I'm not really stuck on hybrids or EVs, it's just interesting tech and I could make EVs work with my lifestyle. I don't drive enough for a hybrid or EV to pay for itself or I would have gone with the Leaf even at the higher than expected price. The Leaf it still not a terrible deal because of the tax credit, but going from a $200 a month expectation to $300 a month killed it for me. I can purchase a 1 year old $20k car for $13-15k and pay $2500-3000 per year after 5 years including everything compared to $3800 a year for the Leaf at the higher price. If I had gotten my expected Leaf price it would have been about $2800 per year including the rental, so in that case the Leaf is a no brainer.

Yay for starting over again. I'm having irrational urges to look at a Kia Soul despite the fact that I hate SUVs, it has mediocre gas mileage, and I didn't like the Kia Rio when I drove it and the Soul is based on the Rio platform. It's an interesting vehicle, but I probably will not like it when I see it in person. The new 2014 version comes out this fall with a so-so exterior but much improved interior.

Will it ever end...?

Lol this thread would be a lot less interesting if it did. I really have a hard time liking any car as there's always something here or there that doesn't work for me. I think I've mentioned before that I found previous generation mid-level luxury cars from ALL manufacturers to be failures for one reason or another. The '08+ E60 5 series was probably the least bad of all of them, but that's not much of a compliment, and even the E60 only had the good iDrive system for 1 year.

Now at least there's the '14 E-class and the F10 5 series, which I keep waffling back and forth on whether I like or not. I've soured on the new A6 after spending more time in it. I think it was Motortrend that said that the A6 is struggling to convince that it's a $60K car, and they are right. It's got a lot more styling flair to it than the rather drab C6 car, and that disguises the the fact that it just doesn't feel that special in the way that Audi interiors did 10 years ago. The door panels are flat and boring with no contrasting elements, and the lower center console is just cheap, particularly the cup holder door which feels like it should be in Jetta. At best the seats are a push compared to what I have now. The switchgear is still definitely better than what you get in a M-B or BMW (in this class anyway), but that's negated by all of the blank buttons.

This example is loaded, including the full leather package that we can't get in the US, and you still get 3 blank buttons in your face. The center is the airbag indicator rather than another blank button, it just looks like one. Genius. This is actually an improvement over the C6 which typically had 4 or 5 blanks, including in the HVAC control area where the ventilated seat buttons would've been had those been offered in the US. The upper center console is great, and then you get to that demarcation line where it becomes cheap plastic crap. You won't find that in the E.

I'm in a huge dilemma. I feel I should move on and invest in a new car, but I'm not sure if it's wise to do it anytime this year or the next... A little about me, I can afford something under $30k (finance or cash, depends) and I'm still an undergrad student. I'm driving a '00 legacy gt which served me well, especially in the winter.

When it comes to potential cars, i'm often two-faced as i often contradict myself...

I love performance cars, but i'm also a cheapass and like efficient cars.

I've been eyeing the BRZ for the longest time and testdrove it, got a quote, and did pretty much everything prior to purchasing it, but I just never had the balls to actually buy it yet... (also there is a massive wait for BRZs here compared to the FRS)

I am also interested in the Fiat Abarth 500 because it's actually a super fun car to drive. I was genuinely surprised by it and the price is pretty steep for such a small car, but it is within my budget as well.

I've considered the Focus ST and Mazda Speed3, but I don't really like high-powered FWDs.

No Honda Civics as the new Civic Si is a disappointment.

I am VERY interested in the upcoming VW GTI as well, especially the optional package that gives more HP and that clever differential, but I feel this might be above my pricepoint...

The main thing i'm concerned about is timing. I don't want to buy the BRZ or a WRX, and after a year a revised BRZ comes out with more HP and shit... Also, the WRX concept looks absolutely stellar and if it's similarly priced, it is also on my list...

If you had $30k~ to spend, what would you guys buy? I want a new car, not a used car (yes I know you can buy many used cars for $30k) considering a good balance of performance/efficiency/value?

If it interests anyone, the cars I have my eyes on are the BRZ, WRX, GTI, Abarth 500, and Fiesta ST. I also like diesels, but i'm not sure if the VW GTD is coming to canada...

I feel that there are a lot of educated people here about automobiles, especially Anax, but this might be due to an instant subaru bias 

The Toyota/BMW car is all news for me. Reasonably priced Toyota + BMW car dynamics... This could be stellar.

Ahh, the developmental videos once again. I'm actually rewatching it as it was interesting to watch last time.

Do you think they will all be announced around 2014? To be honest, I'm not sure if my subbie can go for another 2 years worry free. I've recently done a lot of major tune-ups including the infamous head gasket, timing belt, tires, all fluids, O2 sensor, clutch master cylinder, pads, rotors, and some electrical issues. I just have a feeling that the next thing I'm going to have to replace is the clutch, but it still feels pretty good. Also, the VLSD might need replacing as the diff slips a bit in slippery conditions. The aftermarket suspension should hold up.

I guess I'll try to baby the legacy until 2014! It's not slipping excessively, it just doesn't lock-up as well as what newer VLSDs do, which is obvious as this is a 13 year old car. For now, I think it's still okay as it still manages to lock enough to get it a bit sideways in the rain.

For tires, I went a Conti extremecontact DWS as I wanted a pretty good A/S tire in the snow and it's a pretty low-rolling tire and it lasts decently long. Grips like hell as well