Misha simply graduated faculty and has a stable job lined up, so it’s time to improve the trip. The goal is one thing guide, comparatively new, and stylish — all for beneath $25,000. What automotive ought to they purchase?
(Welcome again to What Automobile Ought to You Purchase? The place we give actual folks actual recommendation about shopping for automobiles. Would you like us that can assist you discover a automotive? Submit your story on our kind.)
Right here is the state of affairs.
Graduating from my undergrad and can quickly be an analyst at a big consulting agency. I wish to purchase myself a commencement present. I would like Guide, comparatively newish, not a gas-guzzler, stylish. I’m in Boston in the intervening time, shifting to DC in the summertime. I’m a giant fan of sleepers – therefore why I’ve been Accords and A4s and never as a lot at WRXs. My finances is as much as $25,000.
Fast Info:
Price range: as much as $25,000
Location: At the moment Boston, quickly to be D.C.
Day by day Driver: Sure
Desires: Guide, stylish, comparatively new
Doesn’t need: One thing too outdated
Skilled 1: Tom McParland – GTI Goodies, Sedan Physique
Congratulations in your diploma and most significantly the well-paying gig. As you might be nicely conscious, checking that guide field actually limits your choices and that is very true if you happen to don’t need one thing that appears overly sporty. I see you might be focusing on the A4, and whereas that could be a stable alternative discovering 3-pedal variations that don’t have a ton of miles on them at this worth level is a problem.
So I invite you to think about the A4’s cousin, the VW Jetta GLI. You lose the Quattro AWD, however you retain the two.0-liter turbo sourced from the GTI, and guide examples are a bit simpler to supply. Extra importantly, you may get one with an honest guarantee stability. The Jetta won’t appear like a luxurious automotive, nevertheless it’s a tad extra “upscale” over a Corolla or Civic. Here’s a 2021 mannequin with beneath 22,000 miles proper within the DC metro.
Skilled 2: Rory Carroll – What if…?
Congrats on graduating, however yikes. Transferring to DC. Possibly take that $25k and purchase one thing you’ll be able to sleep in? Take a while to reevaluate issues? For those who’re useless set on doing that to your self, you actually ought to simply get a GTI, which is the cool model of the GLI. However, I’m not going to counsel a type of proper after Tom, the precise knowledgeable, stated GLI. So, what I’ve for you, is a criminally underrated, nearly forgotten sports activities sedan from Genesis: The G70 2.0T Sport.
It’s a hair out of your worth vary, however I assume because you’re treating your self with a brand new automotive, as an alternative of desperately scrambling instantly publish commencement, you’ve got a little bit flexibility. When this automotive got here out, I distinctly bear in mind considering it was significantly better than the equal German luxurious sports activities sedans. Just some years later, I believe the design actually stands out, the inside is unbelievable and it’s going to be nice enjoyable to drive. Good luck! It’s to not late to rethink your decisions!
Skilled 3: Andy Kalmowitz – Do Your Civic Obligation
Sorry to let you know this, however your finest days are most likely behind you. Nevertheless, there’s one factor you’ll be able to sit up for. You’ve bought cash… cash to burn. And whereas your knees will harm and also you’ll by no means stay fairly such as you did in faculty, with the automotive I’ve picked for you, you’ll be able to proceed to attempt to relive the great ol’ days for so long as you need.
Misha, what you want is a Honda Civic Si. Effectively, what it actually sounds such as you want is both to A) reevaluate your life decisions, or B) purchase a GLI. However, if none of these choices communicate to you, the Civic Si undoubtedly will. It’s bought every thing you’re in search of: quiet-ish appears, a beautiful guide transmission, a comparatively new age and it’s beneath 25 grand.
Buddy, you’re not going to get significantly better than this. As a result of I’m such a swell dude, I took the time to choose the proper Civic Si for you. It’s a 2019 mannequin in purple, as a result of ~sporty~ and it has only a tick over 25,000 miles on the clock. It additionally occurs to be situated smack dab between Boston and D.C., so you’ll be able to simply decide it up on the way in which. You’re welcome.
Skilled 4: José Rodríguez Jr. – The Reply is All the time…
There’s nothing classier than a hardtop. Effectively, perhaps, there may be. However if you wish to argue with that, I’ll fall again on the fanatic maxim that Miata is all the time the reply. From what I collect, you’re in search of a cultured, new(ish), gasoline environment friendly automotive with a stick shift. You mentioning the Subaru WRX, Honda Accord (with a V6, I hope) and Audi A4 leads me to imagine you’re a budding fanatic.
Meaning there’s no higher time than now to check out the iconic Miata, particularly this 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Membership with Recaro Package deal. Stylish. It’s a bit over finances, however the hardtop and Recaros are value it. Congratulations are to ensure that your undergrad diploma, and the easiest way to pat your self on the again is by rewarding your self with the possession expertise of a Miata.
It’s not a sleeper, by any means. However the hardtop courses up the Mazda and also you’ll admire the Miata’s gasoline effectivity on highway journeys. The ability gained’t be that of a sleeper Accord or a WRX, however the Miata rewards you in so many different methods. When you’re prepared to maneuver on to a severe sedan or sporty guide wagon, you then’re free to hitch the legions of Volvos in Washington, D.C. For now, the world is your oyster and that Miata is a pointy shucking knife.