I'd choose a modern Mitsubishi over a Camry if I want a simple A to B car. Toyota is getting bloated these days. For a simple putter I'd really like to get my hands on one of those new Mirages with the cute little 3 banger. It's basically half a BMW i3.
I appreciate the rec but a 30yo beater truck isn't the missus' idea of "comfortable."
I was hesitant at first but the BMW actually seems like a great idea. I feel like I want to avoid a full-sized SUV but euro interior without the euro headache is hard to pass up.
I was looking toward those when searching for a commuter though the ones I found on sale would need timing belts or axels replaced. Not surprising since you do need to maintain it as any other car but the motors on those things are said to be the best Volvo has made in recent years.
They had an automatic one at the used car lot I got my xc70 from a few months ago. Its uhhh... Interesting to say the least. It technically has 4 seats but in reality I don't think you could willingly force anyone into the back seat. And the trunk is very very tiny.
Remember when trucks were not glorified SUVs that cost an arm or a leg? I do (based on research lmao). 6k in 1985 is ~$17k today adjusted for inflation. Cheapest truck appears to be a Ford Maverick at $26,995 for 2025 at MSRP. Average salary then was ~24k, now it's ~50k so it is roughly 25% to 50% of your income yearly now for a new truck in 40 years.
It was mainly a "I refuse to buy new and need it cheap" option.
Volvo was sold out to the Chinese in 2010 (Geely). Expect parts discontinuations due to the push to electrify by the parent corp.
Oh god the dash though.
I've had no trouble getting OEM parts through my local dealership even for very weirdly specific stuff, but there are loads and loads of used parts online still available even then.
Wiggers? When I notice them (when they were new, and now when one is modified and usually obnoxious) they're almost always hispanics, especially of the "edgar" phenotype. Frequently with loud exhausts, ground effects, stickers, vortex generators. I think even the turbo Velosters are slow and nothing special in the hot hatch department. Veloster N may have had a lot of potential.
Dude why are you fucking around with teenager cars? You’re in America right? You want something accessible with easy to acquire parts. That means a used GM or Toyota, maybe a Honda if you’re feeling exotic. Look for a late 2000s or early 2010s car. You don’t want an older car for a daily driver unless you have experience with the particular car you’re getting. Yeah a 1999 GTI is fun until you need some bullshit German part for it and can’t find it anywhere except from some grifting asshole on EBay.
Just in case y'all wondered what a (likely) Trump voter looked like in the wikd, here you go.
Egg shaped piece of crap made by the worst manufacturer on the planet.
He's right. Stick to what's commonly available for an easier time. Parts at autozone down the street vs a special order.
It comes from experience. I was into ‘imports’ when I was young (i.e. buying a Volkswagen and then acting like I had a Ferrari), but quickly learned there isn’t anything special about German engineering. You still have to do oil changes, tyre rotations, occasional repairs; your car will get the same dings and dents as any other. Rock chip? You still have to buff it out, but it will never look right unless you replace the whole panel, and that goes for every car no matter where it’s from or how expensive it is. At the end of the day a car is a car. Treat your daily driver as an appliance.
Should have indicated that I've already purchased a second car and that we already have a reliable econocar that Mrs Minto is driving. My bad.
Good to know, makes sense that they've fallen out of production.
Not a horrible idea. Quiet and unassuming but still more performant than I'd ever really need. I'm not interested in the telemetry so I'll wait until people are jailbreaking them.
Had one as a rental last year, it's awful to drive, handles like a busted shipping cart, loud interior, you'll feel cramped unless you're under 5'7" . Barely burns gas it felt like, though.
Quiet cabin means you want a Mercedes (some models are more money pits than others). They have the most quiet cabins from my experience. The bigger Lexuses and BMWs may also be quiet but I’m not sure. The smaller BMWs want you to be able to hear the engine. The lower end Lexuses are glorified Camrys.Should have indicated that I've already purchased a second car and that we already have a reliable econocar that Mrs Minto is driving. My bad.
Biggest concern was a quiet cabin at highway speeds over performance. Good tires is a good tip though. Any recs on quietish snow tires?
I've been bit by parts breaking on 30-year-old Japanese cars and have no interest in doing so again. Its easy to dream about importing JDM cars now that I'm making good money but I know its never that easy. I appreciate you guys looking out for me though
Good to know, makes sense that they've fallen out of production.
Not a horrible idea. Quiet and unassuming but still more performant than I'd ever really need. I'm not interested in the telemetry so I'll wait until people are jailbreaking them.
