Unnecessary car shopping with you guys

"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
09/09/2019 at 15:14 • Filed to: Unnecessary Car Shopping

I probably won’t actually be purchasing a vehicle for a few more years but that hasn’t stopped me from looking and comparing. So just for shits and giggles Oppo, I want to know what makes your short list if you had to go buy something newish (say 2016 or newer) right now that fits your budget and needs.

For me I want a fun car, need 4 doors and room for kids and their stuff, and probably would be looking at the <$25k range.

Here’s my lineup

The Charger Scat Pack is definitely first. Followed closely by the K900 and then the TourX. Obviously these are all more than $25k, but looking at used prices a 2-3 year old model of each can be found for under that.

While I’d love to include a Stinger GT in this, prices for used ones are still over my $25k limit.

The Subaru XT also gets a nod, but that’s not technically available yet and would be over the limit.

Edit: Scat Pack Charger might be a bit aspirational since they are definitely under $30k, but not yet to $25k. If I throw the Charger R/T in there instead that puts the KIA on top of my list.

DISCUSSION (16)

Arrivederci > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/09/2019 at 15:41

Scat Pack might be a hard find under $25k, even in a few years. They seem to hold their value well.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Arrivederci
09/09/2019 at 15:45

I was surprised to find them nearing $25k. I’d go over my budget a bit for one of these.

Kinja'd!!!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/09/2019 at 16:06

fun car, need 4 doors and room for kids and their stuff, and probably would be looking at the <$25k range.

This is exactly what I will be looking for in my next car as well.

Charger’s good. I have driven the regular R/T and it’s good enough IMO. You’ll save a lot more in Fuel, insurance, tires and brakes vs. a Scat Pack but nothing matches that 392 sound.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/2018-dodge-charger-r-t-5-7-test-drive-review-1831461359

And don;t worry Stinger GTs will come down in price soon enough, I highly recommend that as well.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-i-test-drove-a-stinger-gt2-rwd-today-1827364762

If you want to go used German route I’d recommend an Audi S4 2017+

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/09/2019 at 16:11

Charger , K900 , Equu s are on my short list. Any Charger works, but I would prefer an R/T, the Kia/Hyundai must be V8.

I would love to still have the TourX on it as well, but I couldn’t live with the road noise, cheap interior, and terrible transmission daily.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/09/2019 at 16:16

Oddly enough since I only ever have driven small manual cars, probably a Ridgeline. I plan on keeping my FoST but I need something to carry/tow bikes, motorcycles, camping/hiking gear, yard stuff, and still be comfortable too. Can’t buy new GM due to my upbringing (grew up with a bunch of them and they all had issues), the ranger was a big disappointment to me, and I do not like the Tacoma interior. Sat in a ridgeline and was surprised how quiet and comfortable it was.

Shift24 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/09/2019 at 16:46

Holy crap that’s a lot of car for that kind of money.

Depreciation must be terrible on the chargers.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Shift24
09/09/2019 at 20:54

It’s a hell of a lot of car for the money which is what piqued my interest

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
09/09/2019 at 20:56

Hmmm, I’ll have to look at Audi’s too. Didn’t think you could get a newer one i my price range.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
09/09/2019 at 20:57

I like to new ridgeline, I just wish it got better gas mileage. It doesn’t do much better than the full size body on frame trucks

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
09/09/2019 at 21:00

Are the TourX really that bad? I haven’t driven one yet. The V8 K900 is going to very tempting for me with it’s insane depreciation combined with KIAs present reliability all in a big comfy cruiser package.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/10/2019 at 07:07

We were appalled by the TourX. We drove a few of them, base model to the top Essence trim, hoping it was just a fluke : The interior materials ar e extremely cheap, hard plastic covers most surfaces, the seats are rock hard, the visibility is terrible. The road noise is almost overpowering, we were almost raising our voices just to talk inside. The ride is extremely harsh, the tiny road seams can be felt through the car. The transmission has zero idea what it’s doing if you have the need to call on the power. Normal driving it seems fine, try to pass or roll into it to merge, it may hit the right gear, it may downshift too far causing it to almost redline, or it may not shift down far enough causing it to continue lugging.

When you’re used to driving 90s base model Mopars and a 2019 luxury wagon makes them feel refined, there’s something wrong. My wife has next to no “feel” on vehicles and she even commented how cheap it felt and how loud it was.

The Kia on the other hand was a wonderful place to spend time. It’s definitely on our short list, they were just out of our price range at this time.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/10/2019 at 15:16

That was a tad disappointing to see 19/26. At least my Current whip is averaging 24.8 on 93, so similar mileage on 87 will be cheaper slightly.

USUSGTO > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/16/2019 at 08:20

I keep going back and forth on my DD nee ds.

- 120 miles / day - 6 0 miles each way

- morning: traffic free

- evening: 40 miles of traffic hell (Houston, TX)

I keep thinking of replacing the grand marquis (22mpg) and

- getting a Passat Tdi 6M

- Buick La C rosse

- CPO E250 bluetec.

And then I think I’ll just suck u p the fuel cost and conti nue to drive the grand marquis.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > USUSGTO
09/16/2019 at 08:57

22 mpg isn’t that bad ( I may be biased though based on my fleet) and as long as the Grand Marquis isn’t requiring regular repairs and you enjoy driving it I don’t see a reason to buy another vehicle. You may be spending a lot in gas, but it’s still minimal compared to the costs of a new vehicle.

But, if you’re spending a lot on repairs for the Grand Marquis or just don’t enjoy driving it anymore then go for it. From what I can tell you wouldn’t have any problem affording a new car so it’s not as much a financial decision as a personal one.

USUSGTO > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/16/2019 at 09:23

Honestly, it’s not the mpg which concerns me, it’s putting shit tonnes of m iles on a “newer” vehicl e which’ll translate into depre cia tion.

I mean putting 36k miles / yr on a 9 year old - 90k mile grand marquis doesn’ t affect the value much.

On the other hand put 36k miles on a 3 year old - 40k mile E250 bluetec and suddenly the regular maintenance and the depreciation comes into view.

And I enjoy being in the Grand Marquis almost as much in my 7 series or the SS. cause i can park it anywhere and just walk away without as much a worry about inconsiderate assholes.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > USUSGTO
09/16/2019 at 09:27

I’d say keep the Marquis then and drive it until it needs to be replaced.