Title: $40k–$53k budget. Can’t find a sedan I actually love. What would you buy?

I’m looking to buy a brand-new car in Saudi Arabia with a budget of around $40,000–$53,000 USD (150k–200k SAR), and I’m honestly struggling to find something I really want.
I’m mainly looking for a sporty, luxurious 4-door sedan. I want something that looks aggressive on the outside but has a comfortable, premium interior with plenty of technology.

What I’m looking for:
Aggressive, sporty exterior (I love the look of muscle cars)
Beautiful interior with ambient lighting (RGB preferably)
Panoramic sunroof
Ventilated seats
Adaptive cruise control
360° cameras
Good sound insulation and premium speakers
Reliability and reasonable maintenance costs
I know I probably can’t get everything within my budget, but I’d like to get as close as possible.
Cars I’ve considered:
Ford Taurus: I absolutely love this car, but unfortunately I can’t get one because my dad already owns one.
Kia K8: Loved both the exterior and interior. Unfortunately, the only version available at my local dealership is the base model, which lacks ambient lighting, ventilated seats, and a panoramic roof.
Ford Mustang: The Dark Horse is basically my dream car, but it’s way over budget. I considered the EcoBoost, but I’d prefer something with four doors.
BMW: I really like BMW sedans, especially their interiors and overall design, but the configurations I want are expensive.
Genesis G80: Love the luxury and styling, but it’s difficult to fit into my budget.

Why in the world do we need touch screens? They're dangerous!

I wanted to buy a newer Corolla, But I hate that they have the equivalent of an iPad sticking out of the dashboard blocking a portion of the windshield.

Somehow, automakers decided they need up-to 50 computers talking to each other to make the vehicle run and drive!

And if something goes wrong with them, Sometimes the dealer can't even figure it out!

I'm a big fan of knob, cables, and switches, And being able to work on my own vehicle.

I miss the days of being able to buy a reliable vehicle that I don't need a scanner worth thousands of dollars to tell me the computer for my left $5000.00 tail light can't talk to the ECM and let the car start and run...

I am seriously thinking of getting it. Reliable and fun to drive.

All I keep thinking is that it’s a Lemon, It’s priced very competitively, I should stay away right?!

Is the Costco Auto Program really worth it when buying a new car? Did you actually save money compared to negotiating directly with the dealership? Can you combine Costco pricing with manufacturer rebates or special financing? I’d love to hear your experiences!

I have two homes. I moved overseas in 2021 and purchase a house there in 2023. I leave my home rented out when I'm abroad but I tend to come back for 6 months or so every year to two years.

The main issue I run into on coming back is getting a car. In the past I've purchased cheap honda civics upon arriving and resold them on leaving. But each year the stock of used Honda's seems to get thinner and thinner.

I'm honestly considering just buying a New Honda Civic every 3-4 years and letting it sit. If I put down 4k or so at 5.2% interest rate (already been preapproved) the monthly payment comes out to like $399 with insurance running around $138 a month. They don't seem to lose their value much and I'm not going to put many miles on it so that increases the amount of value that it probably won't lose.

I'd be open to renting but the price is far beyond the $1000 a month mark. Usually $2-3k.

Is there anything else I'm missing or should be looking at?

Looking to spend maybe $35K> on a newer car soon; been driving a hand me down 2006 Camry LE V6 for 10 years and it’s all I’ve ever driven. I’m fine with it but it definitely doesn’t feel like me. An alternative hardworking woman driving an old gold Camry? Starting to feel a little silly lately. I need something different as a lot has recently changed with my life and I’m needing this change very badly and I’d like to get a car that has a lot of life ahead of it.

Not to mention I still rock out with my CDs and even my cassette tapes every day, but having Spotify connection to my car speakers sounds like the best luxury I could ever have. Not that interested in Apple CarPlay as I had a terrible experience with it before when I rented a car but I would look forward to using a gps on my car rather than on my phone and finally having a backup cam since I back into parking spots everywhere I go!

Wanting at the very least a V6, (not completely against a V8 but have you seen these gas prices??) automatic transmission, leather seats, Bluetooth + backup cam, blind spot monitoring if a coupe. Looking for at least a 2023 onward.

I work in manufacturing less than 20 minutes from my home so I don’t have much of a commute. Need something reliable with regular upkeep and maintenance.

Been looking at muscle cars as I feel like I need something a little more aggressive than what I’ve been settling for, but parents keep convincing me to get a newer Camry and if I decide to go with that, I’d probably be fine with a Camry XSE V6.
Test drove a Camry TRD over the summer and really enjoyed it, but I don’t like the fact that the backseats can’t fold down. I sometimes like the idea of no backseat and it would give me the illusion that I’m not driving a “boring” sedan, but the seats folding down is not a major dealbreaker. I just know I won’t ever be having more than 1 passenger more than likely.

I have always absolutely LOVED the look of Camaros, any year. The problem for me is the big blind spots on each side. Test drove a 4 cylinder and really felt like I couldn’t see much. Also didn’t like the way the 4 cylinder felt. Felt cheap and not powerful while driving. But I do feel like that car is “me.”… at the same time I would hate to not feel safe driving it, which is why blind spot monitoring would be a must! Also like the look of the convertible editions but my dad is telling me every reason not to buy any kind of convertible, like how if the latches break it’s super expensive to fix and how you have to be gentle with them.

Test drove a challenger, which also have major blind spots but I love the look of all years of them as well and I have an old dream of owning a lime green one, but my ex drives a black one (the obvious color choice) and I don’t want to feel like I’m trying to live out that chapter of my life that I’m still struggling to close and I feel like having a challenger would give me too much reminder.

Don’t know much about mustangs but I’m picky with their appearance. However, they seem to be the go-to daily driver when it comes to the muscle car market. Have not test driven one yet. What’s great about them? The only people I know personally around here who have had one have been quite trashy and/or degenerative.

Don’t know much about chargers either, but I see them absolutely everywhere driven by all ages, genders and types of people. Seems like the designated sporty 4 door around these parts. Don’t have anything against them, just seem a little too “average” if that makes sense. Again, don’t know much about them and I still would need to test drive one, so if anyone can sell me on details that’d be great!

Overall, I’m looking for something sporty and as much as I want one that will last 20 years like my current car, I feel like I need something that feels more sporty and edgy like myself. That Camry LE is not cutting it anymore. I want to absolutely LOVE driving what I drive.

I’m newer to cars, and have a ~15k budget for my first car! The problem is, I’m extremely picky. This is bad, because I don’t know what to look up or pick!

Here’s what I want, and don’t want

NO:
boxy/square cars, automatic NO!
Small windshield or large windshield… I want a medium.
Long nose(? Not sure what it’s called.)
SUVs
Trucks
Large trunks, or boxy trunks
Large

What I want:
My favourite car, that has fit most of these is a Honda Accord Sport 2020… I prefer Hondas, but they can get a little pricey! Especially for a first car…

I prefer that sleek design, where it feels like the car isn’t made of different shapes…(?) I also like Nissan Sentras, but the trunk gets a little clunky.

Smaller windshields are fine as for I hate large windshields….

I’m sure as you can see with this post, I’m very picky,… good luck.

I have an option to buy this rebuilt title Elantra SEL 2023, with 34k miles. They sent me pictures of the accident, no Airbags deployed apparently and no frame damage. No lights on or issues with the engine. I test drove it and it drives pretty nice. The car is already fixed, the damaged is repaired.

It would be $11.000.

Am I crazy for considering this?
Thank you!

Hello all,

I’ve traded a 2018 Lexus Lc500 7 months ago to a Defender v8, l’ve been having a minor buyer’s remorse/regret thinking back and forth on the LC that I sold since 2 months after I traded. Now there is another opportunity that I could trade the Defender v8 back to the LC with the perfect color combo that I’ve always wanted. If you were me what would you do? Will you just go for it even though you lose some money or just keep the Defender as being highly practical/capable daily.

This is the car I’m looking at currently. I drove it and it’s fun to drive and is nice but just wanna see other peoples views. It has 116k miles and the price is firm at 13k. It’s a BWM 430i Xdrive gran coupe.

Im thinking about A6 C8 2019-, now im not sure which version, either A6 55TFSI or S6 TDI ??? I live in Montenegro where everything is relatively close. Supermarket 1km, sea 1 hour and 30 minutes, mountains 2-3 hours. I drive around 10,000 - 15,000 KM per year, also i heard that this models of TFSI are queit which needs change of exhaust to have that nice sound. Does anyone have any experiance to share?

buying a car for college, used to drive mercedes e class but it’s out of state.
Currently looking at honda civics or accords or mazda 3 or 6 with less than 75k miles
prices appear to be 16000-22000 and my budget is 20000 max so i was wondering if these prices are fair first of all and if so which option should i go with if they are around the same prices keeping in mind mazda is usually cheaper

I currently have a BMW 430i f32 in estoril blue.

I've found a BMW E39 540i with less than 60k miles on the clock.

Should I sell my 4 series and go for the 540i?

I’m looking into buying a used 2023 I4 OOS.

However I have conflicting information regarding what the PPI and dealer gave me.

PPI said brakes are 9mm front 3mm rear, fronts already replaced. Dealer is saying 10mm front 8 mm rear. PPI said 85-90 percent battery health, dealer produced tests showing 100.

What is going on here? I don’t understand why the differences are so large.

Not sure if it’s worth getting another PPI or if I should just move in to something else.

Hi all,

I've been struggling with to choose between these two. I had a Q8 etron myself (leased) premium package, and I absolutely loved the car. When the lease was ended, I had 50,000 miles on it! and the pay-off amount did not make sense. So I returned the car.

I was eyeing the Rivian R2 performance (Launch Edition) and I signed up for it and ordered it. The car with taxes and everything comes out at ~$70k. And the pick up is next week. And I was essentially waiting for the car for over a month now.

But today I saw a Q8 etron with really low mileage that goes for ~$56k total. given that I know the car, should I got with etron? (the price is "Good Deal").

My point for Rivian is it's a new car, new experience, a little more spacious compared to the Q8 etron. And it's not your "usual SUV" and somehow a conversation starter. I do camp with my dog a lot and he loved my Q8 etron. But with Rivian R2 and the back window sliding down, he loves it even more!

Rivian R2:

• Concerns: Being the new gen, it invites quality issues. not necessarily all have issues, but they could. The price depreciation probably goes hard as well. Insurance is $100/month more expensive as well compared to Q8 etron.
• Pros: Newer generation. Off roading capability (Not sure if I'll do it, but I'm up for new adventures). Much faster 0-60 (🥸).

Audi Q8 etron

• Concerns: The car is discontinued, but given its low mileage, it still has 1 year and half left on factory warranty. It's not the "cooler" car. (I know it's subjective, but since I had the car, to me Rivian looks cooler. I know it dies down, just the current feeling).
• Pros: It's cheaper. already depreciated hard. know the car and feeling.

One part of me is like, get the q8 etron. drive it for 2-3 years again. If you get really over it, by that time Rivian R2 is matured and you can get one.

But other part of me is like, hey, you waited more than a month for this car. why not get it.

So that's the dilemma

Looking at two cars to buy. Car A has 110k miles full service history 67 plate. Car B has 53k miles no service history and is cat n 67 plate. Car A is a £1k cheaper. Both are petrol automatics. Not sure which one to go for ? I have bought cars without service history and done a full service they were alright? What are your thoughts ?

I live in the city (no kids) and solely use a car for short drives. I only put about 2K miles a year on a car. I thought I was set on a Lexus NX350h but then felt it was silly to spend the extra money and decided on a Rav4 hybrid xle premium. I'm ready to pull the trigger but something is holding me back. Do I need to spend that much on a car that I barely drive. My priorities are reliability, low maintenance cost and awd . I have considered a Subaru Crosstrek hybrid but have read about issues which made me hesitant. I prefer to buy new (cash) as I will keep this car for 10+ years. I can't get an EV because my condo doesn't have chargers. I don't want cloth seats if that makes a difference. The crv has more room than I prefer and I wasn't very fond of it. I know people who have Mazda's but I personally don't think they are as reliable as Toyota nor do I care for the way that they look. Do I pull the trigger or go for something less expensive and if so, any recommendations? I do think a hybrid is best for city driving.

Hello :) I wondered if anyone had any advice on the best models/ what to look out for when buying a car. I live in the uk and the budget is max £4,000 but ideally as cheap as possible without breaking :)

I have been waiting for a 2024 Chevy Equinox Premier to become available. A lady is leasing it and trading it in this month, and then I get first dibs. It's got all the fancy features like a 360 camera (which is my #1 want) and lots of leg room (#2 want) for my two boys, who are 7 and 3. Memory seats are awesome for trading driving with my husband. Its 8k miles and around $25k, which is just on budget.

While waiting, I might have been convinced to look at minivans. Very tempting! They are really nice. I don't plan on having more kids, but the extra seats would be nice for visiting family, or taking my kids' friends places.

My short list is Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, or Kia Carnival. These cars would make me have to add at the very least an extra $10k or more to my budget. Especially the Sienna. I still want the 360 camera which is all premium trims. And I've been spoiled looking at low mileage SUVs in my price range.

I can technically afford it, i have a side hustle that brings in extra cash... but you never know what the future holds, if one of us loses a job, our house burns down, I dunno lol. An expensive car would eat through our savings.

We will only ever have two kids so I dont NEED a minivan. The Equinox is great. But it would be nice to have those extra seats.

I dunno! Looking for some opinions!

Looking for anybody who recently negiotated on a deal in CA and what discounts did they get!

Ty!

So basically I get my license in less then a year I’m 15 and I want my car to be really nice I’m thinking like a bmw or a Mercedes maybe like crystler 300 but all I want is it ti be like a nice luxury nice interior Apple car play somthing that I would just want to drive good first impression car something to impress girls😭I want it ti be decently fast good on gas not that expensive maintenance it has to be like under say 13k I live in Ontario I work fast food just saving up paychecks for the car so I would really appreciate some recommendations.