In This Story
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 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 looking for a couple of months and I’m fairly caught. I’ve acquired a 2010 VW GTI thats acquired round 120k miles on it (that is my third VW GTI BTW). It’s acquired 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 least new to me). I’ve just lately purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI a bit of restrictive with hauling issues out of your normal house field shops and wish one thing with a bit of 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 up to now. I can spend as much as $40,000, however I don’t need to supply one thing from the opposite aspect of the nation.
Fast Information:
Price range: as much as $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Day by day Driver: Sure
Desires: Enjoyable, extra cargo house
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 answer to be a wagon. However the rarity issue makes them a trouble, and many of the “compact” wagons don’t actually supply way more in the best way of cargo house in comparison with your GTI. I’m going to counsel 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 appropriate, 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 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 in 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 automobile. 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 House?’
Nick, the GTI is a superb automobile, and it takes an actual fan of a bit of runaround like this to stay 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 let you know that you just don’t want one thing that a lot greater 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 nicely beneath funds. The Elantra N is an absolute hoot to drive, and it’s acquired some nice styling tweaks to make it stand out from the opposite Hyundai’s you’ll see driving round city. It’s additionally acquired an even 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 fitting selection.
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 need to keep sporty. Properly, amigo, I’ve acquired the right automobile for you, nevertheless it’s going to take a bit of 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 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 be capable of finest these numbers by a good distance. On prime of that, the F31 3-Sequence is a superb dealing with automobile, so that you’ll be capable of have some enjoyable within the corners too.
In the case of practicality, nicely, it’s almost not possible 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 limitless. It’s additionally loaded up with all the trendy tech you may ever need.
It feels like the right automobile, 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 laborious to return by. You’re going to should develop your search space a bit and be prepared 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 nicely beneath your $40,000 funds, so that you’re going to have some further money to take a bit of 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 report and an ideal value. Consider, that is the costliest 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one subject 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 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 house, Nick, and I’m right here with essentially the most appropriate reply that will help you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Sort R. Your $40,000 funds isn’t fairly sufficient for the newest 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. Until you’re dodging potholes on Monroe Ave, perhaps.
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 ground. Even Andy’s esteemed 328d, which he’s at the moment bragging about in Slack, solely manages an additional seven cubic toes 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 may need, all of the cargo house you want, all for $39,200 — almost a grand under your funds. All I ask is that you just put a few of that $800 in direction of a Pabst Smear at Lux in my honor.
