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 desires one thing with an analogous stage of sportiness however wants more room to haul issues. What automotive 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’d give it a shot as I’ve been automotive 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 just lately purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI a little bit restrictive with hauling issues out of your basic dwelling field shops and wish one thing with a little bit 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 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 Details:
Price range: as much as $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Every day Driver: Sure
Needs: Enjoyable, extra cargo area
Doesn’t need: One thing too far-off
Skilled 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 supply far 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 essential is the usable area on the ground behind the rear seats, and on this case the A5 provides extra room beneath the hatch.
Below the hood is the two.0 turbo motor that’s shared with the present GTI, and can present loads of punch to your commute. If you happen to do really feel the necessity for extra velocity, aftermarket tunes will crank up your energy at an affordable 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.
Skilled 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 reside 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 larger, however I’m right here to inform you that you simply don’t want one thing that a lot larger 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 actually imagine this wonderful little(ish) automotive ticks your whole packing containers and will are available in effectively beneath 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 an entire further cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Certain, a wagon would in all probability supply a bit more room, however whereas one thing like a Volvo V60 would pack within the practicalities, it wouldn’t be almost as cool, or as enjoyable, as an Elantra. Nick, make the correct selection.
Skilled 3: Andy Kalmowitz – You Want The D In Your Life
Congrats on the home! That’s enormous 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. Properly, amigo, I’ve obtained the right automotive for you, however it’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 another automotive. There aren’t many automobiles (for beneath $40,000) which are going to mix the sportiness and energy you want 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 be capable to finest these numbers by a great distance. On high of that, the F31 3-Collection is a superb dealing with automotive, so that you’ll be capable to have some enjoyable within the corners too.
Relating to practicality, effectively, it’s almost unattainable 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 can match again there, Nick. The probabilities are limitless. It’s additionally loaded up with all the trendy tech you can ever need.
It feels like the right automotive, doesn’t it? Properly, there’s a catch. You see, BMW didn’t make too many 328d Wagons for the U.S., so that they’re a bit onerous to return by. You’re going to should increase 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 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 document and an awesome worth. Take note, that is the most costly 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one difficulty is it’s nowhere close to Rochester. Nick, that is the automotive for you.
Skilled 4: Amber DaSilva – Why Compromise?
Nick, from a proud former Rochester resident, you’ve picked a superb 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 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 most recent 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. Except you’re dodging potholes on Monroe Ave, perhaps.
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 the moment bragging about in Slack, solely manages an additional seven cubic ft of area above the Civic. It’s not even an M-Sport automotive!
Nick, get your self a Civic Sort R. All of the enjoyable you can need, all of the cargo area you want, all for $39,200 — almost a grand under your price range. All I ask is that you simply put a few of that $800 in the direction of a Pabst Smear at Lux in my honor.
