What should I buy? (Car edition)

Bill said:
Concur, Nissans these days are nothing but transportation appliances, no inspired driving to be found. And, their CVT transmissions are known to be crap.
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Which is a shame. In the 90s, I tend to think they were the most fun to drive of the Japanese makes.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I believe 2016 was the first year for the newer CUE version and it's pretty responsive. I'd put it on par with the other automakers' infotainment systems, where the early version of CUE was a half-assed effort for sure. CarPlay and Android Auto/BT are all standard, but Carplay/AA are not wireless from the factory. A $100 Motorola USB dongle fixes that. The only downside on the overall design is Caddy's over-use of capacitive touch buttons which is mostly only a pain when trying to turn the volume down quickly using the console buttons. I use the steering wheel controls which are actual buttons, and it works great.

The VSport is 430HP stock, but is easily tuned up to 500HP and is faster than the V2 CTS-V (in stock form). However, it's hard to top the sound of a blown V8! The magnetic ride suspension and overall refinement in the 2014+ CTS is quite a bit better than the V2 as well (as one would expect). The ATS-V and CTS VSport really are great cars that went largely unnoticed during production and are great sports sedans.
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But. 6MT here :). Yes, Alpha platform is awesome and I would buy current CT4-VBlackbird($$$), but that Gen 3 has no MT(CTSV) and Cue... I'll keep mine for a while.
 
Ted said:
Which is a shame. In the 90s, I tend to think they were the most fun to drive of the Japanese makes.
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Original Altimas were great cars. I lobbied my parents to get one at the time... They ended up with that jelly-bean dreadful Camry
 
SoonerAviator said:
Yeah, I believe I saw a review/video that mentioned that aspect. They said that the German auto makers (especially BMW) had lost a lot of that German-handling that they were known for in exchange for a more numb-feel, where Cadillac brought that feel to the forefront.
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BMW - Buick Motor Works
 
After buying a couple Grand Marquis and driving them everyday on the pothole crap roads around here I've decided I'll never own a "sporty" daily driver ever.
 
bnt83 said:
After buying a couple Grand Marquis and driving them everyday on the pothole crap roads around here I've decided I'll never own a "sporty" daily driver ever.
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But then you could swerve to avoid the potholes instead of hitting them! :)
 
SoonerAviator said:
But then you could swerve to avoid the potholes instead of hitting them! :)
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Not in this state, its swerve to hit the smaller hole. I swear there's a conspiracy to sell blood pressure medication, on the way to and from work you get beat to death in your car, on top of all the road rage and work stress.
 
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SoonerAviator said:
Yeah, I believe I saw a review/video that mentioned that aspect. They said that the German auto makers (especially BMW) had lost a lot of that German-handling that they were known for in exchange for a more numb-feel, where Cadillac brought that feel to the forefront.
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This is very unfortunate. I owned BMWs all my life until 2017 and handling is one thing I can't stand on most makes/models. Always loved how my BMWs handled ('85 325e, '97 318iS, '06 525i).
 
kaiser said:
This is very unfortunate. I owned BMWs all my life until 2017 and handling is one thing I can't stand on most makes/models. Always loved how my BMWs handled ('85 325e, '97 318iS, '06 525i).
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I've never driven any of the older ones. Most of the ones I've driven have been 2017+ models as rentals (X3/X5/328i). I really didn't understand what the fuss was about, as the interiors weren't especially nice and fairly sparse on features compared to more generic brands. Certainly didn't make me want to run out and buy one.
 
Bill said:
Concur, Nissans these days are nothing but transportation appliances, no inspired driving to be found. And, their CVT transmissions are known to be crap.
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Yep, and their trucks are even worse imho. They have an uncomfortable ride to them and they’re awful on fuel.
 
Ted said:
My wife's gotten 4-cylinder Mustangs as rental cars, and they are actually really fun cars to drive. As far as automatics go, the 10-speed auto they come with isn't bad. Pretty decent mileage too. Probably what I'd be looking at if I was going to get a practical daily driver.
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I've had 4-cyl Mustangs and Camaros as rentals, too, and they're not bad. But for a daily driver I picked a 6-cyl Challenger. It's roomier and more comfortable, it has more low end torque than the 4-bangers, good MPG, and I'm very happy with the handling and overall performance.
 
Half Fast said:
I've had 4-cyl Mustangs and Camaros as rentals, too, and they're not bad. But for a daily driver I picked a 6-cyl Challenger. It's roomier and more comfortable, it has more low end torque than the 4-bangers, good MPG, and I'm very happy with the handling and overall performance.
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I've driven 6-cyl Challengers as well. They are roomier and have more torque, but I'm not a fan of the visibility. Not bad cars, though, and definitely love the looks.
 
Ted said:
I've driven 6-cyl Challengers as well. They are roomier and have more torque, but I'm not a fan of the visibility. Not bad cars, though, and definitely love the looks.
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Yeah, visibility out the back is pretty poor. I thought the Camaro had poor visibility, too.

I considered a hemi Challenger, but it just didn't make sense for my I-4 commute. Something like a Hellcat would be a fantastic weekend, toy, though.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I've never driven any of the older ones. Most of the ones I've driven have been 2017+ models as rentals (X3/X5/328i). I really didn't understand what the fuss was about, as the interiors weren't especially nice and fairly sparse on features compared to more generic brands. Certainly didn't make me want to run out and buy one.
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Newer BMWs really are not that good. As far as I’m concerned, the peak BMWs were e36,e46, e39(had M5 previously ). Today you have to go to M++++ variant to get good feel but then it will not really be a good daily and you might as well get a Porsche. It’ll cost as much anyway
 
genna said:
Newer BMWs really are not that good. As far as I’m concerned, the peak BMWs were e36,e46, e39(had M5 previously ). Today you have to go to M++++ variant to get good feel but then it will not really be a good daily and you might as well get a Porsche. It’ll cost as much anyway
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Yeah, I'd exempt most of the M-series from the discussion, but those are priced more like supercars these days, so they have to have performance to back it up. Although their recent obsession with making the kidney grill even most massive on the front of their vehicles is a terrible design decision. That, and the new 7-series now looks like a knockoff Bentley.
 
SoonerAviator said:
Yeah, I'd exempt most of the M-series from the discussion, but those are priced more like supercars these days, so they have to have performance to back it up. Although their recent obsession with making the kidney grill even most massive on the front of their vehicles is a terrible design decision. That, and the new 7-series now looks like a knockoff Bentley.
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To be honest, most regular M products from BMW are not even that great anymore. Some aren't even really all that M to begin with. You have to go to Competition or CS to get something special
 
SoonerAviator said:
My 2017 CTS VSport has the "newer" version of CUE and it functions fine. I even have a USB dongle that plugs into the center console port and provides wireless Android Auto connectivity, so no wires needed. Just hop in and go.
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BTW, I think CTS VSport(and current CT5V) is great balance between outright performance of V(Blackwing) and more pedestrian versions. Naming confusion notwithstanding. I wish it could be had in MT, I'd take it even with CUE
 
Lot's of great suggestions coming out. Personally as attractive as used BMW's are price wise they should be avoided for obvious reasons. If we are talking latest generation cars I would skip the SI since it has no heated seat option in the US but would consider the new Integra. I had a rental V6 Camaro for a few weeks. I really enjoyed the car and thought the V6 sounded great and was a lot of fun as you could really hammer on it without fear. The reality is you are getting a very compromised car as far as a daily driver without the real perk of it being the V8. The BRZ and FRS are in the same boat in my opinion. Way too compromised as a daily driver to be in serious consideration at their price point.
 
genna said:
BTW, I think CTS VSport(and current CT5V) is great balance between outright performance of V(Blackwing) and more pedestrian versions. Naming confusion notwithstanding. I wish it could be had in MT, I'd take it even with CUE
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I think so, too. I also wasn't willing to cough up $70K for a used V3 CTS-V when I could get most of the performance for half the cost with the VSport, lol. The $95K+ for the current CT5-Blackwing is a tough pill to swallow, even if it is a Corvette Z06 sedan complete with 7-speed manual.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I think so, too. I also wasn't willing to cough up $70K for a used V3 CTS-V when I could get most of the performance for half the cost with the VSport, lol. The $95K+ for the current CT5-Blackwing is a tough pill to swallow, even if it is a Corvette Z06 sedan complete with 7-speed manual.
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I agree. It's a great car. Perhaps the best sports sedan ever. But that's a lot of money. Unfortunately, these cars did not translate to any success for Cadillac. Bad timing, too much image loss. They will be the peak of ICE fast Cadies.
 
*gasp*

Between that and the Blues Brother thing, you're really in the dog house.
 
Rgbeard said:
I have to get us to the Volo museum!
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Volo town ain't much, but the museum is surprisingly large and even has quite a few classic cars for sale. I have a soft spot for the Plymouth Road Runner and they had a few examples on offer back in the day. Unfortunately, I am not nearly as mechanically inclined as the car would likely require.
 
I'd really hate to be car buying right now. Market seems ridiculous out there.

Hard to recommend anything without knowing the mission and the sort of ladies you're trying to impress. I don't think you'll like the impreza OR the crosstrek. BRZ, WRX make sense to me. If you're on the used side of the house, try the Legacy 3.6R as a larger car with some oomph and nice handling, they made them up until 2019 or so.

I like going to CarMax and just trying every damned thing on the lot. I find some surprising choices I'd have never considered before that way. It's how we ended up getting a BMW i3. Twice. :D
 
The 3.6r legacy and outback is a good vehicle, but mpg will be closer to 20 than 30. If going that route I would get 2014 or older as they went to a CVT in 2015 and later models.
 
FORANE said:
The 3.6r legacy and outback is a good vehicle, but mpg will be closer to 20 than 30. If going that route I would get 2014 or older as they went to a CVT in 2015 and later models.
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Oh, right, good point. My 3.6 is pretty hard on gas. 18-25 wins no efficiency awards
 
schmookeeg said:
…I like going to CarMax and just trying every damned thing on the lot…
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I go on Sundays when they’re closed in this state but leave all the vehicles unlocked. Some CarMax lots seem to have one flavor of what everyone bought but nobody wanted, others seem to be rental fleet/lease turn ins, then a very few others tend to have really good variety and selection. Don’t know why that is other than they’re reflective of what moves in the local market.
 
RyanB said:
Yep, and their trucks are even worse imho. They have an uncomfortable ride to them and they’re awful on fuel.
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I have one, well SUV actually, on frontier frame. I like it! It drives like a truck. Independent front suspension, solid rear axle, part time 4wd. Drives a lot better than the 4runner I test drove, that road like a sofa to m. Fuel economy isn't great, I get about 16, but it's a 4000+ lb with 265 hp V6 and a 5 speed auto, and it's not aerodynamic in any respect.
 
masloki said:
Volo town ain't much, but the museum is surprisingly large and even has quite a few classic cars for sale. I have a soft spot for the Plymouth Road Runner and they had a few examples on offer back in the day. Unfortunately, I am not nearly as mechanically inclined as the car would likely require.
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I was just at Volo a few months ago. They re-did it. Its way larger than you would think, the military sections were pretty cool. I think almost all the cars there are for sale, but big bucks. Good thing is, they have the price right on the car, so you dont have to ask. I wished I bought a 442 convertible I saw there a few years ago, seems like the price has easily tripled now.
 
schmookeeg said:
Oh, right, good point. My 3.6 is pretty hard on gas. 18-25 wins no efficiency awards
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Yikes, my V8 powered 4.6L dinosaur Grand Marquis (2004 & 2005) get that gas mileage.
 

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bnt83 said:
Yikes, my V8 powered 4.6L dinosaur Grand Marquis (2004 & 2005) get that gas mileage.
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What's really mind blowing to me is the little turbo 2.0s aren't doing much better (21-27)

<3 the Panther cars. Nothing on the market really replaces them these days.
 
Albany Tom said:
I have one, well SUV actually, on frontier frame. I like it! It drives like a truck. Independent front suspension, solid rear axle, part time 4wd. Drives a lot better than the 4runner I test drove, that road like a sofa to m. Fuel economy isn't great, I get about 16, but it's a 4000+ lb with 265 hp V6 and a 5 speed auto, and it's not aerodynamic in any respect.
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Lol my 8K+lbs diesel Excursion gets about 16mpg around town, too. Nissan probably needs to up its game on the small truck/SUV efficiency. Even the Titan is a pig on fuel.
 
Last week I test drove a 2022 GMC 1/2 ton with the 6 cyl Duramax, 4WD. It got 28 MPG on the 75 mile test drive. Pretty hard test drive, about half in town and half interstate. I did not baby it.

A friend of mine bought it.
 
schmookeeg said:
What's really mind blowing to me is the little turbo 2.0s aren't doing much better (21-27)

<3 the Panther cars. Nothing on the market really replaces them these days.
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My dad (rarely ever buys used cars) thought I was nuts buying an 18 year old Grand Marquis for $2500, then he drove it an hour and changed his mind pretty quick. (Dad bought a band new VW Jetta diesel ?2009sh? before the dieslegate thing, loaded with everything its got maybe 45k miles on it, instead of driving it he was driving the farm truck everywhere because I had his beater Chevy Lumina, which he wanted back after I got the Mercury.

One draw to the Panther platform is the 4R70W transmission. I worked at a factory that manufactured accumulator pistons for these way back, and they look simple enough that I'm pretty confident I could disassemble and repair one, and parts are super easy to find. I bought a used good looking one for $200, just haven't had the time to dive into it..

I originally wanted a V8 powered Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger or Magnum, but the $ to value ratio didn't seem as good, a lot of those cars are trashed or twice as many miles for the same $. I'd buy another panther this year but I don't really have any place to put it.
 
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