Poll: When going for a new car, what is (or would be) your preference?

[Thunderhorse31]

Now before you say to me "But Thunder, most of the Escapist are too young to drive, or don't own cars, or haven't been outside in days, how do you expect us to answer this question?" - please know that this is a hypothetical scenario inquiring about your preference/inclination, so feel free to answer regardless of real-world first-hand experience. Moving on...

The question is simple really. You are in the market for a new car, and you have a set budget that you can spend. Do you:

A) Buy a "lesser model" car, but fully loaded - and I mean fully loaded - leather seats, automatic doors/windows/mirrors/seats/lights/sunroof, multi CD changer, satellite radio, GPS, Onstar, keyless entry/start, dimmers, sport package, engine upgrade, turbo, etc. etc. etc.; or,

B) Buy a "better" car, only in it's most painfully basic form (none of the above features).

For example, you can get a fully-loaded, fully-upgraded Kia Forte Koup for the same price as a ultra-basic Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro; and you can get a fully-loaded fully-upgraded Toyota Camry for the same price as a BMW 128i.

Do you buy the nicer car without any features whatsoever, or do you trick out the "cheaper" car with every amenity available?

 

[Furious Styles]

bare bones and cheap as i do not like cars

 

[Redratson]

Depends on how I am doing finacially, as of right now if I had to choose, cheap.

 

[Sassafrass]

Something that doesn't cost three fucking grand in insurance like my current car does.
And that car is a Ford KA and the insurance is 5 times the value of the car!

But to get back to the point of your topic after that little outburst, the nicer model. Damn the seats, give me a decent, basic as fuck BMW anyday. Just so I could say I owned one. XD

 

[fullbleed]

I think kitted out cheap car, the car may not be good to drive but I'll probably have a more pleasureable driving experience with all the gadgets and gizmos. Plus I wouldn't really want an american muscle car anyway, even if they are very pretty and cool to own they probably not very practial in terms of running costs.

 

[Ham_authority95]

A personal driver, because I HATE driving with a burning passion.

but since I don't have the money, a medium-feature used would be the best for me.

 

[Vek]

Easy choice. Better car; I can (And have) done without power windows or locks, a sunroof, multi-CD (or any CD player, for that matter), FUCK satellite radio or built-in GPS, You don't need OnStar if you're not a dolt, same for keyless start...

Basically, no body needs all of that. You get a car, you drive it, you park it, it does its job. Better to get a car that will be dependable longer, than splurge on luxury and complicate the whole mess.

 

[icyneesan]

The Batmobile, the best of both worlds

 

[Wadders]

Gonna be a dick and say I'd go for the best compromise between A and B that I could.

My current car is very basic (my first car, ford fiesta 1.3l 1999) but is pretty nippy for a small car, so I'd say if I had to choose I'd go for option B. I could probably do without GPS (whats wrong with a map?) electric windows (I got arms, I can wind my damn windows) but I'd want to know I've got a decent and reliable and fast-ish car. Thats more important to me than frills and buttons and stuff.

But still, a bit of both would be nice

 

[Outright Villainy]

Cheap and loaded. I wouldn't mind not having a fast car really.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

A car that works and isn't crap.

 

[Flying Dagger]

Looks.

But then I've never even tried to drive a car, so I guess my opinion doesn't warrant a poll option.

 

[Berethond]

Well, I went with "cheap and loaded", even though by "loaded" I mean "Modded until it is hardly recognizable and comparable in performance with luxury cars."

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

I'd go for B, but I would pinch in a little extra for some good seats. I could miss all other luxuries, but when I have to sit in my car for extended periods of time, I want to do so in comfort.

 

[AWC Viper]

4x4 or Sedan (prefably Nissan/Toyota) and older models as they have an abundance of spare parts and aftermarket parts, and there is plenty of people who know how to fix them.

 

[StBishop]

It depends on the cars, I could go either way.

I would need more specific knowledge of the cars in question.

If I had to answer the poll, B better car, no extras.

But the real answer outside of the poll, save all of my money for as long as it takes and get car B with all of the extras that I want.

 

[Pariah87]

Something that doesn't cost three fucking grand in insurance like my current car does.
And that car is a Ford KA and the insurance is 5 times the value of the car!

3 grand? For a KA? Ouch, you must be younger than 20.

I currently drive a reasonably new Focus which is as basic as a Focus can be. Electric windows in front only, basic cd player, no air con (which suits me as I like the window down anyway). For my first year that's knocking me back £1500 (not learning to drive untill 22 had some benefits).

If we're saying money is no option, insurance doesn't matter and it's all hypothetical I'd take option B. Doesn't have to be a really nice car, just one with a bit of power behind it. Hell, I'd take another Focus as long as it was a dark colour and at least a 2.0. And a CD player, I need one of those.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

But the real answer outside of the poll, save all of my money for as long as it takes and get car B with all of the extras that I want.

But see, say your "Car B" in question costs $25,000, and fully loaded it costs $33,000.

By the time you save up the $33,000 you have to ask yourself the same question all over again. Do you get that car plus the extras, or a better car that costs $33,000 at its most basic?

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

depending on if i had the nasty insurance and other payments tagged on.

if i could, i'd get one sick ass camaro, racing stripes and bare bones, but if that was more expensive than sayyy getting a 2002 bmw that is loaded like a mofucker, ill take that nicely =]

 

[strum4h]

Hotrod from hl2:Ep2. I am going to build that.