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 the same stage of sportiness however wants more room to haul issues. What automotive ought to he purchase?
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Right here is the state of affairs.
Hello there! Very long time reader, first time messager. Love these articles and thought I might give it a shot as I’ve been automotive looking for just a few months and I’m fairly caught. I’ve received a 2010 VW GTI thats received round 120k miles on it (that is my third VW GTI BTW). It’s received 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 no less than new to me). I’ve lately purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI a little bit restrictive with hauling issues out of your common dwelling field shops and need one thing with a little 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 up to now. I can spend as much as $40,000, however I don’t wish to supply one thing from the opposite aspect of the nation.
Fast Details:
Finances: as much as $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Every day Driver: Sure
Needs: Enjoyable, extra cargo area
Doesn’t need: One thing too distant
Knowledgeable 1: Tom McParland- Stick With What You Know
As a GTI proprietor and a longroof fanatic, I actually needed your resolution to be a wagon. However the rarity issue makes them a trouble, and a lot of the “compact” wagons don’t actually provide way more in the best way of cargo area in comparison with your GTI. I’m going to recommend an Audi A5 Sportback. I do know what most of you might be thinking- “Isn’t the A5s 21 cubic inches of cargo area much less than the Allroads 24 cubic inches of cargo area?” 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 necessary is the usable area on the ground behind the rear seats, and on this case the A5 provides extra room beneath 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. In case 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 automotive. Stock is pretty plentiful within the tri-state space and you might dig one thing like this 2023 Premium Plus mannequin with the sporty packages.
Knowledgeable 2: Owen Bellwood – Did Somebody Say ‘Enjoyable, Extra Cargo Area?’
Nick, the GTI is a superb automotive, and it takes an actual fan of a little bit runaround like this to stay with three of them, so good work sticking to the small automotive mission on this method. Clearly it’s a disgrace when somebody trades in a small automotive for one thing greater, however I’m right here to let you know that you simply 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 automotive: the Hyundai Elantra N. I really imagine this glorious little(ish) automotive ticks your entire bins and will are available in effectively beneath price range. The Elantra N is an absolute hoot to drive, and it’s received some nice styling tweaks to make it stand out from the opposite Hyundai’s you’ll see driving round city. It’s additionally received a much bigger trunk than your outgoing Golf, with an entire further cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Certain, a wagon would in all probability provide 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 proper selection.
Knowledgeable 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. Nicely, amigo, I’ve received the proper automotive for you, but it surely’s going to take a little bit 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 automotive. There aren’t many vehicles (for beneath $40,000) which might be going to mix the sportiness and energy you need with the hauling functionality you want. Let me stroll ya by way 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 gentle tuning you’ll have the ability to finest these numbers by a great distance. On prime of that, the F31 3-Sequence is a superb dealing with automotive, so that you’ll have the ability to have some enjoyable within the corners too.
In terms of practicality, effectively, it’s practically unattainable to beat a wagon. With the rear seats up, it has 17.5 cubic toes of cargo room. Drop these rear seats, and also you’re working with a large 53 cubic toes of room. Consider all of the shit you may match again there, Nick. The probabilities are countless. It’s additionally loaded up with all the trendy tech you may ever need.
It appears like the proper automotive, doesn’t it? Nicely, there’s a catch. You see, BMW didn’t make too many 328d Wagons for the U.S., in order that they’re a bit exhausting to return by. You’re going to should broaden your search space a bit and be prepared to journey to get the automotive 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 beneath your $40,000 price range, so that you’re going to have some further money to take a little bit journey to choose it up.
As a result of I’m a extremely good man, I discovered you an ideal instance with simply 41,000 miles on the clock, a spotless report and a terrific value. Bear in mind, that is the costliest 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one concern is it’s nowhere close to Rochester. Nick, that is the automotive for you.
Knowledgeable 4: Amber DaSilva – Why Compromise?
Nick, from a proud former Rochester resident, you’ve picked 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 right reply that will help you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Kind R. Your $40,000 price range isn’t fairly sufficient for the newest FL5 era, 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 Kind R. Until 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 flooring. Even Andy’s esteemed 328d, which he’s at present bragging about in Slack, solely manages an additional seven cubic toes of area above the Civic. It’s not even an M-Sport automotive!
Nick, get your self a Civic Kind R. All of the enjoyable you may 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 simply put a few of that $800 in direction of a Pabst Smear at Lux in my honor.
