Help Mikey get to one car

[CaptainHenreh]

Why is the Volvo so far down on the list?

My parent's TDI Jetta was the best VW I've ever driven. Sure it would lock itself randomly, and the ABS would decide to not release a random caliper on occassion, and yeah an oil change involved a turkey baster and sure the radio sucked and the glovebox door would fall off if you didn't open it just right, and yeah it was slow and rough...but baby those windows went up and down EVERY TIME (as fast as you could crank them!)

[Jake]

I think my favorite VW/Audi experience was driving Lincoln's S4 to Martin's one night. It was cold out so I had windows/sunroof closed. At a red light, the sunroof just started opening and closing on its own.

Other than that, it was wonderful to drive. And I've enjoyed the few times I've pimped Joey's GTI around.

[BLINGMW]

For 3k, you get a 3MPG improvement!

I don't get it.

Hey, stranger things have been sold:


:dunno:

[Evan]

Mazda5 is worth mentioning. Up through 2011 they looked pretty good (2012 got beaten with ugly stick), they drive well (but slow), and they are cheap enough to allow plenty left over for a fun car.

Also, a new CX-5 touring comes in under your budget.

[Apoc]

My money's on the Volvo; it was on our list but a bit too expensive for what we wanted.

I wouldn't do a VAG and the Japanese cars are booooooooring.

[SlimKlim]

I wouldn't do a VAG.

Doesn't seem relevant but whatever floats your rubber ducky. :wink:

[Mike]

Why is the Volvo so far down on the list?

At this point, the models I would want are a little too old. I'd like to stay ~2010+. Volvo got pretty lame with their "V" in recent years.

[Mike]

Also, a new CX-5 touring comes in under your budget.

I want bells and whistles

[Jake]

Also, a new CX-5 touring comes in under your budget.

I want bells and whistles

...and I want a 3-bedroom townhome with a 2-car garage in downtown Fairfax for $900 a month, by myself, but sometimes we have to be realistic...

[JPolen01]

Also, a new CX-5 touring comes in under your budget.

I want bells and whistles

...and I want a 3-bedroom townhome with a 2-car garage in downtown Fairfax for $900 a month, by myself, but sometimes we have to be realistic...

I've been waiting for this comment.

[Mike]

Also, a new CX-5 touring comes in under your budget.

I want bells and whistles

...and I want a 3-bedroom townhome with a 2-car garage in downtown Fairfax for $900 a month, by myself, but sometimes we have to be realistic...

the vehicles listed prior to it are there for a reason. they are more likely to fit my desires. :roll:

[Jake]

Rode home from a work party in a TSX "Sportwagen" last night. Looked sharp in black-on-black and five of us fit well. I was impressed that at 6' 2" I fit easily in the backseat with no real headroom problems to speak of.

No clue how fast they are, but I could see it being a good contender. Just ask Kaan about turbo'ing it.

[xvxax]

Are the Mk4+ TDIs bad? What's the common issues on those?

[SlimKlim]

Are the Mk4+ TDIs bad? What's the common issues on those?

The MK4s are just old at this point. The MKV and MKVII diesels are perfectly fine and in his price range.

[Beej]

Probably not a car you'd look at, but since we were in a similar boat with somewhat similar criteria, figured I'd share. I couldn't find the unicorn either.

It'll be her daily driver, but we needed a future-family-proof car that was a good match for what she wanted (comfortable), what I wanted (if not fun to drive, at least special in some way so I don't have to loathe driving the thing), and somewhat utilitarian without being a pickup. We wound up in a new Grand Cherokee - it impressed us both. While not fun per say, it's rewarding to drive in it's own Jeep kinda way.

They have a slightly different tech package (still pretty good in the bells-and-whistles department, I think?), but the 2011+'s are great cars. I see some CPO Laredo's at reasonable prices, not sure what kind of tech was optional on those. So...only missing out on your MPG, fun-to-drive/no SUV, and possibly transmission (heard the 5 speed in pre-2014's left people wanting more gears) criteria...but hey, gives a nice excuse to have a fun car of your own! :thumbup:

Still think the CX-5 is worth a go, especially if they refresh the tech. Drove one like a month ago, liked it quite a bit.

[WRXtranceformed]

My brother just traded in his S4 for a Grand Cherokee as well. He really really likes it.

[Mike]

I did quickly look at Cherokees, but my guess is they don't get the highway efficiency I'm looking for?

Jake, TSXs have always been a bit underpowered feeling, but if my #1 is a TDI, well, performance is no longer a major concern.

[Beej]

Apparently 22/31 for the FWD 4cyl (21/28 for 4WD). 19/28 for FWD 6cyl (19/27 for 4WD).

The dealership had just gotten their first one on the lot when we got our car - if it was better looking (apparently some people like it, but I ain't one of them) and as quiet/etc as the GC (didn't drive it), it might've been in the running. Looked like the same 8.4" screen/tech as our car, which I've been digging big time so far...though apparently you have to go up to the Limited to get Nav.

[ScottyB]

my inlaws have 3 newer grand cherokees between them - 2 overlands and a laredo. they are really nice, and i'm not much of a truck guy.

[Mike]

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.