Car and Driver
The average cost of a new car in the U.S. was $38,948 in December 2019, according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s up 1.7 percent from December 2018. As you may know, here at Car and Driver we love to spec cars at all price points. However, we recently had a shocking revelation: why not spec cars that we could actually someday park in our driveways. We like the sound of that.
Here are the rules for this How We’d Spec It challenge: with the average price of a new car as the limit—currently $38,948—choose any car and build it to our desired spec without spilling over the price point. Simple, right? Here’s what C/D editors would park in their driveways for that price:
Joey Capparella’s $37,935 2020 BMW 230i Coupe
BMW
BMW’s small, rear-wheel-drive 2-series coupe is anything but average—in fact, it’s one of my favorite cars on sale today. The inline-six–powered M2 and M240i models are particularly enticing, but the base 230i with its turbocharged inline-four is nothing to sneeze at, and it’s remarkably affordable at just $36,295 to start. The first option box I checked on the configurator was the no-cost six-speed manual transmission, natch. Choosing the $350 Luxury trim allows me to select the $600 18-inch wheels that come with a staggered-width summer-tire setup. I even splurged on heated seats and a heated steering wheel ($690 in total) and still came in well under the price cap. It’s tough for me to think of a more special, desirable, and well-rounded car for under $40,000. — Joey Capparella
Colin Beresford’s $38,545 2020 Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum
Volvo
Contrary to the standards most of my co-editors have, my criteria for a new vehicle are fairly simple: off-road capable, heated seats, and a leather steering wheel. Buying a sedan or two-wheel-drive vehicle is out of the question; too many weekend excursions take me on roads that would eat a 2-series for breakfast. But with just under $40K in my pocket, I don’t need to settle for a Subaru Crosstrek (the vehicle I proudly daily) or Toyota RAV4 (I did first price out a TRD RAV4 for this). No, that budget bumps one into the land of entry-level luxury, and the Volvo XC40 is everything I could ever want. The Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award winner starts at $34,695, giving me plenty of room to add to the creature comforts that come standard, which include a 9.0-inch infotainment screen, lane-keeping assist, and automatic windshield wipers. I first added all-wheel drive, bumping up the output of the turbocharged inline-four to 248 horsepower (here’s the configurator). I opted for a leather interior instead of upgraded wheels because when the rest of the car looks as good as the XC40 does, I can forget about what it’s riding on. Although I’d love adaptive dampers and adaptive cruise control, the only other things I can afford are the heated seats and steering wheel. But regardless, those are the features that would keep me from freezing during a Michigan winter. — Colin Beresford
Connor Hoffman’s $31,350 2020 Hyundai Veloster N
Hyundai
The Hyundai Veloster N is arguably one of the best performance bargains available today. I can’t think of any car I’ve enjoyed more that costs under $40K. I didn’t even leave the parking lot before there was a smile on my face the first time I drove one, and for this kind of money? Sign me up. I’d go with the same Performance Blue as our long-term Veloster N, and the first box I’d tick on the configurator would be the $2100 Performance package, which includes the variable exhaust valve system and Pirelli P Zero summer tires. If you’ve ever heard this exhaust pop when shifted at redline, you’ll know this option is a no-brainer. I’m also coming out of this far below our price cap, so I’ll be ticking every single accessory, thank you very much. — Connor Hoffman
Maxwell Mortimer’s $38,875 2020 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS
Chevrolet
Buying a sports car isn’t everyone’s knee-jerk reaction when they’re faced with the opportunity to make a perfectly reasonable car purchase. However, considering the amount of performance one can attain for under $40,000, maybe it should be. As long as you’re okay with forgoing some bells and whistles, there’s a lot to love about the Camaro SS at this price point. Looking at the configurator, I decided to go with a 1SS in Rally Green Metallic because it’s not color you see every day and it’s not begging for attention. I also opted for the six-speed manual transmission. Going for the 1SS means you get staggered summer tires; a limited-slip differential and cooler; extra coolers for engine coolant, oil, and the transmission; and four-piston Brembo brakes at all four corners. The only options I selected with the limited cash left over were the dealer-installed cold-air intake ($580) and the Carbon Flash painted aluminum wheels ($300), which blend nicely with the dark-green paint. The options I would splurge for if I had just a few thousand more would be the dual-mode exhaust ($995) and the Magnetic Ride Control suspension ($1695). If, like me, you place performance above all other metrics, you probably want to give the Camaro a look. — Maxwell Mortimer
David Beard’s $38,470 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport
Jeep
There are many intriguing options and 10Best award winners below $39K, but none fill the checklist like the Jeep Gladiator. Six-speed manual? Check. Seating for five? Check. Convertible? Check. Four-wheel drive? Check. Removable doors? Check. Oh, and it’s a truck? Check. The windshield folds flat, too? Now we’re talking. With a $39,000 budget, I’d start by my build on the configurator with the base Jeep Gladiator Sport with a tough looking shade of Gator paint. Starting at $35,040, I have plenty of cash to option up. The 17-inch black steel wheels wrapped in the optional all-terrain tires ($195) will work for now, but I’m already eyeing a set of wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2s from Tire Rack. The Trailer Tow package for $350 is a no-brainer, giving me a place to hook up to 4000 pounds to be tugged around. The $1295 three-piece removable hardtop will make for a more enjoyable on-road experience by reducing exterior noise. Because I’m now a Jeeper and installing accessories is now my thing, I’ll need the Auxiliary Switch group ($295) to control my LED light bars. The all-weather floor mats ($195) will keep the carpet clean after I dig out of the bog, and I’ll need the $40 windshield strap to keep that held down. I’d dress up the bed with the spray-in bedliner for $495 and the soft tri-fold tonneau cover for another $595. All in, I’m at $38,470. Let the adventure begin. — David Beard
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
