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 degree of sportiness however wants extra space 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 might give it a shot as I’ve been automotive searching for a number of months and I’m fairly caught. I’ve bought a 2010 VW GTI thats bought round 120k miles on it (that is my third VW GTI BTW). It’s bought 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 a minimum of new to me). I’ve not too long ago purchased a home that I’m updating and located the GTI a little bit restrictive with hauling issues out of your normal dwelling field shops and need 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 prior 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:
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
Professional 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 a lot of the “compact” wagons don’t actually supply rather 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 appropriate, however the issue with cubic inch measurements is you’ll be able to’t droop issues in mid-air so what’s most vital is the usable house on the ground behind the rear seats, and on this case the A5 gives 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. When you do really feel the necessity for extra pace, aftermarket tunes will crank up your energy at an inexpensive price. Inside is all of the accouterments of your typical German luxurious automotive. Stock is pretty plentiful within the tri-state space and chances are 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 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 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 house.
So Nick, it’s time to satisfy your new automotive: the Hyundai Elantra N. I actually imagine this glorious little(ish) automotive ticks all your containers and may are available in effectively beneath price range. The Elantra N is an absolute hoot to drive, and it’s bought some nice styling tweaks to make it stand out from the opposite Hyundai’s you’ll see driving round city. It’s additionally bought a much bigger trunk than your outgoing Golf, with a complete further cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Positive, a wagon would most likely supply a bit extra space, 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.
Professional 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 extra space however you need to keep sporty. Effectively, amigo, I’ve bought the right automotive for you, nevertheless it’s going to take a little 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 automotive. There aren’t many automobiles (for beneath $40,000) which can 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 greatest these numbers by a good distance. On prime of that, the F31 3-Sequence is a good 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 almost unimaginable 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 would match again there, Nick. The probabilities are infinite. It’s additionally loaded up with all the fashionable tech you would ever need.
It feels like the right automotive, 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 exhausting to return by. You’re going to need to develop your search space a bit and be keen to journey to get the automotive you need, however I promise it’ll be value it. One other bonus is that the nicest 328d Wagon you should buy 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 very good man, I discovered you an ideal instance with simply 41,000 miles on the clock, a spotless report and an important value. Take into account, that is the most costly 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it prices simply $33,670. The one subject is it’s nowhere close to Rochester. Nick, that is the automotive for you.
Professional 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 appropriate reply that will help you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Kind R. Your $40,000 price range isn’t fairly sufficient for the most recent FL5 era, however the FK8 is arguably the extra fascinating every 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. Except 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 flooring. 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 automotive!
Nick, get your self a Civic Kind R. All of the enjoyable you would need, all of the cargo house 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.
