Help Pick a New Car!

"MIATAAAA" (miataaaa) 06/08/2015 at 16:51 • Filed to: None

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My partner is looking to buy a new car by the end of the year, so the search begins! He’s very open minded and trusts those of us who know cars well.

He currently drives a 2005 Nissan Altima. He LOVES that it’s been super reliable - it’s never needed a repair of any kind. He HATES that it’s slow and boring.

He’s looking for a car that fits the following description:

2 door (no sedans)

decent trunk space

fun to drive

good looking

extremely reliable (shoot for no repairs for the first 10+ years)

He’s not really into hot hatches :(

EDIT: Under $50k

EDIT: Max 2 years old and/or less than 20k miles

This was my gut reaction:

It basically fits the description perfectly.

But I’d like to see what y’all throw out for us! Include a picture, because we like looking at pictures.

Thanks in advance! I’ll keep you posted on the search. :)

For Sweden > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:52

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Challenger

TheHondaBro > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:53

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shoot for no repairs for the first 10+ years

Those cars don’t exist.

Twism > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:53

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Fast, Cheap, Reliable.

Pick two.

Twism > For Sweden 06/08/2015 at 16:54

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the reliability may be a problem... the little things likes to go on the LX cars.

Party-vi > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:55

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FR-S or BR-Z? Or a Genesis Coupe, as they have a decade long warranty.

MIATAAAA > Party-vi 06/08/2015 at 16:57

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Yeah - the BRZ is definitely on the list. He likes the look, the reliability is great, and it’s quick and fun to drive. It might be a bit too small for him.

Milky > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:57

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I’d say V6 (or maybe V8) Camaro.

V6 has been around for a while already with no problems and Chevy rarely ever gets a V8 wrong …. undoubtedly will be better to drive than the Accord.

MIATAAAA > Milky 06/08/2015 at 16:59

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I think this is a great suggestion - thanks!

He’d probably be a bit hard pressed to buy American, but you never know! Just not generally his style.

TheOnelectronic > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 16:59

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You didn’t list a price range, so...

911 Turbo S

It’s got two doors, plenty of trunk space, looks great, is stupidly quick, and should be very reliable!

On a serious note, maybe look into the Infiniti coupes? I don’t have much experience with them personally, but the G37 was decently fun to drive and I would imagine they’re reliable enough.

I’m guessing he doesn’t much want an actual “sports car” based on your description, but the Mustang might work well, too. People seem to assume American cars aren’t reliable, but as far as I’m aware Ford has beaten Toyota in such measures several times in the last few years.

Also in the “sports car” category would be the 370Z

Brian Silvestro > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:00

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Any used 981 under $50k/under 20k miles, or an ND. All other answers are less good.

For Sweden > Twism 06/08/2015 at 17:00

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Mustang

AM3R shamefully returns > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:04

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2013 BMW E92 328i, the last of the inline six 328’s. Very reliable engine, I recently passed 75k in mine. No issues whatsoever. Engine sounds awesome, drives extremely smooth, and the handing of the car is superb (in case you ever get to drive it). Makes a great daily driver. Back seats are actually usable, you can fit normal sized people back there. Trunk is decently sized, and the back seats fold down in case you ever need to transport something.

bob and john > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:04

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no repairs in 10 year? thats a pretty tall demand...SOMETHING is going to go wrong, if nothing more then the brakes
I’m assuming he will not be driving the thing hard?

the muscle cars, miata, FR-S/BRZ

if you could deal with a convertible, you could try to find a convertible Lexus IS 350. used.it IS a hard top.

MIATAAAA > TheOnelectronic 06/08/2015 at 17:05

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These are great suggestions! I think he could really like the Infiniti. Especially coming from the Altima. American cars aren’t really his style, but it’s worth looking at. The Z is definitely on the list. Thanks! :)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:06

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Also consider the Mustang. I’m a huge Chevy fan, but I’m coming around on the Mustang a lot. One of the things that strikes me is that for the 6th Gen Camaro, Chevy has more or less stuck with the big ‘Murican pony car formula - it’s large and muscular and in your face looking. But I think Ford has really streamlined the Mustang - it still pushes all the right pony car buttons but in a more subtle way. It’s a far cry from a BMW, but somehow it still makes it feel more European to me.

Milky > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:08

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Ohh didn’t know the budget was $50k …. If he likes the look the RC350 starts at $42k. I’d put money on it being one of the more reliable 2-doors out there.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Twism 06/08/2015 at 17:08

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I agree I had a 2010 Chally SRT8 and it was the most problematic car I’ve ever owned.

in 3 years and 37,000 miles this is the list of stuff that got replaced (all under warranty)

-inner tie rod ends

-passenger side Catalytic converter

-passenger side motor mount

-complete sunroof assembly

-heater blower motor

- I know there is something else but I can’t remember what it was.

Nothing extremely major and the car never left me stranded. But if I had to pay for this out of my pocket I’d be bankrupt.

MIATAAAA > AM3R shamefully returns 06/08/2015 at 17:09

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That’s a great suggestion! I think his gut is to steer clear of luxury cars in general, from his experience with my Z3. I love that car and, mechanically, it runs and drives great, but tons of little stuff has broken on it and that gets very expensive. Do you think BMW has picked up it’s game? He dreads getting an expensive car where weird things stop working, like the electric window’s on my dad’s 911 to every damn thing on my Z3.

MIATAAAA > Milky 06/08/2015 at 17:10

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Yeah - I think this is on the list for sure. The looks are there and the reliability is there. For the money, though, I’d kind of feel stupid about getting this over almost anything else in the segment. From what I’ve read, there are definitely better contenders from BMW, MB, and Audi.

Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders > TheHondaBro 06/08/2015 at 17:11

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Sadly true in these times..

MIATAAAA > For Sweden 06/08/2015 at 17:11

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I this these are solid suggestions. I don’t think he’ll go American, purely from a styling POV.

MIATAAAA > TheHondaBro 06/08/2015 at 17:13

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They totally exist! Both of our cars turn 10 years old this year. Not a single repair on them.

2005 Altima 2.5 and 2005 Matrix XRS

I’m hoping my Miata can do the same, because lord knows my Z3 has not stepped up to that game.

AM3R shamefully returns > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:17

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I definitely think BMW has stepped up their quality. I’m a huge E39 M5/E46 M3 fan.. I regularly think about selling the E90 for one, but they always have small things that don’t work which leads me to stick to the E90. My 2007 has been a daily driver since I got it and everything works on it. Heated seats fire up in what seems like no time, every button on the dash works, no excessive rattles. It feels like a tight, well built car. Mine isn’t perfect after the miles and time but it all still works which is great. Even the “terrible” iDrive still works haha!

Found a “new” 2013.. Easily negotiate it to mid $40’s.. http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/14A8D63…

Vicente Esteve > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:19

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Honestly, Accord coupe.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:20

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You be got a few good choices already. I’d add the Civic So to the list. Or, the VW GTi

For Sweden > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:22

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If so, tell him he has a poor sense of style

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:23

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370Z, because DAT ASS! (And the VQ, and the 6MT, and the glorious exhaust note for a V6)

MIATAAAA > For Sweden 06/08/2015 at 17:24

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Hahaha. I’m going to let him slide. I think he’s looking for a car that says “corporate executive”. Most American cars don’t give that vibe. Except for the Corvette.

TheHondaBro > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:24

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Then spring for the Accord Coupe. Most reliable midsize coupe there is.

MIATAAAA > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/08/2015 at 17:25

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This is definitely on the list. Sadly, I don’t think he’s going to pick an MT. He’s been learning on mine, but I think he’s fearful of missing the ease of an automatic in heavy traffic.

For Sweden > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:25

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Tell him “corporate executive” means “boring in bed”

TheHondaBro > Milky 06/08/2015 at 17:25

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That thing looks absolutely sinister. I love it.

MIATAAAA > AM3R shamefully returns 06/08/2015 at 17:28

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but they always have small things that don’t work

This is the probably with BMWs, from my experience. And he’s so spoiled with incredible reliability.

AM3R shamefully returns > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:32

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I was referencing to the older E39’s/E46’s, but yeah if he’s accustomed to Japanese reliability it may be better to find another option. The Lexus RC seems like a good buy, I enjoyed driving my sisters new IS250 but it was slow.

Textured Soy Protein > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:33

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There really aren’t many Japanese sporty-ish coupes anymore. Pretty much the list is limited to:

Honda Accord Coupe
Honda Civic Coupe
Infiniti Q60 (the artist formerly known as G37 Coupe)
Lexus RC
Nissan 370Z
Scion tC
Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z

If he’s got some flexibility on when exactly he buys something, there will be the new Infiniti Q60 at some point in the not-too-distant (but not yet specified) future. It’s supposed to have a 400 hp twin turbo V6 . This is the concept version.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:34

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It’s okay. Paddle shifters and lightning fast shifts make up for it.

not for canada - australian in disguise > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 17:52

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This. Might be a bit shaky reliability wise in the future, but it’s got an amazing warranty, so that should cover it.

Milky > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 18:10

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The only bad thing I’ve heard about the Lexus is that its over weight. Unless you actively race it I’d doubt its that noticeable. But owing the Germans after 5 years would be the opposite of “better” compared to a Lexus.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 18:20

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This is my Hyundai Genesis Coupe and I couldn’t have chosen a better car: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/2014-hyundai-g…

It looks like it fits your specs. 100k mile warranty, 0-60 in 5.2, terrific handling, around $30 for the ‘ultimate’ version but cheaper they come too, plenty of trunk space with folding rear seats, looks fantastic.

Tom McParland > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 20:16

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How about this?

Under 50k

Big trunk

Fun

Reliable

Less than 2 years old

Good looking? Well..it depends on what you are into.

Or a blue one if he likes

MIATAAAA > Tom McParland 06/08/2015 at 20:23

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We discussed further this evening. He has completely vetoed all American cars (I don’t really blame him) based on appearances and cheapness. Except we are going to look at the new Mustang, with great hesitation. And I think a Vette is a bit too crazy for him. He’s not super interested in crazy speed at all.

LSXforYourSuperCar > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 20:38

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Cadillac ATS Coupe, yeah it’s American but if you judge it strictly by merit it stacks up to it’s Japanese competition and looks much better.

Also, my neighbor works at the Lansing MI assembly plant that builds these and he maintains an exceptionally attractive lawn and garden. I’d really like to keep that going.

Tom McParland > MIATAAAA 06/08/2015 at 20:40

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Well the new Mustang was designed for European buyers...so that makes sense. He should go for the EcoBoost. :)

MIATAAAA > LSXforYourSuperCar 06/08/2015 at 22:20

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Adding it to the list! This is a wonderful suggestion. :) Thanks!