The most important factor when choosing a car

I`m wondering whether others care about being able to operate controls without the driver needing to look away from the road. That`s simply crucial to my wife and me and it`s hard in some newer vehicles even after studying the manual.

Used to be the automakers kept all the controls in the same places and working the same way.."learn one Audi and you know `em all"..but not so much these days, and *so* many things require conscious interpretation that distracts from driving. Use a *touchscreen* while driving?!? To me, that`s Darwinism waiting to happen.
 
Coatings=crack said:
What you get? Pics?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I got a 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R Spec. Came with some free rotary holograms all over it and I can`t correct it yet since I`m at school. Here are some pics after I applied some Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant to it:







 
Accumulator said:
I`m wondering whether others care about being able to operate controls without the driver needing to look away from the road. That`s simply crucial to my wife and me and it`s hard in some newer vehicles even after studying the manual.

Used to be the automakers kept all the controls in the same places and working the same way.."learn one Audi and you know `em all"..but not so much these days, and *so* many things require conscious interpretation that distracts from driving. Use a *touchscreen* while driving?!? To me, that`s Darwinism waiting to happen.
Click to expand...

It is getting crazy with some of these controls. I was in a friends brand new G05 BMW X5. It has gesture control for the volume of the radio and speed of the AC fan. My friend let me drive and he was in the passenger seat and talking about something, but he was using his hands as he was talking and the car didn`t know what to do. The volume and AC fan were going nuts trying to raise and lower hahaha
 
The most important factor for me is safety. There are some pretty cool cars on the road, but they are death traps. My `02 GS300 out performs some of these death traps in crash tests. Main case in point, the current generation Dodge Challenger (the cool versions). I secretly like these cars as they are a bit more spacious than the Mustang and Camaro, but they perform so poorly in crash tests, same with GM and Ram trucks. No go for me.
 
m54daboll said:
I got a 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R Spec. Came with some free rotary holograms all over it and I can`t correct it yet since I`m at school. Here are some pics after I applied some Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant to it:







Click to expand...

She’s pretty any mods planned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
1. Driving dynamics - feel and performance after you exceed the limits of the car. The numbers aren`t important to me, a lowly miata is more fun to drive than an overpowered muscle car
2. Build quality, I hate flimsy cars
3. Ability to maintain and service my car, myself
4. Depreciation that looks like a skateboard ramp, I like buying expensive cars that don`t loose too much alue once I buy them
 
Coatings=crack said:
She’s pretty any mods planned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Yes! First is gatta be an exhaust. You have good intake/ turbo noise but the exhaust is way too quiet. Then, I`ll do some suspension work. It handles incredibly well, but want some lowering springs and stiffer and thicker sway bars. Not doing coilovers or anything, because it is my daily driver and I still want it to be comfortable. The car comes from the factory pretty stiff as is. I also want to do a tune to 93 octane. It`s a very small displacement and high compression engine, so tuning to 93 should help get a tiny bit more power. Think that`s it for now. Wheels and tires are good as they are (car comes with Michelin PS4s!)
 
m54daboll said:
Yes! First is gatta be an exhaust. You have good intake/ turbo noise but the exhaust is way too quiet. Then, I`ll do some suspension work. It handles incredibly well, but want some lowering springs and stiffer and thicker sway bars. Not doing coilovers or anything, because it is my daily driver and I still want it to be comfortable. The car comes from the factory pretty stiff as is. I also want to do a tune to 93 octane. It`s a very small displacement and high compression engine, so tuning to 93 should help get a tiny bit more power. Think that`s it for now. Wheels and tires are good as they are (car comes with Michelin PS4s!)
Click to expand...

Add a cold air intake to your list. That couple with your exhaust will do wonders for your turbo. Make sure to tune after all Mods or get a programmable tuner to change as you add. Your plans sound awesome! Only thing I would add personally is wheels and tires. Complete changes look. Although those are nice looking wheels... would be the same as many other velosters around. A good hack and way to get away cheap will still looking stock is to look for stock rims off other hundai/genesis that people are selling because they got new aftermarket. Usually have good tires and now you’ll have winter/summer set up. Does an awesome job changing appearance while still looking aggressively stock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If its a used car, cpo, etc., first thing I absolutely have to see = Maintenance Records -
If it has not been maintained and especially if it has only had those ridiculously long interval oil and filter changes, its a no go for me..
This first step saves me a lot of time; if its not been maintained, hasta` la vista`, Baby..

If it was smoked in - Sayonara....

Having had several Bimmers and Detailed hundreds more, I would always want to have one again.. :)
Yes, they require more maintenance, etc., but the driving feel on the ones I had = awesome..
I like that they try to achieve as close to 50/50 balance on some models still.. This always helps handling..

Also love Black, had many, Detailed a zillion more.. It is not an issue to keep it looking great.. Coatings really help out here..

Ref - M54 - I have had some really nice ones, this guy - not so much :) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn4ZnT5qPpo

Dan F
 
Last edited:
1. Style/Looks (I want a vehicle that makes me want to turn and look at it when I walk away)
2. Value (what do I get for my money and how does it compare to similar vehicles in it`s class, power, features, lease rates, resale value, ect.)
3. Power & Performance
4. I like vehicle that aren`t super common, usually the performance trims and limited editions. Exclusive colors appeal to me too.
 
I’m a pickup truck guy but I do have a beater car.
The vehicle has to look good and drive good (to me that is)
Preferably not too many bells and whistles
Also a good engine and trans that has a good track record
Thats why I bought the Tundra
 
For me:

Manual Transmission (No manual, no buy)
Black paint (if its black, i`m not buying it)




m54daboll said:
Just wanted to have a discussion on what you all think is the most important factor you take into account when choosing to buy a new car. I just recently got my newest car (1 month ago) and being back in the market for a car made me think about all the different things people consider when buying a car: Price, fuel economy, performance, options, financing rates, brand value, etc. Personally, I have three big things that I look for when buying a new car (or a new to me car):

-Fun to drive--for me this means the car likes curves. I don`t have to be fast in a straight line, but you can bet your butt she`ll be fast in the corners
-Manual transmission--Yes, DC automatic transmissions are faster on the track and give better lap times, but there`s just something about being connected to the car and driving a MT
-Parts available for the car--I don`t keep my cars stock for very long, so this is an important consideration for me when choosing a new car

For context, I am an immature 21 year old kid who`s nuts about cars. So when choosing a new car or new project car I don`t really have practicality or fuel economy or safety in the top of my mind. I`m curious to see what you all think is the most important factor when choosing a new car (or new to you car). What factor made you say "Yup, this is the one". Could be anything! Share away!
Click to expand...
 
Accumulator said:
I`m wondering whether others care about being able to operate controls without the driver needing to look away from the road. That`s simply crucial to my wife and me and it`s hard in some newer vehicles even after studying the manual.

Used to be the automakers kept all the controls in the same places and working the same way.."learn one Audi and you know `em all"..but not so much these days, and *so* many things require conscious interpretation that distracts from driving. Use a *touchscreen* while driving?!? To me, that`s Darwinism waiting to happen.
Click to expand...

It`s funny you mention that Accumulator - Just yesterday I was thinking that with steering wheel controls, I look away from the road a lot less than I used to and was glad for that. 2016 Tahoe here. Paddle switches for audio make a difference for me.

For the rest of the post, it`s what I can afford, 4wd or AWD (have to get to work when weather chunks out), and some cargo space for my equipment for side gigs.

Gordon
 
gordonjaun- Yes indeed, once you memorize the Steering Wheel Controls you`re all set for those functions. Just not having one hand far from the steering wheel can make a diff in those moments that "never happen" until they do.

Similarly, and I`m certain in in the extreme minority with this one, I prefer my automatic transmission cars to have a column shifter instead of a floor/console shifter. I vastly prefer the column shifts in the Crown Vic and Tahoe over the console shifters in the Jag and Audis and in some (admittedly infrequent) situations I do drive them a lot better (enough to matter). I wouldn`t *HAVE* the Crown Vic with a console shifter, it`s another reason why I was never interested in a Marauder.

Sure, manuals are different, I never got comfortable with console shifters when rowing my own.
 
4x4, 8ft bed, compression ignition, turbo charged.

In all reality though manufacturer, price, options, color.

Currently I’m eyeballing 2019 F350 crew cab long beds. I refuse to own a truck I can’t have a toolbox it and still have room for a 4 wheeler or gooseneck. Crew cab because 6 people aren’t comfy in anything smaller. Diesel because I hate the lack of power while towing and the fuel range on gas engines. Couple that with the fact that at 5500ft in elevation having forced induction helps a lot. I could care less about economy or maintenance cost. Buy once cry once. If you take care of it, it’ll last a lifetime.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
minerigger said:
Buy once cry once. If you take care of it, it’ll last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

We`re trying to do that, but it gets hard :( ZERO parts availability for the `93 Audi, one bump in a parking lot and it`s a paperweight, and lots of maintenance parts have been NA for years (took ages just to find a wiper motor in a German salvage yard). Even getting maintenance parts for the A8/S8 is getting tough. Sigh...flagship cars from a major automaker that simply are not supported. Same thing sank a few of our vehicles, just couldn`t get the parts any more and some stuff was deemed "unrebuildable".
 
Accumulator said:
We`re trying to do that, but it gets hard :( ZERO parts availability for the `93 Audi, one bump in a parking lot and it`s a paperweight, and lots of maintenance parts have been NA for years (took ages just to find a wiper motor in a German salvage yard). Even getting maintenance parts for the A8/S8 is getting tough. Sigh...flagship cars from a major automaker that simply are not supported. Same thing sank a few of our vehicles, just couldn`t get the parts any more and some stuff was deemed "unrebuildable".
Click to expand...

And that is why I will own keep American made(as much as they can be) vehicles for a long time. I can find parts for them everywhere. We own a mission but it’s going away in 50k miles


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
minerigger- Heh heh, even my Old BodyStyle Tahoe is no longer supported properly, and GM built a gazillion GMT400 vehicles! I had to use a Dorman inner doorlatch the last time, and my pal who also has one says his lasted about 18 months.

We`ll see how long I can get OEM parts for my Crown Vic, they built a lot of those too, but Ford just doesn`t care any more than GM or Audi does. Already stuff that`s NA for that one too :(
 
All of these factors into buying a vehicle tells me it is pretty much an individual`s needs (or wants) and expectation.
Example:
1) How much money am I going to spend or WILL spend? You may WANT a Porsche, but a 5-year-old used Corvette may be what you can afford.
2) Service after the sale. Are you going to fix it? How available are the parts or the expertise of a qualified mechanic?
3) What is the purpose of the vehicle you are buying for? Transportation to-and-from work or school? Hauling the family? Hauling equipment for your self-employed business?
To me, the economics (AKA, personal income and expenses) of an individual will play THE biggest factor in what vehicle they will drive and why.
If you are fortunate enough (AKA, well-off financially) to be able to afford have more than one vehicle, then those factors of importance may be completely different for the second vehicle.
 
Accumulator said:
minerigger- Heh heh, even my Old BodyStyle Tahoe is no longer supported properly, and GM built a gazillion GMT400 vehicles! I had to use a Dorman inner doorlatch the last time, and my pal who also has one says his lasted about 18 months.

We`ll see how long I can get OEM parts for my Crown Vic, they built a lot of those too, but Ford just doesn`t care any more than GM or Audi does. Already stuff that`s NA for that one too :(
Click to expand...

That’s when I get on forums vehicle specific. There are lots of GMT800 trucks out there, gasser and diesel so I’ve got lots of parts. Comes down to how bad or how hard I want to look. That or I get on rockauto, gmpartsdirect, amazon and in my case diesel performance sites as I can get most parts. But like you said there is some stuff I can’t get oem any longer and I’m ok with that but I’m ok with that. Cheap parts every 18 months is still cheaper than new vehicle payments.

My dad still has an 89 f350 with less than 150k original miles. We spend a lot of time doing electrical and rubber hoses/seals and plastic bits but it’s still a lot cheaper than a new one. Best part about my 06 and his 89, no emissions. Well the 06 had em but they’ve been gone for 8 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top