Help Me Buy A Car Thread v.ScottyB: WITNESS ME BROTHERS

[WRXtranceformed]

One of these days y'all are gonna realize that the perfect car doesn't exist, that there's no 400hp awd diesel wagon convertible with 6MT and leather and stop making 1 car do everything, because it's just gonna do nothing well.

You think carseats are a pain in the CX-5? Wait until you try to put one in the back of a Q40 (and omg fucking infiniti, no god no). Damn near every new car made will beat a 66 Mustang in the 1/4, that's just what technology will do for you but that doesn't mean it's "sporty". 

Here's another grumpy old one

The CX-5 is fine and will be fine for car seats / family hauling duties when we get there.  I'm not buying another car to replace this one or fill any gap other than giving me another mode of transportation that is somewhat versatile, reliable and doesn't completely suck to drive.  A two-seater ain't gonna cut it and if I'm getting a 4 seater it's going to be one with an actual back seat not the leg-pinching hot garbage that automakers try to pass off in small sedans (ie. A3, IS350/250, 3 series).  You all should be thrilled, you mostly talked me off the "2 SUV family" ledge at this point 

Think about what your family actually needs, buy that, then sell your Rolex for something fun.

(and omg fucking infiniti, no god no)

This is what I was looking for.  Any real world or anecdotal experience with Infiniti?  There's gotta be a reason why they depreciate so quickly

[CaptainHenreh]

Here's another grumpy old one

The CX-5 is fine and will be fine for car seats / family hauling duties when we get there.  I'm not buying another car to replace this one or fill any gap other than giving me another mode of transportation that is somewhat versatile, reliable and doesn't completely suck to drive.  A two-seater ain't gonna cut it and if I'm getting a 4 seater it's going to be one with an actual back seat not the leg-pinching hot garbage that automakers try to pass off in small sedans (ie. A3, IS350/250, 3 series).  

#1: I have precisely zero issues getting me, wife, the girls, and a little bit of stuff in the IS250. Unless you're planning on keeping this car for 12+ fucking years, which we all know you aren't, the "leg pinching hot garbage" wont' matter, because they're primarily made with kids in mind in the first place. 

#2: Just buy a fucking Accord and be done with it. There is no "C63 But Also Doesn't Break", so just go ahead and sell out. If you're having a kid you won't have time for tearing ass down back roads anyway. 

(#3: Infiniti's long term livability is hot garbage. It's the worst of the Japanese luxury brands and also French at the same fucking time. Just don't.)

[JPolen01]

The rear legroom argument is stupid. All of those cars have enough legroom to take a few people to lunch. You have an SUV. If you for some reason need to take 4 adults on a long road trip then take your SUV. Otherwise, an infant needs no legroom.

My uncle had a g35XS for about 10 years. Those cars eat front brake pads/rotors like no other. Other than that it was reliable and needed nothing other than routine maintenance.

[.RJ]

One of these days y'all are gonna realize that the perfect car doesn't exist, that there's no 400hp awd diesel wagon convertible with 6MT and leather and stop making 1 car do everything, because it's just gonna do nothing well.

Why do you have to shit on my dreams, Rex. Why.

[WRXtranceformed]

The rear legroom argument is stupid. All of those cars have enough legroom to take a few people to lunch. You have an SUV. If you for some reason need to take 4 adults on a long road trip then take your SUV. Otherwise, an infant needs no legroom.

My uncle had a g35XS for about 10 years. Those cars eat front brake pads/rotors like no other. Other than that it was reliable and needed nothing other than routine maintenance.

What would the argument be for a smaller 4 door sedan then?  I just don't see the point unless you're buying a pure performance oriented small sedan that benefits in agility and weight maybe?  Like my brother's new S3.

I guess another way to put it is, I don't see the drawback to more rear space especially if my needs for this car are to 1) not necessarily be a performance monster and 2) be able to fit a car seat / clients / coworkers back there more comfortably if I have to

You guys do remember that within the last 10 years I've pretty much only owned big sedans and trucks right?

[CaptainHenreh]

What would the argument be for a smaller 4 door sedan then?  I just don't see the point unless you're buying a pure performance oriented small sedan that benefits in agility and weight maybe?  Like my brother's new S3.

I guess another way to put it is, I don't see the drawback to more rear space especially if my needs for this car are to 1) not necessarily be a performance monster and 2) be able to fit a car seat / clients / coworkers back there more comfortably if I have to

So kids can get in the car without having to deal with that bullshit lever on a front seat? So you can put a car seat in without attempting to impregnate your passenger seat? C'mon dude.

Why is this so hard to get?

You want:
Sporty
Roomy
Reliable
Available
Stylish
Prestigious 

AAAAAAAAAAND you wanna shell out under 20 grand. C'mon dude. 

RJ and Gallamore will both tell you that they played this game, they did the best they could (and I believe they did) and it's a resounding "meh".

[WRXtranceformed]

So what you're saying is, since ultimately the answer is "meh" I should go as "meh" as possible?

[rherold9]

People still post in this thread? Has anything changed car buying option wise that hasn't been mentioned or is known about?

Y'all need to get busier at work or something

[RawrImAMonster]

Not that this necessarily fits your requirements, but I think a MK7 Golf R is about as close to a perfect all around car as you can get. They're supposedly reliable, fairly efficient, good amount of cargo room, handle well, AWD when they need to be and they'll run a mid 11 second quarter mile with a downpipe and tune. They're a little bland style wise, but I would have probably gotten one if they came in the 2 door version in the US.

[ScottyB]

RJ and Gallamore will both tell you that they played this game

i think the BMW wagons are as close as you're going to get to all the things you want, but you'll pay for it. i like the G37 but if they're unreliable, you might as well go German. there's no unicorn.

if you don't want to shell out the cash for the inevitable BMW headaches, get a TL or Accord Sport, and maybe you'll get to keep some shred of your enthusiast soul intact.

[Apoc]

I like all the people who have never tried to put an infant car seat in a CX-5 or load an infant in a coupe opining about what will or won't work. Seriously people, borrow an infant car seat and take it around when you test drive various cars. It will amaze you just how much fucking space they require.

FWIW, we could recline both driver and passenger seats with a rear facing convertible car seat in the middle seat of the F31. It came in handy on road trips because the wife could recline and make eye contact while the kid was screaming.

Otherwise, an infant needs no legroom.

Infant seats actually require MORE legroom than adults because they reach so far forward.

[WRXtranceformed]

^^ That's kind of what I assumed when I started looking at cars again. You can look at the backseat of an IS and see that it's going to be a cluster trying to get a car seat in there, and then you'll have one of the seats jammed all the way up into the dash to fit.

[JPolen01]

Otherwise, an infant needs no legroom.

Infant seats actually require MORE legroom than adults because they reach so far forward.

I was taking this more as he wanted legroom for other passengers not the infant. I see people with car seats in all types of cars. I'm sure some are easier than others, but I know you can do it in almost anything because I've seen it (used to own a car detailing business - lots of customers with car seats).

[Apoc]

Just a few pics to make sure this horse is good and dead. Note the reach beyond the seats and how vertical the front seats are. Lee's got some room to play because his wife is pretty small, but there was no way we were comfortably getting an infant seat in my Saabaru.

[ScottyB]

put it this way - infant *anythings* require more room than whatever you kid needs when they get older. babies have so much baggage its ridiculous. once they get big enough, they can sit normally in a booster seat and that's when the no-legroom-needed thing is nice to enjoy.

[.RJ]

AAAAAAAAAAND you wanna shell out under 20 grand. C'mon dude. 

RJ and Gallamore will both tell you that they played this game, they did the best they could (and I believe they did) and it's a resounding "meh".

E91 is coming around. With a motor swap it'll be perfect... but we wont be anywhere near $20k.

[ViPER1313]

The car seat not fitting thing is overblown unless you buy crazy large car seats, and that is only an issue until your kid is ~2 or 3 years old. They make lots of car seats that are not as large. My Mustang works fine with 2 seats and is not a pain at all now that both girls are forward facing. It was only a pain when I had fixed position (non click lock) rear facing when Izzy was 1 to 2 years old. Becca is in a booster and Izzy is forward facing now as well in the fixed back, no issues fitting the whole family. Corolla worked fine. BMW (which is smaller than the Corolla) also works fine.

[Evan]

I like all the people who have never tried to put an infant car seat in a CX-5 or load an infant in a coupe opining about what will or won't work.

I like all the people who have never owned a CX-5 opining about what will or wont work in a CX-5.

I used an infant seat in a cx-5 every day for almost 2 years cumulative (and a rear face convertible for 6+ years) and it worked great, including 8+ hour road trips. But tell me about your drive around the block.


fun fact:
Convertibles are often bigger than infant seats, because while they dont have as much recline angle, they are bigger/longer in general to fit your kid as they get bigger (and its an arms race to fit the widest range of weight/height)

---

another mode of transportation that is somewhat versatile, reliable and doesn't completely suck to drive. 

You know the answer. There is a reason the car mags love them



fast enough but not fast, unless you spring for a new one with the turbo.
17k should get you a 2016 grand touring still under warranty.

[JPolen01]

Mazda 6 is a good idea. They look pretty stylish imo and have the same bells and whistles you have in the cx-5.

[WRXtranceformed]

I like all the people who have never tried to put an infant car seat in a CX-5 or load an infant in a coupe opining about what will or won't work.

I like all the people who have never owned a CX-5 opining about what will or wont work in a CX-5.

I used an infant seat in a cx-5 every day for almost 2 years cumulative (and a rear face convertible for 6+ years) and it worked great,  including 8+ hour road trips.   But tell me about your drive around the block.


fun fact:  
Convertibles are often bigger than infant seats,  because while they dont have as much recline angle,  they are bigger/longer in general to fit your kid as they get bigger (and its an arms race to fit the widest range of weight/height)

---

another mode of transportation that is somewhat versatile, reliable and doesn't completely suck to drive. 

You know the answer.  There is a reason the car mags love them



fast enough but not fast,  unless you spring for a new one with the turbo.  
17k should get you a 2016 grand touring still under warranty.

Very timely you posted that as I came across some super favorable reviews of these today and hadn't even thought about them.  The new motor definitely seems like the best way to go, but i wouldn't mind having two Mazdas in the garage