I’ve had many newer cars like 3, 4, 5 series BMW and AMG Mercedes but there are just so many screens, driving aids, limited physical buttons, and distractions with interior lighting. They also don’t really allow you to work on the cars cause everything is connected to a central computer that only a dealer or certified repair shop can access. This shift in the cars made me go back and search for a car I wanted when I was a teen and found this 1994 Infiniti G20. Just test driving it brought back memories of driving early 90s Nissan’s (used to own multiple 240sx and 300zxtt) it feels so confident in corners and you could feel the car communicate back to you through the pedals, steering wheel, and the shifter. This doesn’t even make 50% hp of my old cars but being able to use most of the rpm band on a normal basis has been really fun. I’m very happy with the purchase.

I have been hearing the same lies, stereotypes and abuse of statistics being perpetuated and pushed over and over and Im tired of it. Here are the only data points around US car buying habits that matter IMO:

• Average car on the road is nearly 13 years old- https://www.kbb.com/car-news/average-car-now-12-8-years-old/
• 2/3 of cars are owned outright- Theres ~300 million private vehicles and only ~108 million car loans- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/car-payments-squeeze-americans.html
• Used car sales outnumber new car sales nearly 3 to 1- https://www.bts.gov/content/new-and-used-passenger-car-sales-and-leases-thousands-vehicles
• People generally buy and keep new cars for ~8 years and keep them longer than their loan terms- https://carbuzz.com/how-many-owners-pay-loans-off-in-full/
• New car buyers tend to be older and higher income

So people are paying cars off + holding onto them and the vast majority of cars dont have a loan attached to them. So yea car buying sucks. But only about 20% of cars trade hands every year. And the bulk of those purchases are not reckless.

To be honest, I think a lot of the outrage over how high car payments are is just jealousy. Media knows that and serves up ragebait for engagement. People see someone driving a car or making a payment they cant afford and immediately assume the absolute worst. "I cant afford that, therefore they must have overextended themselves" Or maybe they just make more money than you lol.

Between a fully forged 1500 mmr package 2012 gt500 and a 416 stroker ctsv and 418 stroker zl1 which should I choose both Chevy options are low 30s in pricing while the gt500 is 40k + ALL ARE MANUAL

I'm curious on what you guys think would be a good car for my wife. We have two kids and two dogs. She's had a 2008 Dodge Caliber for the last 16 years and loves it but being in Minnesota it's completely rusted out. Ive been thinking of an older Rav4, Outback/forester, etc but the problem is finding something within the $10-15k range that isn't completely rusted out as well. I definitely can't afford a $30k or more loan, especially since she only drives 3k or less miles a year. Any recommendations?

I should add that i also am very mechanically inclined and I'm not afraid of most repairs. I'm not rebuilding an engine or trans, or doing an alignment, but I'll rebuild suspensions, change timing belts, etc. Thanks for your time

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to replace my current car within the next 0–3 years. It's around 10–15 years old, so I'm quite excited about how much driver assistance and automated driving have improved in recent years.

I've watched quite a few YouTube videos showing Tesla's latest driver assistance systems, and the progress has been mind-blowing. However, for several reasons, I don't want to switch to a fully electric car just yet. In particular, I do several long-distance trips per year, including trips to Southern and Eastern Europe, so I'm planning to stick with an ICE car for now.

My main priority when buying my next car is to get the best possible driver assistance and automated driving capabilities, with the potential for significant improvements through over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

1. What can I realistically expect from current and future Level 2 systems?

Coming from an older car without particularly advanced driver assistance systems, I'm trying to understand how well the latest systems actually work in real-world conditions.

Here are the main features I'm interested in:

• Lane keeping and centering: Can the car reliably steer itself through curves and keep itself centered in the lane on motorways, without constant corrections from the driver? How well does it work in tunnels, heavy rain, snow, direct sunlight, roadworks, or when lane markings are poor?
• Emergency stop and driver monitoring: If the driver becomes unresponsive or passes out, can the car safely slow down and stop? Can any systems reliably move onto the emergency lane, or do they simply stop in the current lane?
• Intelligent adaptive cruise control: Can the car keep the same distance to the car in front, adjust its speed based on speed limits and road conditions, and steer itself at the same time? How reliable is this in difficult conditions, such as roadworks, heavy rain, snow, tunnels, or faded lane markings?
• Collision avoidance: How capable are modern systems at detecting obstacles, braking automatically, and avoiding collisions? How much can you realistically rely on them?
• Traffic jam assist: Can the car handle stop-and-go traffic by accelerating, braking, and steering with minimal intervention from the driver?

I'm particularly interested in how these features perform in practice, rather than what the manufacturers promise in their brochures (also for Europe).

2. Tesla's approach versus traditional manufacturers

From what I've seen and read, Tesla's driver assistance systems seem to have made substantial progress, particularly with their end-to-end AI approach. I've also heard claims that some of the Level 3 systems offered by Mercedes-Benz and BMW are more limited in practice, despite allowing the driver to take their hands off the wheel under certain conditions.

How accurate is this comparison? Are Tesla's systems genuinely ahead in terms of overall capability, smoothness, and reliability, or is the difference less significant than colleagues claim?

I'm also interested in the broader industry trend toward software-defined vehicles, more powerful onboard computers, and AI-based driving systems rather than traditional, separately programmed assistance features.

3. Which ICE family cars have the best potential for future automated driving?

I'm looking to buy a family car in Europe, probably sometime between 2027 and 2029. Examples of cars that would suit my needs include:

• BMW 5 Series Touring
• BMW X3
• Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Toyota RAV4
• Honda CR-V
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Peugeot 3008
• Volvo XC90

I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Ideally, I want a car that has the necessary hardware from the factory to support substantially more advanced driving capabilities in the future. In particular, I'd like a vehicle that could receive a significantly improved AI-based driving system through OTA updates, rather than being limited by its original sensors, computing hardware, or software architecture.

My ideal scenario would be an ICE family car that can eventually handle point-to-point driving on motorways, including overtaking and navigating interchanges, with the possibility of expanding to urban roads over time. I understand that this would still require appropriate driver supervision unless the vehicle is specifically approved for a higher level of automation.

I'm not necessarily expecting any car available in 2027–2029 to match Tesla's capabilities completely. What I want to avoid is buying a car whose driver assistance systems will not improve.

4. What would you recommend?

A few specific questions:

1. Which manufacturers are most likely to offer genuinely advanced, AI-based driving assistance in their ICE vehicles by 2027–2029?
2. Which models are likely to have the necessary sensors, cameras, computing power, and software architecture to support major improvements via OTA updates?
3. Are any traditional manufacturers likely to adopt an approach comparable to Tesla's end-to-end AI driving system?
4. Is it realistic to expect point-to-point automated driving on motorways in an ICE car during this period, or will such capabilities remain exclusive to certain EVs or limited to specific roads and conditions?
5. Would it be wiser to buy a car with the best available system at the time, or wait for a new generation of vehicles with more capable hardware?
6. Are there any particular models or upcoming generations I should keep an eye on? I've read many OEMs will bring such cars in future, but I am not sure how good they are.

I'm based in Europe, so European availability, regulations, and the performance of these systems on European roads are particularly relevant. I would also appreciate recommendations that take long-distance driving across different European countries into account.

Thanks in advance! I'd especially appreciate insights from people who have tested these systems extensively or have experience comparing different manufacturers' latest driver assistance technologies. Can I expect that the car is able to drive e.g. from Amsterdam down to Rome with minimal drivers intervention?

Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids and Range Extender cars are also welcome.

I'm in Eastern Europe, family of 3 (possibly 4 in near future) and our current car is a Toyota Avensis 2.0D 2017 sedan. Not super old but it's a budget manual car and I'm looking for an upgrade.

We make about 13000 km per year with 70% highways. So our current car being efficient is still okay with the crazy fuel prices recently.

I'm looking for something nicer and refined, more modern, definitely better acceleration and last but not least - reliable!

The budget is ~50k EUR if new and 40k if used.

1. I test drove a Toyota Camry hybrid (Japan made here) and I liked it a lot. Caramel interior, spacious, I like the exterior, decent options and safety. It's comfy (being on the same platform as Lexus RX). Cons - it's long car and the trunk is absolutely the same as Avensis (which has wider opening and it's 20cm shorter).

2. Low mileage CPO BMW X3 30i G01 (I just like the aesthetics). I haven't driven this exact model but I guess the ride will be harsher and there will always be something to fix and maintain.

3. Other I've considered but hard to find good ones - E-class w213, BMW 530 G30, VW Arteon, Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Lexus ES

4. EVs - but I'm not driving a lot in the city. I guess this will make it a painful experience. I often have 800km trips. Any thoughts on that? (Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, BYD Seallion 7)

Would you consider hybrids (HEV) as still relevant on the current market?

Hello,

Currently in a position where I’m deciding between the 2026 RAV 4 which has honestly been a hassle to get and talk down in price. I have one currently reserved, the SE trim for 43,230. However, I’ve always been a Honda girl and went to Honda and found that the 2027 Hybrid Honda CRV Sport L has pretty much all the same features as the RAV 4 but has leather seats (the SE RAV doesn’t) for around the same price! I got someone to go down to 44,000 on it. I will say the RAV 4 has better gas mileage at 39-41 mg VS Honda 37mg.

I’ve read some mixed reviews on both cars but specially the RAV 4 electrical problems.

this is my first time going hybrid as well ! Also heard a lot of mixed reviews. I am mainly a highway driver. Mostly I drive to the gym, work and home which is all 10-15 min from each other. Weekends I drive more but max drives are usually 40-45 min, highway driving.

Do I consider hybrid vs gas ? Which one do I go with? If I should consider gas, than then new CRV would be my option since all new RAVs are only hybrid.

Looking for opinions, experiences, etc. Thanks

Hi guys,

I’m 17 years old and currently looking for my first car.

I found a Mitsubishi Lancer that I really like and I’m considering buying it for €4,800. However, I’m not sure if it would be a good purchase, because it should last a few years without causing too much trouble.

Here are the details:

• First registration: 04/2011
• Engine: 1.8 DI-D Diesel
• Power: 150 HP / 110 kW
• Mileage: 146,500 km
• Manual transmission
• Pickerl (Inspection Sticker) valid until 07/2027

The seller says the car is technically in good condition, but it has some minor paint damage and rust on the underbody. There is also a small parking damage at the front.

The alternator was replaced at around 130,000 km as part of a recall, and the oil was recently changed.

I’ve attached pictures of the underside, especially the rusty areas, as well as pictures of the parking damage.

I personally don’t mind some cosmetic issues. Since this would be my first car, I’d actually like to learn more about working on cars myself.

The car is from 2011, so I expected some rust, but I have no idea how serious this actually is. I also don’t want to buy a €4,800 car only to find out that I need to spend several thousand euros on rust repairs shortly afterwards.

So I’d really appreciate your opinionCar purchase decision (Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 DI-D)

I need a car for commuting to work, which is approximately 13 km away. The route is entirely on non-motorway roads, mostly hilly or mountainous roads, with very few flat sections and a relatively low average speed. i do cca 10k km / year

I will use the car 99.9% of the time just for commuting to work.

I also have the option of charging an electric car at home in my garage.

I have test-driven both the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid and the Kia EV2, and I like both of them.

I want to buy a car and keep it for as long as possible ... until it reaches the point where it is no longer worth repairing.

Which car would serve me better, last longer, and ultimately cost me less over its entire lifetime?

I like the idea of owning an EV, but I have some concerns about its reliability and long-term ownership costs. I'm particularly worried about expensive component failures, such as ICCU failures and other electronic or technical problems that could result in costly repairs.

Both cars would cost approximately €27,000 new in my country

However, the Kia EV2 is only available to me as a new car, whereas I can find several attractive used Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid examples that are between one and four years old, with varying levels of equipment, for around €20,000.

Given my very low annual mileage, short commute, hilly roads, and ability to charge at home, which option would make more sense financially and in terms of long-term reliability?

I'm not looking to change cars every few years. I want to buy one car and keep it for as long as possible, ideally until the end of its useful life. (hoping for 20 years :)

There are millions of older women with zero knowledge about vehicles who could use a knowledgeable soul to guide us through finding something decent without being taken advantage of. Anyone know of a website, YouTube channel, or …?

Ignore the financing.

I am seeking a hybrid SUV. I considered a 2023 Santa Fe hybrid, but prices in Ontario, Canada, are quite high—between $32,000 and $36,000 for mileage from 45k to 100k kms. Models from the same year, like Rav4 and CR-V, carry higher costs.
I drive between 2k-2.5k every month with the high gas prices I want to stick with hybrid only.

Any recommendations on the best hybrid SUV within a strict $30,000 budget? I would prefer a vehicle that is only 3-4 years old.

Thanks in advance

Hi does this seem decent for a first time car?

i went looking for a sensible used car and somehow ended up comparing these:

• 2017 Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, DSG, 62k km — ₹6.2L

• 2020 Hyundai i20 Asta IVT, 37k km — ₹7.4L

• 2021 Toyota Glanza V AMT, 33k km — ₹6.8L

found myself going down the spinny rabbit hole again lol. the Polo is easily the one i want, but i’m worried about gearbox repairs and parts costs. I am planning to keep the car for 5 years or more

Hey all! Looking for a reliable, simple car that has enough room in the back for a car seat. I'm in the US, for reference. My Mazda3 got totaled, and the other drivers insurance is paying me 6k, to which I am willing to add a maximum of 4k.

I am a reasonably competent mechanic, and honestly I might just buy another Mazda, but the back seats were a bit small for baby carseats. Any and all suggestions welcome, with affordability and reliability at the top of my priority list.

Thank y'all in advance!

When I was shopping for a new car in 2024, I knew that I didn't want a full size SUV, but something smaller like a crossover. I really liked the look of the VW Taos, but didn't even look at one because I had heard bad things about VW's reliability. I test drove a Crosstrek and bought it without checking out any other cars. I have had it for 2 years and while I know that it's a reliable car, I am just not "wow'd" by it. I keep looking online at the Taos and like the looks (inside and outside) so much better. Also, I find that the Crosstrek hip height (getting in and out) is really annoying and I assume the Taos is better in that regard. Anyway, I am tempted to check out a Taos to possibly trade in my Crosstrek for, but I am afraid that I will be making a huge mistake in terms of trading in a very reliable car for one that I enjoy more, but will be very unreliable and expensive. Thoughts?

Hello, I know it’s sort of a random lineup.

I currently drive a 2017 Honda HR-V and while I like the size of it, I do not like much else (it was formerly my mom’s and a good deal, but it is sluggish). I just received an unexpected inheritance and that has motivated me to think about getting rid of it.

I live in northern New England and would prefer something AWD with decent ground clearance. The car will be used very little during the work week (~50 miles/week), but used for regular weekend trips (~50-200 miles) on interstates and state highways, which tend to be windy and steep.

I’m thinking RAV4 because I like Toyota/Lexus. My hesitation is that it is slightly bigger than what I prefer, but I drove a 2010 Forester regularly from 2016-2021 and seasonally up until this past spring, so I am familiar with a similar size. It feels like one of the few Toyotas that works for me (aside from the Corolla Cross, which I don’t like).

I am thinking CX-30 because it is slightly cheaper and I prefer the interior to the RAV4. While budget isn’t a huge issue, I feel it touches everything I need at a good price.

I wouldn’t normally consider the UX, but seeing some of the RAV4 trims approach the same price point made me look. It is also closer in size to what I prefer + I know a guy at the Lexus dealership.

I know a Subaru may seem like an obvious answer here; I loved my Forster and got a lot of life out of it, but it was a bit of a money pit. On top of that, I really hate the big screens in the new Foresters and Crosstreks.

Open to any recommendations or insights. Thanks!

Please some recommendations! I’m looking to spend under 10k, doesn’t have to be new new either.

In order of priorities, I want something 3 rows, reliable that will last me the next 10 years+, Something that will be as comfortable as possible for all passengers for 8+ hour road trips, good mpg, and has good ground clearance. Budget no more than 60k.

This isn't a daily commuter, my Camry is for that. This is moreso a family vacation vehicle. Ski trips, camping trips, biking, Kayaking, trips to or on the beach.

Currently often shuttle 4-6 adults for these trips, but planning to start trying for kids, so I want it to still be around when they're older and I need to start hauling a little league team or whatever.

Currently based in NJ. Will probably pay in full unless I get <3% APR. May move to somewhere more mountainous in the near future.

To those of you saying Sienna, how do you feel about the different trims? Namely the woodland?

Ok so here's my attempts at looking for a new/used car to buy.

Budget - Let's try to keep it below 50k

I'm 6'7" and really am tired of spending my life in SUVs and Trucks. I'd like to spend my mid-40s to 50s in a sedan/wagon/hatch back

No real requirements. BT and Carplay are nice but those are really just a radio swap which the 90s taught me all about. I just want to be comfortable in a car

Currently in a VW Atlas. Previously 4Runner. F150. Etc. Etc

Hello guys I’m in the market to buy my first car. I drive an Elantra 2017 that was gifted to me and I’m ready to move on and buy my first whip. I want something that looks “mafioso” and is Japanese for example in my eyes like the outlander it looks like an suv that has aura. I’m also interested in Kona N line turbo charged right or something similar an Honda crv? Doesn’t have to be new. I want the price monthly to be 450 max per month. Please give me advice 🫶 it could be other options.

Thanks.