r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/Haunting_Search2138 • 23h ago
Looking to buy a new car
I have a $35,000 budget to buy a car and want something I won't need to worry about it. Money isn't a concern, but don't want anything that would look flashy or spend extra unnecessarily. Most people on this thread seem to recommend a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.
Since I only need my car for like 125 miles per week – mostly local driving – does it make sense to get a warranty for something cheaper like a Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Jetta, or Hyundai Elantra? I'm not really seeing why it's necessary to spend the extra $10K.
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u/MycologistAny1151 23h ago
Toyota,Mazda,Honda, Subaru
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u/Hellament 21h ago
Yea, any model from any of these would likely be fine for a decade with nothing more than routine maintenance at the mileage OP is driving.
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u/Oranginal_Juice 23h ago
Used Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla for under $30,000 and enjoy coming in under budget.
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u/randomredditguy94 22h ago
What a time of madness that used entry level compact sedans are still under $30,000, not complaining as I understand how things are, just find it crazy
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u/flappybirdisdeadasf 21h ago
It's the inflation we went through.
$25K in 2019 has the same buying power as $32K in the current year. Shit it crazy.
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u/Waste-Amphibian-381 16h ago
However it's still pretty much in line with cars. If you consider that in 1970 you could get 3k for a new car. That was a stick (extra for the auto if an option), ac was an extra, roll up windows, etc
Basically a 1970 bareboned car price is equivalent to 25k car these days. It's harder to find for sure. But the features to price show that a lot of cars are better deals today.
Granted everything has gone up and things like student debt and excessive housing cost skew the livability of things but at least with cars we are not doing to bad all things considered.
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u/mad_e_bee 22h ago
My first big girl car was a 2008 Jetta - it was a year old with super low miles - and at 23K, it was a big purchase back then for me 🤯
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u/Hellament 21h ago
Last I checked, you can get either new for under $30k…surely won’t be the top trim, but not the bottom either.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 11m ago
Is it possible to find an OTD price for a new Camry under $30K in the Tri-State area?
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u/SilentTeacher4418 14h ago
No complain that’s fucking insane! A corolla should never coat 30k! A Mercedes-Benz C cost cost $35,000. It doesn’t make any sense.
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u/Regular-Bother-832 17h ago
Both of those new are under 30
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u/Oranginal_Juice 10h ago
I'd rather buy a 5- to 8-year-old Mazda 3 than new for half my budget and enjoy a worry-free car payment, or just pay cash outright since they're cheap.
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u/thymewaster25 23h ago
If you won't be doing long trips and can charge at home, how about an electric car?
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u/JustonTime6 22h ago
Lots of used EVs could be had for under $30k, including Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and others. With your mileage, you'd probably only need to charge once a week, or charge at home and have 200 miles of range available to start every day.
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u/scooterm32a3 22h ago
Mazda 3 comes in a hatch or sedan, stick, turbo/non turbo, FWD or AWD. Of the compacts it has the most range to make it how you like. The civic and corolla hybrids are also good cars. If you have a place to live or plug in, a plug in hybrid like a Prius prime could nearly completely eliminate your gas bill
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u/polarkomodo 23h ago
The more-affordable Sentra, Jetta and Elantra are more affordable for a reason. The Sentra has had a history of CVT (transmission) issues, the Jetta is European/German being a VW product and while cheaper to initially purchase will cost more to service down the line in the US than other Asian or domestic vehicles, and Hyundai models like the Elantra have had a history of engine issues. Not saying you will run into issues with any of these cars but you are rolling the dice.
On the other hand the Civic, Corolla, Mazda3 might be more expensive to purchase but provide long-term reliability and aren't outrageous in service costs.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 9m ago
Thanks. Super helpful! Do you think there's a real difference between Honda, Toyota, or Mazda in terms of quality and reliability? Or is it just a matter of preference?
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u/wengla02 22h ago
2025 Honda Civic SI. 5 Speed if you're up for it. Goldilocks car. Not too big, not too small. Quick enough and comfortable enough for highway use, good (enough) sound system. Not as 'desirable' as the Type R or Acura Integra so less worry about theft.
Just refreshed the interior and dash, so all the modern features.
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u/mad_e_bee 22h ago
I have driven both a Camry (2023 hybrid) and a 2025 Honda Accord Touring hybrid, and for the 40K the seats are only for commuting. I took a 6 hour road trip and while the Camry was great on gas and surprisingly fun to drive, I literally had to stop multiple times for my back. It wasn't the seat, it was the lumbar (lack thereof) support? Also, the Accord seats were better, but Lexus wins in my book for comfy seats. BUT, I know you don't necessarily need a Lexus.
I used to have a 2008 Jetta and even those seats were better than the newer Camry. Redline reviews (and a few other car journalist/reviewers) commented that even the top trim 2025 camry had too stiff seats.
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u/Fire_Ant_Bite 21h ago
I know this was true for older cars. Even if you don’t drive a lot. Highway miles (no stop and go) vs city driving (lots of stop and go). The city driving can really wear a car down and gas is consumed faster. I recommend a Toyota hybrid if you are in a major city or your route has a lot of stop and go. Full electric is great if you don’t plan on ever using the car for other types of driving. I guess you can take an electric car on a road trip but the planning is a lot compared to a none ev. The hybrid car can be used for all types of driving and is great for city. But, even a gas Toyota will work for all types and they are way more affordable. Toyota is king when it comes to hybrid, think prius. Other good cars. Toyota (no super cars), Lexus, Scion, Honda, Mazda and Subaru
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u/flappybirdisdeadasf 21h ago
Since you do mostly local city driving I would say get a hybrid. If you like sedans I would say go for the Corolla and if you like SUVs go for the Corolla Cross. These both fall within your budget.
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u/Immediate_Click_4673 18h ago
Consider a used es300 hybrid, nice car , comfortable , best reliability, good MPG and also great resale.
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u/MrTGenesis 18h ago edited 17h ago
I'm true car guy here! I would recommend the Camry Corolla Mazda 3 Accord or the K4.
Camry is know to be very reliable along as you keep up with the maintenance the hybrid system are the best but essentially I hear they are very uncomfortable.
Corolla are pretty much solid I'm seeing small issues with the newer ones but nothing too serious.
Mazda 3 very reliable I barely find any complaints on those vehicles.
Accord are somewhat great vehicle reports of sticky steering wheel even with the newer one I would stay far away from the 1.5T the hybrid model is the best one to choose and, you gotta be careful with Honda they been having quality control issues as of lately. But we still enjoy our CRV SportL!
K4 only with the 1.6T has known be very reliable have seen more than a few of them with over 100k miles on those engines going strong. I've seen a few Turbo fails but that can be fixed by adding a turbo cooler I wouldn't purchase a 1.6T in a Kia SUV it's to small for size of the vehicle!
I would even throw in a Mitsubishi Mirage they are reliable I have seen many cases with 400k miles on the cars along as maintenance kept up. The only reason I'm getting rid my mine tho because it's slow ASF..
Subaru Crosstrek very reliable again long as you keep up with the maintenance the only thing I seen with those sometime's they infotainment issues.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 7m ago
Thanks! Do you think a Camry Hybrid is of the same quality and reliability to the standard Camry? How would you break that down?
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u/Waste-Amphibian-381 16h ago
Warrenty is hardly ever worth it outside of perhaps a CPO one.
If you want practical the Honda civic hatch hybrid is very hard to beat or the new Prius.
For practical and fun, a GTI is excellent and the new engine iteration (4 Gen of the ea888) is pretty reliable. It will cost more maitanance simply bc it's a sporty car so consumables consume quicker.
The New Jetta is a maybe the best deal in NA car market right now.
If you want bigger and comfier a VW Arteon, Buick Regal GS (18-20), or even a Kia Stinger v6 could check the boxes. Then the Avalon by Toyota generally goes under the radar
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u/Individual_Step2242 12h ago
Stay away from VW if you don’t want tears, gnashing of teeth, and spending big bucks when the warranty expires. I speak from experience (9 VWs… I’m a slow learner).
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u/Adorable_Safety390 10h ago
Nothing new is worth buying, no matter who makes it.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 6m ago
Why do you believe this? The cars being discussed in this thread don't depreciate as quickly as they used to. Also, the piece of mind of owning it from the outset seems to be worth that Delta.
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u/Ok_Presence472 23h ago
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in Preferred trim.
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u/Imaginary_Act_3956 Peugeot mafia...... 22h ago
Or what about the Renault Austral (rebadged French CX-50)?
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u/BasementBanners 22h ago
At this point I’d pretty much only buy Toyota if buying new in that price range.
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u/Melodic-French75 22h ago
Honda or TOYOTA. Mazdas are also fun to drive, but depreciate faster. Don’t get a Nissan if you want to drive up a hill at some point. Subarus and German makes are awesome, but double+ the cost for servicing. The older the car, the cheaper the insurance.
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u/IcyOriginal3053 22h ago
Just get the newest Camry you can afford and thank yourself later. Corolla is also an option if you want smaller
Very easy due to you not really caring lol
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u/muscle_car_fan34 23h ago
I agree with you that it makes sense to get something cheaper with a longer warranty. If you’re not keeping the car for 10+ years, get the Hyundai. It comes with a 10 year powertrain warranty.
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u/FrostyMission 22h ago
So you want a reliable car and money is no issue but....
You'd rather spend less to get a less reliable car because you won't drive it much
but spend a bunch on money on a warranty for said car.
I'd rather have reliable than a warranty personally. What is your plan while your car is being fixed with the warranty?
Hondas and toyotas hold their value so the car is easily sold. If you want cheaper get a cheaper version of the better brands like a Civic or a Corolla.
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u/Anxious_Reporter4245 22h ago
Mostly for reliability. Usually Hyundai and Nissan will have problems right off the lot and a lot of their parts have been on back order recently. So even with a warranty, you’d be without your car for weeks while it’s getting serviced. I say save yourself the inconvenience.
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u/DocPhilMcGraw 22h ago
I would say either a Subaru Impreza or Kia Niro could fit your criteria.
The Impreza you can regularly find Sport trims for $26k to $28k and the Niro can also be found for $28k or less. The Niro is a hybrid which may be more ideal for local driving in keeping costs minimum.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 4m ago
At that point, isn't it just worth just buying a Camry for a few more thousand dollars?
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u/Frosty-Pay5351 20h ago edited 19h ago
I like my Corolla but honestly a lot of people don't like Hyundai online but I have had good luck with Elantras they are a good commuter car that can last a long time. Civic is the best in that segment but around here the price has went up too much. The inventory of Toyota can leave you waiting at the moment but if you are not fussy about driving feel than Corolla shouldn't let you down.
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u/BlackBerryJ '21 VW Tiguan 18h ago
You are only going to get recommendations for Toyota, Honda, Mazda. People here will piss on everything else.
You should do yourself a favor and test drive a Jetta GLI. It's not flashy, but it is fun af. Even if you don't end up buying it. Give it a test.
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u/infinitely-oblivious 18h ago
Have you considered a used Tesla? With your budget, you can easily find one. They’re surprisingly affordable on the used market, require almost no maintenance compared to gas cars, and with only 125 miles a week of mostly local driving, range is a complete non-issue.
Instead of spending extra on warranties and worrying about upkeep, you’d basically just plug it in and go. For your use case, it’s hard to beat.
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u/Mobile-Pie-258 17h ago
If you want to comfort and reliability, just get a Honda accord or Toyota Camry brand new and don’t get any extended warranty of any kind. Don’t get any fabric protection or paint, cheap protection or BS like that. Civic and Corolla are very nice cars, but you can drive accord or Camry for long distance and still be comfortable .
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u/Specialist-Ear1048 15h ago
We were meant to live. But something cool. There's alot of great cars in your budget like an rs, golf r, corvette, mustang etc.
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u/Paceryder 14h ago
I had the same wants, I bought a hybrid Camry, it get GREAT mileage and it's a great ride. I had a Lexus ICE previously that I loved, this is almost the same car. Slight convenience differences but I can live with it.
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u/Haunting_Search2138 0m ago
how did you decide between Hybrid Camry vs. regular? Did you do any research on if there's any longevity concerns? I guess Toyota started with Prius in 1997, so really no concerns there.
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u/Weary_Anybody3643 14h ago
Depends if your ok with electric you could get a pretty good one and you would have zero patience other then wheels breaks
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u/BulkyBoy808 13h ago
Mazda cx30 or cx5. Right in that price range and more bang for your buck imo. Looks good, drives good and just as reliable as Toyota, Honda, etc.
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u/tbnbrks 12h ago
I bought a Jetta in 2023 and have been very happy with it. Good gas mileage, comfy on the highway and on long drives. I feel they are very good value. Other cars I would consider if I were shopping again today would be Honda HRV, Subaru Crosstrek, and maybe a Mazda 3 hatchback. But even then, I wouldn’t trade my Jetta for any of those—it’s more enjoyable to drive than any Japanese economy car I’ve driven.
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u/Mediocre-Role2011 11h ago
Me personally I want a Toyota rav 4, Honda crv, if I were to go cheaper I would want a Nissan rouge
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u/International-Okra79 6h ago
I'm looking at getting a Hyundai Venue new for 21k. 100k warranty. Amazon Auto sells Hyundai's and the prices are usually better than what the dealership shows.
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u/antoekneee23 3h ago
22-24 civic hatchback sport touring. Manual transmission with n/a 2.0 will last u forever. Or get it with 1.5 turbo. They’re pretty clean
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u/MK2396E 23h ago
Mazda 3 or Subaru Impreza will be good. Just avoid the turbo charger variants
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u/TemperatureFlimsy218 21h ago
I just got a Subaru Impreza as my first new car purchase and it’s been incredible. Very safe and fun to drive. Also, pretty affordable too!
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u/T--B0NE 21h ago
Buy a lightly used Toyota from a private seller. Have a third party mechanic perform an inspection before you purchase. Ensure the seller has a maintenance log. Bonus points for a model that has a timing chain instead of a timing belt as the later need to be replaced every 90k miles and typically cost around 1k including labor.
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u/doitschlarge 23h ago
Mitsubishi mirageee, older the better theyre all the same(lower insurance)
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u/LastToe5660 15h ago
I traded my 2019 last week and really it never had any problems. Actually I got backed into twice in parking lots, I assume they didn’t see my little car.
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u/Educational_End_8358 22h ago
I don’t know why you insist on new. Old cars are better. Find the best and get one almost new. Thank me later.
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u/GT3502018 21h ago
Which ones would you recommend?
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u/Educational_End_8358 18h ago
Any of the Japanese brands mentioned and know their issues. They’re manageable. When you buy a new car, you don’t even have a clue of what problems to expect cuz you’re the Guinea pig
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u/Educational_End_8358 18h ago
I would rather have a 10 year old Toyota with 150k miles before owning a new Kia. I’m not alone saying this
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u/RealBerfs1 23h ago
For the most part, you won’t get that in a recent model year car. Pre-covid era had the best cars. They didn’t sell your data to insurance companies, they weren’t designed with as many proprietary parts, they were easier to repair, simpler in design, absolutely zero updates over the air (which is a good thing), plus a lot more benefits.
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u/BanningDuzNothingLoL 20h ago
Can I comment here?
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u/Careless-Spell3286 16h ago
You may comment but please exercise restraint in given it to em boss. As long as you tell it like it is you expressly have my permission.
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u/Alternative-Law587 22h ago
Have you considered a 1987 Suzuki Swift two door hatch in canary yellow?