I was thinking the same thing. I guess a 4runner has decent gas mileage if your other car is a Bugatti.
$20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Well, to be accurate the requirements Todd mentioned didn't include fuel economy. I drive a Tacoma (essentially the same underpinnings as the 4Runner) and I'm getting about 18MPG. I average about 280 miles between 16 gallon fill ups. Then again, I drive maybe 10 or 15 miles per day with only occasional longer trips (weekend stuff with the kids) so fuel economy wasn't a pressing requirement.
If I were driving 50 miles or more on average per day, fuel economy would certainly be a consideration.
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Mazda CX-3 SUV
Acura TLX
VW Golf GTI
Acura TLX
VW Golf GTI
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Ryeguy wrote:Well, to be accurate the requirements Todd mentioned didn't include fuel economy. I drive a Tacoma (essentially the same underpinnings as the 4Runner) and I'm getting about 18MPG. I average about 280 miles between 16 gallon fill ups. Then again, I drive maybe 10 or 15 miles per day with only occasional longer trips (weekend stuff with the kids) so fuel economy wasn't a pressing requirement.
If I were driving 50 miles or more on average per day, fuel economy would certainly be a consideration.
Exactly
Just from my car experiences. In the past years I had a Kia Optima. It was super reliably but not fun to decide. Then I got s Subaru Impreza. Great car as well, but I always wanted it to be a WRX, which is was not. Now I have an older 4Runner and I love it. SUV- check. Enjoyable to drive- check. Reliable- check.
I guess I’m comparing gas mileage to other SUVs in its class/size. I get about 19. My Kia was about 25 and my Subaru 28. I’m ok giving up some gas mileage for something I enjoy driving- and it can actually fit my whole family if we have to. I have 3 small kids; and when our Odyssey need serviced or we have a foot of snow I can get the family around with it- although it’s tight with 5.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
As much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Well that's true if you spend time in traffic. My daily commute is 76 miles round trip, but I'm going against the traffic and 95% highway miles so standard is no problem (I'm keeping my accord or mazda 3, which is an auto, as a back-up vehicle). And because I want RWD or AWD, the WRX is high on my list. If you're ok with FWD I would do a Civic SI (or sport if you want an auto )or GTI (which has a nice auto tranny).Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:00 amAs much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
My other option is new or almost new Tacoma or 4Runner and then grab a smaller and older used car for fun.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Joeprez wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:54 amWell that's true if you spend time in traffic. My daily commute is 76 miles round trip, but I'm going against the traffic and 95% highway miles so standard is no problem (I'm keeping my accord or mazda 3, which is an auto, as a back-up vehicle). And because I want RWD or AWD, the WRX is high on my list. If you're ok with FWD I would do a Civic SI (or sport if you want an auto )or GTI (which has a nice auto tranny).Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:00 amAs much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
My other option is new or almost new Tacoma or 4Runner and then grab a smaller and older used car for fun.
Similar spot, Joe. Most of my driving is highway but it's never routine. I'm always traveling to different places throughout the Northeast.
Love the WRX but feel it's a bit "young" for me being a geezer at 49.
The Civic Si/Sport new body style is a good mix of sporty/sedan and might just be the car for me. It does tick all of the buttons.
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
I think you had previously ruled out a GTI Todd, as you found it somewhat boring looking, but it does sound like a possible fit for you. Mine gets 35 mpg highway, and doesn't have that boy-racer vibe that the WRX and Civic Si give off which was important to me. Has the correct number of doors (5), holds reasonably sized people in the back seats, and is a blast to drive. The dual clutch transmission is really good if you can't get a true manual. Flappy paddles work reasonably well. For the price, the interior is a pretty nice place to be for hours on the road. $20k is well within CPO territory.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:13 amJoeprez wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:54 amWell that's true if you spend time in traffic. My daily commute is 76 miles round trip, but I'm going against the traffic and 95% highway miles so standard is no problem (I'm keeping my accord or mazda 3, which is an auto, as a back-up vehicle). And because I want RWD or AWD, the WRX is high on my list. If you're ok with FWD I would do a Civic SI (or sport if you want an auto )or GTI (which has a nice auto tranny).Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:00 amAs much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
My other option is new or almost new Tacoma or 4Runner and then grab a smaller and older used car for fun.
Similar spot, Joe. Most of my driving is highway but it's never routine. I'm always traveling to different places throughout the Northeast.
Love the WRX but feel it's a bit "young" for me being a geezer at 49.
The Civic Si/Sport new body style is a good mix of sporty/sedan and might just be the car for me. It does tick all of the buttons.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
dnslater wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:03 amI think you had previously ruled out a GTI Todd, as you found it somewhat boring looking, but it does sound like a possible fit for you. Mine gets 35 mpg highway, and doesn't have that boy-racer vibe that the WRX and Civic Si give off which was important to me. Has the correct number of doors (5), holds reasonably sized people in the back seats, and is a blast to drive. The dual clutch transmission is really good if you can't get a true manual. Flappy paddles work reasonably well. For the price, the interior is a pretty nice place to be for hours on the road. $20k is well within CPO territory.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:13 amJoeprez wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:54 amWell that's true if you spend time in traffic. My daily commute is 76 miles round trip, but I'm going against the traffic and 95% highway miles so standard is no problem (I'm keeping my accord or mazda 3, which is an auto, as a back-up vehicle). And because I want RWD or AWD, the WRX is high on my list. If you're ok with FWD I would do a Civic SI (or sport if you want an auto )or GTI (which has a nice auto tranny).Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:00 amAs much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
My other option is new or almost new Tacoma or 4Runner and then grab a smaller and older used car for fun.
Similar spot, Joe. Most of my driving is highway but it's never routine. I'm always traveling to different places throughout the Northeast.
Love the WRX but feel it's a bit "young" for me being a geezer at 49.
The Civic Si/Sport new body style is a good mix of sporty/sedan and might just be the car for me. It does tick all of the buttons.
I reeeeealy want to like the GTI, Nick. I just can't get past the boxy body style. Great specs, performance and a shit-ton fun to drive.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
I've been digging it more and more... but my wife hate wagons. She actually prefer the WRX or SI.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:45 amdnslater wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:03 amI think you had previously ruled out a GTI Todd, as you found it somewhat boring looking, but it does sound like a possible fit for you. Mine gets 35 mpg highway, and doesn't have that boy-racer vibe that the WRX and Civic Si give off which was important to me. Has the correct number of doors (5), holds reasonably sized people in the back seats, and is a blast to drive. The dual clutch transmission is really good if you can't get a true manual. Flappy paddles work reasonably well. For the price, the interior is a pretty nice place to be for hours on the road. $20k is well within CPO territory.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:13 amJoeprez wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:54 amWell that's true if you spend time in traffic. My daily commute is 76 miles round trip, but I'm going against the traffic and 95% highway miles so standard is no problem (I'm keeping my accord or mazda 3, which is an auto, as a back-up vehicle). And because I want RWD or AWD, the WRX is high on my list. If you're ok with FWD I would do a Civic SI (or sport if you want an auto )or GTI (which has a nice auto tranny).Bradystraps wrote: ↑Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:00 amAs much as I would love a standard, I do drive a decent amount (25-30K) so it wouldn't be as practical as an automatic. Gas mileage is important but I would sacrifice some of the need for the fun part.
My other option is new or almost new Tacoma or 4Runner and then grab a smaller and older used car for fun.
Similar spot, Joe. Most of my driving is highway but it's never routine. I'm always traveling to different places throughout the Northeast.
Love the WRX but feel it's a bit "young" for me being a geezer at 49.
The Civic Si/Sport new body style is a good mix of sporty/sedan and might just be the car for me. It does tick all of the buttons.
I reeeeealy want to like the GTI, Nick. I just can't get past the boxy body style. Great specs, performance and a shit-ton fun to drive.
Omega / Tudor / Rolex / Sinn / Doxa / Seiko
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
As a crossover / small SUV, I've heard its a great car.
There will be a new Rav4 for 2019... looks very nice:
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
I would really like a WRX wagon.
I would LOVE the Audi RS6 wagon.
If I had the time, space and know-how, I would drop an M3 drivetrain to a series 3 wagon (E46 or E90 body style).
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Me to:
Love them all:
Audi RS4 Wagon
Audi RS6 Wagon
MB C63AMG Wagon, the one from around 2010
Don’t know why BMW never made an M3 Wagon.
And many years ago I really wanted a Volvo 850 T5R Wagon, preferably in yellow.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
But... let's keep in mind that $20K limit.
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Cheap Miata? Fun to drive and affordable.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
I bought one a few months back and they’re not really that hard to find if you’re good with 150k+ miles (which is nothing for these). Took me less than a month to find one I loved. IH8MUD classifieds is a good place to look for well cared for cruisers
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Had an '03 LC for a decade. My second favorite car I've ever owned. Just know that even those overbuilt LC powertrains eventually do give out, although it's usually after at least a quarter of a million miles.
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
I’ve been driving 4Runners in CONUS and LC’s OCONUS for about a decade. I’m about to start looking for a 2006-07 LC once my house sells. Haven’t followed their market, so it is good to know that they can be had for relatively cheap.
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Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
My wife has a 14 runner and I have a 73 FJ40. We like our Yotas.
She bought hers after her X1 was totaled by hail. The X1 was superior in most respects - better fuel economy, more fun to drive on pavement, leather, heated steering wheel/seats, new cost was less than the bimmer, but good god it was expensive to maintain. Oil change cost $100 minimum v $40 for the runner and it only drank premium, which pretty much negated any MPG savings. I can only fathom what it would've cost if something major happened. We look back at the hail storm as a blessing. It got us out of expensive repairs and into a more reliable vehicle.
Todd - you're too old for a Civic. Don't increase your douche status anymore than it is. Either stick with a GTI or maybe look into an Infiniti Q50 or Focus ST. I am weary of Subbies - my STI was not reliable at all and literally was falling apart with less than 50k miles.
She bought hers after her X1 was totaled by hail. The X1 was superior in most respects - better fuel economy, more fun to drive on pavement, leather, heated steering wheel/seats, new cost was less than the bimmer, but good god it was expensive to maintain. Oil change cost $100 minimum v $40 for the runner and it only drank premium, which pretty much negated any MPG savings. I can only fathom what it would've cost if something major happened. We look back at the hail storm as a blessing. It got us out of expensive repairs and into a more reliable vehicle.
Todd - you're too old for a Civic. Don't increase your douche status anymore than it is. Either stick with a GTI or maybe look into an Infiniti Q50 or Focus ST. I am weary of Subbies - my STI was not reliable at all and literally was falling apart with less than 50k miles.
Re: $20,000 to spend on a second car. What do you buy?
Todd, the answer to your question is actually obvious.... you know you need a Swedish car to go with your Swedish watch company.
As far as wagons go, for $20k you can find relatively low mileage Volvo V60's. Not sure about the reliability but I dig the design, and the seats are some of the best in the business. Try to find a T5.
I've always coveted the Polestar version, but they are a bit pricey.
As far as wagons go, for $20k you can find relatively low mileage Volvo V60's. Not sure about the reliability but I dig the design, and the seats are some of the best in the business. Try to find a T5.
I've always coveted the Polestar version, but they are a bit pricey.
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