I'm so debating right now.
Help.
Just give me the best cars under 30k
I keep telling my wife I'm getting a new WRX, but she has been pushing Honda Accords and other cars at me. I want the best all around car of course. Butt-dyno is important, cause I want a car that will put a smile on my face but not kill my wallet with gas and insurance. Another key factor is reliability. I know Honda isn't too bad with reliability and neither is the Subaru. Damn it, I'm so stuck looking for a new car. I want it to be the car I keep for many many years. Advice?
Had this same dilemma for a while but i got a 17 wrx and i couldnt be happier.
I enjoy the power, handling, its also confortable consideting the way it handles has a good amount of space and trunk. And its probably the cheapest sorts sedan u can get. Try finding an accord or camry that are awd for 27k and have 270hp
I'd probably buy the Accord. Our Honda has been a better car than our Subaru, and Imprezas are getting expensive. I can't address the smile factor, I tend to see things less enthusiastically as time goes on.
My brother in law actually bought a 16 accord two weeks after i bought my wrx. Hes paying 120 bucks more a month. And he got the v6 base, nit the touring. Granted the v6 is very well equipped and i actually really like his car because its really nice inside and has lot of toys. Yet i feel that anyone who like to have fun driving wouldnt enjoy it anywhere near as much as you would a wrx. The accord v6 is actually pretty luxurious though. Luxury vs fun
Saying your brother in law is paying more per month is of no relevance really. I could pay 120 more per month for a WRX than I do for my STi if I financed it a certain way.
Not to mention as much as a lot of people won't want to hear it, a v6 accord is just as fast, if not faster, than a stock WRX. Wider aftermarket for the WRX of course.
OP, in the end, it depends on what you want. All of your options thusfar are fun econobox cars, and it all comes down to your wants and needs. Hondas and subarus will both hold their value well. The Honda will be more comfortable, the Subaru will have a more sport oriented suspension setup and the Honda will have more creature comforts. The other obvious difference is AWD vs FWD.
Honestly, I liked my old Accord coupe and it was only a 4 cylinder. I considered an Accord as a replacement car, especially the V-6, but the WRX just has a certain fun factor and while the WRX is certainly not a rare car, it is no Accord -- or what I am trying to say is that while it is very reliable, has some neat tech and is a very good car, it's also rather common (right up there with the other reliable family sedan -- the Camry.)
Of course, coming here and asking us for unbiased advice could be a challenge . . . I suspect most of us will say the WRX is more fun to drive and reliable. If you went to a Honda site you may see folks saying the more reliable Honda would be the car to purchase. Personally, I think you would be happy with either . . . but more happy with a WRX.
One selling point for the WRX . . . depending on where you live . . . is the AWD of the WRX. Put a set of snow tires on this car and you'll be able to drive through just about anything. With my old Accord and all season tires driving on snowy days was sometimes sketchy and I got in the habit of taking my 4WD, gas guzzling truck on days when snow was forecast.
I had a V-4 Accord coupe from a few years ago. It was indeed fun to drive.
The current V-6 manual sounds really nice. I think it looks pretty cool as well. My neighbor got a V-4 recently--very classy in black--but had a really hard time finding a manual--most models sold these days in our neck of the woods are automatic.
The performance sounds good, though reviews mention the FWD handling to be a bit anemic--based on the sedan. The amenities seem attractive as well.
It does look like the V-6 is a couple thousand more than the WRX though. The rear seat is not nearly as functional as the WRX's. And it's not AWD.
On the other hand, I will vouch for Honda reliability. My 2001 Accord had 180K on it when I sold it, without a major repair. My daughter is driving my old 2005 CRV which has 172K, again without a major repair.
A V4 Accord? What year was that?
Kidding around, there's no such thing. 4 cylinder Accords were inline-4's..you're hardly the first person I've heard make that error.
"Best Car" is insanely subjective. When I was shopping for a new car in 2013, (with a $30K cap), I wound up with a new BRZ, because I had driven another 86-platform car, and fell in love with the carve-the-road-up-handling characteristics, and the overall feel of the car. But that's me..someone else may want a straight-line monster, which my present car most assuredly is not.
Although i do have to say his was way more equipped. Though that was the base v6 and they had no v6s that were less than 34k. Im sure they do exist. But considering we went to one of the largest honda dealers in los angeles that had two large parking lots full of v6 accords, I doubt it would be easy to find a cheaper v6 elsewhere.
I will say i never considered getting an accord until i tried his, it drives well has a lots of power its and its comfortable.
Op. One last point. I think im probably replying too much. But its importsnt. If u do pick an accord. Dont get the 4 banger. I drove one and it had the cvt.it was so sluggish and it sounded like it was gonna blow up. Seriously kne of the worst feeling transmissions ive encountered. And i know it neuters that engine since ive driven older i-4 accords that had enough power for day to day use
Between an accord and a WRX the accord is the all around better choice. There isn't even a comparison really. Even if the accord is 6-7k more expensive it's completely worth the investment.
The v6 accord is plenty fast, easily as fast as the WRX, it's comfortable, much better built, far more reliable, historically cheaper to work on, aftermarket parts are cheaper and more widely available, and they are usually cheaper to insure.
The WRX is kind of a niche vehicle. It lacks in almost every aspect but we own them because we like them, and their quirks don't bother us.
Thats pretty fair although i dont think paying 7k more is worth it. Especially since i know buying a 3 or 4 year old wrx with 30 to 50k still costs around 24-26k which is very close to their original price and i dont see accords that are 4 years old costing 30k. So it may be an invesyment in yhe sense that youre getting a lot of car for that cash but not in the sense that youll be getting that investment back on the resale
The new Mazda6 was a FANTASTIC car in my experience with it (a few drives, and some feedback from good friends with 6M/T versions of their own). It was on my short list for DD replacements for the STI, but ultimately, I decided on more utility / ground clearance and bought a Tacoma.
You'll see the Tacoma mentioned in that thread, and I kinda discounted it (I have always been able to borrow an F150 / F550 dump truck, if needed). I wasn't quite in the financial state to buy one, and I didn't think it was worth it at the time. Having put a little over 1000 miles on my truck, I'm glad I went the route I did.
But, at a price point well below your $30K limit, you could buy both the Mazda6 as a DD and an additional "fun" car to drive on weekends. If you live in the snow belt, add another $1000 or so for good winter tires, but FWD + Nokians is pretty great in any weather conditions (I'll take my AWD Subaru / 4WD Tacoma + Nokians over that, but still).
Even in a non practical standpoint. It gets better mileage, it's base model has a nicer interior, they drive great, the v6 is quick, gets better real world fuel economy, and can be had used with warranty for great prices, have a solid aftermarket, they perform great in all weather conditions, have a more usable rear seat, and more driver room.
Those are many of the complaints people have with Subaru in general. Even people just wanting the performance factor hate the stereo, complain about lack of lumbar support, creeks, pops, road noise, paint, and on and on.
You buy a Subaru because of IIHS / Safety ratings and their AWD system, not for interior luxuries. You always feel like you're in a "cheap" car regardless of trim level when you're in one (compared to the asking price). What's most important to you: creature comforts or performance? If performance, there's a reason the WRX/STi has been at the top of many lists for the "car to buy". If you'd rather a nicer interior and smoother driving experience, you're looking at the wrong manufacturer (not just WRX model, all Subarus).
XJman said:
You can buy anything you want to buy, but there are absolutely awesome cars in the WRX price point and even below depending on what trim level that are super fun to drive and practical. Mazda has made a real push to make their cars engaging to drive, and have great prices. Heck most anyone will tell you the Miata is a riot to drive even being lower powered.
My earlier post of a Mazda6 as a DD and an older Miata (staying under $30K budget) would be an awesome garage. The Miata has its reputation for a reason; it's a fantastic car to drive. I wouldn't want to DD one, but if I had it as a "toy" car, I wouldn't complain.
I've never been attracted to Hondas. I recommend them for others, especially normal people who aren't into handling characteristics or turbochargers, because they're a reliable, safe bet. But somehow their cars feel sterile to me, just no personality. Plus I'm a RWD/AWD snob, for my personal driver. But you'd do well to ignore me, I'm an outlier.
Which brings me to the exception..I got to ride in the S2K when it was first introduced. Insanely good car.
I wouldn't say the WRX is necessarily the best car under $30K, and it's not suitable for everyone. But for performance bang for the buck including handling and AWD capability it's hard to beat.
One other factor to mention is the difficulty in getting manual trannies these days except with a small number of vehicles. Most of the high-performance cars with manual are well over 30K.
In my opinion, there's a visceral feel when you're in the WRX shifting through the gears. The low center of gravity, tight handling, brisk acceleration, etc. make it a very enjoyable experience. Again, not everyone's cup of tea.
But, when you're well over 40 but wish you were in your twenties...the WRX in dark grey or black is a good choice!
I actually came across a great deal of getting a brand new Honda Accord EX-L V6 Manual for 20k cause my father in law knows the dealer. Also a deal for an STi for 25k but idk what year..
Debating now if it's worth the STi but I don't wanna deal with any problems from that older engine on the STi. Plus the MPG on the STi is horrible, compared to the Accord I could race on a 40 roll and still get good gas mileage. If I wanted to get a stiff suspension for the Accord I could and even turbo it. Even then, once I'm older I could get the Subi and enjoy it then.
Although the manual v6 is only available on the coupe. So that is a tradeoff for a wrx owner since we get to bave 4 doors and a manual. The accord sedan can have the manual only on the 4 cylinder.
EVERYONE.
I'm still debating..STi, Civic Si, and Accord V6
Traded my Mazda 3 now I have a 2013 Civic Si now (Never thought I'd get it).
I got the Si cause it's kinda rare. My dad will take the loan of my hands and buy the Accord or STi, is the STi worth it? Like..I keep asking the same questions yes but it's cause I'm gonna keep this car for a long time. Do I wanna risk the police giving me looks as a ricer Civic Si/Accord or just bite the bullet with MPG and get the STi
Yeah you just listed 3 completely different drives(and I mean completely). You just gotta ask yourself am I going to be enjoying this car or am I going to be in stop and go traffic? Am I going to be driving long distances everyday to where the gas mileage wont be worth it? Like the Sti is a fun car and I don't regret buying one but it just depends if you can afford it. Out of the 3 cars you listed and I've driven all 3 I would pick the Sti without blinking.
Have you driven all of the cars in question? To my mind, you're comparing some fairly different kinds of cars, here. Which one makes you smile, the most?
Very good point. Specs are one thing but of youre gonna keep it for a while like u said then make sure u drive it and try to get an extended test drive
Yeah, over the years, I've come to understand that my car-buying process is atypical. I narrow down by number of doors, which wheels are being driven, price range, available manual transmission, curb weight below a threshold, and a couple of other factors, before I even start looking at makes and models. So an Accord V6 and an STI would never make the same list. (AWD vs WWD)
Interestingly, fuel mileage is still...not a super high priority for me in my daily driver. While I kinda like the idea of our family hauler being something nice and green, for my personal whip, I'm more into the driving experience than the 2 bucks that I'll save at the pump, every couple of weeks. I think that makes me an...evil...carbuyer.
My criteria for a daily driver, more or less in this order
1. Reliable
2. Excellent safety rating
3. Great handling
4. Much better-than-average performance--0-60 <6 sec.
5. Reasonably priced (~30K give or take a few)
5. Good looks--classy preferred over edgy
7. Decent gas mileage--well over 22 or so
8. Versatility--ability to haul at least 4 people comfortably, also dog, bikes and (preferably) kayaks
9. For a DD as long as I'm in the Midwest--4WD
One minor criterion is the dealership--always a plus to buy from a great dealer who will provide good support.
The last thing is maybe the most important, but it's the FEEL of the vehicle. That's why I like Subies so much. There's just an elemental feel that makes driving fun, especially with a manual.
The last thing is maybe the most important, but it's the FEEL of the vehicle. That's why I like Subies so much. There's just an elemental feel that makes driving fun, especially with a manual.
Yep. I miss the raw-ness of my WRX.
Similarly, the feel of the BRZ is what sold me, there. "Why did you buy a BRZ? Why didn't you get a 370Z?" "Have you driven an 86-platform car through the twisties? No? Then Shadup!" :wiggles:
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