Pretty much the same reason we went with an automatic the last time we bought a new car (2018). In our case my wife had both broken her foot AND started suffering from pain in her left knee. A manual would have been OK for clear-highway driving but any time in heavier traffic and stop-and-go driving would have been…

Just going to chime in here to support the GTI option. I have a 2016 with the DSG and performance pack. I bought it with 83K miles on it for an absolutely screaming deal. It now sits at 98K and I have not had to do anything to it other than regular maintenance. Before I drove it, I wasn’t even considering buying a VW…

About the anxiety, cutting back the caffeine can help, and so walking with a happy dog, which brings us to a honda element or subaru wagon, 8+ years old. Not only you’d be where the depreciation curve flattens a bit but the inevitable dog scratching and messing the interior will be way more tolerable, so two less…

We’ve got a Forester, works well for our Golden. It’s actually her car so whatever was most comfortable for her lol 

Hey that’s me minus the kids. 

IMO, i’d consider a nice, reliable, super fuel efficient and very comfortable Chevy Volt Premier. Very good fuel economy, battery lasts for 300k+ miles. Minimal maintenance when operated with electric only.

I had a similar problem. I owned a new STi for 3 years. Lots of people were “disappointed” I was getting rid of it, and it is hard to go from a car that defines you as a car enthusiast to a car that doesn’t, but you have to do what is right for you.

Same experience here. In fact, I think my thermostat housing might have a slight leak as well. I bought a ‘17 GTI Sport manual CPO. It’s been nothing but perfect for the past 20k miles that I’ve owned it. Bikes, large dogs, kids, or 4 adults (not all of these at the same time) all fit. It’s a relaxed and comfortable…

If you get a chance, try driving the previous or 9th generation honda accord w the V6. The 9.0 gen came with 17" wheels vs 19" of the 9.5 gen which should give a bit of a better ride.

Coming in a little late to this discussion. But congrats on making a conscious decision to eliminate a source of stress and anxiety in your life. Since you are a jalopnik, and still do appreciate fine machinery like the CTR, just be sure you don’t go too far in the boring direction, and then have the new boring car be…

I left out the part that we had twins.. but yeah. But almost overnight a couple years ago.. my priorities changed from having fun & coolness.. to being a responsible parent. And that mean getting a newer vehicle with AWD, 5star safety rating and had the latest safety & driving features (auto highbeams, forward…

Just to add to what many have already expressed. Your well being is the most important thing to manage. If a car is hindering you from that, you are making a wise choice in changing that aspect to better yourself for the future.

I went through something similar with anxiety a few years back. Belly breathing and exercise have worked wonders for me. Hang in there! You can overcome this.

I was having some anxiety issues a few years ago. I discovered the magic of belly breathing. I also started getting more exercise and cut some bad stuff (not all) from my diet. I’ve been good for a while now. Not sure what all’s going on here, but I’ll send some good vibes his way for what that’s worth...

I wish you the best of luck with both your anxiety and your car decision. These are tough times for a lot of people and I hope you find yourself in a better spot in the other side.

I have a Mazda and love it - but not like, love it so much that I get upset if it gets a scratch or ding or interior stain or something. Which I think is where you want to be with a car. I have friends with with actual expensive, nice cars but I feel like I would get too upset the first time a bird shit on my new BMW…

Always have to make the choice that makes you happier, so anyone who tells you you’re wrong for ditching the CTR can go pound sand. 

Hey dude. Congrats on getting some peace of mind on this decision. I’m in the process of giving up my RX-8 for similar but not-entirely-the-same reasons, and I’m looking at some conventionally boring stuff as well.

This times a million. A car is a material item with a purpose. You buy it for that purpose, you use it for that purpose. If that purpose changes.. then so does the decision own that item. What type of world do we live in.. if you have to drive X to pretend to be Y?

Or howabout getting a sporty Honda and sensible Honda: