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 analogous degree of sportiness however wants more room to haul issues. What automobile ought to he purchase?
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Right here is the situation.
Hello there! Very long time reader, first time messager. Love these articles and thought I might give it a shot as I’ve been automobile searching for just a few 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 not less than new to me). I’ve not too long ago purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI a bit restrictive with hauling issues out of your normal house field shops and need one thing with a bit extra utilitarian-ism however nonetheless enjoyable to drive! Im not against used vehicles in any respect as that’s just about all I’ve ever purchased previously. I can spend as much as $40,000, however I don’t wish to supply one thing from the opposite facet of the nation.
Fast Information:
Funds: as much as $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Each day Driver: Sure
Needs: Enjoyable, extra cargo house
Doesn’t need: One thing too distant
Skilled 1: Tom McParland- Stick With What You Know
As a GTI proprietor and a longroof fanatic, I actually wished your resolution to be a wagon. However the rarity issue makes them a trouble, and many of the “compact” wagons don’t actually supply far more in the way in which of cargo house 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 house much less than the Allroads 24 cubic inches of cargo house?” That’s right, however the issue with cubic inch measurements is you’ll be able to’t droop issues in mid-air so what’s most essential is the usable house on the ground behind the rear seats, and on this case the A5 presents extra room below 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. Should you do really feel the necessity for extra velocity, aftermarket tunes will crank up your energy at an affordable price. Inside is all of the accouterments of your typical German luxurious automobile. Stock is pretty plentiful within the tri-state space and you could dig one thing like this 2023 Premium Plus mannequin with the sporty packages.
Skilled 2: Owen Bellwood – Did Somebody Say ‘Enjoyable, Extra Cargo Area?’
Nick, the GTI is a superb automobile, and it takes an actual fan of a bit runaround like this to reside 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 larger, however I’m right here to inform you that you just don’t want one thing that a lot larger to nonetheless have enjoyable and get much more cargo house.
So Nick, it’s time to fulfill your new automobile: the Hyundai Elantra N. I really imagine this wonderful little(ish) automobile ticks your whole bins and will are available in effectively below 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 a much bigger trunk than your outgoing Golf, with a complete additional cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Positive, 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.
Skilled 3: Andy Kalmowitz – You Want The D In Your Life
Congrats on the home! That’s large my man. I can’t even think about what that should really feel like. Anyway, you want more room however you wish to keep sporty. Effectively, amigo, I’ve obtained the right automobile for you, but it surely’s going to take a bit bit of labor in your finish to make it occur. Belief me, although, it’ll be value it.
Buddy, you want an F31 BMW 328d xDrive WAGON. The 328d is healthier suited to your wants than every other automobile. There aren’t many vehicles (for below $40,000) which are going to mix the sportiness and energy you need with the hauling functionality you want. Let me stroll ya by means of 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 mild tuning you’ll be capable to finest these numbers by a good distance. On high of that, the F31 3-Sequence is a superb dealing with automobile, so that you’ll be capable to have some enjoyable within the corners too.
With regards to practicality, effectively, it’s practically not possible 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 might match again there, Nick. The chances are countless. It’s additionally loaded up with all the fashionable tech you might ever need.
It seems like the right automobile, doesn’t it? Effectively, there’s a catch. You see, BMW didn’t make too many 328d Wagons for the U.S., so that they’re a bit laborious to return by. You’re going to should increase your search space a bit and be keen to journey to get the automobile you need, however I promise it’ll be value it. One other bonus is that the nicest 328d Wagon you should purchase goes to return in effectively below your $40,000 price range, so that you’re going to have some additional money to take a bit journey to choose 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 document and an important worth. Remember, that is the most costly 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one problem is it’s nowhere close to Rochester. Nick, that is the automobile for you.
Skilled 4: Amber DaSilva – Why Compromise?
Nick, from a proud former Rochester resident, you’ve picked a great 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 house, Nick, and I’m right here with essentially the most right reply that can assist you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Sort R. Your $40,000 price range isn’t fairly sufficient for the newest FL5 technology, however the FK8 is arguably the extra attention-grabbing day by 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. Until you’re dodging potholes on Monroe Ave, possibly.
As for cargo house, 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 flooring. Even Andy’s esteemed 328d, which he’s at present bragging about in Slack, solely manages an additional seven cubic ft of house above the Civic. It’s not even an M-Sport automobile!
Nick, get your self a Civic Sort R. All of the enjoyable you might need, all of the cargo house you want, all for $39,200 — practically a grand under 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.
