the shop a lot and that will piss me off. I could buy CPO Audi A4, for example, but I believe that's just a one year warranty. I also keep my cars a long time and so that's a factor. Lastly, I want a good infotainment system and so that's why I'm not really focused on Lexus, plus they are expensive, even used. I don't see myself as a BMW or Mercedes, or Cadillac guy.

Basically, I want something sporty, yet understated, reliable and comfortable, good infotainment, and reasonable maintenance. Oh, and I want to keep the total price in the mid-upper 20s. Does such a unicorn exist?

Here are my thoughts:

2018 Mazda 6 - Inexpensive, fun and sporty, though not a true sports sedan, so-so reliability
2018 Accord 2.0 - Reliable, strong 0-60 times, somewhat bland
2017 Genesis G80 - Luxury, reliable, possibly too big and an old man's car, not especially sporty
2017 Audi A4 - Sporty, reliable, high maintenance costs
2019 Kia Stinger Base - Sporty, maybe too youngish, not sure about reliability


What’s the car being used for? Do you have kids? Can it be a coupe or 2 seater?

Anonymous
Post 06/05/2020 13:19     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
We got a 2020 TLX for 28k out the door. We are very happy so far. Replaced a 10 year old base Sonata so a nice change.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2020 22:32     Subject: Please read my car thoughts below...
The Audi windshield wipers are $2 online and you can change them yourself. Unless your time is worth $2000/hr, you're insane to ask the dealer to change them.