Nick is on his third VW GTI. His present one has 120,000 miles and it’s time to maneuver on to one thing else, he needs one thing with an identical stage of sportiness however wants more room to haul issues. What automobile ought to he purchase?
(Welcome again to What Automobile Ought to You Purchase? The place we give actual individuals actual recommendation about shopping for automobiles. Would you like us that can assist you discover a automobile? Submit your story on our type.)
Right here is the state of affairs.
Hello there! Very long time reader, first time messager. Love these articles and thought I’d give it a shot as I’ve been automobile looking for a number of months and I’m fairly caught. I’ve obtained a 2010 VW GTI thats obtained round 120k miles on it (that is my third VW GTI BTW). It’s obtained some rust spots and is beginning to make some actually random squealing and squeaking sounds so it’s about time I get one thing new (or at the very least new to me). I’ve lately purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI just a little restrictive with hauling issues out of your basic dwelling field shops and wish one thing with just a little extra utilitarian-ism however nonetheless enjoyable to drive! Im not against used automobiles in any respect as that’s just about all I’ve ever purchased prior to now. I can spend as much as $40,000, however I don’t need to supply one thing from the opposite facet of the nation.
Fast Info:
Price range: as much as $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Each day Driver: Sure
Needs: Enjoyable, extra cargo area
Doesn’t need: One thing too far-off
Professional 1: Tom McParland- Stick With What You Know
As a GTI proprietor and a longroof fanatic, I actually needed your answer to be a wagon. However the rarity issue makes them a problem, and a lot of the “compact” wagons don’t actually supply way more in the way in which of cargo area in comparison with your GTI. I’m going to recommend an Audi A5 Sportback. I do know what most of you’re thinking- “Isn’t the A5s 21 cubic inches of cargo area much less than the Allroads 24 cubic inches of cargo area?” That’s appropriate, however the issue with cubic inch measurements is you’ll be able to’t droop issues in mid-air so what’s most necessary is the usable area on the ground behind the rear seats, and on this case the A5 provides extra room underneath the hatch.
Beneath the hood is the two.0 turbo motor that’s shared with the present GTI, and can present loads of punch on your commute. When you do really feel the necessity for extra pace, aftermarket tunes will crank up your energy at an inexpensive value. Inside is all of the accouterments of your typical German luxurious automobile. Stock is pretty plentiful within the tri-state space and it’s possible you’ll dig one thing like this 2023 Premium Plus mannequin with the sporty packages.
Professional 2: Owen Bellwood – Did Somebody Say ‘Enjoyable, Extra Cargo Area?’
Nick, the GTI is a good automobile, and it takes an actual fan of just a little runaround like this to dwell with three of them, so good work sticking to the small automobile mission on this method. Clearly it’s a disgrace when somebody trades in a small automobile for one thing greater, however I’m right here to inform you that you just don’t want one thing that a lot greater to nonetheless have enjoyable and get much more cargo area.
So Nick, it’s time to satisfy your new automobile: the Hyundai Elantra N. I really consider this wonderful little(ish) automobile ticks all your bins and will are available in effectively underneath price range. The Elantra N is an absolute hoot to drive, and it’s obtained some nice styling tweaks to make it stand out from the opposite Hyundai’s you’ll see driving round city. It’s additionally obtained an even bigger trunk than your outgoing Golf, with an entire additional cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Certain, a wagon would most likely supply a bit more room, however whereas one thing like a Volvo V60 would pack within the practicalities, it wouldn’t be practically as cool, or as enjoyable, as an Elantra. Nick, make the correct alternative.
Professional 3: Andy Kalmowitz – You Want The D In Your Life
Congrats on the home! That’s enormous my man. I can not even think about what that should really feel like. Anyway, you want more room however you need to keep sporty. Nicely, amigo, I’ve obtained the right automobile for you, nevertheless it’s going to take just a little bit of labor in your finish to make it occur. Belief me, although, it’ll be price it.
Buddy, you want an F31 BMW 328d xDrive WAGON. The 328d is healthier suited to your wants than some other automobile. There aren’t many automobiles (for underneath $40,000) which are going to mix the sportiness and energy you want with the hauling functionality you want. Let me stroll ya by it. The 328d comes with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel motor that places out 180 horsepower and a beefy 280 lb-ft of torque. I promise you, with some gentle tuning you’ll have the ability to finest these numbers by a great distance. On high of that, the F31 3-Collection is a good dealing with automobile, so that you’ll have the ability to have some enjoyable within the corners too.
Relating to practicality, effectively, it’s practically unimaginable to beat a wagon. With the rear seats up, it has 17.5 cubic ft of cargo room. Drop these rear seats, and also you’re working with a large 53 cubic ft of room. Consider all of the shit you possibly can match again there, Nick. The probabilities are infinite. It’s additionally loaded up with all the fashionable tech you possibly can ever need.
It seems like the right automobile, doesn’t it? Nicely, there’s a catch. You see, BMW didn’t make too many 328d Wagons for the U.S., so that they’re a bit arduous to return by. You’re going to need to develop your search space a bit and be keen to journey to get the automobile you need, however I promise it’ll be price it. One other bonus is that the nicest 328d Wagon you should purchase goes to return in effectively underneath your $40,000 price range, so that you’re going to have some additional money to take just a little journey to select it up.
As a result of I’m a very good man, I discovered you an ideal instance with simply 41,000 miles on the clock, a spotless report and an important worth. Remember, that is the costliest 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one difficulty is it’s nowhere close to Rochester. Nick, that is the automobile for you.
Professional 4: Amber DaSilva – Why Compromise?
Nick, from a proud former Rochester resident, you’ve picked a very good place to place down roots. Sadly, my esteemed coworkers have given you nothing to place in your shiny new driveway — a sedan? A diesel wagon? You need enjoyable and cargo area, Nick, and I’m right here with probably the most appropriate reply that can assist you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Sort R. Your $40,000 price range isn’t fairly sufficient for the most recent FL5 technology, however the FK8 is arguably the extra attention-grabbing each day driver — it’s extra keen, it feels extra prefer it’s tugging at its leash always. You’ll by no means be bored behind the wheel of an FK8 Sort R. Except you’re dodging potholes on Monroe Ave, possibly.
As for cargo area, the Civic beats out the GTI for each quantity and ease of use with its extra sloped hatch that grants simpler entry to the load ground. Even Andy’s esteemed 328d, which he’s presently bragging about in Slack, solely manages an additional seven cubic ft of area above the Civic. It’s not even an M-Sport automobile!
Nick, get your self a Civic Sort R. All of the enjoyable you possibly can need, all of the cargo area you want, all for $39,200 — practically a grand beneath your price range. All I ask is that you just put a few of that $800 in direction of a Pabst Smear at Lux in my honor.
