Ronnie has just gotten divorced and is now starting a new chapter in his life and wants to upgrade his old Camry to something sportier that still gets decent gas mileage. With a budget of around $30,000, what car should he buy?
(Welcome back to Which car should you buy?? Here we give real people real car buying advice. Would you like us to help you find a car? Send your story using our form.)
Here is the scenario.
Quick facts:
I’m 30 years old and recently divorced. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra and a 2004 Tahoe that I drive occasionally and an old Camry daily. Now that I’m divorced, I have a little more money and want a nicer, more gas-efficient car. My budget is $30,000. I’d like a sedan, but I’m not totally opposed to a coupe either. I don’t want a pony car because I feel like I’m too young to have a midlife crisis and don’t have much experience plowing through crowds. The only car I’ve looked at so far is an IS350. I’ve driven big SUVs and trucks my whole life, so I want something nice that I can drive daily.
Overall I am looking for – Fast and decent fuel economy on the highway. Preferably 25+
Budget: 30,000 US dollars
Location: North Alabama
Daily Driver: Yes
Wishes: Sporty, upscale, at least 25 mpg
Do not want: A two-seater
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Just enough, but not too much
That’s a bummer about the divorce, but sometimes relationships don’t work out. Of course, the best way to move on is to buy a new car. Since you have a Camry and are considering the Lexus, I bet you’re a little risk averse to some of the European offerings. Plus, if you’re trying to upgrade to those more powerful six-cylinder engines, getting 25 mpg or less in real-world use is going to be a challenge.
A good compromise for you might be the Genesis G70. It’s just the right amount of sportiness and fun to drive without being over the top. While you can snag one with the 3.3-liter turbo V6, there aren’t many examples in this sub-$30,000 price range, and I’d argue that the turbo four-cylinder option gives you plenty of power for passing on the highway while getting up to 31 mpg. Genesis offers a ton of standard features, and many of these cars come well equipped with additional packages. Here’s a 2023 model with just 22,000 miles just under your budget limit.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Two Wheels Good
Well, Ronnie, I’m not sure if this is a congratulations divorce or a sorry divorce, but either way, you’ve come to the right place. I, too, got divorced in my early 30s. And in my professional opinion, you’re going about this all the wrong way. Stop looking at cars and start looking at motorcycles.
Is that a little cliche? Sure. But you know what? I don’t care. Motorcycles are awesome. I mean, you already have the Sierra and the Tahoe, so you’re covered if you don’t like riding in the back on a date, if it’s raining, or if it’s hotter than Satan’s asshole and you just want air conditioning. Since you live in Alabama, it can easily be a three or four season vehicle, depending on how dedicated you are.
More importantly, motorcycles offer an unparalleled level of fun for your money. Buy a cheap, used bike like this Honda Rebel After you complete your MSF course, learn everything about it and then buy something you really enjoy. There are so many different types of bikes and you really can’t make a wrong choice (unless you decide to go for a 1L bike right after you get your license). They also have great gas mileage. I currently ride a Honda Transalp 750 which regularly gets over 60mpg on the highway.
Don’t think about it too much. It’s perfectly normal for a man to own a motorcycle with two other vehicles. Your ex may roll his eyes, but forget it. Enjoy your motorcycle and the thrill of being a new rider. Your life will be better for it.
Expert 3: Owen Bellwood – Accept the change, but not too much
Ronnie, now is definitely the time for you to move on from the trucks and SUVs you’re used to. Changes are coming, and that should be reflected in your everyday car…but not so much that you buy a bike instead of another car.
So, in sharp contrast to the ton-heavy American wheels you’ve been driving for years, I suggest you switch to a spicy Korean sedan – with a few different options on the spice level, depending on what you’re after. The safe bet would be a new Kia K5 GT-Line. The car looks great, is a real pleasure to drive and has a well-equipped interior for the money. Plus, it’s new so you don’t have to worry too much.
But if you like a few worries and are happy to spend a few hundred dollars extra, then you should definitely get a Hyundai Elantra N. In particular this wonderful blue Hyundai Elantra N. It will meet your mpg goals, comes with a touch of practicality thanks to its luggage space and is pure joy in car form. Plus, the finish on this model is great and the touch of red trim you get to Hyundai’s N models will really make you stand out from the crowd. Ronnie, this should be your next car.
Expert 4: Lawrence Hodge – Go Nuts
I don’t know your situation, of course, but anyone who has just gone through a divorce deserves a little fun. And life is short, so why not? For this reason, I propose something that some may consider a little crazy: an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
You might be wondering why I would suggest such a thing given this price range. Well, Giulia Quadrifoglios are old enough now that if you look closely, you’ll soon be able to get them for cheap. Granted, you might have to put up with things like higher mileage, but a real enthusiast would be put off by such a thing. Well, maybe. The Quadrifoglio’s specs would change your mind, though: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 510 horsepower, fantastic driving dynamics and a beautiful Italian-designed body. And best of all I found one in your price range; For a 2018 Quadrifoglio, the dealer is asking just $27,871 for this one. The downside is that it has 92,381 miles on it. At that price, it’s hard to resist.
