by "Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
Published 09/13/2017 at 11:00
by "Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
Published 09/13/2017 at 11:00
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STARS: 0
I’d pretty much decided that next year I want to get a GTI, maybe a Golf R if I can find an acceptable CPO for a not ridiculous number of dollars.
However.
My commute sucks donkey butt. I leave my house at 7:15 to drive the 11.8 miles to my office, spending at least 45 minutes in traffic that literally gets worse every single day (Austin nets 50 new residents per week), then leave work at 5 or 5:15 to get home at 6 or so, all while averaging about 21.7 MPH.
At the moment I have a 2007 M35 that averages 17.6 MPG. According to Gas Cubby I spend $1 in gas for every 7.22 miles driven, and in the past year have spent about $1350 on fuel. If I get a GTI I could maybe improve fuel efficiency by 10-12 MPG, saving maybe $600 a year on gas. That’s quite a lot, actually. But considering how consummately shitty my drive is, is there any point to having a “fun” car? Maybe I just need an electric (honestly that new Honda is intriguing) or a really clever hybrid like the new Volt.
And just keep the Alfa for those rare moments I can get on the road and drive.
I’m torn between practicality and wanting one last fun car before the inevitable.
"VW Max" (vw-max)
09/13/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 1
Shame we can’t have the the Golf GTE here.
"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
09/13/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0
Wow, you have an M35? Sweet dude
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M35_series_2%C2%BD-ton_6x6_cargo_truck
Probably not a good DD. Would be hard to park underground to say the least.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
09/13/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 1
Wouldn’t you be better off with a bike? 45 minutes for 12 miles sounds terrible!
At least you could be lanesplitting
"Dasupersprint - base trim is enough" (dasupersprint)
09/13/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0
I’m surprisingly enjoying myself driving efficiently my wife’s Kia Niro. I set myself fuel consumption goals. And I really enjoy the interior.
I guess it’s a different experience but I like it.
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 0
It’s basically the A3 E-Tron, isn’t it?
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/13/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 0
Solutions:
Electric car
Move to San Antonio
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:18, STARS: 1
Actually, that might make a better DD than my Infiniti version, given the general dumbfuckery I witness on Austin roads.
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:19, STARS: 0
I’d have to get a divorce to get a motorcycle. And lanesplitting is still illegal in Texas. the legislature keeps kicking the can because of the trucking lobby (makes their drivers mad, I guess).
"Svend" (svend)
09/13/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 0
Why not a Golf GTE?
1.4TSi BlueMotion Hybrid, 166mpg (UK) 138 (US) combined.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:22, STARS: 0
Looking at a new Volt, actually. My brother has a 2015 and it’s uncomfortable and harsh, but he loves it regardless. His previous car was a 2013 Camaro SS, for reference. I’m reading the new one is far more refined and goes almost 60 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough to get me to work and back.
Still, $40k plus whatever incentives and tax credits, seems like a lot of money compared to a GTI.
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 3
Yeah, sadly not for sale in the US. We get the Audi A3 e-Tron, which is far as I can tell is operationally identical, just for a lot more money.
"VW Max" (vw-max)
09/13/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0
I think so
"Svend" (svend)
09/13/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
Sorry man.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
09/13/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
I may be biased, but this sounds like a perfect solution.
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 0
I’d have to get a divorce, first.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
09/13/2017 at 11:40, STARS: 0
Stupid idea: Have you thought about the CR-Z?
More efficient than a large gasoline car, supposedly still pretty fun to drive.
Definitely compare it to a Leaf or a Volt or a GTI or whatever else you’re interested in, a little less efficiency is a cheap price for a fun car.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
09/13/2017 at 11:40, STARS: 0
Then you could sell the rear pegs on eBay!
"4kc" (4kc)
09/13/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
used ELR?
edit: I guess they’re all used now, oops
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
Back seats are a necessity. Two kids, both still in booster seats, and I routinely cart them around. I don’t necessarily need four doors, but absolutely four seats.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
09/13/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
That’s on the weird European cycle for plug in hybrids, which basically runs until the battery is depleted, then goes another 25 km, and reports efficiency as how much fuel was consumed over the total distance, ignoring electricity.
And, the European cycle in general is lax.
By comparison, the A3 e-tron here is rated at 83 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (1 gallon being 33.7 kWh, and the EPA also presents it as 41 kWh/100 mi) on electric, for 16 miles. Then, after that, it’s rated at 34 miles per gallon of premium gas (which is your regular, because our regular is crap). That’s absolutely terrible for a PHEV here - the giant-ass Pacifica Hybrid van has similar efficiency.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
09/13/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
There’s something to be said for getting a dirt cheap used Fiat 500e, and then having a gasser around for longer trips...
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 0
Our family car is a 2014 Highlander, so we’re good there. The 500e seems like an option but honestly I’m concerned about reliability of the things.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
09/13/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0
How about a “slow car fast” type of car?
I’ve heard the Fiesta SFE is entertaining, even with it’s 3cyl turbo.
Not sure if it’ll be comfortable in slow traffic, but it shouldn’t be as stiff as the ST.
"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
09/13/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
Is that the little 1 liter? The only problem is my wife can’t drive a manual... it’s an agreement between us that my DD will be an auto or a DSG.
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
09/13/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 0
I believe the 500e only ended up retailing in Oregon and California - correct me if I’m wrong.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
09/13/2017 at 14:11, STARS: 0
Yup, 1.0L and manual only.
And I’m out of good ideas. If it were me, I’d just buy something old and fun with a manual that my wife wouldn’t want to drive anyways. But it’d probably have to be a 2nd car because she wouldn’t want the kids to ride in it either.