Help identifying what car to buy

[JupiterDenise]

Hi foks!

Time for me to buy a car. Could really use your help. My current car is a 2000 Acura Integra 4-door. Sadly the front tires are bald on the inside edges so my mechanic said it’s time to part ways with my car. Another hitch is that my husband won’t give me a price range. One minute, it’s get what you really need, the next is the Tesla Model III costs too much. If you could suggest a high, medium and low end, that would be great. I’m thinking somewhere from a Tesla Model III to, say, $7,000.

Here are my parameters in order of preference:

Reliable
Short (I park in San Francisco twice per week)
Quiet interior
Automatic transmission
Backseat for large goldendoodle
Trunk (to stash groceries etc. out of sight)
Fits 5’4” driver
Cruise control
Stereo with aux input
Great gas mileage
Good luxury-sport suspension (My husband’s 2007 Camry bobs like a boat and my neck hates that)

Prefer
Hybrid
Responsive steering and handling
Decent pick up (close to that of my current car)
Some luxury would be nice
Good visibility
Sunroof

Even though some Acura styling has left a lot to be desired, that’s not a concern for me. Functionality is most important. I’ve always owned Hondas and Acuras and I’ve been very happy with them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ondma]

Corolla or Camry if you want comfortable and reliable. Or, tell your husband to pony up for an Audi A4 or Q5.
If you want to stick with Honda, Civic (cant handle the boy racer styling myself), Accord, or CRV are all very nice.
Actually, compared to a 2000 Integra (very nice for the time), almost any new compact or midsize car or a compact crossover will be a very satisfactory upgrade.

 

[jlee]

Sadly the front tires are bald on the inside edges so my mechanic said it’s time to part ways with my car.

....what?

You could get an alignment and new tires...

 

[BurnItDwn]

Acura ILX seems like a possible option, nicer than a civic, reasonably quick, but not a hybrid
Lexus CT200H might be slow, but otherwise meets most demands (hybrid)
Infinity Q50 maybe? it's considered a compact luxury sedan and they have a hybrid version available






If you want silly recommendations to confuse your husband into submission so you can get the Tesla you really want ...
(this might backfire if he lacks sense of humor)

Nissan Figaro
https://www.duncanimports.com/wholesale-used-inventory/index.htm?&make=Nissan&model=Figaro

Mitsubishi Delica Van
https://www.delicausa.com/inventory/

Honda Beat
https://www.duncanimports.com/whole...acted=inventory-listing1-facet-anchor-model-1

Suzuki Mighty Boy
https://www.duncanimports.com/used/...ghty+Boy-dbb29ed90a0e08ba63cbe05588feaa13.htm

 

[dasherHampton]

I have a C300. It's not my daily driver but I take it out on occasion.

It's a great little car, fun to drive, and checks almost all of your boxes.

 

[ondma]

....what?

You could get an alignment and new tires...

True, but the car *is* almost 20 years old.

 

[someone16]

True, but the car *is* almost 20 years old.

Still seems silly to throw away the car when it can be fixed for >$500. Unless there's a ton of other issues with the car. If it's been maintained well those things last a long time.

But anyways, seems like a compact car would suit you. Try out all the usual suspects and see what you like (Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3 etc...). Nowadays even mainstream brands pack a ton of tech/luxury features, some not even available on luxury brands. (E.g. For the longest time alot of the German brands didn't even have Android auto)

 

[ondma]

Still seems silly to throw away the car when it can be fixed for >$500. Unless there's a ton of other issues with the car. If it's been maintained well those things last a long time.

But anyways, seems like a compact car would suit you. Try out all the usual suspects and see what you like (Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3 etc...). Nowadays even mainstream brands pack a ton of tech/luxury features, some not even available on luxury brands. (E.g. For the longest time alot of the German brands didn't even have Android auto)

That is true, depending on where the car was driven. Even the best 20 year old cars, well maintained, are likely to have a lot of rust, visible or underbody/frame if driven in a climate where a lot of road chemicals are used several months of the year. And of course, with a new car, you get a lot of safety/convenience featurs a 20 year old car will not have.

 

[jlee]

That is true, depending on where the car was driven. Even the best 20 year old cars, well maintained, are likely to have a lot of rust, visible or underbody/frame if driven in a climate where a lot of road chemicals are used several months of the year. And of course, with a new car, you get a lot of safety/convenience featurs a 20 year old car will not have.

I don't think San Francisco has a whole lot of road chemicals.

 

[Midwayman]

 

[Tormac]

That seems like a wide spread from a used $7000 to a new $55k car.

If you can find one you may want a used BMW i3.

They have a bit of luxury and nice features, are small and easy to park, and I understand their value drops like a rock used (so a good value).

I am not sure how big your goldendoodle is, but if she is as large as a golden retriever you may want to check to make sure she fits in the back seat of the i3 though.

If you want an electric car, another car to look at is the Chevy Bolt. These have a much greater range than the i3, but still all electric. They have more room in the back seat and more trunk room, but still not too big for parking. The interior is not as nice as the BMW, but they have significantly more room, especially in the back for the pup. They are also cheaper new than the BMW, and are very inexpensive used.

If you want to stick with Honda or Acura, a used accord would always be a good choice (depending on how good of a deal you can get in your area for a used car).

A used Lexus is the definition of reliable and comfortable, if those are the most important parts of what you are looking for. They are a little more expensive though, and I would not describe them as having responsive handling.

If you want a car with very responsive handling, lots of features inside, good pick up, four doors and roomy enough to put small adults or a big dog in the back, and less expensive that a Tesla 3, I would look at a Cadillac ATS. They have the best feedback and responsive handling of the compact luxury sedans, short of an Alpha Romeo Giulia (and I would not recommend an Alpha Romeo if reliability is high on your priorities). New Cadillacs ATS’s are less than a Tesla model 3, and used Cadillac ATS’s can be had for very good prices.

Looking at your list of preferences, it is hard to pick out the perfect car, as I can’t think of any hybrid or electric cars that are also sporty, short of the Teslas (which are more than you want to spend). If you want a Model 3, (which from your criteria seems to fit the bill, except for the reliability part) maybe you should look into getting new tires and an alignment done on the Integra, and limp along with it for another year or two, until you save up more money for a Tesla.

Sometimes there is nothing better than getting just what you want.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I don't think San Francisco has a whole lot of road chemicals.

My understanding is that "salt air" from being close to the sea can be harsh for the car's finish. Though I doubt it's anything at all like the road salt used to melt ice in the Midwest or North.

 

[manly]

Ignoring hybrid drivetrain or "luxury" badge, I would say a 2017 Civic EX hits the sweet spot.

I don't think San Francisco has a whole lot of road chemicals.

Human feces?

 

[Yeroon]

Volvo wagon. Power can range from upper 100's to 300 stock.

Though I think we'll only see one post from this user, like so many first timers in the garage.

 

[desy]

I was going suggest a Bolt or Volt too, and yes 20 yrs old! all the rubber would be starting to fail, a lot less safety features and connectivity
I find most cars age out before they wear out if you know what I mean

 

[zinfamous]

....what?

You could get an alignment and new tires...

lol that was my only response, too.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid or a used Lexus CT200H