Buying a new daily
 

If you were going to spend 50-55k on a fun used daily driver what would it be? Since losing the hellcat we haven’t found much that is interesting.

Does anyone have anything uncommon that they love?

We like the BMW M2 but would have to buy the old body style. Problem is that it looks like every other a$$hole bmw on the road.

Tried to drive the new Nissan Z but the dealer wouldn’t let anyone drive it (felt like I was 16 looking at Trans Ams again!)

Can’t find a Supra to drive, liked the Z4 convertible that is similar but not much room at all.

Found a green 2022 Mach 1 with 7000 miles on it that is nice, but it’s a mustang.

Preferences are:

Automatic
Sunroof (really surprised how many sports cars don’t offer this)
Sporty/unique
2019+
Reliable as it’s for my wife.
2 or 4 door
Convertible okay

So far nothing in our price range has jumped out as cool or fun, I guess the Nissan Z did.

Any suggestions are appreciated

If you can get pass the grill have you looked at Lexus?
Don't know if there are any used models around

https://www.lexus.com/models/RCF

Scat Pack Charger or Challenger. Camaro SS. Euro and jap cars make me yawn....

How about a GXP G8 or CTS V

Geez no, i'd modify/build what i want, and spend less than those large prices.

As for my daily drivers: 3 diff 95 Towncars. The rainy day unit, the nice day unit, and out to elegant events Towncar. MMuch contentedness.

I agree about the foreign stuff. There are a lot of cool Cadillacs in that price range.

You could probably find a ‘22 CT4V BW in that price range without too many miles (under 15k).

I drove the Lexus RC F and liked it but man it did not feel like 500 hp! I would only want the v8 version. Not much soul to the car but the seats might be the best I’ve ever sat in.

We drove a Lexus LC 500 which was nice and cool looking but a little out of my price range.

I agree on the Scat Pack but it was our stolen Hellcat that got us in this situation. Too easy to steal.

My wife is driving our daughters 2018 Camaro now and is okay with it- but finding one with a sunroof is difficult. I do like the collector edition though.

I really need to give the caddy’s a fair shake. Honestly I was on their website looking at cars and they had a tab for ‘equity’ and it turned me off. Not getting political- I don’t think politics should be involved in buying a car- even if I align with them.

Our local dealer has a M240i which is basically a softer M2 coming in. New 2024 for 52k. Low 12’s in the quarter so it shouldn’t feel that much slower than the Hellcat which was probably a mid 11 car (if you could hook up). Probably more fun to drive too

My wife can’t do a GXP or G8 GT because she really uses the back up camera and blind spot monitoring.

When you look around there arent that many exciting cars out there. Most of them look the same

Said a guy on a Pontiac forum.

My wife is looking and since she has been driving a newer SUV she feels safer in it then the sporty car she used to have. But those Ca. drivers are crazy here! Choices so far are the BMW X-5, Honda Pilot, and maybe and Lincoln Aviator. Just started looking but they all look alike.

Good point 400…. I am probably out tgeir target audience

That's my style right there, I love big comfy boats that float along. LOVE my '95 Towncar. Fuel mileage on the highway is fantastic (27-28MPG, as high as 32) but gets sketchy in town though (17-19). It's my long haul rig only. The reliable fuel sipping Japanese (literally 100% built in Japan) 4cyl gets me around town at 29-30 MPG's.

I wanted to get the wife a newer Denali Yukon but the lotto never came thru...she settled on a Datsun Quashi - or Rogue S in the states....lots of features at least

Check on some of the GM SUV's, Tahoe or Yukon. Might be able to find a 6.2 V8 powered one.

I’m starting to realize we are just too picky. It’s not a life long decision. Buying the wrong house can be life changing. Buying the wrong car is just a 4-5 year mistake. Probably shouldn’t take it so seriously.

Could you get her an older ultra low mile car with less tech - and add some tech to it ?
2nd 3rd Gen TA or IROC , Buick GN Turbo

And 2 clubs on the steering wheel no matter what she gets next. ouch

Saw a low mile 87 Buick GN Turbo Black with ultra low miles sell recently on somewhere for 40k.
94 25th TA Convertible with under 4 hundred miles go for 30k
89 20th TA Turbo low low miles for in those price ranges too.
Been a good slew of low mile IROCs on B@T lately.

There are several that I could recommend but the guy did say 2019 and newer. They are looking for a DAILY driver, not a collector car, Some of the cars mentioned won't compete with the average econobox on the road today, much less the Hellcat. He mentioned 2019 or NEWER, and that implies that they want a daily driver with modern amenities.

Now, if it were me, I'd be looking at something pre-2010. Without ALL the non-sense that saddles most cars today. I would say skip ANY Euro make, maybe even some of the Japanese models, and go for a 2006 GTO or a 2009 GXP. But he did stipulate 2019 or newer.

I really like the Mercedes Benz CLS63S. Very sporty and unique. It’s a twin turbo V8. I think they stopped making them in 2018-2019. They run 11.6@122 stock and with just a tune have dipped in the 10’s.


The Cadillac CTS-V is a pretty amazing car as well. Sporty, luxurious, and very powerful.

Youtube mechanic interviews say the worst, unreliable cars; BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Hundai, Kia and Jeep.

Most Reliable cars: Toyota Camry, and most Japanese cars.
I'm not keen on any turbo-4-cyl replacing a V8, except the VW turbo diesel wagons(U.S. made illegal) are impressive.

I remain curious about the big 3-trucks, but the bowlers talk is they are $75k and up.

GM {Generic Motors] should be included in that list now...

I would daily drive any of the cars I mentioned as prospects.
That's why I mentioned them.
The money spent is the same , or less.
Just much cooler cars that will depreciate less after 4-5 years of daily use than modern cars.
And easier to resale

You only live once
If financing is the only option , then those wouldn't work.

Lease a new car every 2 yrs.

Bought a new 2023 BMW M440I Grand Coupe (4 dr.), w/ M suspension, 382 hp. and gets 30+ mpg blast to drive and you can get them in $50-60k range used. CTS-V would be a good choice....

Are you happy with the performance of the M440? We drive a convertible that was nice.

I would be all in on an older car (even thought about her 2004 GTO with 40k on it) but with me traveling she doesn’t feel comfortable in a 20 year old car.

It looks like the M2 is a smart buy as they have a cult following just have to accept we aren’t getting a ‘22 or newer. And the color options kind of suck

The M440 is the wife's car and previously she had a 440 GC convertible. Love the M, we ordered it with every option including the Cooling and High-Performance wheel package. Sticky non-run-flat Pirelli's and massive brakes that work.
Runs low 12's and gets great MPG's. The M2 would be a good choice but hard to find and can get $$, believe me, that was an option when we were looking.

Good luck on the search!

2019 is the last year of the CTS-V with the 6.2L 640 HP V8. In 2020, it was replaced with the CT5-V with a 360 HP 3.0L V6 and the CT6-V with a 550 HP 4.2L V8.

After seeing the durability of my brother in laws BMW's, I don't think I would have one that is out of warranty. His are crazy expensive when they go to the dealer. I am not sure exactly what they have , a M4 SUV thing, a 328, an old 760 V12, that needs both high pressure fuel pumps, $6,000+ just for that, and a 650 convertible. He seems to only have the newer ones running, as he says they all need engine work.

^ Even BMW guys stay away from those older V12 cars. They were fiendishly complicated and parts were very expensive.

Only purchase Euro vehicles if you have very deep pockets and have no problem writing gigantic checks when they need repairs. Most of their repairs are out of then realm of DIY with the exception of simple maintenance items. They become endless money pits after 100K miles give or take. Their resale value plummets quickly so don't expect to get much for them after you're tired of them breaking down and emptying your bank account.

I have a buddy who has worked for a Mercedes Benz dealer as a tech in a VERY wealthy area since 2003. He works on all of their makes/models as well as trade in vehicles of all kinds around the same price point. I still get amazed at the stories he tells me.

You couldn't pay me enough to own any Euro vehicle or just about any mid 2000's on up American vehicle.

My wife does not put a lot of miles on her car in a year. Since 2009 I’ve bought her 2 used low mile BMW 3 series and each has been pretty trouble free. Our current one is a 2014 335 that is still low mile, just hitting 60,000 miles (100,000km)now. I plan to replace it soon and will get another BMW looking for 2019 or newer with low miles. In our situation we are really happy with them.

60K is low mileage, they generally are not problematic until surpassing 100K miles. Even much cheaper, crappier vehicles will easily last longer than that these days.

Everyone is different. I have a 2001 Toyota Camry in my fleet with over 300,000 miles. Other than regularly scheduled maintenance, I replaced the drivers side window regulator and driver side door handle (it's kinda cheaply made). 60K miles is still a brand new vehicle in quality Jap years but is middle age in Euro years. Even those old crappy Ford Taurus vehicles of yesteryear would last to 120K miles...usually frying the auto trans around that time.

Hoping to look at a few this weekend- going to try to drive another RC-F and see how we like it. Problem is the cost almost as much as a LC 500 which is a much cooler looking car.

My attitude towards a daily commuter car has evolved over the past ten years or so. When I was 23, I bought a 2011 Camaro SS brand new that over its lifespan was pretty much a show car that I daily drove. It was probably the biggest mistake of my life that I wish I could take back, since I prioritized getting that over school or saving money. The amount of time I would spend fighting aging and the elements by detailing it; waxing it; replacing aged parts; etc. was time and money-consuming since it was unfortunately stored outdoors for most of its life until around 2018 or so when I finally put it in a local storage unit and retired it from daily use. I sold it in 2019 and ended up with my '79 Trans Am in 2020, which is also stored indoors in the same local facility (I can literally walk there).

One of my biggest financial setbacks last year was getting hit and run on my way home from visiting my friend in Orlando. My 2012 Versa hatchback that I inherited from my mother when she retired from her job and could no longer walk due to mobility issues was totaled and I didn't have collision insurance on it because its was virtually worthless and in poor cosmetic shape, anyhow. The car ran well, had cold AC, and decent storage space and gas mileage and I maintained it mechanically. It was a piece of chit on the outside, which is honestly rather liberating; but the point is I didn't have a car payment. Until I did. I now own a 2017 Chevy Spark that I got from HGreg for 8k. 69k miles, manual trans, roll-up windows; but it has AC and a decent radio and I spend only $20-25 every two weeks in gas. It's all I need. I'm so upset to be stuck in a car payment again since I didn't have the savings to pay for it in full; and for awhile I was looking for an older Corolla or something but the car market is crap here in Miami.

Point is, for a commuter car I don't think I'll ever buy new again. It's just too much of a stupid decision from a financial standpoint, especially with today's ridiculous interest rates and the prices of cars from the start. The average car payment now is just shy of $700; and terms are offered now well past 72 months which is absurd. Living in a city where image is of the utmost importance and people jeopardize their finances just to keep up with the Jones' with their C-Class or Suburban they can't afford to impress a bunch of people they don't even know or like; while renting a 600 square foot efficiency, it's very liberating to not give a crap about being seen in my little Spark.

Point is, get something used (which you plan to to do, so that's good) - at least 4 or 5 years old, that way the previous owner/owners paid most, if not all of the depreciation so you don't have to. Anything under 80k miles still has a ton of life left with modern build standards. We all wax longingly about how our old Ponchos were "made better," but truth is, they weren't. Lol My '79 Trans Am had a life expectancy of around 100k miles before an engine rebuild would be needed. My Versa had 130k miles and I only had to replace the ignition coil packs on it, and so far my Spark hasn't given me any issues. You save money, and it also opens your options up more going used.

I honestly wouldn't even spend your entire 50-55k. Yeah, you can, but it's a commuter car that's going to get wear and tear and continue to depreciate. Point is, you don't NEED to. I don't see a car named in your signature, but your username makes me assume you got a '65 Grand Prix? Well, you got an old Pontiac that is cooler than 95% of the new cars on the road, and yeah; she doesn't get to come out every day, or even half the year, but when she does, it's sweet and enjoyable. Having a commuter car that isn't exciting just makes you enjoy your classic all the more when you take her out. As well, having a commuter car that is not exciting SAVES YOU MONEY. I'd honestly spend maybe 25k tops (which can get you something very reliable) and then do something else with the rest of the money; maybe a nice vacation, savings, or home renovations or whatever.

Old mechanic's saying,
"If you can't afford a new one,you can't afford to repair a used one."
I always flagged more flat rate hours working on euro cars than American.
I started wrenching in the 70's./

There's no way I'd daily any classic car today.
It's basically a death wish with no modern crash technology.

I'm getting close to having to replace a daily driver too. Right now we have a 2008 Grand Prix with 150k for winter use and the undercarriage shows all the years of salt. The top-side looks almost perfect, one little fust bubble on the leading edge of the hood. Even with all of the G/Ps made I still get comments on it from strangers. Summer daily is a 2009 G8 V6 with 90k on the clock. That one is good to go for a while. Gas mileage isn't great but not a big priority. Like the original post I would like something that stands out at least a little from all the boxes out there. Anyone have a Grand Prix with under 756k miles from a southern (no salt) area for sale?

With the ridiculous prices dealerships are getting for quality used cars, it's hard to justify not going new for a daily...unless you are lucky enough to get a good deal from a private owner.

Most Trans Am's of that era would go a couple hundred thousand miles pretty easy if the were somewhat maintained. Out here in California cars last forever if maintained.

Not everyone is good with driving a little sh!tbox. Some people work hard.. really hard so they don't have to. I daily drive a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with a 6.2 that I bought new and paid cash for.... and it likes gas...,., especially the way I drive.... I could care less about fuel economy. I work hard so that I can drive what I want and not care about fuel economy. My business partner is a little mizer and drives a 2005 Civic Hybrid with cooked paint and 180,000 miles. Personally... I wouldn't drive that sh!tbox around the block... but he likes it because it was cheap and gets 45mpg even though he could afford something much better. Whats the point of working hard and making money if you are just going to stare at your account balance?

My stepmother trades for a new 6figure+ BMW or Mercedes every 2-3-4 years before it needs new tires.
I think its lighting cash on fire and flushing it -
but she works for her own money and that's what she wants to do with it.
I figure the ol man is lucky he's got a woman like that.

Since I travel frequently for work I have always made sure my wife is in a relatively low mile reliable car. When we can afford it I make sure it’s something fun.

Something we haven’t addressed is the fact that I don’t have one or two old Pontiacs- I have several and I have them everywhere. Our garage holds 12 and it is packed with old cars, I have 6 additional storage units and cars at three different shops. I haven’t event started on what is stored at my dads!

Now, these aren’t parts cars they are all running driving mostly shiny cars. In fact her Hellcat was probably stolen because I didn’t have a spot for it in the garage. And it’s the most or second most valuable car we have (had?). I have everything I have wanted… I’m not going to make her drive a 20 year old daewoo so I can buy another old car.

I work a lot… A LOT and if she wants a Lexus I will find a way to get her a Lexus. I am just looking for ideas of what to buy. I would have no problem with a 2003 GTP but just because I am okay with that doesn’t mean I’m going to force her to be okay with it.

For the record- she would absolutely be okay with it. I’m just not going to ask her to do it.

Drove a 2022 RC-F today and really, really liked it except the infotainment screen was definitely from 2015. And then the dealer started their wait you out BS so we left. But we decided we do like the RC-F but would prefer a 40k 2016 over a 60k 2022 because they are basically the same car with the same options.

Drove a CT5 V also- very nice inside, actually a very nice car all around but unless you get the Blackwing the V package is pretty much just a trim level - 360 hp in 5500 lb car so it drives nice but definitely did not need a ‘track mode’

I think we are off German cars. The M2, M4 look great, but they are very expensive and have no warranty left in our price range. If we wanted a base 3 or 4 series we could get it but they just don’t look exciting.

I will be in Dallas this week so I will see what’s available there. If nothing else this has been a solid education on what is out there.

It’s funny, it’s very obvious all of the styling and marketing dollars went to the electric cars- honestly most of them look amazing. You can tell that most manufacturers haven’t been focusing on their ice vehicles for the past few years.

We aren’t interested in another Dodge- but for anyone looking they are discounting 2023 Challengers and Chargers with the 5.7. You can get a Challenger RT with a Shaker hood, stripes and leather interior for 43k new. That is a lot of car for that price and the last year they will be made. Just FYI.

The CT5 V is not a V8, but it also doesn't weigh 5500 pounds. It's under 4,000 pounds - a lot lighter than your previous Dodge.

Really? The car felt huge and heavy. I knew it had the twin turbo 6 in it. I thought the car was nicer than I expected.

There is nothing wrong with driving a classic today. After all, there is this concept called "defensive" driving and if more people employed that concept there would be far fewer crashes and injuries. If the price of gas was still 1.50/gal, I'd be driving mine every day. Yes, I know the hazards are greater today because of the mindsets of younger, (and many older) drivers who lack safe driving techniques and common courtesy.

But all this new "safety" bs that cars are saddled with is more of an annoyance and expensive waste than lives that it will save.

I still daily drive my 2004 GTO that I bought new 20 years ago. No airbag has ever deployed nor has it drifted into the oncoming lane. Yes it has endured some minor scrapes and bruises like the VAST majority of the "new" cars equipped with all the expensive "safety" devices. People get maimed or killed in serious vehicle impacts regardless of the safety equipment they possess or lack.

I believe that more emphasis should be placed on who is allowed to drive, not what equipment should be required on cars.

BS statement,just google the "Highway safety stats" comparing old to new.
Brother is a retired LEO say's it's unbelievable what people survive in crashes nowadays due to the safety equipment.
I don't consider a vehicle a "Classic" unless it's 1980 or older.
I daily a 1997 328I BMW, it has most of the safety equipment of today's vehicles.
https://i.postimg.cc/Rq0yDx1M/1997-328-I-BMW.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/RqbyrpGw/IMG-0189.jpg

I haven't driven a CT5.

I own a CT4 sport with the 2.0L. that's over 500 pounds lighter then the CT5-V.

The CT4 - V has the 2.7L twin turbo and is only 150 pounds heavier but has 325 HP.

The thing I like about my CT4 and my previous ATS is the fact that they handle so well.

The CT5 is about 6.5" longer and has a 7" longer wheelbase.

If the CT5 - V felt huge and heavy to you, try a CT4 -V. It's only 35 less HP, but maybe being over 350 pound lighter might increase your satisfaction with it.

Be forewarned, the back seat access is tight, if you frequently have passengers back there.

Daily driver has to be rock solid reliable, so a used euro would be the last thing on my list.


For that money, I'd go with a Lexus GS-F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbuQ_xrUZfY

We bought a 2024 Cadillac CT5 (not a "V') for my wife a couple months ago. So far, we both love it. 3.0L twin turbo V6. It's great for her. Not a race car, but will get up and move quickly if you want it to. Very comfortable and fun to drive. MSRP was $61400. We got it for 57K with the incentives offered by GM.

I was not looking for a new car. Went to a Cadillac dealer to look at a used 2019 Escalade with 47000 miles for $49500. Nice, but needed tires, a few dents repaired, and an extensive cleaning inside and out. The CT5 was on the showroom floor. Wow. Beautiful. I didn't even look at the window sticker. I figured it was probably $80K.
We went home and gave the Escalade some thought over the weekend. Went back to look at the Escalade again and see if we could get the price down. Nope. While haggling in the showroom, sat in the CT5 just for fun. Really liked it. I love the front end, back end, interior, wheels, the color, etc. The salesman said "You could probably get this for around 57". I said, "What???"

I'm glad we got it. Brand new with a 4 year bumper to bumper warranty vs. a used 2019 with 47000 miles that needed money put into it. And I don't have to work on it!

Tough choice, do you go for exciting and fun or dependable..... You either get one or the other these days.... except if you are easily excited and buy a Miata. Probably not a good replacement for a Hellcat.

I recently bought a 2014 BMW Z4, not very useful but quite fun, 3.5 straight 6 with twin turbos and a DCT transmission, I use that outside of winter as a daily driver. Downsides is its going to be a huge expensive pain in the arse probably sooner rather than later. 300C AWD as my winter beater.

If it has low mileage, it might be more reliable than you are expecting.

FYI the N55 engine in your car is 3.0 litres with a twin scroll single turbo. The old N54 engine in the 2010 and earlier cars was a true twin turbo.

If you want more fun an 80hp bump is pretty easy and cheap.