by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 03/08/2017 at 15:28
by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 03/08/2017 at 15:28
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STARS: 2
My wife and I are getting new cars this year (she gets hers first lol) and she’s between the refreshed CX5 and the new Equinox. So family car covered and that leaves me with what to get.
My initial thought is to lease a cheap Cruze as my DD and save money to buy a Camaro V6 1LE (green please). My wife even likes the idea as long as I teach her stick. I love the idea of a second trackable car I can use up at Mid-Ohio and store for the winter.
The dilemma is that this is inherently more expensive than just leasing/buying a Cadillac ATS sedan with some nice mechanical options (brake package, etc). The downside to this option is I prefer the looks and usability of the two Chevys and I’m not going to track my only car.
I’d like to have a track car but I’m not heartbroken if it means saving a few hundred a month on car insurance and payments.
What do you think?
EDIT : we’re looking at the 2018 Equinox that isn’t out yet.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
03/08/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 1
It sounds like you already have one track car, so the Cruze/Camaro idea would give you a second? Given your options, I would totally DD the ATS and keep the track car you already have. (if I read that right)
"Rico" (ricorich)
03/08/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 1
What about a Volt? For extra gas savings too. Also the Equinox is trash compared to the CX5.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
03/08/2017 at 15:39, STARS: 4
Why not buy an older car to be your fun/track toy to go along with the Cruze daily driver?
A clean but older Corvette can be found for under $15k in my area, and that would be far cheaper than a new Camaro, and several cheaper options could be found too if you want to buy with cash instead.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/08/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 0
1: not the equishit. what a terrible car that is.
2: you will be able to get the cruze with a diesel AND a stick soon. 50+ mpg rated, easy to learn stick, good daily. BAM
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/08/2017 at 15:41, STARS: 1
I don’t have advice on your dilemma, but please do not let your wife get an Equinox over a CX-5
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
03/08/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 1
I’d WANT the Cruze/Camaro combo. I’d probably just be cheap and grab the Caddy though.
At least with your options. If it were TOTALLY up to me, it would be a choice between being cheap and getting the Cruze, or grabbing an SS 1LE Camaro instead of the V6.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 15:44, STARS: 0
Unfortunately, I do not have a track car. I’ve driven a friend’s car around the track a few times but I’d like something I could learn like second nature.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
03/08/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 0
A buddy of mine has an ATS 2.0T. He loves the shit out of it.
Get that.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/08/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 2
Why would you buy a brand new car to beat on at the track? Cheap Cruze hatch DD makes sense but I’d get something that’s already depreciated for your toy car.
The Hyundai Elantra Sport is appealing (on paper) as a sportier-than-usual but still practical DD. 201 hp turbo motor, tweaked suspension, available with a stick, etc. Still runs on regular gas, gets good mileage, and likely won’t spike your insurance rates like say, a GTI or ST.
Right now it’s only available in sedan form but the Elantra GT Sport hatch will be out in the next few months.
Then again, I haven’t actually driven it so I may change my tune once I check one out.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
03/08/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 0
My advice is to avoid the first run of the equinox.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 15:47, STARS: 1
Yeah, the old Equinox is bad, we’re waiting for the new 2018 Equinox. We both came from Chevy fathers so we want to at least try it when it comes out.
I really like the Volt but I can’t afford the volt and a third car.
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/08/2017 at 15:47, STARS: 1
There’s an all-new Equinox out now. New platform, new engines, new everything.
"Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
03/08/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 1
I’m not sure how the new Equinox stacks up but I have a 2016 CX5 and it handles family road trip duty with two car seats no problem.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 0
Not the current Equinox, the new one that comes out this summer.
Yeah, the diesel manual cruze is tempting
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/08/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 1
the Equinox will forever be a pile of shit. unless its a complete and total redisegn, its going to be total turd. and even if its a fresh slate, I dont trust Chevy not to fuck it up
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/08/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 0
Oh, I actually had no idea. I’m impressed, I assumed they’d keep using the old platform for a while longer.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
03/08/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 4
Don’t forget about the cost of track consumables (Tires (245/40-R20 & 275/35-R20), Brake Pads, Gas, etc.)
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/08/2017 at 15:58, STARS: 2
You have the budget to buy two new cars in one year? Jealous.
We’er kinda like you in that my wife got her minivan, and she has agreed that it leaves me free to get something less practical for my next, even a Miata.
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/08/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 1
Smaller, lighter, new platform, new engines, new everything compared to the previous generation.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
03/08/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 2
*grunts*
*drools a bit*
*beats chest*
I’d get the Camaro, but with the right sized engine.
*drools a bit more*
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/08/2017 at 16:03, STARS: 1
The Theta platform had been around since 2002 when the Vue first came on the scene. I think GM held on to it plenty long.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0
I really like the Elantra Sport but as a current Hyundai owner, I loathe the dealerships around me.
I was thinking a new car so that my wife would approve it and want to drive it. Something I can take care of from the beginning and later give to my daughter who is currently still in diapers lol
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
03/08/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
I’d get a used SS 1LE. Cheaper that way but still not old and you know ... V8. If you’re going to get a Camaro and track it, might as well be the one to get.
Motor Trend just put a video up today putting the V6 1LE vs the M2. M2 won but their only complaint against the Camaro was that it didn’t have the V8 and that V6's transmission is slightly worse. Worth a watch it you haven’t seen it.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/08/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 1
I know some new car showrooms from incentive-heavy brands can feel like glorified buy-here/pay-here places.
My local Kia dealer is particularly sleazy on the sales side but fine enough for service. I bought a beater Jeep there once and they discounted the maintenance package so much to make their little spiff on it that I took it.
Our new Mitsubishi dealer (there was no Mitsu store here for several years) is literally a buy-here/pay-here place that somehow managed to become a Mitsu store.
So if your Hyundai dealers are like that, I get what you mean.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 1
Our cars are old and we’ve been saving lol. Not having car payments helped a lot.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 1
If I can afford it, I’ll get it lol
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 0
Yeah, I’d like that but I can’t imagine my wife wanting me to buy a used sports car. The V6 camaro is tame enough for her to get behind plus warranty.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 1
Yeah, that’s what took the V8 off the board unfortunately. I have to have budget room for things to keep it track ready
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
03/08/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 1
As a GM fanboy it’s pretty easy to tell which CUV I would tell her to buy.
...
You’re right, it’s the Mazda. I absolutely LOATH the equinox.
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/08/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 1
Pics don’t do the new ATS justice IMO. I park next to one every day (the “back of the lot” club at work) and I’m always surprised by how much presence it has
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
Yep, and their service department is worthless. There was something wrong with my brakes and they could not find it. Took my mechanic buddy ten minutes to find and fix it, it was the parking brake.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
03/08/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1
You can buy a lot of repairs for the price difference (not to mention depreciation), and the engine and drivetrain is something you shouldn’t have to worry about in a C5/C6 Vette. Plus, if it is your 2nd car, you can easily let it sit for a few days or weeks before a repair if necessary, and a warranty might not cover something that happens on the track. If money is your only concern, going used is usually the better choice.
As for it being too “Wild” for your wife, would it be too wild? The V6 Camaro is only 15hp weaker and 500 pounds heavier than a 2004 Vette, but I suppose you’d have to drive them both to make that determination. (My wife could care less which one I chose, she rarely rides in my toys).
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/08/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
and its still a chevy eqiunox.
the first gen was a colossal turd, and the second gen really wasnt that much better. i dont really have much faith that the third gen is going to be as good as a mazda cx5
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/08/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 0
Yup. We just took on a new payment with her van. Mine’s been paid off for a long time. We try to stagger it that way.
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/08/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 1
What about reversing the price requirements? Lease a cool car, buy a less expensive track project. That might make the wear items less of a month-to-month headache? As long as the track project is new enough to be safe, of course.
"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl)
03/08/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 1
Honestly, if you still have your DD cruze a used toy shouldn’t matter...
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
03/08/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
FYI, the new Cruze and Equinox are both on the same platform and share the diesel engine. Based on the positive reviews on the Cruze so far, the Equinox should be shaping up to be pretty good.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/08/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 0
that giant thing is going to be power by a 1.5 diesel?
jesus. wonder if thats going to be the slowest car you can buy today...
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
03/08/2017 at 17:18, STARS: 1
So is the barrier of the two car plan cost? It’s hard to tell from your post.
First, do you want a track car?
Second, if you do want a track car, do both the DD and track car need to be new?
Third, does the amount of those two purchase seem like too much?
Id probably be inclined to ask why not a low mileage used camaro for a track car? If it’s still in warranty or close, it should have been pretty well maintained.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
03/08/2017 at 17:32, STARS: 0
The Equinox is smaller than the last generation and about 400 lbs lighter. Its the same length as the Cruze.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
That’s a good point, I might just have to consider a used track car. That seems to be the consensus
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/08/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 0
I figure to lease my DD because after 3 years of driving it every day, I’m probably going to get bored with it lol
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/08/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 1
oh I’m right there with you. If you’re in the US there are some really good specials right now. XE 3.5T with 6k down and 300/month for example. I’m so tempted...
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/08/2017 at 20:06, STARS: 0
EVERYTHING GM was making in 2003 was a collosal turd. And despite what you think, the current Equinox was pretty decent when it first came out, it’s just 8 years old now. The current one is ground up new and going off the positive reviews of most other new GM cars, even the Cruze which it’s based on, I think the new one will be a perfectly good car.
But please, continue to be ignorant.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/08/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 0
when another GM fanboi says he also think the equinox is a pile of shit, me thinks you are the one with the issue here
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/08/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 1
No, I can just differentiate between a car being old and being a piece of shit. Shitty cars don’t sell, hence why GM and Chrysler went bankrupt in the first place. The Equinox and Terrain are still some of the best selling cars in their class despite their age, so they’re definitely not shitty despite what you “enthusiasts” seem to have stuck in your brains.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/08/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 0
They only just stopped using the W platform last year, GM tends to run platforms for a long time. That seems kind of short to me, by their standards
"The Stig's former college room mate" (das-stig)
03/09/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 1
Buy an SS 1LE and a 1993 Corolla for a DD.
Or better, buy a ZL1 1LE and both you and the wife get bicycles for everyday duty.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
03/09/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 0
I got 14 more years until my daughter can get her license and drive my wife and I where we want. I’m sure my wife will want her Corvette by then