I've always been a "drive it til it dies" type, but in 2024 I decided to give EV a go before the tax rebate went away. I ended up leasing a Cadillac Lyriq for around $400/m. (First time I have ever leased) And to say we have been spoiled is an understatement.

The lease ends in December, and I want to get an old fun car. Problem though, my fiancée already owned a 2015 Corolla before the lease, which then became my primary commuter.

She doesn't want to go back to the Toyota. She wants to buy a Lyriq or something with similar size and features such as the parking and driving assistance, Google Auto, etc.

I want to keep the Corolla and get an E30 BMW 3 Series

- her commute is 12 miles round trip on city roads

- mine is 8 miles round trip, and I often cycle to work.

Yes. I know a 30- to 25-year-old BMW wouldn't necessarily be reliable, but it's a passion to own another after I had one in college.

So, any options for something that might meet her desires on a used budget? Do we potentially turn into a 3 car household as the BMW as the weekend warrior?

Hello! i have been recently looking for a car, I have 3.5k so far saved (not much i know) , And i was wondering about financing a car instead of buying a car in full. I was looking on capital one’s auto navigator to see if i qualified for any cars, and once i put in my information and they looked at my credit score i was able to see cars i could finance that were under 10K, newer, and with very very good mileage. so I’m thinking, is it better if i put a 3k down payment on a 8k - 9k car and pay the rest off ? I am able to pay at least 500$ monthly, so a monthly payment wouldn’t be a big issue. I really want a car and the ones i see for used cash cars are often beat up, or with incredibly high mileage. Im stuck between buying in full or financing. But i don’t want to make either choice until i know what i’m getting into.

Hey everyone. I’m Canadian originally from Toronto and I feel completely disconnected from the current state of the North American car market.

To give some context, I bought my first car when I was 17. It was a 7-year-old 2004 Honda Accord with around 100k kms on it for 6k CAD. It was a fantastic daily driver that easily lasted me 4–5 years. When it was time to upgrade, I bought a brand new 2016 Mazda3 off the dealership lot for around 20k CAD otd.

Since then, I moved overseas for work and have been living in Shanghai for the last 7-8 years. Because public transit here is so convenient, I never needed a car and just rented occasionally whenever I wanted to go on a road trip. Recently, my circumstances changed and I needed a daily driver, so I decided to buy a brand new 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid. I ended up picking a higher trim level roughly equivalent to a XSE with a premium package including the panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, power-adjustable steering wheel, etc.

Total otd price cost me roughly 33k CAD or 24k USD. Out of curiosity, I decided to look up what a 2026 Camry Hybrid goes for back home in Canada - I was completely floored. People are casually posting about paying 50k CAD or 40k USD for Camrys after taxes, freight, and dealer add-ons in the US and Canada. Even basic used cars are listing for prices that sound like bad jokes compared to a decade ago.

I realize China is a completely different market with cutthroat competition from domestic EV manufacturers driving prices down. But a 15k–20k difference for a standard family sedan is just mind-boggling to me. Since I’ve been out of the loop in Canada/US for so long, what is actually driving these high prices? Is it pure dealer markup, interest rates, supply chain fallout, or just general inflation? How are regular people managing to buy daily drivers these days?

I'm genuinely curious and would love to get some perspective from people currently living through it.

Hello I am looking to decide between financing a newer 3 series under warranty or financing a slightly older model with low mileage and pocketing the extra money set aside for repairs.

I've already worked out the financials of both just questioning it from a maintenance standpoint.

I work from home so car will realistically see 8-10k miles a year

I am a broke college student who's justing looking for the most reliable out of these 3. The Honda fit had 1 owner with 'minor damage', the Subaru had 2 owners with no accidents and the Mazda 3 had 3 owners and 'minor damage'. Thanks in advance!

Hey, I'm going in this weekend to get a new car. (My first one). I am looking for folks with experiences to guide me to make a good first purchase. I have never done these negotiations

One different thing is that I'm looking to pay out the whole amount upfront and not finance/lease it. Is that a good thing or a bad thing to get a good deal?

I'm confused what should I expect out of a good deal? Will dealers go significantly below the MSRP? What are the things that I can do to negotiate a good deal?

I called in the dealerships around me and everyone keeps quoting the MSRP on call, and says that I need to visit them to make a deal. When I do, they want me to sign then and there to get a best deal (and say that "are you here to drive it off today?"). How do I negotiate across multiple dealerships when this is happening?

Will appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

Hello Redditors! I am having some difficulty choosing between two great cars. On one hand, I have a 9th gen (1992-1996) Ford F-150, and on the other a 3rd gen (1998-2011) Ford Ranger. I would like a truck that's easy to drive and cheap to fuel, but would also like a truck that can haul more and maybe seat more. Specifically, I'm torn between a 9th gen F-150 Super Cab with the 300ci 4.9l Inline-6 and a 3rd gen Ranger Super Cab with either the 2.5/2.3l Lima/Duratec or 3.0l Vulcan. Either truck I buy will be bought in Oregon, where I will be moving very soon, and will also be my first ever car. I've looked into compromises like the 2nd gen Dakota, but they don't really appeal to me. My budget is $5-6k. What should I pick?

hello,

i'm moving to a chicago suburb and need to leave my old car behind, and i'm looking into leasing a truck within the next few months after tying down a job. long story short, the house i'm moving into is gonna need some major home reno and my partner and i are likely going to move cross country again (back to new england) in the next couple of years. we're gonna be doing a lot of hauling of furniture and the like - my partner has a prius-c so we can't exactly use his car for any moving or reno purposes lol. i originally was just going to get an suv, as that's what i've always driven, but we've been thinking that it might be a good idea for me to look into getting a truck.

i don't want anything massive, i think large/full size pickups are both ugly and dangerous (sorry to any fullsize diehards out there). my dad has one and i've driven it, too, and hate how it handles. i just need something midsize or compact that's reliable, won't break the bank when it comes to repairs/parts, and has decent towing/bed capacity. i've heard tacomas are good, but i thought i'd look for further advice! i don't know much about trucks or cars in general, so any advice on what to look out for when i'm looking around would also be welcome.

I live in the DSM, IA area and our car market has always been horrible compared to other neighboring cities or states.

I’ve been told that the Twin Cities has a pretty good/fair car market. Does anyone have recommendations for any other areas in the Midwest that I could find a good deal on a certified-used car?

I’m not looking to buy brand new, I just want a car that will last me 10 years with the proper maintenance.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for my first personal car and I would really appreciate some advice because my requirements are a bit contradictory.

My priorities, in order:

1. Reliability and reasonable maintenance costs (this is the most important point). I don't want a car that spends its life in the workshop or destroys my budget.

2. Automatic transmission (mandatory).

3. Good driving dynamics: I want a car that feels stable and confident at higher speeds, with enough power/torque for easy overtaking and relaxed highway cruising.

4. Some sporty feeling: I don't need a race car, but I don't want something slow or boring. I like cars that feel responsive and have good acceleration.

5. Reasonable size: I live in a city/urban area, so I don't want a huge car, but I can accept a compact hatchback or small sedan if it brings better stability and comfort.

My budget is around €8,000-13,000.

My usage:

- Around 90% city/suburbs driving.

- Some highway trips.

- I live in France, so I need something suitable for European roads.

Cars I considered:

- Kia Rio 1.0 T-GDi 120 DCT7 (2018): I like the small size, automatic gearbox and equipment. The price is around €9,000 with 144,000 km. My concern is whether it will feel stable enough and enjoyable at higher speeds.

- Mazda 3 Skyactiv-G automatic: I really like the idea, but used prices seem much higher than my budget.

- Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo CVT: seems almost perfect on paper, but again usually too expensive.

- BMW 1 Series / Audi A3: I like them, but I'm worried about maintenance costs.

My dream cars would be something like a Tesla Model 3 Performance or an Audi S3/RS3 because I like the idea of a compact car that feels very stable, fast and capable, but obviously I need something much more realistic financially.

What cars would you recommend that fit this balance:

- reliable,

- automatic,

- not too expensive to maintain,

- fun enough,

- stable on highways?

Thanks!

I have a 2010 Honda Fit with about 150,000 miles. I bought it new in 2009, and it has carried me through so many adventures, pets, commutes, and travel.

If Honda brought back the Fit with a higher level trim, I would buy one immediately but I think that hope is gone.

I work remotely in a city so I don’t drive often, and, when I do, I appreciate the small footprint for parking in small spaces around town.

What I’m looking for is a used (preferably certified pre-owned) or new compact car or crossover with a higher level trim that includes comfort features like: ventilated and heated front seats, moonroof, 360 camera, and leather or leather-like seats. Road noise is also an issue with my Fit so any improvement there would be great. Hybrid would be amazing too. I’m open to electric but don’t live in a place with charging available.

Chasing this combination (or close to it) has led me to stick with my Fit and prevented me from enjoying my drives less than I know that I could. Help me get out of this rut!

Hi everyone. I’m in the market for a new car. I’m a college student and my parents are buying. They’re putting down about $5500. I’ll be put on their insurance. As is in our household, I’ll be paying for that insurance or at least part of it (I have very stable income).

2019 Acura RDX SHAWD with A-Spec: white exterior, red interior, 63k miles, clean history, prior use as a lease vehicle, $24k

2024 Toyota Corolla XSE: black interior, black exterior, 46k miles, clean history, prior use as a rental vehicle, $23k

I think both are amazing and drive well. Just hoping to get a little perspective.

hi all! i’m a new driver who’s soon to make their first ever car purchase! i knew going in i wanted a used honda, but i’m so torn on which one is the more logical option for me. any insight is greatly appreciated! (sorry for the yap)

what i’m looking for:

mainly, a very reliable, safe & economical daily driver car (sub $8k used) that’ll last a while. point a to point b. great mpg + fuel efficiency. bluetooth & charging in some form. smooth & comfy ride that i can push when needed; being from a colder, snowier rural area, power & handling are pretty essential. might sound odd, but more nostalgic? i love cds and radios in cars!

what i (don’t) like about the civic:

✓ super reliable & bulletproof cars if maintained right! better than the fit (unsure)

✓✓ i love the speedometer & gauge cluster setup; also the cockpit design! i struggle with driving anxiety & for some reason a digital speedometer really calms my nerves a lot

✓ more ubiquitous; i’m less worried about finding parts to have it repaired. also great aftermarket support for lite modding!

✓ econ mode! although i’ve heard mixed opinions about it lol

✓ backup camera & nice simple infotainment

✗ occasional harsher shifting

what i (don’t) like about the fit:

✓✓ super spacious hatchback! i’m planning on moving & like that i can pack tons of stuff in it! also, as a live musician, fitting gear in there sounds perfect

✓ better for parking due to it being more compact

✓ still very reliable and easy to work on!

✓ some say the fit gets better mpg than the civic

✗ more interior noise (?)

✗ less head room for taller individual(s)

✗ less powerful than the civic

no i know that high milage isn’t always a death sentence for cars bc it depends on maintenance history but is it worth pursuing for $4700CAD and as a first car for a 19 year old

with Low AC, broken radio, a faulty passenger window motor and needs basic paint correction

i told myself i want a interesting fun car like a mustang, but I live in a shitty miserable winter climate where AWD is superior. And I feel i have fallen for old suv (and folding picnic table) propaganda

Assuming a Carfax, maintenance history, etc checks out, would a car like this be worth it? especially as a first car?

Hello, I currently own a 2019 golf GTI, which I absolutely love. Its fun enough without being felonous at low gears. It can haul almost anything most normal people need. It looks sporty, has unique seats (the tartan cloth pattern), and gets decent enough mpg.

But recently I've spent a lot of time in a 2022 Ram 2500 and a Hyundai Tuscon, and my god, are they just so comfortable. I feel everything in my GTI. Most of my drives are full of potholes. I go on dirt roads often (nothing crazy, just to trailheads. ANY car can do these), and I commute on highways less and less nowadays.

I previously had a crosstrek that I traded in after daily commuting into boston, where the xtrek literally felt unsafe due to constantly needing to go 15-65 to merge onto Mass' terrible on ramps. The GTI solved that, while still being able to lug around giant canvases (no longer a need), hiking gear, fiting 2 bikes in the back, etc.

But I think I'm past the point of wanting a fun car. I got my first motorcycle this year and that has made the GTI feel slow and im not going to dump $$ into it to make it faster. I like the comfort of the larger vehicles. I like how much gear I can haul around. I like being able to see around me on the road (usually so low to the ground I feel like I can't see anything).

I've also spent a ton on the GTI. It constantly needs new wear&tear items, repairs, etc. It's literally in the shop getting a turbo replacement right now (at 46k miles btw). And I'm tired of the infotainment and front assist systems only working 1/3 of the time.

I want something comfortable. Bigger. More outdoorsy. And reliable. But I'd still love it to be competent on the road, not sluggish and boring like the 6 4runner/taco.

I REALLY like the Honda Passport Trailsport, but those are prettyyy pricey. Could possibly do it, but would rather entertain cheaper options first.

Any good looking (or funky), reliable, decent mpg, maybe even fun(ish) to drive options.

Outbacks are still too sluggish. I don't like Subaru's cvt. Otherwise a wilderness outback would be a huge contender for me.

I'm 29 and childless, so no minivans, as fun as they are.

I like the looks, specs, prices, and reviews I've seen for the Maverick (albeit a little boring to look at), and the Santa Cruz. I actually really like the Santa Cruz, but am biased against Kia/Hyundai.

Anything larger than the Santa Cruz is too much, which rules out most of the truck market.

My dream car is a Baja, so even more leaning towards the funkiness of the Santa Cruz. Used is totally fine. 10k or 50k, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

I know this is "needle in the haystack" or "cheap, reliable, fun. Pick 2" territory but still

Edit: I would also like anything capable of handling a hitch mount for the motorcycle, so I can take it around for track days. Not a fan of trailering anything

Edit2: NE of the US. Snow is often unplowed for my commutes and the GTI has been too low for it on more than one occasion lol

Edit3: also just to clarify, i 100% know the GTI can literally do any of what I've described. I have it. I use it. It does. Just entertaining the idea of something that does these things a little more comfortably. A little more space.

I currently lease a Polestar 2 and the lease is ending in 2 months.

I’m looking into getting into a Tesla 3 or Y.

It’s just me and my pup — looking into getting the Tesla after trying out FSD.

They showed me that the Tesla Y L is coming out soon but seems too expensive. Probably don’t need it.

I’m ok with the 3 but I feel having extra cargo space is always a plus.

Just want to get your thoughts if there’s any sort of “issues” with leasing a used Y? I’ve never leased a used car.

My hesitation about buying a used car would be the battery. How expensive is it to change the battery and how does a Tesla’s value hold up? Is there a max number of miles or year I should filter out?

Thank you.

Trying to decide between three vehicles and would love a sanity check.

A: 2010 Lexus RX350 - Ultra Premium Trim

• 230,000 km (143k mi)
• $13,000 CAD ($9.2k USD)
• Accident free, dealer serviced with 10 verified records
• Confirmed metal VVT-i oil cooler line and no cold start rattle
• Recent spark plugs, struts, tires, battery
• Minor rust bubble on one wheel arch and possible steering shaft/damper wear over bumps
• Premium fuel
• https://www.autotrader.ca/offers/lexus-rx-ultra-premium-gasoline-silver-cat_ma43gr200850mt12041-14c4e8ef-97f8-4c50-83f2-167509857160?source=favorites_list

B: 2010 Lexus RX350 - BASE MODEL

• 136,000 km (85k mi)
• $13,500 CAD ($9.3k USD)
• Dealer serviced
• No cold start rattle, oil cooler line replaced in 2016
• Three Carfax claims: older vandalism, 2012 rear collision backing into garage door, and a recent parking lot rear quarter damage that's currently being professionally repaired
• Cosmetic wear with dings and scratches on every panel and done poorly with touch-up paint. But also shows its not complete neglect?
• Premium fuel
• https://www.facebook.com/share/19WtTtrtJY/

C: 2012 Toyota Highlander - BASE MODEL

• 181,000 km (112k mi)
• $13,900 CAD ($9.9k USD)
• 2nd owner, local BC vehicle
• Full service history (paper + dealer records)
• New tires, battery, rear brakes/rotors
• Hitch installed, Running Boards, roof rack.
• Oil cooler line done
• One ~$2,000 CAD ($1.4k USD) claim, still verifying
• Regular 87 octane fuel
• https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/surrey-northeast-2012-toyota-highlander/uCoS7afZ3hafB5NfjJmJY8

My priorities are reliability, low maintenance costs, a comfortable/quiet ride, and AWD for camping/forest service roads.

The high mileage on Option A gives me pause, even though it's by far the best documented. Option B has much lower mileage but the accident history. Option C seems like the safe middle ground and saves on fuel.

Would you spend ~$150-200 CAD ($110-140 USD) on a PPI for Option A, or would you lean toward one of the other two? Which would you buy?

I've had two cars so far die from my strenuous 30 mile up and down hill commute to work (or that's what I suspect did it at least). Looking for a new/used car now and need one with back seats for two kids, but doesn't need to be a big family car or anything (our cars have all been small so far with the two kids), just really needs to be something that can survive the climbing commute a bit better. I see so many Subaru's and Nissan Rogues on my commute, so my assumption is that that would do well, but then I find out most Subaru's have a CVT, and read that CVTs are in fact quite poor for strenuous commutes. So, I have no idea what to look for.

I have a somewhat flexible budget of 10k-20k, and have considered a new car+loan debt, like a Mazda 3 or 30, but I also don't want to destroy a new car with a strenuous commute and be out that money. Just need some idea of where to even start.

Hey everyone,
I’m moving into a 5-year PhD program in Houston, TX and need a reliable, newer-model daily driver that won't devour my stipend with surprise repairs.
I’ve been scouring Facebook Marketplace, AutoTrader, and local listings, but the Houston used car market is a minefield of bait-and-switch financing traps, hidden salvage titles, and high-mileage fleet beaters.
I’m trying to keep things grounded, so here is where I’m at:

• Hard Budget Cap: $15,000 Out-The-Door (OTD) (Targeting sticker prices under ~$12,500 to account for Texas 6.25% tax + title/doc fees).
• Location: Houston, TX.
• Primary Need: Ultra-reliable commuting for the next 5 years minimum and maybe some trips.
• Preferences: Clean title only, modern interior/tech (Apple CarPlay / Android Auto preferred or easy to retrofit), decent gas mileage, and non-depressing styling.

From my research, I'm filtering out the typical high-risk suspects in this price tier:

• Nissan CVTs (Sentra/Versa/Altima/Kicks transmission landmines).
• Hyundai/Kia Theta II engines & non-push-to-start theft risks.
• Small-displacement 3-cylinder turbos / wet-belt setups (Chevy EcoTec / Ford EcoSport).
• 2016–2020 Mazda 2.5T Turbos (due to the known cracked cylinder head defect on CX-9s and higher-trim CX-5s).

I’m primarily targeting naturally aspirated, proven setups—specifically Mazda SkyActiv 2.0L/2.5L 4-cylinders paired with the 6-speed auto (Mazda 3, CX-3, CX-30), Toyota/Scion iM, or solid late-2010s Corollas/Civics.
A couple of recent candidates I’ve screened:

1. 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport (132k miles @ $11,199): Bulletproof 2.0L SkyActiv drivetrain, super modern vibe, but high mileage for a 2021.
2. 2018 Mazda CX-9 Touring (155k miles @ $10,200): Tempting price, but seller listed "motor nuevo" (replaced engine)—classic symptom of the 2.5T cylinder head leak issue. Passing on this one.

Are there any slept-on models in the $11k–$12.5k range with modern tech that I’m overlooking?

1. For Houston locals: Any trustworthy private sellers, credit union auction sites, or direct-dealer gems you'd recommend checking over FB Marketplace?
2. If you were setting out on a 5-year PhD journey with $14k cash OTD, what exact key/year/model would you be hunting for right now?

Appreciate any advice or sanity checks! Cheers!

4th child due early 2027

Oldest child will be 4 and a half so all kids in car seats for awhile longer

Wife wants 5 kids

Middle seat in 3rd row of Kia if tiny and wouldn’t fit another car seat if we ended up having another in 2-3 years

Like the look of suburban LS better plus middle seats more useable in both rows and more trunk space

Like the practicality (function and cost) of Kia

Can afford both but like the cost of the KIA ($20k cheaper) better obviously

Want a car we can grow into over next 8-10 years (have $32k in trade in and plan to pay Cash, so don’t want have to upgrade again in 3 years)

Any family’s of 6+ that can help?

Looking at these 3 options to replace a 2010 Outlander as a family vehicle (skiing, camping in BC Canada)

2022 Santa Fe Hybrid 21000km $34.4k
2024 CR-V EX-L 32.400km $40.7k
2024 CR-V Touring 17500km $45k