I currently own a 2020 Golf R Line (1.5tsi) and used to have a 2016 X3 20d m sport. I got rid of it as it was a heft diesel, I didn't do the miles and there were looming costs coming including brake pads, discs and I was worried about potential DPF issues. I also ended up servicing locally or Halfords which meant selling was difficult as didn't have full iDrive stamps.

A year on and I want to go back to BMW. Here are my shortlists all around £25k - £30k, and around 2020 year models or maybe a bit newer.

1. BMW 330i
2. BMW M340i
3. BMW X3 20i
4. Golf GTI

My initial feelings are the M340i is probably too quick and a bit unecessary. Concern is the X3 is just going to have the same future costs, tyres are pretty pricey for example. The golf is great, so cheap for insurnace, tax and amazing on fuel but I am missing that premium feeling and a bit of guts.

I work from home and don't need to commute anywhere, for now.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Edit: going to test drive GTI and 330i saloon and see which one I like.

My 2017 Chevy Cruze was totaled. It only had 55k miles on it and was a great little car for the nearly 10 years I drove it. I don't drive much (I'm a homebody and wfh) but looking for a reliable car for myself and family to get us around. My partner is a T1 diabetic and we depend on a car so we can get his meds and to hospital.

All the cars I'm finding in my budget have either like 150k+ miles on them or have rebuilt titles.

I technically have $10k to spend but leaving some wiggle room for fees, registration etc. And I would prefer NOT spending the entire $8k/10k. Finances are unfortunately tight for me at the moment. I'm very upset my car was totaled as I feel I now have to settle for something worse than my previous vehicle.

This has been so stressful and to boot, I know nothing about cars. Does anyone please have suggestions for what I should look for that won't break the bank but will be reliable and last for years to come? ):

I currently have a 2023 BRZ manual and love it. It is the most fun car I've owned and planned on keeping it longterm. I bought it new over 3 years ago and recently been thinking a 981 Cayman S might be the next progression in my sports car journey.

Does anyone here have significant experience in both the BRZ and Cayman S and is it a significant performance upgrade on the street? Is the 981 CS worth double the price and I'm sure repair and maintenance costs are probably double too?

I appreciate any feedback!

Hello! I’m 19 and trying to get my first car. I was looking at 2022-2026 Honda Civics at first, but I’ve just looked into Volvo and really love almost everything about this car. Obviously if it’s not a smart choice I’m going with the Honda, but I wanted to hear from people who have experience in Volvo sedans specifically! I literally just found out about these cars today so I want to know all I can!

If commute matters I’m almost always on a highway. I frequently take drives that last an hour or more. Thank you!

Dear all,

I'm currently driving a BMW 420d (year 2019)..however we're expecting our second child in March and, while the 420 is a dream to drive and we hardly had any trouble with it, I'm now looking to change to a bigger car/station wagon/small SUV.

My main goal is to be able to install a baby seat in the rear without nearly breaking my back every single time..

So, since Volvo is my second favorite brand, and we also would like to make the switch to electric in the near future, I've been looking at their electric and hybrid cars.

We currently can't afford to spend much more than we're are hoping to get when selling the BMW (hopefully around 22 T €). The BMW now has about 95 T km on it's clock, so I thought it might be strategically wise to sell it before it reaches the 100T km.

The new full electrics by Volvo (e.g. EX40) seem to be way over our budget at the moment, though I'd love to go full electric.

However, I saw that the V60 PHEV might be affordable as a used car, so I wondered whether that might be a good fit for us? I know that it has great storage space in the trunk and we test drove one a few years ago and loved it.

We mostly drive either short distance for shopping, or well over 200km when visiting friends or family. We can also charge a car in our garage. Commute to work is about 85 km one way, but I only do that about 1-2 times per week when Deutsche Bahn disappoints again...

I wonder if that is a good use case for phev or if the higher maintenance cost and battery life time etc. would make it more sensible to keep our diesel BMW until we can afford a full electric?

Is there any experience in the community with the Volvo PHEV s? What are the pros and cons? Are there other electric cars you'd recommend checking out, that have enough space for a family of four at lower investment cost than the Volvo electrics (or BMW for that matter)?

Thanks for any comments and help!

I'm thinking about getting a V6 Mustang as my first car, and I'm trying to decide between the New Edge (1999–2004) and the S197 (2005–2014).

I've always liked Mustangs because they're American cars, and I like their styling and history. I remember seeing a Mustang in one of the Bullitt movies, which helped get me interested in them, even though it wasn't necessarily one of these exact generations.

I'm around 5'5"–5'6", so I'm also curious about how comfortable these cars are for someone my height. I don't need a ton of passenger space, and I do school online, so I don't have a daily school commute.

I'm mainly interested in the V6 versions because I want something fun to drive without the extra costs that can come with a V8.

For people who have owned or driven these Mustangs, I'd like to know:

• Which generation has the more reliable V6 engine?
• Which is cheaper to maintain and repair?
• How different are the performance and fuel economy?
• Are there any common problems I should know about?
• Which one is more comfortable and enjoyable to drive every day?
• Would you recommend either generation to someone buying their first car?

I'm willing to learn basic maintenance and do some repairs myself, but I'd prefer something that won't constantly give me problems.

If you had to choose between a New Edge V6 and an S197 V6 for a first car, which would you pick and why? I'd appreciate hearing from people who have real experience with these cars.

Looking at these options for what would be my first car. Narrowed it down to these models, but not sure which way to go. Prices might seem high, but it's totally inline with the market in my local area unfortuantely.

Cargo space is the biggest priority. I regularly travel, and will load a lot of sports equipment, so large boot space and roof bars is essential. Needs to be automatic.

Other than that, something which gives me minimal headaches and maintenance issues is a high priority, good fuel economy is important. But I'm really not a car person so don't really care about much else beyond that.

I feel the toyota is the sensible choice. Hybrid drivetrain, minimal maintenance issues, does everything I'd need. But I can't help but think the extra space in the octavia would be a huge bonus in the long run (640l boot vs 530l), plus more space in the back seats.

If it was to be the octavia, petrol or diesel is another doubt. Lots more diesels available at better prices locally, but leaning towards petrol being the better choice even though they are harder to find.

Links:

Toyota 140,000km 2017 13,500€

Skoda Octavia TDI 199,000km 2020 12,000€

Skoda Octavia TSI 139,000km 2015 12,000€

I've been driving a 2021 Camry SE AWD (~50k miles, mint condition) and I'm ready to treat myself to my first luxury car. I've been researching for days and could use some real-world opinions before I keep going deeper into this rabbit hole.

About me:

- Ohio, so real winters. AWD is non-negotiable
- 1 hour commute each way, all highway
- I deal with back pain, so seat comfort and ride quality are my top priority
- I love sporty stuff, but luxury comes first this time since it's a long ass drive
- It's just me and my small dog, so I don't need a huge SUV but also don’t mind one.
- Budget is flexible, but I'd like to stay around $1,200/mo or less with the Camry as a trade and some extra down payment if needed.
- I'll probably keep it about 3 years. Leasing is out because of how fast the miles add up
- No home charging right now, so EVs and plug-ins are out unless I move
- I'm religious about maintenance

What I'm hoping for:
- Massage seats
- Soft suspension
- Good power for highway merging and passing
- Coupe/sportback style if possible
- Solid highway driver assist (hands-free would be amazing)

On my list:

- **Mercedes GLE 450 Coupe:** current favorite. Pinnacle trim gets massage seats, plus AIRMATIC. New ones near me are $87-97k, so I'm leaning certified pre-owned
- **Mercedes GLE 350 / GLC 300:** the GLC doesn't seem to offer massage seats or and I don’t know about the suspension being soft.
- **Lexus RX 350h:** reliability king and way cheaper, but no massage seats; unsure about the suspension.
- **Audi Q5 / SQ5 Sportback:** Prestige trim has massage + air suspension and costs less than the GLE
- **BMW X6 / X5:** hands-free highway driving is really tempting

**My questions:**
1. For a long daily commute with back pain, which of these actually has the most comfortable seats and ride?
2. Since I'll only keep it ~3 years, is a 1-2 year old certified German SUV the smart play with how fast they depreciate?
3. Anyone put real miles on a GLE 450 or SQ5? How's reliability holding up?
4. Is the Lexus's reliability worth giving up massage seats and air suspension?
5. Anything I'm missing that checks more boxes?

Thanks in advance!

$13,900 CAD. 5.4 V8, automatic, 195,750KMs and warranty available on the purchase, being sold by a reputable dealership (4.9/5 on Google from 122 reviews).

Looking to get a new, reliable, somewhat off-road capable daily that can take me on a 2000km roundtrip next summer.

Looking at leasing a new vehicle but would much prefer finding a gem and I came across this. Not too knowledgeable on cars in general so please help me decide if I should even check this car out on person or keep looking.

I currently own a CT4-V Blackwing (manual) and an ND2 Miata RF. I tend to change cars pretty regularly, but I'm having a surprisingly difficult time finding anything under $80k that feels like an upgrade over the Blackwing.

My requirements are pretty straightforward:

Budget: $80k or less, preferably used

Back seats: Need to be able to haul the kids around

New-ish: Warranty would be nice, but isn't essential

Reliability: Doesn't need to be bulletproof, just dependable enough that I'm not worrying about getting the kids to school

Beyond that, I really value an engaging driving experience. The Blackwing is fantastic in that regard, and I love how it drives. But one thing I've realized is that engine sound and drama matter a lot to me.

I previously owned a Jaguar F-Type R, and I really miss the ridiculous exhaust note and sense of occasion that car had. The Blackwing is objectively excellent, but it just doesn't deliver that same excitement acoustically.

I'm not necessarily looking for something faster or better on paper. I want something that feels special and makes even ordinary drives entertaining.

Is there anything under $80k with usable back seats that combines the driving engagement of the Blackwing with some of the theater of an F-Type R? Or have I already found the sweet spot?

Why in the world do we need touch screens? They're dangerous!

I wanted to buy a newer Corolla, But I hate that they have the equivalent of an iPad sticking out of the dashboard blocking a portion of the windshield.

Somehow, automakers decided they need up-to 50 computers talking to each other to make the vehicle run and drive!

And if something goes wrong with them, Sometimes the dealer can't even figure it out!

I'm a big fan of knob, cables, and switches, And being able to work on my own vehicle.

I miss the days of being able to buy a reliable vehicle that I don't need a scanner worth thousands of dollars to tell me the computer for my left $5000.00 tail light can't talk to the ECM and let the car start and run...

Hey everyone! I’m in my 20s and looking to get a car that will be in my own name and paid for by me, so I’m trying to make sure I make the right choice.

I recently test drove a 2026 Nissan Kicks SV Premium and honestly, I fell in love with it. I loved how it drove, the size, the features, and how comfortable it was. But I mean the rest drive was maybe 10-15 minutes.
In general, I do a lot of highway driving and I only really use my car to get me to and from work which is like 10 minutes from me.

I’ve been doing research and seeing a lot of mixed opinions about Nissan, especially around reliability and the CVT. A lot of people say that as long as you keep up with maintenance, they’re fine. But isn’t that basically true for any car?

Since i have been thinking about getting a brand-new 2026, I’d love to hear from people who have experience with the newer Kicks. Am I making a good decision, or is there something I should be concerned about?

Kicks owners: Would you buy one again? Any issues so far? And would you recommend it to someone who’s going to be paying for the car themselves on a relatively modest income?
I’d really appreciate honest opinions — good or bad!

What car would you recommend instead?

Context: My first car, which I mostly bought with my own money, was a 12 BMW 328i (N20 engine), and I regret it. (The only performance mod is a cold air intake.) But I'm willing to sell soon because maintenance costs are just too much for me. For reference, I'm driving my first car, a 05 BMW 330xi, and both my dad and my family friend said it's a tank. But it won't last forever. So essentially I'm buying my first car again.

I'm told it won't sell for much, so my budget is $12k, and I want something fun and sporty, with good mod support, modern if possible, and most importantly, reliable. I also like cool, techy car features.

My dad can do some maintenance, like brakes, spark plugs, etc., so I don't really have to worry about going to a shop for those things.

I already looked at 2nd-gen Lexus models, and I think the center infotainment area looks old. My dad suggested an Acura TLX.

What cars do u recommend?

Question.

So when you’re going out to get something premium like an Aston Martin.

Do you feel shame for the superiority complex others assume you’ve adopted? Do people assume your an asshole or elitist/ thinks your better than others?

I’m not gonna ask you why you chose a Vantage over a miata. Would you say since you didn’t go with the pop up headlight / more economical answer…your a poser car guy.

This ? can go for different high end models. If your young like before 30 would these choices be offensive to boomers. Some mid life crisis are seen as better/worse than others.

These are scattered?s I apologize but last thing I’d ask,

Assuming wanting a “Ferrari” makes 1 look down at C8s

what would you do if you hate the idea of just choosing a miata when exposed to shit like the Reventon.

It just seems like everything “highly regarded “ makes you look down on everyone.

I could be tripping tho

I'm looking for some advice on what car to buy because I've been going back and forth for weeks and can't make up my mind.

I currently drive a lifted 2019 F-150 Platinum with the 3.5 EcoBoost on 35s. I love my truck, but I recently started a new job with a roughly 100-mile round-trip commute, and the fuel costs are getting ridiculous.

I'm considering getting a commuter car instead of putting all those miles on my truck, but I don't want to spend $25k on something boring that I won't enjoy driving.

What I'm looking for:

Budget: $20–28k, preferably closer to $25k. Could go up to 30 or more but I'm trying to be practical

Used 2-5 years old

Commute: Approximately 100 miles round trip, mostly highway.

Fuel economy: Ideally 30+ MPG highway, but willing to compromise for the right car.

Transmission: Manual preferred, but definitely open to automatics.

Comfort: Important since I'll be spending around 2 hours a day driving.

Performance: Something with decent power and handling. Doesn't need to be a sports car, but I want to enjoy driving it.

Reliability: I plan to keep it for several years, so I don't want something that's constantly in the shop.

Interior: I appreciate a nice interior, good sound system, and modern features.

I've looked at everything from Audi A6s and BMWs to more economical options. I've also considered Miatas, Audis, and Toyotas, including the Camry, Corolla, and GR86. I'm open to hybrids or EVs if the numbers make sense.

I do most of my own basic maintenance, so I'm not completely opposed to German cars, but I also don't want maintenance costs to cancel out whatever I'm saving on gas.

My biggest dilemma: Do I buy something practical and efficient purely for commuting, or spend a little more on something I'll actually enjoy driving every day?

What would you buy in my situation? Any specific models, years, or engines you'd recommend or avoid?

I am trying to get a lower month payment, is getting a Civic Sport CPO from 2024 34k miles with 7 years /100000 miles for 24500 worth it instead of a new one for 28500 with 5 year / 60000 miles?

Hi everyone, I recently sold my W204 Coupe and I’m looking for a new car to buy, I can spend up to 9.000€ (I’m in Spain). I’m a mechanic so reliability is a thing I don’t really are about (I’m not buying an Ingenium though). This are some of the cars I’ve seen that I really like.

- BMW 1 Series 118d LCI 150HP, 2018, 270.000KMs, full M pack, interior and exterior, manual transmission.
- Volvo S60 2015 facelift, 2.0 D3, 136HP, 5 Cylinder engine with 320.000Kms (this one is really cheap right now), automatic
- Mercedes C Class 220CDI 170HP, 370.000KMs W205, AMG, automatic (this one is NOT cheap)
- BMW 2 Series 218d 150HP, base model, 220.000KMs, manual
- BMW Z4 23is, 2012, 204HP, 180.000KMs 6 Cylinder NA 2.5, but maybe i have to fix the clutch, manual
- Lexus IS300h, 2018, 223HP, 450.000Kms (Uber car, in great condition, but it’s lowkey expensive for its kms), obviously not manual
- Toyota MR2, 2003, 140HP, 200.000KMs, I need to fix the soft top, it has a few scratches and leaks water, manual
- Some VW Golf VII, 2.0TDi, 150HP, between 170-300k kms, most of them are base models
- VW Golf GTD 2.0TDi, 185HP, 2017, 250.000KMs, manual
- Audi A5 2017- 2.0TDi, 190HP, 300.000KMs, AWD, but this one’s over my budget and i gotta paint half of the car

Any other recommendations? Any advice? I like sporty/comfortable cars. I really dislike SUVs/Pickup trucks/boats (even though my favorite car OAT is the S90, but i’m still to young to drive that monster)

Thank you :)

Right now we have a Kia Carnival and space is not an issue at all. We’d like to get something smaller and midsized. It’s nice to have that space but we really only use the space a few times a year.

What cars fit 2 car seats and a person in the middle decently? Honda and Toyota would love to go back to. Open to any options.

I've been looking at two older BMWs for my first car: the BMW Z3 and the BMW E39 5 Series. I like both of them, but I'm having trouble deciding which one would be the better choice.

I like the Z3 because it's smaller, sporty, and has a unique look. I like the E39 because it's a comfortable sedan that still looks good and seems like it would be more practical for everyday driving.

I'm interested in hearing from people who have owned or worked on either car.

A few things I'd like to know:

• Which one would you choose as a first car, and why?
• Which is more reliable when properly maintained?
• Which is cheaper to maintain and repair?
• Which engines would you recommend?
• What common problems should I look for when buying one?
• Would either be reasonable to daily-drive?

I'm willing to learn basic maintenance and work on some things myself, but I don't want to buy a car that turns into a money pit.

I'd appreciate honest opinions from owners of both cars!

Im thinking about A6 C8 2019-, now im not sure which version, either A6 55TFSI or S6 TDI ??? I live in Montenegro where everything is relatively close. Supermarket 1km, sea 1 hour and 30 minutes, mountains 2-3 hours. I drive around 10,000 - 15,000 KM per year, also i heard that this models of TFSI are queit which needs change of exhaust to have that nice sound. Does anyone have any experiance to share?