Thinking about buying a second car! Opinions/input?

[Aubrey64]

I've been wanting a second car for a while now, a car that could replace my Camaro as my DD. Right now, I am just starting to do some research on the car that I would want, as I am not really looking to buy for at least another 6 months or so. But I wanted to hear some opinions on what cars you guys drive as a DD or ones that you may recommend? Here is what I had in mind:

-Used Jeep wrangler Unlimited- I LOVE jeeps, and for a while now I've been saying a jeep wrangler would be my next car. But I feel like what you get for the price is a little bit lacking, like power windows, bluetooth, leather...etc.

- Cadillac CTS (2 door or 4 door): I really like the cadillac, but am not sure if it is great for a DD.

- A hybrid not sure how I feel about that, but it may be nice to have a hybrid as my main mode of transportation. Maybe a chevy volt or something

My budget is around $30,000, and I am fine with buying a used car. I would like to have a 4-door, purely for the space aspect of the car, but if I fell in love with another 2 door, I wouldn't be against it. But I am a (soon to be) 20 year old and the only one I really have to worry about fitting in my car is my 100 pound dog. So its not like I have to worry about kids or anything being able to ride along with me. I would like this to be my last car purchase for a while, as after I buy this second car, I would like spend my car money on modding my current Camaro and saving for a higher end car 4 or 5 years down the road. So I would love for this car to be something I could drive in all conditions, for all types of errands and trips, and most importantly, one that will comfortably fit my dog.

What daily drivers do you guys have? What would you guys get if you where getting a new car? Any input is appreciated!

[Apex Motorsports]

My daily driver is a Chevy Traverse. It seats 7 so it is perfect for hauling the family plus friends or I can fold down the rear seats if I need to haul parts or equipment somewhere. Gets decent fuel mileage and I haven't had a seconds trouble out of it. Just another great GM product. The Wrangler Unlimited was one of the things I considered but the extra space and seating (practicality) in the Traverse won me over.

[Stew]

The Wrangler unlimiteds DO offer PW, locks, leather etc, but fuel mileage will not be that great even with the Pentastar. my brother has an 09 CTS that has been nothing but problems. A great car to drive and I recently took i on a long trip and loved it. But the issues he has had have been crazy. A volt or hybrid makes lots of sense if what you are doing involves a lot of in town driving. THe advantages aren't quite as high when it comes to a lot of highway running, in that case something like a Cruze eco or deisel would be a better choice.

Now that said, i got to slip behind the wheel of a 13 Fusion SE with the 2.0 ecoboost and came away more impressed than I thought I would ever be.

[DesertCamaro]

I also have a '13 JK Unlimited, I love driving it as much as the Camaro. Drove to San Diego last weekend and avg'd 20mpg, that's with 33x10.50's and a 4" lift. The Pentastar engine is awesome, feels like my buddy's 2010 JK 3.8 with a blower on it. I'd probably trade the Camaro in before the Jeep.

[FenwickHockey65]

I'd go with a Cruze Diesel.

CTS is a nice car but I couldn't bring myself to buy a 2nd gen CTS now that the 3rd gen is coming.

Volt pricing dropped $5k but it'll still cost close to $35k before tax credits.

You could also pick up a '14 Impala 1LT or 2LT if you want a little more space.

[LIM3]

I personally would go for a jeep. One guy I met at the dealer the other day said out of the 40 cars he has owned he preferred jeeps. "All around fun cars"
Kinda tells you something coming from a guy who has owned so many vehicles.


Oh and I'm sure your aware of the modding capabilities with a wrangler.


Endless !

[Aubrey64]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

My daily driver is a Chevy Traverse. It seats 7 so it is perfect for hauling the family plus friends or I can fold down the rear seats if I need to haul parts or equipment somewhere. Gets decent fuel mileage and I haven't had a seconds trouble out of it. Just another great GM product. The Wrangler Unlimited was one of the things I considered but the extra space and seating (practicality) in the Traverse won me over.

I haven't even thought of the traverse, but they are nice cars! I'll have to look into it!

Originally Posted by Stew

The Wrangler unlimiteds DO offer PW, locks, leather etc, but fuel mileage will not be that great even with the Pentastar. my brother has an 09 CTS that has been nothing but problems. A great car to drive and I recently took i on a long trip and loved it. But the issues he has had have been crazy. A volt or hybrid makes lots of sense if what you are doing involves a lot of in town driving. THe advantages aren't quite as high when it comes to a lot of highway running, in that case something like a Cruze eco or deisel would be a better choice.

Now that said, i got to slip behind the wheel of a 13 Fusion SE with the 2.0 ecoboost and came away more impressed than I thought I would ever be.

I know that the jeeps do have that option, but at a base model things as basic as auto windows aren't offered, when on another car those things are standard. But I have heard those same things with the CTS, which makes me hesitant. I definitely do not want a car with a ton of problems

Originally Posted by DesertCamaro

I also have a '13 JK Unlimited, I love driving it as much as the Camaro. Drove to San Diego last weekend and avg'd 20mpg, that's with 33x10.50's and a 4" lift. The Pentastar engine is awesome, feels like my buddy's 2010 JK 3.8 with a blower on it. I'd probably trade the Camaro in before the Jeep.

I've heard so many good things about jeeps, and the more I see them the more I love the way they look! I actually wanted a jeep before I wanted my Camaro, but at the time it wasn't in my budget.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'd go with a Cruze Diesel.

CTS is a nice car but I couldn't bring myself to buy a 2nd gen CTS now that the 3rd gen is coming.

Volt pricing dropped $5k but it'll still cost close to $35k before tax credits.

You could also pick up a '14 Impala 1LT or 2LT if you want a little more space.

Last year when my Camaro got rear ended, I drove a cruz for 2 weeks and I really didn't like it. But I may have disliked it so much purely because it wasn't my Camaro, so I might try and test drive a cruz soon to see for sure if I dislike it or not. But damn, I didn't realize the volt was that expensive!

Originally Posted by LIM3

I personally would go for a jeep. One guy I met at the dealer the other day said out of the 40 cars he has owned he preferred jeeps. "All around fun cars"
Kinda tells you something coming from a guy who has owned so many vehicles.


Oh and I'm sure your aware of the modding capabilities with a wrangler.
Attachment 556905

Endless !

I am for sure leaning towards the Jeep, they just look so good, especially modded like in that picture A part of me doesn't want to get a car that I can mod, because of the fact it sucks all the money out of my bank account But the other part of me REALLY wants a car that can mod so that I can start the fun all over again on a different car



Thanks everyone for all the input, it's really appreciated! As of right now I really am leaning towards a jeep...But I'll have to do some more research

[flyinglow57]

Vw jetta or passat diesel.

Mazda 6 has a diesel coming out and relly nice looking.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Aubrey64

I haven't even thought of the traverse, but they are nice cars! I'll have to look into it!



I know that the jeeps do have that option, but at a base model things as basic as auto windows aren't offered, when on another car those things are standard. But I have heard those same things with the CTS, which makes me hesitant. I definitely do not want a car with a ton of problems



I've heard so many good things about jeeps, and the more I see them the more I love the way they look! I actually wanted a jeep before I wanted my Camaro, but at the time it wasn't in my budget.



Last year when my Camaro got rear ended, I drove a cruz for 2 weeks and I really didn't like it. But I may have disliked it so much purely because it wasn't my Camaro, so I might try and test drive a cruz soon to see for sure if I dislike it or not. But damn, I didn't realize the volt was that expensive!



I am for sure leaning towards the Jeep, they just look so good, especially modded like in that picture A part of me doesn't want to get a car that I can mod, because of the fact it sucks all the money out of my bank account But the other part of me REALLY wants a car that can mod so that I can start the fun all over again on a different car



Thanks everyone for all the input, it's really appreciated! As of right now I really am leaning towards a jeep...But I'll have to do some more research

The issues are a realy shame on the CTS because the car is a blast to drive. He has had bad leaks and there is an electrical issue that disabled the AWD, Stability/traction control, power steering, and ABS (part of the cause of the accident he was recently in with it). I took it on a long trip myself a couple weeks ago and even with so much not working, it was a great drive.

[shank0668]

Jeep!

[Hurst]

I was pondering this as well after I pay off the Camaro and my Malibu gets a few more miles...

I was debating about an Unlimited, however my wife has only saw women driving them, so she didn't think it was a good idea. (LOL!) Just thought it would be a testosterone builder until she said that.

My second choice, I am leaning towards a Cruze... but I would have to test drive one first.

For me, presently my DD is a V6 2010 Malibu, I don't have a 100lb dog (More like a 70lb Golden Retriever) but it has been fantastic on long runs (Avg. 30mpg highway) good ride, decent stereo and not a lick of issues in the snow. (Note, I live in Northern Ohio). 53k and going strong...

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by flyinglow57

Vw jetta or passat diesel.

Mazda 6 has a diesel coming out and relly nice looking.

So much better than the Jetta.

[Hurst]

Hey FenwickHockey65, maybe you could put the bug in GM's ear to add a V6 to the present Malibu... or better yet! The Cruze!

[FenwickHockey65]

Eh. I don't see that happening. GM's pretty satisfied with the LTG's performance in the Malibu. From people who have driven them there's really no need for a V6.

Cruze probably wouldn't even fit a V6.