WTF should I buy (A consolidated list of bad decisions)

[Nis01]

Shea has a Q5 with the Supercharged engine. Don't remember year. But he has a stage 1 tune.

It has no issues getting out of it's own way, and he was saying with the Tune it's equal to an S? At least that's what I remember. I could be completely wrong.

Shea has to be creeping around here somewhere and should chime in.

I have a '15 Q5 3.0T which basically equates to the SQ5 engine just de-tuned.  I believe its the same platform as the S4, V6 supercharged (similar power specs).  Tons of torque and crazy smooth powerband. Its my daily and wanted something semi-sporty but still big enough to easily support a couple car seats.  I feel like it has plenty of room for what it is and easy to get the kids in and out of everyday.  I've had it about a year and really enjoy it thus far, I'd imagine a S4 would have significantly better handling if you don't need the hatch space.  I did do a Stage 1 tune which equates to about 440 hp / 380 tq (same stats as a similarly tuned SQ5/S4); seems to me one of the best bang for your buck upgrades out there on the market.  The interior is no doubt dated but very functional and extremely comfortable.  I looked at upgrading to a SQ5 but its not an overwhelming upgrade for the price premium.

[Sijray21]

Shea has a Q5 with the Supercharged engine. Don't remember year. But he has a stage 1 tune.

It has no issues getting out of it's own way, and he was saying with the Tune it's equal to an S? At least that's what I remember. I could be completely wrong.

Shea has to be creeping around here somewhere and should chime in.

I have a '15 Q5 3.0T which basically equates to the SQ5 engine just de-tuned.  I believe its the same platform as the S4, V6 supercharged (similar power specs).  Tons of torque and crazy smooth powerband. Its my daily and wanted something semi-sporty but still big enough to easily support a couple car seats.  I feel like it has plenty of room for what it is and easy to get the kids in and out of everyday.  I've had it about a year and really enjoy it thus far, I'd imagine a S4 would have significantly better handling if you don't need the hatch space.  I did do a Stage 1 tune which equates to about 430 hp / 400 tq (same stats as a similarly tuned SQ5/S4); seems to me one of the best bang for your buck upgrades out there on the market.  The interior is no doubt dated but very functional and extremely comfortable.  I looked at upgrading to a SQ5 but its not an overwhelming upgrade for the price premium.

How's your experience with the reliability? I'm seriously considering the 3.0t q5 and the sq5 if the prices are right?

[Nis01]

How's your experience with the reliability? I'm seriously considering the 3.0t q5 and the sq5 if the prices are right?

I really haven't had it long enough to confirm reliability.  In regards to my research in general its a pretty stout platform.  I'm sure problems are inevitable at some point with age but I don't think there are any detrimental routine issues.  Maintenance on these cars is every 1 year/10,000 miles which seems a bit stretched but consistent with these newer vehicles.   I've had no issues with the car but its far too early to make any long-term judgements.

[WRXtranceformed]

Shea has a Q5 with the Supercharged engine. Don't remember year. But he has a stage 1 tune.

It has no issues getting out of it's own way, and he was saying with the Tune it's equal to an S? At least that's what I remember. I could be completely wrong.

Shea has to be creeping around here somewhere and should chime in.

I have a '15 Q5 3.0T which basically equates to the SQ5 engine just de-tuned.  I believe its the same platform as the S4, V6 supercharged (similar power specs).  Tons of torque and crazy smooth powerband. Its my daily and wanted something semi-sporty but still big enough to easily support a couple car seats.  I feel like it has plenty of room for what it is and easy to get the kids in and out of everyday.  I've had it about a year and really enjoy it thus far, I'd imagine a S4 would have significantly better handling if you don't need the hatch space.  I did do a Stage 1 tune which equates to about 430 hp / 400 tq (same stats as a similarly tuned SQ5/S4); seems to me one of the best bang for your buck upgrades out there on the market.  The interior is no doubt dated but very functional and extremely comfortable.  I looked at upgrading to a SQ5 but its not an overwhelming upgrade for the price premium.

Whoa sup there Shea!  Long time!  Thanks for the feedback!  All of that sounds about accurate.  The GMC dealer that had the SQ5 actually had a 3.0T Q5 as well.  It was just traded in and wasn't cleaned up so I wasn't really feeling it but that would be a great sleeper.  

Hoping to get some pics of the S4 on Wed, the sales manager texted me today.  I have a golf tournament on Saturday and the dealerships are closed here on Sunday so I probably won't get to drive it this weekend.

[Sijray21]

First TL;DR at the bottom

OK. Having some conflicting thoughts and I thought I'd solicit opinions. I've been tossing around the idea of selling the gti and replacing it with something fun and newer to mod and drive ('16 f31 msport, 16-17 golf r, 15-16 s3, etc.) that wouldn't happen for at least 10 months or so though. I'm the original owner of my mk6 2dr 6spd gti and I really like it and have been relatively happy with the car since I first brought it home (especially after the DG SS, intake, tails, and knob mods to personalize it). Having 4 doors and being auto would help out with lifestyle flexibility and awd would be nice to be able to swap cars with my wife for her take to work on snowy days since she's a nurse and hospitals don't close.

I've also been thinking of either getting a third vehicle and adding more mods to the gti for the fun of it. I wouldn't mind doing more work on the gti myself, but I'd feel a lot better about it if I had another vehicle working that I could use in its place. The wife's car doesn't work b/c she needs that due to the crazy nurse schedule. The future mods for the gti would be a tune, springs/struts, exhaust bits and a few other smaller things. The gti checks most of my boxes:

- awd
- auto/dsg (I'd still like to have a MT, but would like 2 cars in the household with auto)
-4 doors
- hatch / wagon / suv cargo (gti)
- hid/led headlamps, turn signals, and tails (preferably all LEDs everywhere) (gti)
- fun to drive (gti)
- tight-fitting seats (gti)

Cars I've considered for a nicer replacement:
15-16 f31 (msprt/lighting/dap)
16-17 golf r (dsg, DCC w/nav)
15-16 allroad (sport and tech)
15-16 q5 3.0t (sport seats)

Concerns:
- if I get a tune on the gti the clutch/flywheel would likely need to be replaced shortly thereafter (116k on the original clutch and they tend to shit a brick with a tune anyway).
- working on the car without a spare vehicle and doing something that leaves the car disabled since I really do need some transport every day (day care mostly since I can ride my bike to work if necessary)
- the gti has an oil-pressure-driven timing chain tensioner that is known to fail unless I update it, although I use oe oil/filter and change it every 5k and most of the techs think it'll be fine

I've entertained the thought of getting a third vehicle that my wife could also drive and something that would add some versatility to our household (auto and 4x4 - used truck or suv).

Options I've considered:
1. Don't do anything with the gti, get a newer nicer car next winter, sell the gti. I'd still lightly mod the newer car.
2. Buy an older, cheaper (<$10k), yet reliable, third vehicle for utility (extended full-sized truck, mid-sized compact truck, or suv) and keep the gti while modifying it further.
3. Get newer, low-mileage, third vehicle (daily that), sell the gti and getting something cheaper and fun, but still suitable to transport the kid (???) no idea.
4.???

Right now the wife has a golf sportwagen SE w/21k miles, so that should be good for a while. The gti has 116k miles and recently I've done all four rotors/pads, all fluids flushed, accessory belt change, and it's in great shape. The clutch /flywheel, pcv, and struts/shocks would be the next thing that may go.

TL;DR - keep the gti (116k miles and well maintained) and get a third cheap vehicle or sell later and get something nicer?

[Apoc]

I tried the cheap vehicle thing with the Saab and it wasn't great. I also think dumping money into the GTI isn't going to be satisfying in the long run. Buy something new, a little bit nice, and do a few things here are there to make it your own.

If the GTI has been good, then buy the R and be done with it. If you must entertain other ideas, fuck off with the Q5 and the Allroad doesn't measure up to the F31. The F31 would also solve for having two different configurations in the family. It seems you guys are fine right now, but I think two Golfs/GTIs would be somewhat limiting. It has been decided!

tl;dr: F31. DONE.

[.RJ]

Options I've considered:
1. Don't do anything with the gti, get a newer nicer car next winter, sell the gti. I'd still lightly mod the newer car.
2. Buy an older, cheaper (<$10k), yet reliable, third vehicle for utility (extended full-sized truck, mid-sized compact truck, or suv) and keep the gti while modifying it further.
3. Get newer, low-mileage, third vehicle (daily that), sell the gti and getting something cheaper and fun, but still suitable to transport the kid (???) no idea.
4.???

4) Porsche Panamera.  What could go wrong.

[Senor_Taylor]

Thoughts on CHEAP starter bike?

I want something comfortable and light. I know the answer is Ninja 250, but I'd like a more comfortable riding position.

Honda Nighthawks really caught my eye.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[CaptainHenreh]

Thoughts on CHEAP starter bike?

I want something comfortable and light. I know the answer is Ninja 250, but I'd like a more comfortable riding position.

Honda Nighthawks really caught my eye.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Like, not new, but used? What's "cheap"? You picked literally the worst time to buy a motorcycle, but around 4k should get you a nice SV650 or Ninja 650r, a 250 is gutless and tiny, but a 650 twin is "plenty" of power but not "too much" for a noob.

[JPolen01]

Didn't you just say you were going to slow down and enjoy the GTI for a while?

I've never ridden, but everyone I know that has says to skip a 250 because you will outgrow it extremely fast.

[Apoc]

[Sijray21]

i would really look for something less powerful to start (i know you have a moped, but that's not the same at all). you'll be honing skills on a motorcycle and more hp/trq really make the learning curve more difficult, IMO.

I started with a GS500e and i really enjoyed that bike. it was very neutral and relatively forgiving, which allowed me to make some mistakes without killing myself. i learned what i was looking for in a bike. That being said i've owned two generations of the 600rr ('03 and '08) as well as an '06 sv650s. The SV650 was pretty similar to the GS500e in terms of the neutral feel, but had way more torque; the wheelie machine was greased. The 600rrs were a whole different beast though. lots of top-end power and very easy to get into trouble (both with the law and your health), however the '08 was much easier to handle.

[.RJ]

RAPTOR!

[Sijray21]

[Senor_Taylor]

Didn't you just say you were going to slow down and enjoy the GTI for a while?

I've never ridden, but everyone I know that has says to skip a 250 because you will outgrow it extremely fast.

I must the only person who plans things out more than 2 weeks before they do it. I just want to know what bikes to research and look at. Not like I'm doing it tomorrow.

I really don't want something fast, but I want something that won't get me killed merging onto the highway.

[Apoc]

I must the only person who appears to make decisions willy nilly and continuously contradicts your own stated desires. You guys are right to question me.

FTFY

[Senor_Taylor]

Part of my new plan to have a happy life is to not need to explain myself to anyone and just do what makes me happy.

I took a Motorcycle class and got my license and I was happy. I'm going to look at bikes now.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Evan]

Thread title checks out.

Good to see that you are thinking for yourself and not taking (bad) advice. Have some confidence in your direction/decisions and you wont have the peanut gallery constantly chiming in to tell you what you should do.

I dont know a ton about bikes, but what I do know says that the SV650 is the answer to your question.

Good luck in your search.

[Apoc]

[Senor_Taylor]

Thread title checks out.

Good to see that you are thinking for yourself and not taking (bad) advice. Have some confidence in your direction/decisions and you wont have the peanut gallery constantly chiming in to tell you what you should do.

I dont know a ton about bikes, but what I do know says that the SV650 is the answer to your question.

Good luck in your search.

[emoji106]

I find myself sitting in traffic working myself up over the anticipated arguments I'm going to have on here. Realized the other day I don't owe an explanation to anyone and the people who seem happiest are the ones that just go and do.

Any information about Motorcycles would be appreciated. Not sure if I trust myself with a Sv650 just yet, especially considering I'll be a month or two removed from the class before I buy one.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk