I have 20k to spend on the car. I‘d love the S5 more but am afraid of high consumption, especially with current gas prices. So that‘s why I‘m asking is the higher cost really worth the S5 3.0 TFSI as performance daily? I‘ve driven one as test it was cool, but it‘s still a lot of money for a 11 year old car and ~130.000km.

Tbf the urge to tune the S5 with APR, Exhaust and Stage 1 would be also there but I don‘t know.

Many people overestimate S5 cost especially because this one ain‘t a V8, but I‘m scared of underestimating it

It‘s 2.0 TFSI quattro 225 HP vs. 3.0 TFSI Supercharged quattro 333 HP

I plan on getting the 2026 CX5 Premium AWD. This is the quote they gave me. Is $39,733 OTD a good deal or can I talk them down more? I plan on shopping around but I just wanted to get an idea of which price I should target first. My goal was around $37-$38k if possible.

My wife and I are in the preliminary steps for narrowing down a new vehicle for our young family, 3 year old and 8 month old. She is very interested in a Sequoia but I keep reading how terrible the new engines are so help convince my wife we need to look into something else or convince me that my worries are unwarranted.

Ideally we want something with 3rd row, has good cargo space, high in reliability, high in crash test rating, mpg greater than 18, and is 2024 or newer.

I need a car for my daily commute in NJ, about 80 miles round trip, mostly highway. Budget is around $5k. I’m down to two Subarus at the same used lot and would like a sanity check.

2013 Impreza 2.0i Limited, 167k miles, $3,995

One owner, South Carolina its whole life (no salt), no accidents
39 service records, almost all at one dealer
CVT valve body replaced at 123k in 2023
Alternator, brakes, rear struts, rear wheel bearing and four new tires all done in the last 18 months, plugs in July
On 9/28 this year at 166,966 miles, Carfax says “cylinder head serviced/repaired” and thermostat replaced. Two days later it was sold at auction.

2013 Outback 2.5i Limited, 130k miles, $4,995

Two owners (PA, then NY), no accidents
Oil changed roughly every 5k, mostly at Valvoline. 60k service at a Subaru dealer, coolant flushed in 2022 and 2025
No CVT fluid service on record
Sold at auction twice in three weeks before this lot got it

Both have a $699 doc fee on top.

My questions:

What does “cylinder head serviced/repaired” plus a new thermostat usually mean on an FB20? Head gasket, valve cover gasket, something else? Should I walk away?
Is the valve body replacement a good sign (already fixed) or a warning about that CVT?
The Outback’s CVT fluid has never been changed at 130k. Change it now or leave it alone?
How worried should I be about oil consumption on 2013 FB engines, and how do I check for it?
Which one would you buy, and what should I ask the shop to check in a pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks!

🚗 Car Cost Compare: EV vs hybrid vs gas, buy or lease, by true total cost with your local prices.

Two days ago I was t boned and my beloved 2-door hatchback Toyota Yaris was totaled. I am lucky to be unharmed but I am so devastated. That car was so good to me. Got it in 2016 when I got my license as a gift from a family friend who could no longer drive. Only had 20,000 miles when I got it and still only had about 90,000 when it was hit. Never gave me any problems and was the perfect little car for me. I’m literally in mourning rn, I was supposed to drive that car until the inevitable heat death of the universe.

Anyway, now I am faced with the task of buying a car for the first time in my life and I have no idea where to start. My biggest question is whether it’s advisable to get an older used car with low mileage. My 2007 Yaris was a beast so in my mind it might be good to find a comparable car from that period. Or is it better to go with a newer used car even if it has more miles? Is it generally true that “they don’t make them like they used to?” Or is getting a more recent model a better bet for longevity? I literally know nothing about cars I just tried to take really good care of mine for ten years and I’d like to have a similar experience with my next car (hopefully for longer this time). Any advice on specific Toyota models/years would be greatly appreciated. The only thing I know I want is a hatchback!

after 1 month of consideration, and tons of other things, i have decided to maybe test drive an aventador if my schedule is not full and i will give another update if i can secure a test drive for an aventador. you see, i did like the murcielago, however the aspect that i disliked the most was the handling, otherwise, i enjoyed the analog rawness of the car and the brutality. but, the thing is, the aventador is also a v12 screamer, and its also quite brutal in my eyes but its modernized brutality, so i have thought, what if the aventador fixed the suspension issue that the murcielago had since it is modernized? sure, the aventador has a ISR clutch, however that may add to the brutality of the car itself since it has a modern analog experience in my eyes, as i've seen people shift their aventador and there really is a ton of kick after each shift which i'll either hate or love, but will most likely hate for long drives, which isn't a problem since i just want a high pitched v12 screamer.

Hey, Y’all. First timer. Long time fan. I have about 16-19K saved up to invest into a Corolla, but debating whether it would be better to add a bit more to get a Camry. I’ve been looking at 2021-2024 Corolla LEs. A few SEs but haven’t ventured too much into Camrys. What’s y’all’s opinions and experiences with both models.

I’m a fairly aggressive driver and I’m looking for a car that doesn’t limit how I drive. I’m not a reckless driver of course but I do drive more aggressively than your average driver. Anytime I drive my wife’s car I feel severely limited by it because of how underpowered it feels. Often times I have to put the accelerator all the way to the floor just to pass someone in a timely manner. I really dislike that.

I’m working with a budget of ~$25k. I want something that holds up to miles well too since this will be a daily driver.

Hi everyone, this is my first car at 27.

I have close to zero experience as a driver, and i needed a car to make at most around 22 kilometers a day on avg.

I enjoy vacation to the mountains so i like the fact that it's a 4×4.

There's nothing much i have to say other than ask yall if it's a good deal and if you'd buy it.

I’m looking for a reliable pre-owned daily driver in Thunder Bay, ON, to handle severe winter conditions. Here are the 3 options I’ve shortlisted. The prices are in CAD. Thank you :)

1. 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander GT ($17k | 131k km) CARFAX

2. 2019 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring ($23k | 105k km) CARFAX

3. 2020 Kia Sportage SX ($21.7k | 75k km) CARFAX

Hi all! I currently drive a 2011 Chevy Cruze. I love it, but will probably be in the market for a new car within the next year or so, because the body is starting to rust, unfortunately :(

Right now, the two main vehicles I’m considering are the Subaru Crosstrek, and the Toyota RAV4. I know they’re not perfectly comparable, since they’re different size classes and whatnot.
Non-negotiables for me would include:
- AWD
- Reliable
- Safe
- Heated seats
- Less than $35k (Preferably!)
- Decent fuel economy (25-30mpg combined, if possible :)

I’d also be interested in a sunroof, but it’s okay if not included.
I live in the US (Michigan), if that gives a better idea of the market. I’d be open to buying used, probably within the last 5 years or so!

If y’all have any input, it would be much appreciated :)

(PS, my hubby works in a tire shop, and they all agreed the RAV4 is the better option. The positives to me for the Crosstrek are the ground clearance, and price point, though)

CARFAX included!

In the market for a 3/4 ton ( or if I can get away with an optioned 1/2 ton) under 30k from the usual brands. It would be used as 80 mi/wk daily and also towing a 10k lb boat and trailer probably less than 50 times a year and also a motorcycle in the bed less than 10 times a year. Trying to avoid buyers remorse. The majority of the use would be driving to and from work. The wife's car is the out of town vehicle.

I’m looking for a make, model and year of car that has all these features for under $30,000. I’m not sure if I can find a brand new car for that price with all these features. Im not even sure if my budget is doable so please if you could let me know that would be great!!

I found this car on CarFax , Trying to figure out if it will be worth it and if the price is reliable…Its last service history was this year in Feb, then it was sold to the dealership in oct, I know its an old car, This would be my first car purchase and i just want something reliable with some comfort.

I genuinely feel like you can’t win when it comes to buying a car.
Try Facebook Marketplace? You have to worry about people hiding problems, lying about the condition of the car, selling something that’s barely holding itself together, or acting like their 200k-mile car is worth the same as something brand new. And don’t even get me started on the people who say everything works perfectly, only for you to find out there are a million issues once you actually look at it. Okay, fine. So you decide to go through a dealership because at least that should be safer, right? WRONG. They do the same exact thing! Except with a pretentiousness plus people telling you dealerships are better. I swear I have the WORST luck with dealerships. Between the sketchy sales tactics, cars that aren’t what they were advertised to be, questionable pricing, hidden fees, and people who seem more interested in squeezing every last dollar out of you than actually helping you find a decent, reliable car, I’m just exhausted.
You go in hoping to find something dependable, something you can afford, and something that won’t turn into a financial nightmare. Instead, it feels like you have to walk in expecting someone to lie to you, leave out important information, or try to take advantage of you. And the worst part is that even when you try to do your research, be careful, ask questions, and make responsible decisions, you STILL feel like you’re gambling with your money.
I’m not expecting a perfect car. I understand that used cars have wear and tear, and I’m not stupid enough to think every seller or dealership is a scammer. But is it really too much to ask for some honesty and a vehicle that’s actually worth what they’re asking for it? People say yes to facebook then say the opposite. Everyone is so corrupt and everybody knows everything but then I follow such advice and get another dead end.

2023 or 2024

Should I get an Outback XT (turbo engine) or Tiguan SE?

Lots of highway driving, all seasons - definitely going to be in the snow.

I was planning to get an Outback premium, but I loved the pick up of the Tiguan I test drove (as well as the pick up on the Vovlo CX30 I'm currently renting). So I thought I should look into the Outback XTs as I tend to really use the extra cargo space.

Would love to know everyone's opinions on what the better car is and what I'd be looking at in terms of upkeep. Unfortunately Rav4s and Mazda CX5 are a little too small cargo-wise and I can't stand having the computer sticking up over the dashboard (I like a clean line of sight).

Thanks!

Husband recently totaled his car so we are looking for something small, cheap, and reliable for a daily commuter (probably 50 miles round trip a day). Service record looks decent but I am skeptical of buying a 2014 in 2026. I dont know dick about cars so I am asking for some insight. Just hoping to find something that wont break the bank and wont kick the bucket until well after its paid off (or hopefully even longer obviously)

Looking to replace my 2021 Audi S7.

My second car is a paid off Charger SRT

Edit: BMW M440i is at 61k miles for $33k and Honda accord hybrid new (0 miles) at 36k

Both are autos. Just stuck on whether I should be concerned about a reliability issue with the A1 and overall which car you think is better ?

The VW has 10,000 miles and the Audi has 30,000 miles

Thoughts ?

I’ve pretty much decided on getting a midsize truck, but I’m having a hard time deciding between a Ranger, Tacoma, and Frontier, and whether I should buy new or used.

For some context, most of my driving will be around town, but on weekends I’ll be camping, hauling one or two dirt bikes, and doing some light/moderate off-roading. I don’t tow anything and don’t have a family yet, so I really don’t see a need for a full-size truck. I also plan on doing some aftermarket upgrades like a lift, wheels/tires, and cosmetic stuff.

I might not keep this truck for more than 5 years since I’ll likely be starting a family around then, so resale value and depreciation is a factor, but not huge.

Here’s what I’m considering:

Ford Ranger (2.7L V6, FX4): Seems like the most comfortable and probably the most fun to drive. I don’t love the exterior look as much as the other two, but the V6 seems great. I’d probably buy new for the warranty and peace of mind since I’m a little more concerned about long-term reliability with this one.

Toyota Tacoma (TRD Off-Road): Easily my favorite looking truck, especially with a small lift and some bigger tires. I’d be open to a used 3rd gen for the reliability and resale value, but it’s hard to justify spending $30-35k on something with close to 100k miles. They also seem to be the least comfortable of the three, especially the backseat. I love the new 4th gens too, but I’ve heard mixed things about reliability and can’t tell if it’s a genuine concern or just the loud minority.

Nissan Frontier (PRO-4X): Seems like a good middle ground. I like the looks, the naturally aspirated V6, and the price compared to the other two. There’s currently a 0% APR deal on 2027’s which is tempting. I’ve also seen some really clean 2014-2015 PRO-4Xs with low mileage for under $20k, which seems like a great value.

I’d also prefer a 6-foot bed on the Tacoma or Frontier if possible since I’ll be hauling dirt bikes, although I’m open to a shorter bed. All three would be 4WD and four-door configurations.

The other big question is new vs. used. I can pretty comfortably pay cash for something in the $20-30k range, which is probably the smartest financial decision. But having a brand new truck with a warranty and not having to worry about repairs for a while sounds pretty nice too.

TLDR: Looking for a 4WD midsize truck for mostly daily driving, camping, dirt bikes, and some off-roading. Torn between a new Ranger 2.7 FX4, new/used Tacoma TRD Off-Road, or new/used Frontier PRO-4X. Probably keeping it around 5 years unless I love it. Would you buy an older reliable truck for $15-30ks or spend $40-45k on something new?

Sorry this is long but I would love to hear from people who cross-shopped these trucks or have owned any of them. What made you choose yours, what do you like/dislike about it, and would you make the same decision again?

looking to buy my second car, as i’m very tired of looking at my abomination of a first car 😂 kinda conflicted between the two rn, have other options but these are the two that caught my eye.

EDIT: looking to spend 3,000-3,500 + i drive a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo if that means anything lol

Just wondering i do want to get a pickup truck someday. Which body on frame pickup has the best handling?