What would you consider the ultimate daily driver under $40k?

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I miss what my family calls grandpa cars (crown Vic, grand marquis, etc).

As I’m getting older and my son will be driving this year it may unfortunately be time to get rid of my Challenger Scat Pack while I have a chance to walk away with an amazing equity check.

Unfortunately nobody makes affordable wagons anymore or cheap reliable v8 rwd sedans.

Might push my target to $50k if I have to.

Considering vehicles all over the place. My wife tells me the accord touring is probably the closest modern grandpa car.

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It doesn’t get more Grandpa than Lexus, Genesis and Cadillac. Or Lincoln. There must be something in there under $40k (or $50k).

Wait, Subaru. Volvo.

You have lots of choices brand-wise.

If you’re planning to lease though, used total lease cost as your target rather than MSRP.

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Yeah looking to avoid used and Lincoln doesn’t make cars anymore, sadly. I definitely considered a Lexus ES. Lease or purchase is fine with me. Subarus are a no from me. Hate their cvts and infotainment.

To be honest I forgot about Genesis.

My biggest issue is I know I’m gonna miss the power of my 392, but I need something safe for my son to learn to drive on and not lose my ass on insurance spikes.

Appreciate the response.

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What about a full size pickup like a RAM 1500? Still has the large boat feeling, not a V8 but lots of power, safe, and you might get loyalty from CDJR.

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Unfortunately, this will pretty much happen regardless of what you do when your son hits the policy.

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That’s what my wife wants me to get but I’ve never really been a big truck/suv fan. I did have a 1500 about 10 years ago but ended up giving it to the wife. Might have to see how I feel driving one now. Thanks.

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Happy wife

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I owned one for 4 years! Loved that car. Issue is like I said I need something I feel comfortable for my son to drive that won’t spike the insurance that will serve as my daily driver.

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:face_with_raised_eyebrow:
_______

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I love my grandpa car but it now has to compete with the Rubicon for daily driver duties.

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The real grandpa car down here is the Toyota Camry. If you have a little extra scratch then you can upgrade to the Crown.

I’d go for an Accord hybrid over either personally.

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DM me if you wish to sell the MGM.

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You gave @TheSmoke09 a chubby

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The current Lexus ES looks nice.

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I am the resident Panther expert.

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Toyota Crown Signia is probably the most affordable new wagon.

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We have a 2025 Camry SE AWD. While it obviously doesn’t check the “power” box like your Scat Pack Challenger (Nice car BTW), it does a lot of things right. It is comfortable, competent, roomy like an old school “grandpa car,” it is far from a slouch in the acceleration department, handles pretty decent for a FWD based sedan, gets stellar fuel economy, and only costs $30 to fill up and go 400-450 miles.

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Not a grandpa car, but what about a Jetta GLI?

If you are seriously considering a Lexus ES, you might want to get one end of the quarter b/c the new one is, uh, different.

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Definitely considering a GLI had a 2019 GTI in cornflower blue for several years.

Thanks for the insight from everyone.