Source
r/whatcarshouldIbuy•
avaail

Does any car in the universe have what i’m looking for?

For context, i’m a 19 year old raised on my parents’ loud fast german cars. My first car at 16 was an 07 infiniti G35x sedan, which i have modified the shit out of (i do my own work on it). I don’t know how i ended up with a japanese sports sedan for my first car, but i put 38,000 miles on it since and loved it.

I do huge road trips back and forth from college, take my friends skiing and get groceries. I like to have fun in the process.

Parents would like to get me a safer, more modern car next summer so they can give mine to my sister. Their only qualifications:

Safe

Reliable

Under ~25k and not german (they can afford twin turbo german maintenance. I cannot.)

Ideally AWD, ideally 2015+.

This is what i would like:

-All of the above

-Is not a Subaru or VW or SUV (fuck SUVs.)

-NOT BORING

-Looks good or would look good with just different rims

-Can fit skis on the roof, college bags and stuff in the trunk, and do 200 mile road trips without making me want to kill myself

-Somewhat competent in inclement weather.

Above all else, looks and sound are what get me. Love me some wagons but you won’t ever catch me in a truck or SUV. I looked at the 2016 Volvo V60 in person, didn’t like it due to the weird ass shape, lack of character, tiny rear seats.

I have googled every combination of words possible and i keep finding boring, boring, boring. YES, i would buy something sensible like an Outback or Golf Wagon if i had no personality. But i like cars.

Posted Jan 6, 2020, 8:53 PM UTC · edited

021
TheDarkWizard666•

Not many cars other than Germans have what you’re looking for

2
avaailOP•

yeah i removed some qualifications lol

1
TheDarkWizard666•

If you’re into rwd maybe have a look at a Toyota gt86 a lot of tuning potential but it’s not the most comfiest and is a coupe

1
avaailOP•

Can't fit any college stuff in there

1
jakerepp15•

Regal TourX? Not sure how 'fast' it is (0-60 is 6.4, so meh), but it looks pretty dang cool. Just hard to find.

2
Ruiner314•

2015 Mitsubishi Evo AWD?

2
09Customx•

Kinda small trunk in these though.

2
avaailOP•

Evo would be interesting for sure. Finding a used one that isn’t beat up, and finding out how good they are on road trips, would interest me.

1
09Customx•

They're incredibly sharp to drive and handle inclement weather well. However I must say they do have some flaws for road trip use, as follows:

  • No folding rear seat or pass through, plus the Evo gets a smaller trunk than a Lancer.

  • Really short gearing so you're at high revs for highway cruising speeds which can get tiring. Not much sound insulation so it's a bit noisy

  • Small fuel tank when combined with short gearing doesn't make for the best fuel range, especially if modified

1
lionbacker54•

Mazda3 hatchback AWD

2
avaailOP•

Would you suggest newest gen or the previous one? Not a huge fan of the new ones looks, but i heard it’s so fun to drive. And own.

1
jakerepp15•

The previous gen didn't offer AWD, so it would have to be the newest one.

1
TheShadyBitch•

A newer Infiniti or maybe a performance Lexus or Acura coulld work well.

The ISF has around 400 hp from its na v8 but is rwd and not great in snow

The 2010+ Acura TL are available with both SH-AWD and a 6 speed manual transmission paired together, theyre also reasonably fancy and quite reliable, and dont cost a fortune to run. Roughly 300HP. Auto trans is also available.

Infiniti QX50 has a 400ish horsepower V8, are pretty reliable and handle well, downside is they dont have the best awd system. While its a crossover its not all blocky and squared like most or boring like a rav4

2
avaailOP•

I’ve heard good things about every car you mentioned. I’m sad that the ISF and GSF aren’t great in the snow (and that the GSF is outta my price range). Have to look into the TL more.

2
09Customx•

I don't particularly like these myself but an Infiniti Q50 ticks all your boxes. Maybe a Ford Taurus SHO?

Why no Subaru or VW? The VW Sportwagon has a reasonably decent aftermarket support for cosmetic upgrades, APR makes tunes etc. Don't even have to get an Outback, a WRX would serve you just fine.

1
avaailOP•

The WRX and STi are really the only remotely non-boring cars subaru makes. They’re also driven by every connecticut 19 year old, they all modify and drive the shit out of their cars, and buying a used one knowing the common issues doesn’t interest me too much!

Didn’t know about the Sportwagon upgrades. Might look more into it. Any clue on reliability?

Also, no SHO because it’s not too much the image i’m going for (anything but “old man’s car”). Great car but it’s a boat.

1
09Customx•

The 1.8TSI engine seems to be holding up really well, even when tuned. A stage 1 tune gives you quite a bit more power and torque too.

Only common problem they seem to be having is leaking panoramic sunroofs but you can option them without.

1
blipsman•

VW Tiguan (prev gen was basically large GTI), Buick Regal TourX, Acura RDX

1
avaailOP•

Two of those are SUVs, i’m gonna look more into the TourX but doesn’t seem like there’s ANY aftermarket support for them.

1
blipsman•

But the Previous gen Tiguan is fairly small as far as SUV goes, based on GTI so pretty fun/zippy to drive, offers AWD, has decent aftermarket support

1
avaailOP•

Yeah, but it’s still an SUV. Or crossover.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1