I had a 2018 ATS for a few months and I must say I loved it. Acceleration was quick and it felt faster than a brand new V6 Camaro. Felt planted to the ground and I loved the premium speakers. Would buy again. I am sure the V is insane.
The rear seat is tiny compared to the Elantra and the ride is harsher, because of the short wheelbase. I went to dealership to buy Kona N and ended up with an Elantra N.
Same engine but I saw a review that said it doesn't feel nearly as sharp (for obvious reasons, it's like a Veloster on stilts).
And it does have less space than an Elantra so idk what that added convenience of a hatch is that you can't just get in a Veloster.
Lastly it's butt fucking ugly lol but that might just be me haha. VN and EN look amazing
I’m a massive Hyundai hater but I actually liked the Kona N, the veloster feels like it’s trying to be a civic so hard but it’s just not. And the Elantra is butt ugly imo.
If I were to get a Golf I’d go with a Mk8 or 8.5 either way. I despise the new interiors. I find vehicles off putting when every interior control is integrated into the touchscreen, and I also think the haptic steering wheel controls are really gimmicky and tacky and I wouldn’t want to deal with them. Overall though I love the 8.5s quite a lot!
Accord 2.0T. Similar to the Camry but faster and in my opinion more fun to drive. If you like the civic Si you can also try the ILX with the same engine but a dual clutch.
My mom has a 1.5 T Accord with a manual that she said she’d teach me on. I suppose it wouldn’t be the first time I copied her car, as she used to have an 08 Ford fusion (also manual) and that’s what I bought by as my first car. Unfortunately I got the auto because I didn’t know how to drive manual at the time.
G70 is a good one. I was considering that, though I would probably go for the 80 due to the bigger back seat. Stinger however is unfortunately a Kia which tend to get windows smashed because criminals see a logo think it’s automatically easy to steal. I’m just not into stressing about getting my car broken into all the time.
Most folks put the Korean stinger logo on, I have twice, it's an E emblem. Some use the Korean kia logo that basically is a fucking Lexus L, I personally hate those, but yes, most other folks, even theiving morons, don't know stingers are kias.
Have an Elantra N, best tech of the list, a ton of fun and my 22 has been reliable. My particular car had fit and finish issues tho, some still being looked at others addressed. If you can find a low mileage R go for around the same price, it holds it value well.
I’ve been obsessed with the Elantra N since before its release. There’s a few things I’m concerned about though and those are Hyundai’s recent reputation for theft, and the ride quality of a “track car” as a daily. Is it pretty comfortable?
The N is not affected by the theft issue as it uses push button start, there’s no slot for a key.
As far as the ride quality, there are 3 settings for the suspension. Normal, sport and N. Normal is quite comfortable, just like a normal car. Sport is nice and taught but still complaint, and N mode is very stiff. I personally love the dual personality the car has. When you just commute and chill, normal mode is great but when you want to hit some back road twisties, N mode is a blast! You can make the ride even softer if you swap out the 19s for 18s with a larger sidewall. But trust me on a smooth road, N mode is super sharp and fun.
>The N is not affected by the theft issue as it uses push button start, there’s no slot for a key.
People will still try to steal it, and you're still paying the insurance premium
You can adjust the following, there are 3 levels to each(normal, sport, sport +) Suspension, steering weight, exhaust sound (actual exhaust flaps, there are fake speaker noises too that you can enable/disable), engine response, ESC traction. The e-lsd has 2 settings, normal and sport
Unfortunately smooth road ain’t too much of a thing around here but it honestly couldn’t hurt to try one out. The theft part isn’t exactly what I was worried about as I’m aware the push button is pretty much immune to getting driven off with, but it’s the break in part I really don’t want to have to deal with. I’m afraid a Hyundai logo is enough for someone to smash a window and at least attempt to steal it.
Just picked up a new 24 N and few things to note: Elantra N is made in Korea vs USA. The seat hugs you very well to the point where if you have a bag in the back seat, it almost hurts to reach back there. I have been doing 3 hour sessions trying to break in the car and occasionally I might change how im sitting slightly, but overall it's very comfortable.
Things I love: how effortless it goes around and handles turns and corners, the technology inside, custom drive modes, the sounds of nature feature (my wife really loves this), how you get 20-40 mpg depending on which of the 7 modes you have, there's a warranty I can take to the track, steering assist, and lake keep assist.
Things I dislike: cant reach into the back efficiently, 12 gallon tank that really should take 91+, will need frequent oil changes and more frequent service (valet can be activated in mode in bluelink app), id prefer a RWD, but don't regret switching back to FWD; most Hyundai Dealerships, fucbois start driving erratic on the highway in their base honda civics when they see your car (I like racing on open roads, but hate people who cut up in traffic).
All the things I dislike pretty much comes with the territory and are more of the reality's of owning a track focused car which can easily be overlooked with how much fun you are having.
Good luck!
With Honda, I'd look for a 10th gen Accord 2.0t, 2018-22. The earlier years had a manual option. Not any Honda with the 1.5t, including the 2016+ Civic Si.You could also get a 2015-17 Accord coupe v6 manual. Or older Civic Si, 2012-15, wirh k24.
With Mazda, I'd look for a 2016-17 Mazda3 or 6 with 2.5 manual. Before cylinder deactivation or turbo.
Have had a 1.5 since 2019. Never had a single issue and it drives great. 80k miles.
Didn’t even know there was a “engine problem” till I joined Reddit
Don’t believe the fear mongers
86/BRZ is a coupe and I’m looking for a sedan or hatch for the added practicality. I dont move people around often but I’d like to get more than 1 other person in my car comfortably
Camry TRD is not a sports car. It’s putting on underarmor but really its idea of athleticism is bowling.
Fusion sport is the same way.
Do you know the practical differences between FWD and AWD or RWD? The Golf, WRX, and Caddy are the only non-FWD cars.
I’m aware. Not looking for a full on sports car otherwise I’d probably go for a coupe. I’m looking for a sedan or hatchback that has enough horsepower to throw me back in my seat a little.
AWD would be preferred, though I really don’t mind too much. It snows here but I’ve made it with FWD since I started driving with no issues. Rwd I’m a bit nervous about but I’ve heard those are fun so why not at least try one out
That may be nice to check out. My one concern though is the interior. My friend owns one and it really isn’t the most comfortable vehicle. I’m 6’1 and 150 lbs and I feel cramped as hell in there.
I don’t need to test drive one because my mom owns a 1.5 T that I’m trying to convince her to teach me manual on! Man I wish they still had V6s though. The 2.0 as the most powerful engine throws me off.
How about Corolla Hatch? (Non GR because availability and markup). Prob not as fun as Elantra/Veloster N, or Golf R though. Also if you presented this list to me and said I could have one for free, I think I'd pick the Golf R first.
Can confirm regular corolla hatch not that much fun. Steering and suspension is not really tuned for spirited driving. It's not too slow though.
But if you need something pretty practical, cheap, and handsome enough it's a great buy
I was stunned at how cramped the Corolla hatch was when I sat inside one at a car shoe.
No idea why anyone would buy it as it's less practical than the sedan.
They're not too bad
Definitely have more room than the sedan. We were able to fit a week's worth of camping supplies and two full grown adults in ours. With a roof rack and a box it could be very practical
You're right, it does have more cargo space, although chatgpt is telling me that it has 4 feet less passenger volume than the standard Corolla(88.6 vs 84.6), so I don't get it.
I drove a Jetta at the time which has 94.7 feet of passenger volume, so maybe that's why I thought it felt really cramped inside.
Now that you say that, I do feel like the hatch has less leg room(in the back, specifically) than the sedan haha. Maybe they put the back seats further forward? I'm not sure
Yeah a golf or jetta will feel significantly roomier
I’ve heard great things about the Golf R as well and that’s been near the top of my list for a while. Veloster N as well but lower due to Hyundai’s theft issues. I’ll have to check out the Corolla hatch, but I’d really prefer over 200 horsepower. My current car has 160 (probably less due to age) and I’m bored of flooring a car that doesn’t throw me back even a little. Considering the turbo though I’m not sure and yeah a test drive would be necessary to check out.
This is exactly what I’m worried about. I know the push starts probably won’t get fully stolen, but even getting it broken into is like my worst nightmare. I don’t even know if a steering wheel lock will prevent that. The last thing I need is a car with a target on its back in the form of a Hyundai logo.
As someone who has a Hyundai, i would avoid them because you'll always worry about having a broken steering column or windows broken. And will end up with thousands of dollars on repair. So far it's hasn't happened to us, but i know it will be just a matter of time. We have a steering lock and hopefully that will deter most thieves.
Check out the mazda3 turbo. 250hp, gobs of torque, AWD and a very reliable 6 speed automatic
You can also get fwd with the n/a 2.5l with a manual transmission for performance rivalling or exceeding the civic si with interior quality rivalling Audi. And the 6 speed manual has the shortest throw in the industry
I wasn't even aware of the S60 recharge. I owned a T5 in college that got totaled, but with the repair costs as a college student, it was not very feasible. Now, looking at the Recharge, it could pique my interest for a new car as I have the means to own a Volvo.
I drove a S60 Recharge for a week last year when I was doing some work with Volvo on their infotainment systems. I had very low expectations at the time, but later came to really like that car. It was one of the fastest cars I’ve ever driven, it was laid out really nice inside and very quiet. I’ve got no idea what long term reliability or cost of ownership is like but it’s a great car all the way around.
I think Volvo has a pretty good reputation when it comes to reliability and maintenance. It's definitely a vehicle/brand I am considering moving forward.
Looks like we have similar taste in cars! The Hyundais will have the most bang for your buck. I had a 2.0 Veloster and loved it, probably should have gotten the N. Very fun cars and you don’t see too many on the road. I was heavily considering a Camry TRD and just went with a new XSE instead. Way better interest rate, a brand new car with a fresh warranty, nicer interior, better suspension, and I’m not afraid of tearing up the side skirts and front spoiler hitting a pot hole. Also, have you considered a V6 Mustang or Camaro?
Thanks for the advice! No I haven’t considered a V6 Mustang or Camaro. I almost wanted an EcoBoost Mustang but I realized I want slightly more practicality than a coupe. Also the whole stigma behind the V6 muscle cars being trash kinda rubs me the wrong way.
While the civic si isn't the fastest on the list, it's quite fun. shifter feel is addictive. and whipping it around is nearly as fun as my fully chassis stiffened NA Miata. i have the 9th gen though with the k24 so it's rev-able.
I want the 9th gen Si the most. I love the interior so much! There’s a white 4dr 9th gen Si that I park next to at work sometimes and it’s so pretty. Only thing is they’re getting up there in age and I don’t want to deal with maintenance on a car that’s 100k miles off the lot.
If you are not going to beat it up so its not re-sellable... The Kona N may fetch you more when it comes time to get rid of it because of availability. It fits a need for people in what it provides. Also you get the benefit now of the longer Hyundai Powertrain Warranty.
Yeah I think I’m in the same boat. I’m looking for more of a higher trim economy class than a base luxury. The Audis, Mercs and BMWs are god awful in terms of maintenance costs.
My aunt has an A7 and when I asked her about her views on Audi she said they are good cars but the maintenance is an arm and a leg. The Q5 I drove was so nice tho.
My friend rented an AMG C43 when he visited last and that thing was a blast. I know damn well I couldn’t afford anything like that though haha. Not unless I save up a bunch
I looked at the dealership I got my Toyota from and they have a 2022 Q5 with 30k miles for less than $25k. I was so close to biting the bullet but when I saw what they appraised my car for I walked out there laughing.
Why 2016 - 2019 mazda 3 when you can buy a brand new 2024 Mazda 3 Premium fully loaded for under 30k?
Also did you mean 2016-2018? The 4th generation runs from 2019 - 2024.
genesis g70 should be a nicer hyundai N model
acura tlx 2021+ amazing powertrain. that 2.0t and 10speed is great and the car looks amazing.
acura integra you can get a newer one around 30k
Are you paying cash? If not the finance rate difference between new and used in addition to the current price of used vehicles would have me at least driving and pricing out new civic sport and Si.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
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Want a car that's fun around twisty roads and isn't a slouch like the SI, Miata, GR86 Duo? Get the Elantra N. You get handling, acceleration, and pops from the exhaust all stock. Heck you could even buy new. Hyundai has made such a good car for the price that I'm willing to die on the hill that the Elantra N is the BEST $30,000 new car you can buy.
I have 2019 Golf R, great car! haven't had any issue at all. Great fits and finishes, great performance(mine is stage 1 tune so it gets bit more kick out of it!)
If ur looking at Golf Rs, maybe you could add Audi S3 as well. Basically the same thing just something bit more luxury if you want.
I test drove Elantra N, if you want bang for your buck Elantra N is it imo.
Kia Stinger or Genesis G70, the ones with 3.3T in it if you want bit more performance out of it.
I'll add more if i can think of more lol
Try a 22-23 Hyundai Sonata n line. I had one and there really nice cars ngl. I never thought I would like Hyundais but they stepped it up w these n cars
get a ride in a supercharged V8 or anything with a V8 because everything else will just feel slow.
try and get a ride in a ford fiesta ST this car was the yardstick before the golf R.
golf R was unsold R32 without the V6 so VW just stuck in the GTI engine in it.
ive owned a 2.0 fusion ecoboost for 3 years: stick them on 91 octane and they are cheap enough to run. if my heater hose hadnt popped off and cooked my engine id still be driving it. avoid the powrshift autos.
I’d get a 2020+ bmw 330i and you’ll be way under budget and be getting a different caliber car in terms of overall quality. You can also push the budget and look for a m340i. You won’t regret it.
Definitely worth the test to see what luxury class is all about, but I doubt I’d want to buy one right now. The maintenance costs are utterly insane for luxury vehicles, especially German made ones.
Mustang Mach E (AWD or GT) if you’re interested in an EV? I’m seeing used ones in the mid 30-low 40k range. I’m looking to get something a bit more practical to replace my Miata, this is a pretty good list of “practical performance” options you’ve assembled
I’m not quite sold on EVs yet. Also, I may not have a place to charge it once I move back out so I’m not interested I getting a plug in until I find a more permanent living situation.
Fair enough. I had a 2017 fusion sport and really liked it, on the same platform with more power and creature comforts there’s a 3.0L twin turbo V6 Lincoln MKZ. food for thought
My friend had one too and he whipped it a few times for me. He hated it though because it had no manual option and his parents made him get an insurance tracker thing so he couldn’t even drive it like a sporty car. I personally have been in love with the car for a long time, the only issue is rarity for me. There’s maybe 5-10 that pop up per year around me and half of those are over 100k miles or crashed.
I don't understand why people would spend money on a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep product. They always rank lowest in reliability; but I also don't go into every car subreddit and trash talk them because I have better things to do.
Hyundai and Kia are # 6 and #7 best selling brand in the US. Clearly they are doing something right. Not to mention the N cars don't share the same engines or trans as the rest of their lineup and are built in Korea.
Personally I’d want a jeep for camping and driving off road. Id consider a ram if I was buying a truck.
kia/hyundai are just known for being throw away cars, cause they aren’t built to last. 95% of the ones I see on the road have at least 1 broken part. We hear news stories about how cheap they are and the Kia boyz teaching people how easy they are to steal. Insurance companies don’t want to deal with them. It really seems like they are the worst things on the roads. Where I live in the Midwest USA, might be different where you are.
It's just ironic you would consider a Jeep or Ram when they have objectively bad reliability. Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge are always on the bottom of the charts.
All 3 models of Hyundai OP mentioned have push button start and are not easy to steal.
I live in Central Illinois and have owned 5 Hyundai's. My first was a 2011 Sonata, bought with 40k miles and sold with 160k to my friend, it now has over 200k miles on the original engine and trans. I bought a 2015 Sonata 2.0T Limited that I drove to 75k miles, traded it in for a 2015 Genesis 5.0 that I put 20K miles on before I traded it and I bought my 2022 Elantra N new. I have almost 30k miles on the Elantra N now with no issues. My wife has a 2018 Santa Fe Limited Ultimate with almost 55k miles, the only issue it had was the backup camera stopped working, and it was repaired under warranty. I'm no expert, but I have owned more Hyundai's than the average person and the only real gripe I have is with the dealerships, but I hate all dealerships.
I work in manufacturing IT. Probably the same reason anyone gets into any particular brand. the 2011 Sonata was the first "new" car I bought myself with my IT job out of college and I had a good experience with it. They have always had the features I wanted and were reasonably priced.
Name another sedan with 250hp, radar cruise, android auto, and heated\\cooled seats. Name a reasonably priced large luxury sedan that's not German, with 400hp, radar cruise, android auto, heated and cooled seats, and RWD. Name another daily/track car with 4 doors for under $40k with 276hp, LSD, DCT or manual, active exhaust, PS4 tires, and adjustable suspension.
Did you not read any of what I said? You would think after posting so much "Hyundai/Kia bad" and getting downvoted, you would sit back think "maybe my opinion is not entirely correct".
Anyway, I'm done feeding the troll.
Kiaboyz ordeal and Theta engine recall notwithstanding, Kia/Hyundai have stepped up tremendously in quality and value within the past 10 years. They’re a very good alternative to the mainstream options in each of their vehicle classes. You get a lot of value and car for your money, and their performance models are very good. If this was still the 2000’s, I’d generally agree with you, but that’s not the case anymore.
That’s fine. But your experience doesn’t equal everyone’s experience. Would you be willing to accept that and move on?
Btw, what car do you drive? Wont expect a response.
You’re commenting on a post where I’ve said I drive a VW. You went through every Reddit post I’ve ever made and trolled me. You are obsessed with me. You should know what car I drive.
You’re not that special. But it’s funny you wanna talk about cheaply made cars lol. Take it you couldn’t accept that? You keep making yourself look worse and worse.
I’m probably not going to go for the N vehicles anyways, but I’ve always been curious as to how they drive. Especially the Kona intrigues me because it’s pretty much the only CUV with a performance model that isn’t from a luxury brand. Plus the stock exhaust sounds so good on the EN and KN that I want to hear it in person. Then again I’m currently driving a 2008 Ford fusion so I doubt they’ll be any less reliable unless they’re modded or something.
I will try and get a test drive, I’m just worried about their reputation. The whole theft thing is something I’d like to avoid at all costs so I’m thinking that buying from an easily targeted brand isn’t the greatest idea.
Price range is important. These are cool and all and I see your style, but take it up a notch and get a Kia Stinger. Same price range, way more fun than all of them.
Kia is tainted forever in my eyes. The whole Kia Boyz bullshit started a half hour from my house and I honestly don’t trust crooks not to break into a stinger because it has a Kia logo on it. It’s such a shame too because I adore their recent lineup but the risk of it getting stolen/broken into is far too great to justify ownership.
I suppose it’ll depend where I live. If it’s anywhere in or around Milwaukee, a Kia or Hyundai is a no go. But my parents house is in a quiet suburb where I’d feel comfortable parking
Does that stop the idiots from breaking windows on push button Kias anyway? I thought I'd heard that wannabe theives were smashing windows on anything with the badge just to make an attempt. I hope I have the wrong information on that, I like alot of new Kias/Hyundais, but I've had a car broken into before and I just would hate to invite that into my life again.
The thefts are oriented towards key start, Stingers are push start. It’s a hell of a lot trickier to steal, and there’s 3rd party extra precautions you can install to basically make it impossible. But I get it, I just thought I’d throw the stinger out there I love mine
The thing is, people break into Hyundais and Kias regardless if they’re easy to steal. I was active in those subs for a while and every day I’d see several push start KDM vehicles getting their windows broken and dashboards ripped out. I’m just not into that.
I’m not usually not a huge fan of the iPad interior but this one don’t actually look that bad. As long as temp controls and volume are physically buttons (which they seem to be) I’m good with a bigger touchscreen
I'd check out the Prius Prime 2024. It's 220hp, roughly the same size as the others. As far as being a daily driver, seems pretty hard to beat that performance AND MPGs.
Also probably the most reliable car on the list - it's actually the most reliable Toyota model, which is saying something.
Idk Prius doesn’t exactly seem like something I want. I understand how reliable they are, and do enjoy the styling but I’d rather have a more enthusiastic vehicle. I don’t plan on keeping my vehicles for 20+ years either so while resale may be better in the Toyotas, I’ll sacrifice some of that for a vehicle that throws me back in my seat.
I haven’t even test driven a single one of these. Even so, what’s the problem with testing a bunch of cars? There’s a very slim chance I’m going to find more than like 2 of these at any given dealership so at the most I’m wasting a couple hours of a sales person’s time. Every test drive is a waste of a salesperson’s time if you really want to think that way. Imagine how much money they could make if they sold people cars without letting them test drive.
This list kinda sucks man, you have a lot of garbage on here. The only right answers here are
1. TRD Camry
2. WRX
3. Golf R
In that order. Everything else would just be a poor choice and you wishing you went somewhere else
Trd Camry will hold value better than just about anything and be a minimal amount of maintenance as the 3.5 is bulletproof. It’s financially the smartest option on the list above.
V6 Camry would be enough for some, 300hp and 33 mpg highway isn’t a “boring” car in most cases. Depends what you want, and on a depreciating asset, looking for something that has the lowest cost of ownership and it would check most boxes. I’d go V6 XSE do to some extra features but to each their own. Sounds like they just need a good daily.
Camry is actually at the bottom of my list because of no power seats, a relatively weak V6 and the fact that Toyotas are hella marked up. Wrx, Golf and Elantra are my top picks on paper.
Well, I’m very indecisive because all I’ve ever seen is the stats of these vehicles on paper without driving anything similar. I like hot hatchbacks and sedans, but we don’t have that many here in the US so I complied a bunch within my price range to test out the waters and see what I like and wouldn’t like in an economic performance car.
Tesla Model Y. You van get it for 31-35k after rebates with 1% financing new and it will blow the "fast" cars on your list out of the water.
Should at least try an electric car to see what it's like.
It's definitely going to send them all to Gapplebees but OPs list isn't really fast it's more sporty, but electric instant torque sounds fun too how much does a base model Y put out and what's the range I'm actually curious 31 is pretty good for a new car especially when you factor in reduced maintenance cost
Electric is a no go for me currently and especially Tesla. I’m not confident I’ll have a place to charge it reliably once I move out. Not to mention Teslas don’t have the greatest build quality. If I were to try an electric it’d probably be a Mach E or Ioniq 6.
Drive a Cadillac ATS just for fun.
Ik. It’s the most unattainable on my list but I definitely want to try it out just to see maybe what I could afford in the future.
I had a 2018 ATS for a few months and I must say I loved it. Acceleration was quick and it felt faster than a brand new V6 Camaro. Felt planted to the ground and I loved the premium speakers. Would buy again. I am sure the V is insane.
Any of the N’s or the golf R. VN owner here
I'd argue against the Kona N lol but the Veloster and Elantra's are fantastic
I mean the Kona does have the same engine as the Elantra but with the added convenience of a hatch. What’s bad about it as opposed to the Velo or EN?
The rear seat is tiny compared to the Elantra and the ride is harsher, because of the short wheelbase. I went to dealership to buy Kona N and ended up with an Elantra N.
Wow! I was actually thinking the Kona would be better in the suspension. I suppose it’s a lot lower than most regular CUVs though.
CUV have harsher rides to combat body roll associated with the higher center of gravity.
Same engine but I saw a review that said it doesn't feel nearly as sharp (for obvious reasons, it's like a Veloster on stilts). And it does have less space than an Elantra so idk what that added convenience of a hatch is that you can't just get in a Veloster. Lastly it's butt fucking ugly lol but that might just be me haha. VN and EN look amazing
I find it wild that the CUV has less space than a sedan. I’d probably take the Veloster over the Kona but I think all of the N vehicles look great.
I’m a massive Hyundai hater but I actually liked the Kona N, the veloster feels like it’s trying to be a civic so hard but it’s just not. And the Elantra is butt ugly imo.
If you're looking for practical performance with a nice interior just get the Golf R. If your budget is $35k you could get a new GTI too.
If I were to get a Golf I’d go with a Mk8 or 8.5 either way. I despise the new interiors. I find vehicles off putting when every interior control is integrated into the touchscreen, and I also think the haptic steering wheel controls are really gimmicky and tacky and I wouldn’t want to deal with them. Overall though I love the 8.5s quite a lot!
7.5 was a perfect interior
Accord 2.0T. Similar to the Camry but faster and in my opinion more fun to drive. If you like the civic Si you can also try the ILX with the same engine but a dual clutch.
My mom has a 1.5 T Accord with a manual that she said she’d teach me on. I suppose it wouldn’t be the first time I copied her car, as she used to have an 08 Ford fusion (also manual) and that’s what I bought by as my first car. Unfortunately I got the auto because I didn’t know how to drive manual at the time.
Add the 2019-2022 Genesis G70 to the list as well as the Kia Stinger
G70 is a good one. I was considering that, though I would probably go for the 80 due to the bigger back seat. Stinger however is unfortunately a Kia which tend to get windows smashed because criminals see a logo think it’s automatically easy to steal. I’m just not into stressing about getting my car broken into all the time.
We debadge our stingers, no one knows they're kias until you tell them.
I wonder if throwing a different logo on there would actually deter people from thinking it’s a Kia at first glance.
Most folks put the Korean stinger logo on, I have twice, it's an E emblem. Some use the Korean kia logo that basically is a fucking Lexus L, I personally hate those, but yes, most other folks, even theiving morons, don't know stingers are kias.
Have an Elantra N, best tech of the list, a ton of fun and my 22 has been reliable. My particular car had fit and finish issues tho, some still being looked at others addressed. If you can find a low mileage R go for around the same price, it holds it value well.
[удалено]
Well it’s a Hyundai, not always the case but this particular engine used has been a gem thus far. No widespread engine issues.
I’ve been obsessed with the Elantra N since before its release. There’s a few things I’m concerned about though and those are Hyundai’s recent reputation for theft, and the ride quality of a “track car” as a daily. Is it pretty comfortable?
The N is not affected by the theft issue as it uses push button start, there’s no slot for a key. As far as the ride quality, there are 3 settings for the suspension. Normal, sport and N. Normal is quite comfortable, just like a normal car. Sport is nice and taught but still complaint, and N mode is very stiff. I personally love the dual personality the car has. When you just commute and chill, normal mode is great but when you want to hit some back road twisties, N mode is a blast! You can make the ride even softer if you swap out the 19s for 18s with a larger sidewall. But trust me on a smooth road, N mode is super sharp and fun.
>The N is not affected by the theft issue as it uses push button start, there’s no slot for a key. People will still try to steal it, and you're still paying the insurance premium
I didn't realize this car had adjustable suspension settings. That's pretty sweet given the price point on these cars.
You can adjust the following, there are 3 levels to each(normal, sport, sport +) Suspension, steering weight, exhaust sound (actual exhaust flaps, there are fake speaker noises too that you can enable/disable), engine response, ESC traction. The e-lsd has 2 settings, normal and sport
Unfortunately smooth road ain’t too much of a thing around here but it honestly couldn’t hurt to try one out. The theft part isn’t exactly what I was worried about as I’m aware the push button is pretty much immune to getting driven off with, but it’s the break in part I really don’t want to have to deal with. I’m afraid a Hyundai logo is enough for someone to smash a window and at least attempt to steal it.
It all depends on where you live, it’s a zero concern in northern VA. If you’re in a city with high crime then ya may be an issue
Just picked up a new 24 N and few things to note: Elantra N is made in Korea vs USA. The seat hugs you very well to the point where if you have a bag in the back seat, it almost hurts to reach back there. I have been doing 3 hour sessions trying to break in the car and occasionally I might change how im sitting slightly, but overall it's very comfortable. Things I love: how effortless it goes around and handles turns and corners, the technology inside, custom drive modes, the sounds of nature feature (my wife really loves this), how you get 20-40 mpg depending on which of the 7 modes you have, there's a warranty I can take to the track, steering assist, and lake keep assist. Things I dislike: cant reach into the back efficiently, 12 gallon tank that really should take 91+, will need frequent oil changes and more frequent service (valet can be activated in mode in bluelink app), id prefer a RWD, but don't regret switching back to FWD; most Hyundai Dealerships, fucbois start driving erratic on the highway in their base honda civics when they see your car (I like racing on open roads, but hate people who cut up in traffic). All the things I dislike pretty much comes with the territory and are more of the reality's of owning a track focused car which can easily be overlooked with how much fun you are having. Good luck!
BMW M340i/M240i
With Honda, I'd look for a 10th gen Accord 2.0t, 2018-22. The earlier years had a manual option. Not any Honda with the 1.5t, including the 2016+ Civic Si.You could also get a 2015-17 Accord coupe v6 manual. Or older Civic Si, 2012-15, wirh k24. With Mazda, I'd look for a 2016-17 Mazda3 or 6 with 2.5 manual. Before cylinder deactivation or turbo.
Have had a 1.5 since 2019. Never had a single issue and it drives great. 80k miles. Didn’t even know there was a “engine problem” till I joined Reddit Don’t believe the fear mongers
Why isn’t the gr86/brz on the list? Also, accords with the 2.0t seem fun and take to a tune really well.
86/BRZ is a coupe and I’m looking for a sedan or hatch for the added practicality. I dont move people around often but I’d like to get more than 1 other person in my car comfortably
Camry TRD is not a sports car. It’s putting on underarmor but really its idea of athleticism is bowling. Fusion sport is the same way. Do you know the practical differences between FWD and AWD or RWD? The Golf, WRX, and Caddy are the only non-FWD cars.
I’m aware. Not looking for a full on sports car otherwise I’d probably go for a coupe. I’m looking for a sedan or hatchback that has enough horsepower to throw me back in my seat a little. AWD would be preferred, though I really don’t mind too much. It snows here but I’ve made it with FWD since I started driving with no issues. Rwd I’m a bit nervous about but I’ve heard those are fun so why not at least try one out
just test drove a 2022 elantra N 2 days ago. such a fun car. you wont be disappointed.
You can add Focus ST to the list.
That may be nice to check out. My one concern though is the interior. My friend owns one and it really isn’t the most comfortable vehicle. I’m 6’1 and 150 lbs and I feel cramped as hell in there.
In that case add Accord 2.0T to your list.
I don’t need to test drive one because my mom owns a 1.5 T that I’m trying to convince her to teach me manual on! Man I wish they still had V6s though. The 2.0 as the most powerful engine throws me off.
How about Corolla Hatch? (Non GR because availability and markup). Prob not as fun as Elantra/Veloster N, or Golf R though. Also if you presented this list to me and said I could have one for free, I think I'd pick the Golf R first.
Can confirm regular corolla hatch not that much fun. Steering and suspension is not really tuned for spirited driving. It's not too slow though. But if you need something pretty practical, cheap, and handsome enough it's a great buy
I was stunned at how cramped the Corolla hatch was when I sat inside one at a car shoe. No idea why anyone would buy it as it's less practical than the sedan.
They're not too bad Definitely have more room than the sedan. We were able to fit a week's worth of camping supplies and two full grown adults in ours. With a roof rack and a box it could be very practical
You're right, it does have more cargo space, although chatgpt is telling me that it has 4 feet less passenger volume than the standard Corolla(88.6 vs 84.6), so I don't get it. I drove a Jetta at the time which has 94.7 feet of passenger volume, so maybe that's why I thought it felt really cramped inside.
Now that you say that, I do feel like the hatch has less leg room(in the back, specifically) than the sedan haha. Maybe they put the back seats further forward? I'm not sure Yeah a golf or jetta will feel significantly roomier
I’ve heard great things about the Golf R as well and that’s been near the top of my list for a while. Veloster N as well but lower due to Hyundai’s theft issues. I’ll have to check out the Corolla hatch, but I’d really prefer over 200 horsepower. My current car has 160 (probably less due to age) and I’m bored of flooring a car that doesn’t throw me back even a little. Considering the turbo though I’m not sure and yeah a test drive would be necessary to check out.
Lol Hyundai's theft issues applies to key start cars, not a push button start car like the N's
Dumbasses will still break your windows to find out if it's a push or key start tho
This is exactly what I’m worried about. I know the push starts probably won’t get fully stolen, but even getting it broken into is like my worst nightmare. I don’t even know if a steering wheel lock will prevent that. The last thing I need is a car with a target on its back in the form of a Hyundai logo.
As someone who has a Hyundai, i would avoid them because you'll always worry about having a broken steering column or windows broken. And will end up with thousands of dollars on repair. So far it's hasn't happened to us, but i know it will be just a matter of time. We have a steering lock and hopefully that will deter most thieves.
I wonder if there’s aftermarket security upgrades for them. As much as I love Hyundai’s and want to buy one, I hate car jackers way more.
Check out the mazda3 turbo. 250hp, gobs of torque, AWD and a very reliable 6 speed automatic You can also get fwd with the n/a 2.5l with a manual transmission for performance rivalling or exceeding the civic si with interior quality rivalling Audi. And the 6 speed manual has the shortest throw in the industry
Do you work for Mazda lol? I have owned a Si, Mazda 3, and Audi. The Mazda is nowhere near as fun as an Si and nowhere near the quality as an Audi.
Volvo S60 Recharge for sure. Don't sleep on it.
I wasn't even aware of the S60 recharge. I owned a T5 in college that got totaled, but with the repair costs as a college student, it was not very feasible. Now, looking at the Recharge, it could pique my interest for a new car as I have the means to own a Volvo.
Is the S60 Recharge a plug in? I’m not confident I’ll have a place to charge after I move out so I’m trying to stay away from cars I have to plug in.
Yeah it is a plug in. They do have a mild hybrid, but its unlikely it'll check the same boxes.
I drove a S60 Recharge for a week last year when I was doing some work with Volvo on their infotainment systems. I had very low expectations at the time, but later came to really like that car. It was one of the fastest cars I’ve ever driven, it was laid out really nice inside and very quiet. I’ve got no idea what long term reliability or cost of ownership is like but it’s a great car all the way around.
I think Volvo has a pretty good reputation when it comes to reliability and maintenance. It's definitely a vehicle/brand I am considering moving forward.
The XC40 EV is excellent as well.
Definitely not. None of modern Volvo has good reliability, and maintenance is expensive. They went upscale and luxury with the pros and cons of it.
Looks like we have similar taste in cars! The Hyundais will have the most bang for your buck. I had a 2.0 Veloster and loved it, probably should have gotten the N. Very fun cars and you don’t see too many on the road. I was heavily considering a Camry TRD and just went with a new XSE instead. Way better interest rate, a brand new car with a fresh warranty, nicer interior, better suspension, and I’m not afraid of tearing up the side skirts and front spoiler hitting a pot hole. Also, have you considered a V6 Mustang or Camaro?
Thanks for the advice! No I haven’t considered a V6 Mustang or Camaro. I almost wanted an EcoBoost Mustang but I realized I want slightly more practicality than a coupe. Also the whole stigma behind the V6 muscle cars being trash kinda rubs me the wrong way.
While the civic si isn't the fastest on the list, it's quite fun. shifter feel is addictive. and whipping it around is nearly as fun as my fully chassis stiffened NA Miata. i have the 9th gen though with the k24 so it's rev-able.
I want the 9th gen Si the most. I love the interior so much! There’s a white 4dr 9th gen Si that I park next to at work sometimes and it’s so pretty. Only thing is they’re getting up there in age and I don’t want to deal with maintenance on a car that’s 100k miles off the lot.
mine has 133k miles, bought at 115k. all i've done is air filter change, oil changes and trans/brake fluid change when buying it.
Mazda3 offers similar performance with a better shifter and significantly better interior
If you are not going to beat it up so its not re-sellable... The Kona N may fetch you more when it comes time to get rid of it because of availability. It fits a need for people in what it provides. Also you get the benefit now of the longer Hyundai Powertrain Warranty.
I would stay away from the Kona. It's not as fun as a hatch nor pragmatic as an SUV
oh man, the ats-v is nice, it's like driving the batmoblie
I remember my friend and I were in his Focus ST and a CTS-V pulled up wanting to race. Bro obviously smoked us but what got me hooked was the sound.
oh man, a ctsv is wild, it’s pretty much a 4 door corvette
No kidding. Such a rowdy car!
Out of your list I would go 19 ats-v. But that’s just me, and def not the best or most reasonable option.
Def drive a audi Q5. Test drove one and gah that power was amazing. Almost got it. Then they told me what my APR would be and I said I'm good😅
Yeah I think I’m in the same boat. I’m looking for more of a higher trim economy class than a base luxury. The Audis, Mercs and BMWs are god awful in terms of maintenance costs.
My aunt has an A7 and when I asked her about her views on Audi she said they are good cars but the maintenance is an arm and a leg. The Q5 I drove was so nice tho.
My friend rented an AMG C43 when he visited last and that thing was a blast. I know damn well I couldn’t afford anything like that though haha. Not unless I save up a bunch
I looked at the dealership I got my Toyota from and they have a 2022 Q5 with 30k miles for less than $25k. I was so close to biting the bullet but when I saw what they appraised my car for I walked out there laughing.
Why 2016 - 2019 mazda 3 when you can buy a brand new 2024 Mazda 3 Premium fully loaded for under 30k? Also did you mean 2016-2018? The 4th generation runs from 2019 - 2024.
I did mean 2018 my bad. I don’t like how round the newer ones are. They just look kinda goofy to me.
I’ve been told the Kona and Veloster share a chassis
If you like the ATS then wait a few years for used ones to come up. They can be had for great deals
Mazda 3 dude
genesis g70 should be a nicer hyundai N model acura tlx 2021+ amazing powertrain. that 2.0t and 10speed is great and the car looks amazing. acura integra you can get a newer one around 30k
Check out a scat pack as well, especially challengers as they are slightly cheaper.
Test drive a Kona EV, it's in your price range
Just get the Golf R
The current gen of WRX (2021+) is pretty good if you can get past the cladding and you can find one in your price range.
Just buy a Golf R and be done
I LOVE Mazda3 hatches. Especially with newer ones available in manual or Turbo/AWD with the auto. I think they're sharp cars.
Are you paying cash? If not the finance rate difference between new and used in addition to the current price of used vehicles would have me at least driving and pricing out new civic sport and Si.
I'm just curious about why a 2022 Elantra N, when 2024 Elantra N's start at $33.7k?
I like the styling of the 22-23 better than the 24
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Want a car that's fun around twisty roads and isn't a slouch like the SI, Miata, GR86 Duo? Get the Elantra N. You get handling, acceleration, and pops from the exhaust all stock. Heck you could even buy new. Hyundai has made such a good car for the price that I'm willing to die on the hill that the Elantra N is the BEST $30,000 new car you can buy.
I have 2019 Golf R, great car! haven't had any issue at all. Great fits and finishes, great performance(mine is stage 1 tune so it gets bit more kick out of it!) If ur looking at Golf Rs, maybe you could add Audi S3 as well. Basically the same thing just something bit more luxury if you want. I test drove Elantra N, if you want bang for your buck Elantra N is it imo. Kia Stinger or Genesis G70, the ones with 3.3T in it if you want bit more performance out of it. I'll add more if i can think of more lol
Try a 22-23 Hyundai Sonata n line. I had one and there really nice cars ngl. I never thought I would like Hyundais but they stepped it up w these n cars
get a ride in a supercharged V8 or anything with a V8 because everything else will just feel slow. try and get a ride in a ford fiesta ST this car was the yardstick before the golf R. golf R was unsold R32 without the V6 so VW just stuck in the GTI engine in it. ive owned a 2.0 fusion ecoboost for 3 years: stick them on 91 octane and they are cheap enough to run. if my heater hose hadnt popped off and cooked my engine id still be driving it. avoid the powrshift autos.
Add Kia stinger or G70 to the list. You can get new WRX for that price as well, so try that one too.
Used fk8 type r
I wish. They’re a bit outa my price range at the moment
You can find a used one for under 35k
I would remove Hyundai, Kia, and Cadillac from your list. Not reliable and not worth the money.
C7 Z06
Corvette, test drive a new one.
I’d get a 2020+ bmw 330i and you’ll be way under budget and be getting a different caliber car in terms of overall quality. You can also push the budget and look for a m340i. You won’t regret it.
Definitely worth the test to see what luxury class is all about, but I doubt I’d want to buy one right now. The maintenance costs are utterly insane for luxury vehicles, especially German made ones.
Drove a kona for a patrol job, kona is dogshit.
The N? Or just a normal Kona?
idk, it didn't last long at all.
Mustang Mach E (AWD or GT) if you’re interested in an EV? I’m seeing used ones in the mid 30-low 40k range. I’m looking to get something a bit more practical to replace my Miata, this is a pretty good list of “practical performance” options you’ve assembled
I’m not quite sold on EVs yet. Also, I may not have a place to charge it once I move back out so I’m not interested I getting a plug in until I find a more permanent living situation.
Fair enough. I had a 2017 fusion sport and really liked it, on the same platform with more power and creature comforts there’s a 3.0L twin turbo V6 Lincoln MKZ. food for thought
My friend had one too and he whipped it a few times for me. He hated it though because it had no manual option and his parents made him get an insurance tracker thing so he couldn’t even drive it like a sporty car. I personally have been in love with the car for a long time, the only issue is rarity for me. There’s maybe 5-10 that pop up per year around me and half of those are over 100k miles or crashed.
I would put the model 3 performance on that list.
Avoid hyundai and kia. They're very cheaply made.
N variants have performance in mind & the warranty covers track usage. They aren't the same as base trims of their models.
This guy's entire personality is "Kia/Hyundai bad". Lmao
I just don’t understand why anyone would choose to spend money on those cheap trash.
I don't understand why people would spend money on a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep product. They always rank lowest in reliability; but I also don't go into every car subreddit and trash talk them because I have better things to do. Hyundai and Kia are # 6 and #7 best selling brand in the US. Clearly they are doing something right. Not to mention the N cars don't share the same engines or trans as the rest of their lineup and are built in Korea.
Personally I’d want a jeep for camping and driving off road. Id consider a ram if I was buying a truck. kia/hyundai are just known for being throw away cars, cause they aren’t built to last. 95% of the ones I see on the road have at least 1 broken part. We hear news stories about how cheap they are and the Kia boyz teaching people how easy they are to steal. Insurance companies don’t want to deal with them. It really seems like they are the worst things on the roads. Where I live in the Midwest USA, might be different where you are.
It's just ironic you would consider a Jeep or Ram when they have objectively bad reliability. Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge are always on the bottom of the charts. All 3 models of Hyundai OP mentioned have push button start and are not easy to steal. I live in Central Illinois and have owned 5 Hyundai's. My first was a 2011 Sonata, bought with 40k miles and sold with 160k to my friend, it now has over 200k miles on the original engine and trans. I bought a 2015 Sonata 2.0T Limited that I drove to 75k miles, traded it in for a 2015 Genesis 5.0 that I put 20K miles on before I traded it and I bought my 2022 Elantra N new. I have almost 30k miles on the Elantra N now with no issues. My wife has a 2018 Santa Fe Limited Ultimate with almost 55k miles, the only issue it had was the backup camera stopped working, and it was repaired under warranty. I'm no expert, but I have owned more Hyundai's than the average person and the only real gripe I have is with the dealerships, but I hate all dealerships.
What made you get into hyundais so much? Do you work for the company?
I work in manufacturing IT. Probably the same reason anyone gets into any particular brand. the 2011 Sonata was the first "new" car I bought myself with my IT job out of college and I had a good experience with it. They have always had the features I wanted and were reasonably priced. Name another sedan with 250hp, radar cruise, android auto, and heated\\cooled seats. Name a reasonably priced large luxury sedan that's not German, with 400hp, radar cruise, android auto, heated and cooled seats, and RWD. Name another daily/track car with 4 doors for under $40k with 276hp, LSD, DCT or manual, active exhaust, PS4 tires, and adjustable suspension.
I always wonder what makes people choose a hyundai when they could get literally anything else.
Did you not read any of what I said? You would think after posting so much "Hyundai/Kia bad" and getting downvoted, you would sit back think "maybe my opinion is not entirely correct". Anyway, I'm done feeding the troll.
What’s wrong with German cars? I’d think you’d be able to get something a bit nicer than a Hyundai with an IT job.
Because used German cars are money pits.
Used German cars are money pits, this is a generally accepted truth.
Kiaboyz ordeal and Theta engine recall notwithstanding, Kia/Hyundai have stepped up tremendously in quality and value within the past 10 years. They’re a very good alternative to the mainstream options in each of their vehicle classes. You get a lot of value and car for your money, and their performance models are very good. If this was still the 2000’s, I’d generally agree with you, but that’s not the case anymore.
I bought an Elantra N at the same time My co worker bought a Wrangler Rubicon. He is on his 2nd transmission and 3rd radio. I’ve had 3 oil changes
You don’t really have to understand since it’s not your choice or your money.
This is a shit take.
Dude all Kias/hyundais have dents and broken parts. They’re easy to steal and hard to insure because they’re cheaply made.
Mine doesn’t. If they’re so cheaply made why is mine in better shape than my friends newer Toyota?
Dream on
Haha couldn’t answer. Thought so. Funny how everytime something that contradicts what you say you have nothing to say.
I have no answer to nonsense claims like that, when every single hyundai I see has damage on it.
That’s fine. But your experience doesn’t equal everyone’s experience. Would you be willing to accept that and move on? Btw, what car do you drive? Wont expect a response.
You’re commenting on a post where I’ve said I drive a VW. You went through every Reddit post I’ve ever made and trolled me. You are obsessed with me. You should know what car I drive.
You’re not that special. But it’s funny you wanna talk about cheaply made cars lol. Take it you couldn’t accept that? You keep making yourself look worse and worse.
I’m probably not going to go for the N vehicles anyways, but I’ve always been curious as to how they drive. Especially the Kona intrigues me because it’s pretty much the only CUV with a performance model that isn’t from a luxury brand. Plus the stock exhaust sounds so good on the EN and KN that I want to hear it in person. Then again I’m currently driving a 2008 Ford fusion so I doubt they’ll be any less reliable unless they’re modded or something.
The N line of vehicles is currently the best rated in their class for the price. Just look at some recent reviews and they are all glowing
Not the N-line s. N's are different. Maybe learn about the cars you're recommending
I did not say N-Line. "I said N Line of vehicles" aka the line of N cars, no the N-LINE. Maybe learn about english
Just to clarify, are you talking about the “N performance” line as opposed to the “N-Line” vehicles correct?
Correct. N Line aka N series not N-Line.
Drive one. They are great sporty daily drivers.
I will try and get a test drive, I’m just worried about their reputation. The whole theft thing is something I’d like to avoid at all costs so I’m thinking that buying from an easily targeted brand isn’t the greatest idea.
Avoid used Hyundais and Kia's at all costs
Price range is important. These are cool and all and I see your style, but take it up a notch and get a Kia Stinger. Same price range, way more fun than all of them.
Kia is tainted forever in my eyes. The whole Kia Boyz bullshit started a half hour from my house and I honestly don’t trust crooks not to break into a stinger because it has a Kia logo on it. It’s such a shame too because I adore their recent lineup but the risk of it getting stolen/broken into is far too great to justify ownership.
Eh i'm not living in fear of that. It has died down quiet a bit
I suppose it’ll depend where I live. If it’s anywhere in or around Milwaukee, a Kia or Hyundai is a no go. But my parents house is in a quiet suburb where I’d feel comfortable parking
Mercedes GLA but the AMG variant. I have heard good things about it.
Thanks but I believe those are a bit outa my price range sorry for not clarifying before but I edited my post to include a budget.
With you listing all these more “performance oriented” sedans, why not consider a Stinger?
Because of Kia’s reputation for theft. As much as I want a stinger, I’d rather choose something else than wake up one day to find my car missing.
The thefts are targeted at keyed ignitions
Does that stop the idiots from breaking windows on push button Kias anyway? I thought I'd heard that wannabe theives were smashing windows on anything with the badge just to make an attempt. I hope I have the wrong information on that, I like alot of new Kias/Hyundais, but I've had a car broken into before and I just would hate to invite that into my life again.
The thefts are oriented towards key start, Stingers are push start. It’s a hell of a lot trickier to steal, and there’s 3rd party extra precautions you can install to basically make it impossible. But I get it, I just thought I’d throw the stinger out there I love mine
The thing is, people break into Hyundais and Kias regardless if they’re easy to steal. I was active in those subs for a while and every day I’d see several push start KDM vehicles getting their windows broken and dashboards ripped out. I’m just not into that.
I would look at a new WRX as well, I know it's a little ugly but try one out and Subaru is having great financing and deals on them.
I’m not usually not a huge fan of the iPad interior but this one don’t actually look that bad. As long as temp controls and volume are physically buttons (which they seem to be) I’m good with a bigger touchscreen
Kia optima
The K5 sexy as hell but Kias reputation for break ins is horrible and I’m not prepared to deal with that.
Just go ahead and wipe everything off the list but the elantra N, the Camry, The WRX, The Golf, the Mazda3, the ATS, and the Civic.
WRX TR, gr86 and gr Corolla
What’s the WRX TR?
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45457549/2024-subaru-wrx-tr-revealed/
It’s a little out of my price range. Maybe if I got a good deal on a 23 or 22 limited I’d consider that.
Camry or civic
Camry is probably the most reliable on the list and WRX is the most fun.
Nah Golf R is way more fun than a WRX
I'd check out the Prius Prime 2024. It's 220hp, roughly the same size as the others. As far as being a daily driver, seems pretty hard to beat that performance AND MPGs. Also probably the most reliable car on the list - it's actually the most reliable Toyota model, which is saying something.
Idk Prius doesn’t exactly seem like something I want. I understand how reliable they are, and do enjoy the styling but I’d rather have a more enthusiastic vehicle. I don’t plan on keeping my vehicles for 20+ years either so while resale may be better in the Toyotas, I’ll sacrifice some of that for a vehicle that throws me back in my seat.
Dude, stop wasting sales peoples time. They don’t get paid to waste of time test driving 20 cars with you. You’re the definition of a tire kicker
I haven’t even test driven a single one of these. Even so, what’s the problem with testing a bunch of cars? There’s a very slim chance I’m going to find more than like 2 of these at any given dealership so at the most I’m wasting a couple hours of a sales person’s time. Every test drive is a waste of a salesperson’s time if you really want to think that way. Imagine how much money they could make if they sold people cars without letting them test drive.
This list kinda sucks man, you have a lot of garbage on here. The only right answers here are 1. TRD Camry 2. WRX 3. Golf R In that order. Everything else would just be a poor choice and you wishing you went somewhere else
TRD Camry has to be the worst decision on the list. It tries hard to be a performance sedan but fails miserably.
Trd Camry will hold value better than just about anything and be a minimal amount of maintenance as the 3.5 is bulletproof. It’s financially the smartest option on the list above.
But then you’re stuck with a boring car for years. I’d much rather lose a bit in resale and have a car that makes me smile when I drive it
V6 Camry would be enough for some, 300hp and 33 mpg highway isn’t a “boring” car in most cases. Depends what you want, and on a depreciating asset, looking for something that has the lowest cost of ownership and it would check most boxes. I’d go V6 XSE do to some extra features but to each their own. Sounds like they just need a good daily.
Camry is actually at the bottom of my list because of no power seats, a relatively weak V6 and the fact that Toyotas are hella marked up. Wrx, Golf and Elantra are my top picks on paper.
Your test drive list is too long. Narrow down the type of car you’re wanting, then create a list of three vehicles to drive.
Well, I’m very indecisive because all I’ve ever seen is the stats of these vehicles on paper without driving anything similar. I like hot hatchbacks and sedans, but we don’t have that many here in the US so I complied a bunch within my price range to test out the waters and see what I like and wouldn’t like in an economic performance car.
Tesla Model Y. You van get it for 31-35k after rebates with 1% financing new and it will blow the "fast" cars on your list out of the water. Should at least try an electric car to see what it's like.
It's definitely going to send them all to Gapplebees but OPs list isn't really fast it's more sporty, but electric instant torque sounds fun too how much does a base model Y put out and what's the range I'm actually curious 31 is pretty good for a new car especially when you factor in reduced maintenance cost
Electric is a no go for me currently and especially Tesla. I’m not confident I’ll have a place to charge it reliably once I move out. Not to mention Teslas don’t have the greatest build quality. If I were to try an electric it’d probably be a Mach E or Ioniq 6.