So let's talk about cars.

[sombrio]

I've been happy with my older cars for a long time, but my wife is itching for a new car. She's sick of the old Acura, and while I love that car, I can't blame her. She wants something late-model (probably no older than about 2008) and, for lack of a better word, just "nice." She's not a big car girl, it doesn't have to be sporty or fun to drive, but it has to be a generally nice car that most people would be happy to drive. Something more like a new Toyota Camry than the Spitfire.

We can get decent financing through our credit union. I think they had about a 3.25% APR. I don't know much about financing but it seemed.... OK. We would probably try to finance about $8-12k, pay around 3-5k cash, and hopefully get either a new(ish) economy subcompact or a late-model used car. Last night we checked out (just looking online) a 2016 Hyundai Sonata (?) -- economy subcompact that actually looked pretty nice -- and a Chevy Sonic which I wasn't particularly enthused about.

Probably would be a compact-ish car or a smallish SUV. I do not think a pickup or a sports car would suit our needs, though I would be happy for any suggestions on a wider view of things.

The other option would be to try to get something like our Hondas but used--maybe something like a 2007-2010, or perhaps even later model, Accord, or Camry.

What do you guys think? If you could spend, say, $15,000 on a new-ish car to be a reliable, comfortable commuter car, what would you recommend?

[the_edge]

Do you guys care about buying a new-ish car that just so happens to be a previous generation model?

[sombrio]

Do you guys care about buying a new-ish car that just so happens to be a previous generation model?

I'm sorry, I'm not 100% clear on what you mean by that. She wants a car that's not brand new, but relatively late-model. Around 1-3 years old is what she said just now, but I don't think she's very set on that. She is set on it not being very old, or we would just get a 15 year old Lexus and call it a day.

Do you mean like a 2015 Model X where a brand-new Model X just came out last year? I don't think we mind that. We'd probably rather have the last model, if it's a decent one. If there's something where there was just a flashy new "upgrade" released maybe that's even for the best because we could get a good deal on something that people are just tired of--right?

[the_edge]

Do you guys care about buying a new-ish car that just so happens to be a previous generation model?

I'm sorry, I'm not 100% clear on what you mean by that. She wants a car that's not brand new, but relatively late-model. Around 1-3 years old is what she said just now, but I don't think she's very set on that. She is set on it not being very old, or we would just get a 15 year old Lexus and call it a day.

Do you mean like a 2015 Model X where a brand-new Model X just came out last year? I don't think we mind that. We'd probably rather have the last model, if it's a decent one. If there's something where there was just a flashy new "upgrade" released maybe that's even for the best because we could get a good deal on something that people are just tired of--right?

Yup!

I was thinking that. You could always get yourself a nice 2014 Chrysler 300. They're big, roomy, comfy and luxurious: https://www.carmax.com/car/14058989

This thing is sort of closer to a pre-art & science Cadillac or a Lincoln Town car than to a Camry IMO

[tut]

Short answer: a nice car for people who don't care about cars -> Hyundai. They're usually really nice cars, nothing special, not particularly fun to drive, but economical and nice.

[sombrio]

Do you guys care about buying a new-ish car that just so happens to be a previous generation model?

I'm sorry, I'm not 100% clear on what you mean by that. She wants a car that's not brand new, but relatively late-model. Around 1-3 years old is what she said just now, but I don't think she's very set on that. She is set on it not being very old, or we would just get a 15 year old Lexus and call it a day.

Do you mean like a 2015 Model X where a brand-new Model X just came out last year? I don't think we mind that. We'd probably rather have the last model, if it's a decent one. If there's something where there was just a flashy new "upgrade" released maybe that's even for the best because we could get a good deal on something that people are just tired of--right?

Yup!

I was thinking that. You could always get yourself a nice 2014 Chrysler 300. They're big, roomy, comfy and luxurious: https://www.carmax.com/car/14058989

This thing is sort of closer to a pre-art & science Cadillac or a Lincoln Town car than to a Camry IMO

That really does look nice inside. Any idea how Americans are doing on reliability lately? When I was following this stuff, American cars weren't nearly as reliable, especially over the long run, as a decent Honda or Toyota. I think Hyundai was even better. I've read at least a couple of things suggesting that Ford/GM are just as good as Honda now, but I haven't looked at the data. Gotta find one of those Consumer Reports used car quality guides...

[the_edge]

That really does look nice inside. Any idea how Americans are doing on reliability lately? When I was following this stuff, American cars weren't nearly as reliable, especially over the long run, as a decent Honda or Toyota. I think Hyundai was even better. I've read at least a couple of things suggesting that Ford/GM are just as good as Honda now, but I haven't looked at the data. Gotta find one of those Consumer Reports used car quality guides...

I heard toyota is mostly cruising on its reputation now.

Mom had a Grand Cherokee, I LOVED the thing, it felt like a true luxury SUV, almost benz-like. But well, it had issues and she had to get rid of it after 3 years. Murrican cars are still no Hyundais or Hondas

[Turbojett]

American cars are doing much better on reliability nowadays. It's just that hardly anybody's taking notice.

[thewalrus]

I've been happy with my older cars for a long time, but my wife is itching for a new car. She's sick of the old Acura, and while I love that car, I can't blame her. She wants something late-model (probably no older than about 2008) and, for lack of a better word, just "nice." She's not a big car girl, it doesn't have to be sporty or fun to drive, but it has to be a generally nice car that most people would be happy to drive. Something more like a new Toyota Camry than the Spitfire.

We can get decent financing through our credit union. I think they had about a 3.25% APR. I don't know much about financing but it seemed.... OK. We would probably try to finance about $8-12k, pay around 3-5k cash, and hopefully get either a new(ish) economy subcompact or a late-model used car. Last night we checked out (just looking online) a 2016 Hyundai Sonata (?) -- economy subcompact that actually looked pretty nice -- and a Chevy Sonic which I wasn't particularly enthused about.

Probably would be a compact-ish car or a smallish SUV. I do not think a pickup or a sports car would suit our needs, though I would be happy for any suggestions on a wider view of things.

The other option would be to try to get something like our Hondas but used--maybe something like a 2007-2010, or perhaps even later model, Accord, or Camry.

What do you guys think? If you could spend, say, $15,000 on a new-ish car to be a reliable, comfortable commuter car, what would you recommend?

Honestly - I've been pretty pleased with my Mazda 3. I bet you could get an early model of the current generation for your price range. With the 5 door it's got decent hauling capacity. And it feels like a high quality, well built, car on the interior as well. Fuel economy is fantastic as well - 9.5 l / 100km on the commute into work today, in stop and go traffic, in the winter. Highway you're hitting low 5s.

[Arthur Dent]

You could buy a fleet of Triumph Spitfires - at least one would functional enough for her to drive

[Honor]

Sombrio and ROD playing nice. We really are in the future now

[the_edge]

Sombrio and ROD playing nice. We really are in the future now

Sombrio and me grew up, I grew really fond of AF'ers and Les went insane... things do change

[sombrio]

LOL!

Don't send me any more viruses and we're cool.

I was just thinking, I remember ranting at Les over... something... back in the day. I don't remember what it was about, though. I think I basically quoted Eminem--"you're broke as fuck, you suck, you're a fucking joke"--and Wally said he thought the language was harsh but he didn't disagree with the overall sentiment. That's about as much as I can recall. But there must have been something to it. I was wondering if it was actually over politics and if it was that I was conservative and he was liberal. It'd be a hoot if we basically switched positions (though I still think Trumpism has none of the integrity or intellectual honesty of actual conservatism).

Anyway, we settled on a 2014 Hyundai Veloster. It's a fun little car! I'll post pictures when I'm able. It's a sporty hatchback. 1.6L direct injection engine with 138 hp and a 6-speed manual. We didn't get the turbo version but it's got plenty of zip and also gets 35 mpg on the highway! Between the Triumph and the Hyundai, we now span five decades of car design.

Shout out to my wonderful wife Chrystal who I am so proud of for wanting two things, a backup camera and a manual transmission.

[thewalrus]

LOL!

Don't send me any more viruses and we're cool.

I was just thinking, I remember ranting at Les over... something... back in the day. I don't remember what it was about, though. I think I basically quoted Eminem--"you're broke as fuck, you suck, you're a fucking joke"--and Wally said he thought the language was harsh but he didn't disagree with the overall sentiment. That's about as much as I can recall. But there must have been something to it. I was wondering if it was actually over politics and if it was that I was conservative and he was liberal. It'd be a hoot if we basically switched positions (though I still think Trumpism has none of the integrity or intellectual honesty of actual conservatism).

Anyway, we settled on a 2014 Hyundai Veloster. It's a fun little car! I'll post pictures when I'm able. It's a sporty hatchback. 1.6L direct injection engine with 138 hp and a 6-speed manual. We didn't get the turbo version but it's got plenty of zip and also gets 35 mpg on the highway! Between the Triumph and the Hyundai, we now span five decades of car design.

Shout out to my wonderful wife Chrystal who I am so proud of for wanting two things, a backup camera and a manual transmission.

Nice - I've always had a soft spot for the Veloster. I've pretty much come to conclusion that the only vehicles I'll be buying, as daily drivers, from this point out are sporty hatchbacks and wagons (to the extent that they're available).

[tut]

the missus had a quick look at a veloster the other day, and the only thing that put her off was the fuel economy.... but they're great looking cars!

[the_edge]

Velosters are cool, good going Sombrio

[ryguy79]

I remember when I cared about cars. Now they are just an expense that eats into my bike budget.

[tut]

Short answer: a nice car for people who don't care about cars -> Hyundai. They're usually really nice cars, nothing special, not particularly fun to drive, but economical and nice.

funny story, we were looking for a safe, sensible economical car.....

we got a 2009 bmw e92 330d lol

yes, i bought a diesel

[thewalrus]

I remember when I cared about cars. Now they are just an expense that eats into my bike budget.

Yeah, tell me about it. I'm at the point now where, as long as its reliable, and has enough room to get me and my stuff from point A to point B I'm probably going to be OK with it. If it looks good, that's even better. As much as 2000-era Wally would be aghast, the best vehicle for me, right now, would probably be something like a Honda Element (which of course they don't make anymore), a Subaru Forester, or... of course - a Volvo station-wagon. Maybe a Tacoma.

If I had a lot more money, I'd still love something like a vintage Mustang or Volvo P1800 as a fun weekend driver on the side. But that'd be about the extent of it. The days of my hard-core car enthusiasm are pretty well over, I think.