01-16-2014, 01:05 PM
It has been a few months of looking around very lightly. There is no perfect car unless I have 35-40k. Buying a house in eight days so the idea of taking on a car payment too is not cool.
So, requirements:
- less than 25k
- auto
- bigger than a GTI
- 5-door
Very much want:
- fuel economy
- AWD
- nice interior
Nice to have:
- sportiness
- DSG
This car does not exist. The closest I'm finding are the Subaru Crosstrek and the VM Tiguan.
We checked out a Crosstrek yesterday. Nice car. Better looking in person. They didn't have a non-hybrid for test drive so we'll have to head back when they get one in. Interior doesn't impress, but it also isn't bad. Typical Japanese interior. Not sure how I'll like a CVT.
The Tiguan is a known quantity. Basically my GTI, but softer, taller, a bit slower. Problem is the AWD one starts at 32ish so we're looking at used. Do I really want a used VW? If I can find one certified, it may work out. DSG is only available in Europe.
Also still on the list:
Jetta Sportwagen TDI - Need to be CPO, not AWD, but I keep coming back to this.
Forester - she doesn't like old styling and I don't like new styling
TSX Wagon - Need to check it out, but not AWD and likely boring Japanese interior.
We've eliminated the following:
A4 Avant - too expensive.
All-Road - too old and who wants a V6 turbo from Audi?
CX-5 - too new/expensive.
Legacy wagon - too big for now.
Outback - how does this differ from a Legacy wagon? Anyway, also too big.
Ford anything - she hates their current styling
Volvos - she hates their styling
A3 - An expensive GTI with a shittier interior and less reliability
GTI - I can't buy a copy of my current car with a DSG. That's just kinda lamesauce.
In an ideal world, I'd buy a new A4, Q3, or Q5 and be done.
So, requirements:
- less than 25k
- auto
- bigger than a GTI
- 5-door
Very much want:
- fuel economy
- AWD
- nice interior
Nice to have:
- sportiness
- DSG
This car does not exist. The closest I'm finding are the Subaru Crosstrek and the VM Tiguan.
We checked out a Crosstrek yesterday. Nice car. Better looking in person. They didn't have a non-hybrid for test drive so we'll have to head back when they get one in. Interior doesn't impress, but it also isn't bad. Typical Japanese interior. Not sure how I'll like a CVT.
The Tiguan is a known quantity. Basically my GTI, but softer, taller, a bit slower. Problem is the AWD one starts at 32ish so we're looking at used. Do I really want a used VW? If I can find one certified, it may work out. DSG is only available in Europe.
Also still on the list:
Jetta Sportwagen TDI - Need to be CPO, not AWD, but I keep coming back to this.
Forester - she doesn't like old styling and I don't like new styling
TSX Wagon - Need to check it out, but not AWD and likely boring Japanese interior.
We've eliminated the following:
A4 Avant - too expensive.
All-Road - too old and who wants a V6 turbo from Audi?
CX-5 - too new/expensive.
Legacy wagon - too big for now.
Outback - how does this differ from a Legacy wagon? Anyway, also too big.
Ford anything - she hates their current styling
Volvos - she hates their styling
A3 - An expensive GTI with a shittier interior and less reliability
GTI - I can't buy a copy of my current car with a DSG. That's just kinda lamesauce.
In an ideal world, I'd buy a new A4, Q3, or Q5 and be done.
I Am Mike
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.