$30-40k: Best New or Lightly Used Vehicles

[The Critic]

I will be looking for a new or lightly-used car in the next year or two.

My target price range is $30-40k. At this price, the vehicle must either be new or lightly used (same or last model year, under 30k miles).

I am looking for something that is a bit unique and on the "nicer" side. The car needs to have a design that ages well and can be kept for seven to ten years. I am looking at the overall package, and not just one particular characteristic.

Here is a list of attributes that I desire, in no particular order:

- High quality interior. This is probably the most important item to me. If a brown interior is available, it would be a major plus.
- Sporty, but not raw (i.e. no 370z); I am most interested in refinement. For instance, if a 911 Turbo is a 10 and a Camry is a 4 (on a 1-10 scale), I would be content with something in the 6 to 7 range.
- Prefer for the vehicle to be from a major automaker that has a positive growth outlook (i.e. not an Acura).
- If the vehicle is not a hatch or wagon, it must have split-folding rear seats. Ideally, this vehicle should have the ability to serve as my only vehicle.
- Must have xenon, HID or LED headlights.
- Fuel economy needs to be 20 mpg + combined.
- I prefer a manual transmission, but a DCT is okay. But a traditional auto is also not a complete deal-breaker if the rest of the package is compelling.
- RWD is preferred, but all wheel drive is okay. FWD isn't a complete deal breaker but isn't my preference, either.
- If the vehicle is equipped with runflat tires, then a spare tire option must be available.

Also, I would like to keep this discussion on the vehicle choices only and not about any finances.

Thanks in advance.

 

[methusaleh]

Wow, I am going to print this and show it to my fiancee...my standards for vehicle shopping are 99% identical to yours, and she thinks I am the only person in the world who is what she calls "so picky"!!! Thank you!

 

[sciphi]

BMW 320i with a few drivers packages thrown on?

While FWD, the Buick Regal Turbo or Verano Turbo both have GM's excellent 2.0 turbo engine. That engine can easily be reflashed if the need for speed arises.

 

[Hermann]

At the upper end of your price range, here in KC you can buy a base Vette NEW for $38K.

A well optioned Mustang GT would be nice also. You did not say that 2 seaters were out of the question. Ask Patman and think he would say the Corvette is not a harsh vehicle. There are so many vehicles in this range that this thread could go on till you actually buy something.

 

[SEMI_287]

CTS-V?

 

[Danno]

Wait a year and get a 2014 Vette.

 

[dparm]

You said no 370Z, but a G37 is about 95% of the performance with much more luxury and comfort. I think those still look quite handsome, and the VQ motor is rock-solid. It's available as RWD or AWD, coupe or sedan, 6MT or 7AT.

If you're willing to look at German cars, an Audi S4 or BMW 335i/xi/is would be nice too. Both are quite sporty but still luxurious. In a recent test (Motor Trend?), the S4 beat out the G37, TL, 335i, and CTS.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Danno
Wait a year and get a 2014 Vette.


There is no way those will be $40k in a year. He also said he needs it as his only vehicle, and the Vette is not exactly practical.

 

[The_Jeff]

Can you do a trailer hitch and one of those folding utility trailers that take a small footprint when unused?

What's your aversion to mulitple cars, Parking? Insurance? Registration? Maintenance? Appearance?

 

[Quattro Pete]

The new Lexus IS350F is getting some good reviews. It beat out the ATS and the 335i in a recent car and driver comparo, although not by much. Maybe in a year or so you'd be able to get a used one for around $40K. Otherwise, if manual trans is a must, I'd probably focus on the 335i. The ATS also comes with a manual trans, but only with the 2.0T engine.

If you want a wagon: 328i.

 

[SF0059]

Here are my top recommendations based on your criteria:

1) 2014 Mazda 6 Grand Touring. I would hold out for the diesel. 40+ mpgs with a load of torque. The only downside for you is FWD, but if you have ever driven a Mazda before you know that they make one of the most compelling FWD platforms available. The interior quality is also on the level with a lot of "luxury" brands out there.

2) Audi A4. Brilliant car, Quattro, comfortable. The only downside is I think you will be hard pressed to get 20 mpg combined in the real world if you get AWD and do much urban driving.

3) Volvo S60. Great looking, somewhat sporty and you don't need to worry about the ubiquity of many other brands.

My needs align pretty closely with yours and I can say, for the money, I would go with the Mazda and save some money over the Audi, Volvo or another premium brand.

 

[pbm]

I'd go for a new Mazda6 MT. The interior is very nice and it's under $30K.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
The new Lexus IS350F is getting some good reviews. It beat out the ATS and the 335i in a recent car and driver comparo, although not by much. Maybe in a year or so you'd be able to get a used one for around $40K. Otherwise, if manual trans is a must, I'd probably focus on the 335i. The ATS also comes with a manual trans, but only with the 2.0T engine.

If you want a wagon: 328i.




I was going to say the 328d diesel wagon (43 MPG) or the IS. Id consider the ATS too, though caddy style isnt exactly my favorite.

After having driven the dual clutch trans in a friends jetta TDI wagon, all I can say is... yuck.

 

[hypervish]

Add one more vote for the IS350 F-Sport.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I was going to say the 328d diesel wagon (43 MPG)

Neat. I didn't know these were already available. Although I just realized none of the 3-series wagons are available with a manual trans in the US.

Quote:

After having driven the dual clutch trans in a friends jetta TDI wagon, all I can say is... yuck.

I drove a Golf GTI with DCT once. Wasn't impressed either.

 

[yesthatsteve]

Volvo XC70. A new one with the Polestar tune stickers in the mid-40s.

 

[gofast182]

You're a bit early for this thread if the purchase won't be made for another 1-2 years.
It's a shame you ruled out Acura because a 2012+ TL SH-AWD 6MT hits pretty much every other criteria and it offers legit sport sedan performance with the reliability you might not enjoy with a German offering. Based on that you'd want to stay away from every Japanese brand because Lexus is flat (which is OK) and Infiniti is arguably in a more tenuous position than Acura is based on sales.
That said, other than CTS-V, it looks like your choices are German. More specifically, a 335i seems to be very close to what you described.

 

[bepperb]

It's a good chunk of change, I'm surprised you're not more specific/demanding.

There's no shortage of sedans meeting your criteria, that's for sure. I probably would never have an only car that's a sedan, though, a hatch is just to convenient for me. Needing a wagon/suv makes it a little harder to have good driving dynamics. I'm not sure an X3 meets your level of driving fun, but if a Camry is a 4 I could see it being a 6. Even though I've loved Honda's I can see why you might shy away from the RDX, though that probably fits pretty closely as well. Or a Q5, though I'm not even sure I've ever seen one. Sadly, the RX350 is probably more proven/reliable than any of these but almost certainly doesn't meet the driving dynamics requirement.

 

[silverrat]

Audi A3 quattro

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: gofast182
You're a bit early for this thread if the purchase won't be made for another 1-2 years.
It's a shame you ruled out Acura because a 2012+ TL SH-AWD 6MT hits pretty much every other criteria and it offers legit sport sedan performance with the reliability you might not enjoy with a German offering. Based on that you'd want to stay away from every Japanese brand because Lexus is flat (which is OK) and Infiniti is arguably in a more tenuous position than Acura is based on sales.
That said, other than CTS-V, it looks like your choices are German. More specifically, a 335i seems to be very close to what you described.


I'd agree if the TL wasn't so ugly (IMO). Actually the latest accord sport or civic si might be a good option. Pay cash, save the $10-20k delta, and put it towards a lightly used Porsche or something similar that really is top notch.