As you can see from the comments on the listings I reviewed, in Turkey there are some generalizations formed due to both the superficial car culture and many drivers' bittersweet memories. If my 15 years of experience in the automotive industry has taught me anything, it’s that all generalizations eventually lose their validity. Below, I’ll share some of these stereotypical "rules," which, while sometimes true, just as often lead you to choose the wrong car or overlook the right one.

Let's go over these clichés one by one and discuss when to heed them and when to completely ignore them:

• Don't spend X amount on a car of Y age

One of the most unpleasant experiences you can have is having your car break down, leaving you stranded in a repair shop, and costing you several months’ worth of salary in repairs. This is why the dominant criterion in the used car market urges us to keep buying newer cars, regardless of their qualities or flaws. We know that, statistically at least, as a car ages, the likelihood of breakdown increases. However, just as new cars vary widely in price—starting from around a million and reaching tens of millions—used cars can also have a broad price range, regardless of their age. Thus, when evaluating a listing's price, age should be only one of our criteria; factors like brand, model, class, and quality must all be considered to realistically assess its value.

• These are sold for much less abroad

Although not directly related to our topic, I often see a common comment: "This is too expensive; it’s sold for much less in Germany," or similar comparisons with other countries. The unfortunate reality is that cars are indeed cheaper almost everywhere outside Turkey, and comments like these don't change that fact. A listing's price can only be evaluated by comparing it with similar models and considering our tax system.

• Don’t buy a car with a painted roof

The likelihood of a car with a painted roof having rolled over—do you think that’s higher or lower than the chance it was due to sun damage, bird droppings, or a foreign object falling on it? Rollover is indeed rare among these, but we still prefer to steer clear of such cars, even if the paint job is local. For older cars, a full repaint, including the roof, can be reasonable; with newer cars, though, it’s quickly linked to a serious accident. Remember, there are reliable ways to determine why the roof was painted: a reputable inspection service can examine the pillars (A, B, and C pillars) to tell you whether there’s been any work done, and thus if the car has been in a rollover accident. Cars with painted roofs are usually sold noticeably cheaper; by dismissing these listings outright, you’re potentially missing out on many opportunities.

• Dual-clutch transmissions will inevitably fail

We frequently touch on this, and many of you are probably already aware, but it’s worth mentioning: not all dual-clutch transmissions (let’s call them DCTs) are the same. There are two types: wet (oil-lubricated) and dry (without oil to dissipate heat). Shuddering, clutch, and mechatronic issues are largely specific to the latter. So, when considering a car with this type of transmission, you should check which DCT type it has and evaluate the listing accordingly.

• CVT transmissions are slow and lack excitement

It's true that CVTs, which keep the engine in the optimal RPM range to provide a smooth experience during calm driving, can make sporty driving feel monotonous by eliminating 'gear shifts.' However, the 0-100 km/h performance figures of new-generation CVTs are almost on par with their manual counterparts, meaning the loss is only emotional. More importantly, the CVTs in modern cars, like the ones in the latest Subaru WRX (known as SPT) or the new Civic, can simulate the stepped gear shifts of a traditional transmission, allowing you full control over the engine.

• Brand-based generalizations

Every brand has an image and some associated qualities and flaws that are deeply ingrained in our minds. There are countless cases of these biases being proven wrong (okay, maybe with the exception of Japanese cars), so it’s best to forget them altogether. Even I, who generally avoid stereotypes, sometimes fall into the same trap. Here’s a simple example: I recently shared a post about the campaign price for the Impression package of the Golf 8 on X. I wasn’t discussing the standard equipment, but like everyone else, I assumed it was a "bare-bones" car (another generalization for the most affordable Volkswagens). However, I learned from comments that this 1.5 TSI Impression package was much better equipped than the previous 1.0 TSI Impression, comparable to the highest packages of competitor models.

Let’s go through other brand-based clichés we often encounter and discuss some exceptions:

– BMWs keep you stuck in the repair shop

Among the cars I’ve owned, the one I could drive confidently (truly making the most of it) was a 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0si with 160,000 km, which I drove in 2020-21. With one of the most durable engines BMW has ever made, the N52, it also had mechanical resilience akin to Japanese cars. I obtained the complete maintenance history from the previous owner, and it never presented any major expenses, nor did it disappoint me in terms of running costs. Statistically, it’s true that BMWs may cause you more trouble than other brands, but by relying too heavily on this generalization, you might miss out on great opportunities like the one above. Plus, how previous owners treated that BMW is a factor that’s as important as the specific model’s quirks.

– Japanese cars are problem-free

This may be the most accurate generalization, as Japan's reliability reputation is well-deserved and generally trustworthy. However, there are still exceptions. Some that come to mind are the AdBlue and DPF issues in Toyota Hilux models before the 2020 facelift, Mazda's 2.2-liter SkyActiv-D engine’s camshaft issues, and Subaru’s diesel boxer engines, notorious for block cracking.

– Alfa Romeos are fun to drive

This applies to almost all Alfas made before 2010, but things get complicated afterward. While the brand continues to produce machines like the Giulia, Stelvio, and largely the 159, which embody traditional Italian agility, they’ve also released models like the MiTo, Giulietta, and Tonale, based on Fiat group platforms and far from delivering that same driving pleasure. This has understandably led to some confusion and illusion, especially among younger car enthusiasts. As I often say, if your priority is a visceral, emotionally engaging driving experience, you need to learn to distinguish true Alfas from imitators.

– Audis understeer

This was largely true until around the 2010s but has gradually become less relevant. Audi has made significant strides in driving dynamics since the days when a slight miss at the apex would result in an understeer toward the barrier. With engines placed longitudinally rather than transversely, reinforced support struts under the hood, and torque-vectoring differentials in the RS models, modern Audis now demonstrate performance close to, or sometimes even superior to, BMW and Mercedes in terms of mechanical grip, depending on the conditions.