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PaperclipPerfector  2mo ago (text post)   2866 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 9, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Very likely looking to buy a new (to me, at least) car in the next few months. Weirdly, I have almost no starting criteria on which to begin my search. It really will be mostly a Point A to Point B thing, and while I'm not opposed to any features/bells/whistles, I find myself mostly apathetic. Just not really aware of what really nifty features might be out there now that can genuinely provide value. Almost certainly want something <10yrs old, good chance I'd be amenable to something <5yrs old. Last car I bought was 4yrs old at the time, and it's still in pretty great condition after an additional decade. It was near the end of a model run that was still just "basic car, engine makes it go", not a bunch of computers and wiz-bang gizmos in the cabin. I grew up too poor to ever think about buying new, but I know that was almost a better deal in the market for some window in time not too long ago. I have more means now and am not completely opposed to it; it will depend completely on the shape of the market once I really dive in.

Anyway, with that background, I'd like to at least try to focus in on one Small-Scale Question for this Sunday. Any resources for how to find a relatively-recent car that isn't constantly spying on you? Any little communities out there that curate some lists for cars that spy less on you out of the box or have how-to guides for lobotomizing cars that can be lobotomized?

I've been halfheartedly searching for a car for over a year now, and still haven't found anything good. Used prices are still ridiculous, the new ones are bloated messes that slam your brakes for no reason, and I still can't import a Hilux

Used prices are still ridiculous

Buy a Mustang. Ford still makes them, and they're still relatively cheap new; both things that depress their used prices (to the point I'd actually consider them undervalued). They're luxury, but not luxury enough that people are priced out of new.

3.7s are the cheapest models because "muh V8" and "the Ecoboost is faster", but you still get 300HP, 30 MPG on the highway, on 87 octane, with very little tech stupidity.

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