Hello!

[Blizzard]

Hey all! Long-time reader of the Autos website here, and figured that with its demise, it was finally time to join

I drive a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV which I bought used this summer with around 30,000 km. Being from Quebec (capital of the EV) and with the new Equinox coming out, there's been a ton of used Bolts on the market and for very good prices too. When shopping around, they weren't much more than an equivalent used compact car. I never thought I'd own an EV so soon, but now that I have one I definitely won't be going back to gas for my day-to-day car. I love the smooth drive, quietness, quick acceleration, and no more $80 fill-ups. For winter, I found a clean set of Cruze Eco mags (famous among Bolt owners) at a scrapyard 1.5 hours away in eastern Ontario, and I mounted a set of X-Ice tires. They're my second set and I love them. I don't see myself ever buying anything else.

My girlfriend has a 2016 Crosstrek with around 150,000 km. It's a bore to drive but fuel efficient and insanely practical, and is great in the winter especially for skiing and at the cottage which has pretty lousy snow removal. It's been super reliable and is in great condition, and will probably stick around for another few years since she's still in school and loves the car/doesn't feel like changing.

Since buying the Bolt, I've been on the lookout for a cheap-ish fun car. I'm super happy with an EV for day-to-day driving but part of me sometimes misses the sound of a revving engine and a more mechanical feel, and I'd love something old-school feeling to have fun with in the summer months. My top choice right now is a 2012-2013 BMW 128i, with my second choices being a 1997-2004 Porsche Boxster and a 2014-2021 Mini Cooper S. I love the classic lines of the 1 Series as well as the old-school BMW feel, and it's such an understated car that I feel will appreciate in value over the years. Not looking to make money on a car, but a car you can drive is more fun than money in the bank. I'm always checking the classified ads but realistically don't plan on buying anything in the next few years because 1) I live in a condo with only 2 parking spots so parking would be an issue, 2) a desire to pay down the mortgage and save for a house, to have more parking eventually, and 3) still a bit scared of owning something older and not being super mechanically inclined. The goal is to buy a house and then buy a second car. Although if the perfect car came up for sale, there's workarounds to the issues above

Looking forward to chatting with you all!

[Firm]

Welcome Blizzard! Glad to have you here.

[Bubba]

Welcome aboard!