[[[ UPDATE ]]]

We bought the Lotus!

Thanks so much for everyone’s feedback. We were leaning towards it but you all helped send it over the edge for us.

Much obliged 🫡

[[[ END UPDATE ]]]

We bought the Cayman used and love it. But we went to the lotus dealer and they talked us into test driving the Lotus and have offered us an amazing deal for trade-in.

It would be a daily driver and our only car, but with our needs, we’d be able to make it work regardless.

I can’t stop thinking of that extra 100hp and that raw drivers experience.

Do we need it? No… Do I want it? YES! But I also want my Cayman.

If I could apply this deal to a GTS 4.0 it would be a no-brainer.

The Cayman is PDK, the Lotus is manual. We live close to the dealer who has a former lotus engineer in their shop so maintenance isn’t an issue.

Ok. First of all, some lore:

I am a grown ass woman (34F) and I have a full time job with benefits and health insurance and I pay ALL my bills of life on my own with absolutely no one to help me. And I’m mostly ok with that. But even with a new job and recent promotion, I still cannot afford a new car. I’ve always had to just buy extremely cheap used cars and wait for the inevitable day they will be too expensive to continue to maintain and die on me. For example, my list goes as follows:

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

1999 VW Beatle

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

2011 Ford Focus

2016 Chrysler Sebring

2012 Jeep Liberty Sport

2018 Prius (my late Dad’s car, which of course … died)

And now, I am stuck with quite possibly the worst one of all. Lowest mileage but it’s a 2004 Kia Optima. I can feel it turning on me. Still drives okay and I’ve maintained it pretty well (It was my mom’s, but she was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so obviously she can’t drive anymore) And tbh, if it wasn’t the ugliest car known to man, I’d continue maintaining it due to the lower mileage (was at 88k when I started driving it and NOA it’s at 92. I drove it across 5 states when moving recently and it’s still going… but… it’s doing some similar shiz it did last year before replacing a belt)

I had so much money saved that went into care for my mom and moving expenses (hers and mine)

So, my budget is pitiful but it is what it is. I can really, at this time, only afford a used car for about 3k.

Also cant trade the one I have in right now because my mom lost the title years ago and they’re making it impossible to order a new one, even with the correct POA forms. But I don’t think I have enough time for that anyway, as literally while im driving it’s stalling again and shaking and nothing works even in small ways. The windows eirher won’t open or can’t, because the motor is broken. The lights aren’t automatic anymrke, the locks arent automatic anymore. It’s so old and so annoying and I just want any other car but this one at this point.

But I suck at car shopping. I know virtually nothing about them. I’ve been taken advantage before because guys see a blonde female walking in to buy a car and making uncertain remarks and questions and they KNOW they can f*** me over.

The cars I keep eyeing and really want: Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul, Nissan Juke.

So. If you were me, in my position financially…literally only 3k, maybe 3500…. unable to pay much at all in terms of financing. Like hoping to find a car with a flat rate and maybe very tiny monthly payments, where would you look? Used car dealerships? Marketplace? Craigslist? All of the above?

A few of the ones I’ve had in the past have been a sad mix of friends selling me their old cars, ex-boyfriends pitching in a little (bless all of their kind souls) parents old cars they aren’t using and then some I bought myself off of Craigslist lol. Way before Marketplace was such a big thing of course.

Help me. Any card I haven’t thought of that are similar to those above? And what is the smartest way to go about this financially?

Hi everyone! I'm from Brazil, and I'd like to understand how certain cars are perceived in the US and Europe.

Here in Brazil, cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman and even entry-level BMWs are seen as cars for very wealthy people.

For example, if someone shows up in a 2006 Porsche Cayman, which costs around R$270,000 here, they would be perceived as very wealthy almost anywhere in Brazil. The same goes for someone driving a 2020 BMW 320i. Even older BMWs, like a 2014 3 Series, are still associated with people who are financially well-off and have a comfortable lifestyle.

Even a brand-new Toyota Corolla is considered something of a status symbol among the upper-middle class here.

So I'm curious: Does owning a Porsche carry the same kind of social status in the US or Europe? What about driving a BMW, even an older one?

To give you an idea of how expensive these cars are relative to what people earn in Brazil, imagine living in the US where a brand-new Toyota Corolla base costs $170,000 and a Porsche 718 costs around $650,000 and 2008 Porsche Cayman costs around $270,00. That's basically how out of reach these cars feel for the average Brazilian.

1 USD is about 5 BRL, but salaries are much lower in Brazil compared to US. Even in São Paulo, the country's wealthiest city, earning R$10,000 ($2,000 USD) per month is considered a good salary. Surprisingly, we see a lot of Corollas, SUVs, and other cars that easily cost R$200,000 here, because people are willing to take out car loans.

A new 2026 Honda Civic's MSRP is $24,995. I see them listed locally at $26,119 (although they promote a sales tax paid deal, may be some kind of scam IDK not sure on the whole details it's a bit fuzzy).

If I look at local used Civic's there are 2022, or 2023 or 2024 with 30-50k miles on it in used inventory. They're asking 25-28k. There's a 2025 civic LX with 35k miles at $24,555. Lowest thing out there that's more or less new. For older models 2019 models with 100k+ miles they're asking 17-19k.

I see absolutely no reason why buying used would make sense at those prices. It makes the new vehicle look like a steal.

Have my eyes on a 2003 Camry that looks pretty well maintained. Got into contact with the seller and only present issues are an exhaust leak and broken EVAP system. Consistent oil changes. What do you guys think? I need a daily driver for at least a year, wishing longer.

I’m on a tight budget and torn between the two. I’m mostly looking at something like Mazda hatchback vs Nissan Leaf, Chevy Trax vs Chevy Bolt, etc. Feel free to dispel any of my assumptions, but here is my thought process:

EV Pros:
-great deals on used EVs.
-save money on gas.
-I drive about 20 miles a day so I’m not worried about range.
-I’m coming from a 2007 Jeep Liberty so anything from this decade will feel like luxury to me.

EV Cons:
-more planning needed for the occasional trip to see family 150 miles away.
-I live in northern Utah and am worried about cheaper EVs without a heat pump.
-nervous about battery degradation of older batteries in used EVs.

ICE Pros:
-no range anxiety.
-a ton of options at different price points and they’re familiar to me.
-everything I’m looking at is reasonably efficient, especially compared to my current Jeep.
-I feel like you can get higher specs compared to a similarly priced EV. (AWD, Heated seats, power seats, etc.)

ICE Cons:
-gas prices obviously.
-less depreciation and more price gouging.
-more maintenance and more that can go wrong mechanically.

Am I crazy for thinking about buying a minivan for around town / trips? It’s just the two of us and a couple of dogs that will probably be our last. We currently have last generations BMW X3 which we like just fine I suppose. We had the unusual occasion of renting a Pacifica and I actually kind of enjoyed how much space it had and how it handled. I’m guessing I enjoyed the lower center of gravity? Not sure how to explain it.

It’s not very zippy compared to the X3 but maybe the Carnival hybrid will be a bit zippier? Part of me feels silly for considering this but maybe it’s not so abnormal? So of course the only logical thing to do is ask strangers on the internet. Appreciate any advice from anyone that’s done the same thing.

Mainly city driving, sometimes road trips with family friends, wants something fun, Automatic and sedan

everyone compares monthly payments. nobody compares the 5-year total. The same $18k car can cost $9k more than its twin once u factor in:
1. insurance tier (which is brutal under 25)
2. fuel, if one needs premium. This adds up quicker than I thought
3. maintenance: some brands have cheaper parts. OEM and aftermarket. Some not so much - you’ll think you can afford the car until it eats ur savings. Btw this also depends on where you live in the world… and if you buy a domestic or foreign brand.
4. depreciation ofc, the silent killer.
5. the big service items due before certain mileage.

I’ve had my fair share of getting f’d over buying old Germans lol. Live and learn

I got tired of doing this math in my head so I built an estimator I’ve been using for a bit. I’ll link it below for whoever cares lol. It pretty much does what I’d manually do before every purchase:

Punching in the exact year/make/model etc and get a real 5-year number. no ads btw. Free to use

https://www.folk.com/f/car-cost-estimator

i’m planning on buying a car, but i don’t want something boring. so could some of yall write down some 5 seater goofy looking hatchback cars? the weirder looking the better :)

Hi, do you think this car is decent for my first one?

https://www.chapelfieldcarsales.co.uk/used-volkswagen-polo-manchester-greater-manchester-8162604?fbclid=PAVERFWAVMoKhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAmZkaWQWURB_mO-d2JAwt9JAbBxZWDPwx465S3NydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp_NepgDc-4WruBobe9AI41OhGI9A8uE5sRNWoqdHR2HPFmaw42kjLzvE9stf_aem_TsaXi49Jc_Yc7MvYOdKMyg

I have a 2019 tacoma TRD off road, manual with 140k miles. It’s nearly paid off and I’m looking for something more fun to get into. I know the smart thing is to run the tacoma into the ground but I don’t use the truck capabilities enough and have been itching for a change.

Looking for something sporty like a miata or a quick suv that can do some light off roading (dirt road to trailhead). Something fast, more luxurious, and under 20-25k. Open to just about anything.

Hello, everyone i am looking to purchase a 2013 Lexus is250 Chicago land area. It has 98k miles and body is clean for the year and mileage. However the price is 15k and some change. The dealership wont budge not even $500 off. Is it worth it or not for 15k? I like it but I’m trying to see what is an appropriate price from other Lexus owners. I also did a PPI and it came clean no codes, no rust, etc etc

I’m looking for a used car under $30k and could use some suggestions.

I’m 27M, and 6'2". I drive around 10,000 miles a year, and currently live in Texas, though I may move to another state eventually. My priorities are:

• Reasonable reliability and manageable maintenance costs (main).
• Good headroom and legroom.
• Decent performance—ideally around 300 hp.
• Good fuel economy. Around 30 mpg combined would be great, but I’m open to compromises.

I love cars and can finally afford something around $30k, but shopping in this market has been frustrating. I really like the BMW M340i and M240i, especially 2021 and newer, but they seem outside my budget. BMW maintenance costs also concern me.

I’ve looked at the Lexus ES 350, but even low-mileage 2019 models seem expensive. Even finding a newer Camry under $30k has been harder than I expected.

I earn a little over $100k a year and want something enjoyable without stretching myself financially. What models and years would you recommend? Which of my expectations would I need to compromise on?

Note: not having crazy savings.

My mom is 72, currently driving a 2014 Crosstrek, which, surprise, is having transmission issues. Prior to that she had a 2014 Forrester. She liked the Forrester a little better, but was reluctant to finance, and paid cash for the Crosstrek. She’s open to financing, and frankly should have financed newer last time around, as she’s had the Crosstrek 3 years at most. But there’s financial illiteracy for you. I’ve gotta find out how much money she has to work with and what she’s comfortable with in payments before we know if we’re looking at new or used.

She is ragingly opposite of a typical Subaru driver. Like offensively so.
She drives more miles than you’d expect a person who hasn’t worked in years to drive. At least 30 miles most days. So I’m also kind of thinking it would be better to put her in something new or fairly new, and it hopefully gets her through the end of needing a car.

She wants something that she won’t have to get down into. I think another Forrester is going to be a little bit too much. The lowest priced new ones around the area are $32k. I honestly don’t hate the pricing on the used ones at the local dealership. They have some from 2020-2024 that seem to be fairly priced.

I suggested a Corolla Cross and an HRV, and will probably suggest a CX-30. There is a fast charger for an electric vehicle already installed on the house, and I don’t think she would exceed the range of most electric cars beyond a few times a year.

Should I be suggesting things like a Trax or a Trailblazer? I’m assuming I should not be suggesting a Hyundai or Kia? I have no clue what her credit is, but mine is excellent and i’ll cosign if she needs it, so we don’t need Nissan. Unless the Nissan Kicks is actually a great car.

Looking at a used Volvo on marketplace. Really love the way it looks and it would be practical, but how realistic is it to own a Volvo on Oahu??

I would like to learn about car maintenance, how are these to work on??

I heard that Lexus maintenance and repairs tend to be more expensive than Toyota's due to it being a luxury brand. I was wondering which would be cheaper to own in the long run (about 10 years or so). Assuming both cars are about in the same condition. Reliability and price are my main priorities.

Both near-identical acceleration

The BMW has the more reliable engine based on my research and also drives better

The Mercedes has a much nicer interior IMO

Thanks! And is Camry more worth the buy?

Hey! I'm looking to replace my first car, a 2016 Mazda 3. It's a great car and I love it, but it's a bit too rough for the roads where I live (Ukrainian roads are tough). I'm thinking about getting something new. I don't have anything specific in mind, but I kinda like the 2022 CX-5, although I've seen other posts saying it's not that comfortable and has a more "sporty" suspension. Also, had some thoughts about Nissan Rogue (which has best options, technology for this range and good suspension and noise insulation), but unsure about 1.5 engine.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. What do you think is the most comfortable car in this price range? I'm not specifically looking for an SUV, so a sedan or something else would be fine too. I'm aware that smaller wheels (17") and different shock absorbers can improve comfort. For now, though, I'm only interested in how comfortable the stock suspension is from the factory. Thanks!

Does anyone know where any car auctions are located in Georgia?