The search for a new daily continues...

"SmugAardvark" (SmugAardvark) 02/01/2020 at 20:05 • Filed to: car shopping, what should I buy

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As some of you know, I’ve been casually shopping around for a new daily driver for a few months now. I have only been half-serious about buying another car, since my current daily (2009 Nissan Cube) has never given me any mechanical woes in the nearly 9 years I’ve been driving it, including a few cross-country trips . But as the miles click by, the problems are starting to go from purely cosmetic to now affecting the functionality.

Shifting into 3rd has always had a bit of a slight catch since buying it, but now it’s starting to make an almost grinding sound if I don’t very gently ease the shifter into gear. There’s also something up electronically, where applying the brakes at speed results in the car automatically turning off the traction control. Two of the power windows are starting to struggle, most notably the driver’s door unit. Finally, at least one of the TPMS sensors has recently bit the dust as well, leaving a constant light on the dash. With the aesthetic issues (cracked windshield, crunched hood from flying road debris, front bumper having about 2 million tiny rock chips, several little dents and scrapes all over) in addition to the new operational issues, it isn’t worth much money. In fact, I imagine that if I were to repair everything, it would wind up costing more than the vehicle is worth.

I’ve got a couple days ahead of me where I’m off work, and can devote some time to car shopping. I’ve whittled my list down to a small handful of cars to test drive. Already talked to my bank, and getting pre-approved for a loan with a good interest rate (at or below 4 %) for something used/CPO and less than $30,000 will present zero issues.

Here’s what I need:

Four doors

Not abysmally boring to drive

Reasonable gas mileage (combined 25+ MPG would be nice)

Comfortable for long drives

Nothing too massive. I like some of the full-size sedans out there, but realistically it’s more car than I need, especially since I live in an urban area

Something I won’t be terrified about street parking with.

Decent ergonomics. I’m 6'3" and a hair short of 200#. Mrs. Aardvark is about a foot shorter than me, and I’m too terrified to ask what she weighs, but safe to say significantly less than me. But I’ll need something both of us can drive and get in and out of easily.

Here’s what I’m not concerned with:

Transmission type. I like manuals, but since this is a daily, an automatic is definitely not a deal- breaker. I’ve yet to be convinced by any CVT’s though..

Depreciation. As long as it holds up, I’ll probably be keeping the car for 100,000+ miles, and at least 8 years. No matter what I get, it will probably be near the bottom of the depreciation curve when I eventually get rid of it.

Crazy performance. I’m keeping the C5, so I don’t need a high-end performance car or anything that will shatter my spine over every crack in the road.

Rear legroom. We have no kids, just a 40 lb doggo. We occasionally have people in the back seat, but not all that often.

Here’s what I’m against:

Super low r ide height. There’s already a few places I can’t take the Corvette without scraping, so I need something with enough clearance to make it in and out of shopping centers and driveways.

SUV’s and crossovers. Just not my thing.

Boring cars that I will see 15 or 20 of in my daily commute.

As for the cars I’ve got on my list to test drive, here’s the rundown. All are between $20,000 and $30,000, with less than 40 ,000 miles.

2018 Jaguar XE Premium . CPO, with a warranty. I love the red exterior, but not wild about the light beige interior. I have yet to drive or even sit in an XE, so I’m not sure yet what to expect. 16k miles - $26k.

2017 Subaru WRX . Always a hoot to drive, and of the cars I’m looking at, it’s the one I’d probably worry least about little scratches and dings. But I’m not 100% convinced it would make the ideal daily driver. Also, not stellar on fuel. But on the flip side, it would be great for my Lake Tahoe trips in the winter. It’s also the only MT on this list. 23k miles - $23k

2016 Jaguar XF -S . Great combination of luxury and power. 380hp on tap, but with an EPA estimated 20/29 fuel mileage, it’s right on the cusp of what I’m looking for in that arena. The XE might be more appropriate, size-wise. 39k miles - $28k.

2016 BMW 328 ix . Also good for winter snowboard trips. I swore I’d never buy another 3-series, but it’s hard to argue with the overall fit and finish for the price. On the down side, I see a ton of these every day, and we already have a 1-series in the driveway. 34k miles - $21k.

2016 BMW 328ix Wagon . The wagon version of the 3-series, for whatever reason, seems to hold way more value. That’s a shame, because I genuinely prefer them over the sedan. As it is, this one will be stretching the limits of my self-assigned budget. 32k miles - $29k.

2016 Mercedes CLA 250 . I really do love the Cocoa Brown paint. Classy and refined, but also different from what you normally see. I really wish it had a brown leather interior rather than beige though. I’m also curious why it has so few miles despite being over 4 years old. 5k miles - $21k.

2016 Infiniti Q50S . I like the looks on the exterior from the front angle. From the side and back, it looks kind of generic to me. And the interior has never really impressed me. But it is a decent driving car. 20k miles - $26k

2018 Mazda 6 . My favorite Mazda paint color, the soul red crystal is super deep. Sleek lines, but I’m not convinced I want to drive one every single day. It’s also close to the top end of my desired price range. 8k miles - $29k.

2016 Acura TLX V6 . I was interested in A-Spec versions, but around here they have stayed just north of $30k unless they have accident history or a ton of miles. As it is, the TLX will eat up miles with ease. However, am I going to look forward to getting behind the wheel every day? I’m not sure. 30k miles - $21k.

2017 Genesis G80 . Never even sat in one. I’ve heard lots of good things. They look a little bland to me. The one I really like, the G90, is probably too big and definitely too expensive. I want to drive the G80 though, because who knows? Maybe I’ll love it. This one is the 3.8, because the 5.0 definitely will not return the kind of fuel mileage I’m looking to get. 38k miles - $24k.

Other contenders that I have not found locally in my price/mileage/condition range , but would consider: Buick Regal TourX, Cadillac ATS, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Chevy SS (just kidding, the fuel mileage alone excludes it unfortunately).

So, Oppo. What say you? Have I missed anything that any of you think I definitely need to check out? Any of my choices here seem way off the mark? To be totally honest, the two Jags and the WRX are probably my front runners at this point, but that could all change entirely after some test drives.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > SmugAardvark 02/01/2020 at 22:15

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VW CC!

Its just a luxury Passat with a really nice looking interior and comes with a manual!

They really are something different, though maybe a little large. Anyways, probably one of the cheaper options, but look into it.

superdave847 > SmugAardvark 02/01/2020 at 22:25

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I own an F30 sedan—it’s good, but not as good as my E90 or E46 were.

On this list, I like the Infiniti and Subaru most.

If I were adding to it, I would point out the entry level Alfa Romeo Giulia looks incredible, is dirt cheap, and is an Alfa Romeo. I seriously might get one for my next daily.

Also, arguably  better than all of these is the V6 Porsche Macan.

SmugAardvark > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/01/2020 at 22:26

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Between the Passat I had before the Cube, and my lady’s Jetta that grenaded its own motor after 40k well-maintained miles, I’m still a little wary of VAG products, which is why there’s no VW or Audi on my list. Believe me, I love the Golf R and Audi Allroad and S3 . But I have my irrational fears to worry about.

superdave847 > superdave847 02/01/2020 at 22:26

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I also think you can get a used E400 in this price range.

SmugAardvark > superdave847 02/01/2020 at 22:36

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The E-Class is probably slightly bigger than I need. The C-Class/CLA is probably more of the size I’m looking for.

I definitely love the Giulia. There was a very nice Ti Q4 that went up for sale locally 5 days ago. It then went off the market less than 24 hours later. It seems they practically vanish overnight in the used market here.

T here’s zero Macans within 100 miles of me with less than 50k miles and und er $30k. Besides, I’m looking for a sedan more than a crossover, because I guess I’m just weird in that way.

superdave847 > SmugAardvark 02/01/2020 at 22:56

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I get the opinion on crossovers. Also, I do my searches nationwide to get the best deals. Usually what I save on options / miles easily compensate for a few hundred dollars of shipping cost.

I would always pick a rear wheel drive C-Class over the CLA personally. That balance is huge for handling a lower horsepower car.

But if you don’t care about that, at least consider the A-Class for the MBUX infotainment that’s from the S-Class and new GLE.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > SmugAardvark 02/01/2020 at 23:51

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Those fears sound less irrational and more based on experience 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > SmugAardvark 02/01/2020 at 23:55

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The 3 series wagon F31 would be my choice. Or the Subaru if your commute if short.

I’m an old man because I don’t really want to give up my BMW seats for WRX fun. Aalso I feel your pain about wagons being more expensive, that’s why I own a Sedan, but also I regularly wish I’d just forked over the cash upfront be that e91 wouldn’t have deprecated as much as my e90 has.

Oh and that red Jag looks great. Gets points for not just being another BMW too. 

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 00:02

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I say Mazda6 - nice looking, should be decent to drive and reliable. I like that generation 6 a lot.

Of course being a bit of a Jag fan I say at least look at those. I say NP to the XE, Depreciation man!  Don’t expect 90s Camry levels of reliability but they can’t be too much worse than any of the Germans.

Discerning > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 00:13

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I had a 2016 q50 some time ago. I didn’t love it. Chassis was ok but not great. Fuel economy was just ok. The AC was really weak. The interior and windows succumbed to squeaks and rattles. Apparently the window rattle is common.

The absolutely only good thing about the car was the engine. Though the transmission often let it down and didn't down shift far enough. 

SmugAardvark > Discerning 02/02/2020 at 00:33

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Good to know, thanks for the input.

SmugAardvark > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 02/02/2020 at 00:35

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Yeah, I think the XE has the best looks in the compact exec segment. Of course, the brand ha s never really been known for reliability. But with a couple years of warranty remaining, I would hopefully be able to figure out how it’ll hold up long term.

SmugAardvark > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/02/2020 at 00:38

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My lady is part of a BMW family, and of course a lot of what I’m hearing is, “Get a 3-series”. I have nothing against them, as they really are fine cars. I also have two co-workers with them. And my instinctive need to be different is what’s ultimately pulling me in another direction.

But yeah, if a sweet deal on an F31 came along, I’d have to give it a serious consideration.

SmugAardvark > superdave847 02/02/2020 at 00:41

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I’ve bought cars sight unseen before, and honestly I’ve usually ha d very good luck doing so. But it’s generally only been for projects rather than daily drivers. Maybe if I find something I really, really, really  want, I’ll shop around in that method to find the best color combo and deal.

LastFirstMI is my name > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 02:13

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Kia Stinger? Definitely different, but lacks any brand cachet.

Lexus IS 350? You might be mistaken for a realtor, but 100,000 miles of comfortable, reliable, mildly entertaining driving await!

The Jags are so pretty, I wouldn’t blame you for choosing the XE.

SmugAardvark > LastFirstMI is my name 02/02/2020 at 03:38

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Don’t know how I left the Stinger off the list. None came up in my search for local sedans, but maybe one will pop up in the next couple days. Could definitely see myself behind the wheel of one.

As for the Lexus, I’d be more likely to go for the GS than the IS. The IS just doesn’t do anything for me,visually speaking . If I was in the market for a 2-door though, I’d definitely consider an RC350.

Captain of the Enterprise > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 07:11

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First thing I thought of was the Civic Type R. A Focus RS could work too. 

phenotyp > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 08:58

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All I can say is that I’d stay away from the Infiniti. I had a Q50 for a week, last year, and I couldn’t wait to give it back. 2018 on the outside, 2003 on the inside. 

superdave847 > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 09:21

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I’ve only done it with CarMax and it’s been great 

phenotyp > SmugAardvark 02/02/2020 at 09:27

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Missed the edit window, but here’s my Q50 review:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/infiniti-q50-rental-car-review-1832688573

Mobile’s such a PITA. 

SmugAardvark > Captain of the Enterprise 02/05/2020 at 20:26

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I’m trying to go for more of a fun, but refined daily driver. If I was parting ways with the Corvette, the Type R and RS would be great considerations.