New Car Time, Oppo!

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
12/12/2013 at 09:38 • Filed to: newcarlopnik, crashlopnik, opinionlopnik

In case you haven't heard, Ms. Bertha is to be awarded das Ehrenkreuz for service in protection of occupants. The insurance company is also awarding a stipend to be spent on likely higher premiums.

EDIT: Kinja'd

That being said, I am now looking at an eclectic collection of candidates to take Ms. Bertha's garage spot (currently occupied by Clifford, the big red truck).

Without further ado, the candidates are:

1) 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI

2) 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE (6MT)

3) 2014 Mini Clubman S (Possibly a JCW, but we'll see)

4) 2014 Ford Focus ST

5) 2014 Subaru BRZ

So each can be had with a manual, with the exception of the Mercedes. So now it's time to see what you think I should buy, and I can tell you about the test drive I took in it.

DISCUSSION (42)

Brian Silvestro > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 09:46

As one of the unofficial promoters of the Fiesta ST in the comments section, I'd say test drive one. Apparently it can do a lot of what the Focus can do and has better handling for a lower price point (and better looks in my opinion). If not, then get a JCW.

bradledy > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 09:49

Do you need lots of space? Really the Golf TDI should be on that list instead of the Passat TDI

Nibby > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 09:49

Avoid the E class, cause those aren't very good in terms of reliability and maintenance will be expensive.

Brian Silvestro > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 09:50

I second this. I'd much rather have a Mk7 TDI Golf then a Passat.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2013 at 09:51

But...I don't fit in it as well as I do the Focus. Mainly this is read as "I don't fit in it with my Simpson helmet on".

I fit in the Focus, but the one thing that does irk me about it is the Recaros. My shoulders are a bit too wide to fit comfortably.

The Clubman S is $7200 less than the JCW Clubman. $2000 or so of which can be spent on rectifying the engine power (Mini sells a JCW tuning kit for S engines, and puts their warranty on it). I'm not fully convinced that the JCW is worth the brand new price, because that's seriously close to E90 335i territory.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Nibby
12/12/2013 at 09:52

I had a W210 E Class, so I'm used to the maintenance bills.

Unless the fit and finish got cheaper in the W211, then in which case it could be written off.

bradledy > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2013 at 09:53

The MK7s aren't going to be available in the states till late 2014 probably.

Brian Silvestro > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 09:54

Too tall, got it. I'm about 5'7' which is why I like the Fiesta so much. That much money for FWD is questionable. At that point I'd rather go with the Focus. You get much more power and space for the money.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 09:55

But but...Road Trip! With 800 mile range!

I'll likely be asking the VW dealer to test drive a Golf. Just for sake of argument.

bradledy > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 09:56

Yeah not gonna lie here I'm a sales guy at a VW dealer in NJ. Don't worry I'm one of the nice car-guy sales people! Let me know if you have any specific questions about the cars. I love the Passat TDI it's just that the Golf seemed more in line with the other cars you mentioned.

Brian Silvestro > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 09:57

Oh.... that's disappointing. Why reveal a car then release it in a major market almost 2 years later? Oh well. I just want to see how the Mk7 Golf R fairs.

Tom McParland > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 10:00

It really depends on what you are looking for...do want a luxury cruiser that won't kill you on gas? The Benz or the Passat maybe the best options...something to hoon? Well the ST and the BRZ (maybe the Mini) are the way to go. It seems like you are being drawn in two different directions. Think hard about how this car will be used, on what type of driving and what your needs are for it. That may provide some more guidance.

bradledy > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2013 at 10:00

Yeah tell me about it...I get people asking about them constantly. It will be worth the wait though! Lighter, faster, more features, and no price increase- sweet! The GTI will be available with a fully mechanical limited slip diff...droooooooooooooooool

Nibby > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 10:02

The W211 is better quality overall but still not up to what you should expect from a $55k Benz. The new 2011-2014 ones seem to be better in quality and reliability .

Brian Silvestro > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 10:03

All that and no price increase? How unusually awesome!

Der Käfer > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 10:03

CDI benz. tanks, smooth, comfortable. torquey too.

TDI Passat, I Almost bought one over my beetle. Great drive, great MPG, peppy.

Hate ford so no, hate toyobarus so double no.

Minis always have quirky issues, I have a family member who special ordered a S mini and traded it in at 5k miles because it stayed in the service department for random but serious things.

joemcm > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 10:04

If I may ask, why BRZ and not FR-S? I'm just curious because I personally like the FR-S facia a lot more. That big plastic mustache in the BRZ grill is a turn-off for me. I'm sure it's for safety, and the FR-S "stiff upper-lip" probably serves the same purpose while making the design flow better.

bradledy > Brian Silvestro
12/12/2013 at 10:09

yeah the new MQB platform is going to be shared with more models so they're going to cut down on production costs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswage…

liquid_popcorn > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 10:09

Hah, I'm in sales at Lindsay VW in northern Virginia.

Currently driving a 2013 GTI, probably going to trade it for the MK7 R....which will conveniently probably show up when my lease expires. Mmmm.

bradledy > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 10:11

LOL and just realized that Jalopnik is one of the "sources"

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 10:14

I tend to go with eclectic cars. Most people have a type of car they want, and pick everything from there, but I occasionally have an oddball or two in the mix (a bunch of hatches and a Passat and E Class)

bradledy > liquid_popcorn
12/12/2013 at 10:15

You're brilliant! you've had this mapped out from the beginning huh? we took in a 08 gti a few years ago that had koni coils on it, APR tune with the full exhaust and I couldn't pass it up so that's what I'm driving now haha. mmmmm mk7 though! I'm at douglas VW in north jersey!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > joemcm
12/12/2013 at 10:18

HID headlights.

Standard fit on the BRZ, requires buying a $30K plus special edition on the FR-S

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Tom McParland
12/12/2013 at 10:29

It's true that I'm being pulled in two different directions. It really sucks!

The thing is that I've loved the track days in my Z4. However, some groups are not convertible friendly. Hence things like the Clubman S, Focus ST, BRZ.

But on the other hand, I mostly loved driving my W210. Not so much for the steering, and dynamic qualities, but because it was a diesel. I'm tending towards the Passat TDI over the E320 CDI in that category.

One of the close friends has just bought a 2013 Passat TDI with the 6 speed. It drives nicely. It would also be a bit odd on a track day (although I would do it).

My reasoning with the BRZ down near the end of the list is that it's basically a Z4 with a roof (and BMW did make a Z4 Coupe), and I don't need a second copy of the same car.

I loved the Mini, and the Focus ST (Minus the Recaro seats). I'm probably going to test drive a Golf TDI and a GTI this weekend.

The Mini won't kill me any worse on gas mileage than the W210 did (26MPG average), and it is fun to drive (Yeah, it's FWD. Haters gonna hate).

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Nibby
12/12/2013 at 10:53

Thankfully you won't have to pay anywhere close to $55k for a W211, then!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Der Käfer
12/12/2013 at 11:18

I'm going to possibly test drive a Passat again this weekend.

And the Mini. I love how it drives.

liquid_popcorn > bradledy
12/12/2013 at 11:27

Ish, haha. Wanted an R when I got my GTI but couldn't quite swing the payments.
Also, that sounds amazing. APR is definitely in my future as well. How do the coils feel compared to stock suspension? I'd like mine to ride a little lower, but it's a bit lower on my priority list than a tune/exhaust/some interior mods.

Der Käfer > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 12:30

I would suggest the passat TDI executive trim level.

minis are indeed a fun car to drive.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Der Käfer
12/12/2013 at 12:32

Problem: One is not allowed by VWoA to get a Passat with a TDI engine connected to a manual gearbox, unless said car is an SE without a sunroof or any other goodies.

Bonus: I don't want any of those other goodies.

Der Käfer > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 12:39

Oh then you are golden! The only tech option I really like is the fender sound system. It's the one thing in my car I know I couldnt live without.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Der Käfer
12/12/2013 at 12:44

I hear that.

Also, I think Patrick George bought a Mini at one point. So it could be considered Jalopnik approved.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/12/2013 at 17:36

I say passat
be careful with Benz's the 05-07 E class had an electronic handbrake, that was a bitch and a half to operate, and it would break easily
there's a lot of ST owners here already. it's a good car, but we need more diesel manual cars!

Philbert/Phartnagle > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/14/2013 at 09:08

Kinja'd!!!

Such orange!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > bradledy
12/14/2013 at 18:50

Just as a followup: I did test drive a Golf TDI and a GTI Driver's Edition.

I liked both of them, but the difference is that I *like* the GTI and the Focus ST. I however, for however crazy this makes me, *love* the Mini.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Tom McParland
12/14/2013 at 18:53

I gave in to The Hoon.

Barring the end of the world (or my job), it's likely going to be a Mini Clubman S.

Tom McParland > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/14/2013 at 19:38

I had a 04 Cooper S and loved it. I will tell you a few things though, MPGs where better than expected, exit ramps where a hoot, and with the seats down it could swallow a tun of stuff (I suspect the Clubman will be even better in that regard). However, on long drives it got tiring...so if you just have less than a 60 min commute you will be fine but after about 2hrs in a Cooper you start to feel it. Now keep in mind the suspension setup on my 04 was adjusted to be a little softer in the next gen because a lot of people complained. I look forward to reading more of your progress on this. :)

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Tom McParland
12/14/2013 at 19:41

I'm highly considering doing a proper Oppo review, with actual good pictures.

As opposed to my Rental Jetta Oppo Review with crappy cell phone pictures.

They are giving me a good deal on a '13. So I'm willing to get a Pepper White car instead of British Racing Green.

Who can say no to free money (0% interest for 48 months) from BMW Financial Services?

Tom McParland > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/14/2013 at 19:43

The white looks nice especially with the longer roof. I want to love the BRG in this car...but it just looks lost IMO. Are you getting stripes? Black stripes would look awesome and they are dealer installed so if the car doesn't already have it, they can do it.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Tom McParland
12/14/2013 at 20:19

It does have black bonnet stripes. So Pepper White body, Black roof and mirrors, black bonnet stripes, and black wheels.

Kinja'd!!!

Not my first choice of colors, but $1800 difference between buying this one, and ordering a green one. And I wouldn't get the financing deal, if I order the green car.

bradledy > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/15/2013 at 00:21

That's awesome! Glad you prefer one of them...some people are confused and not sure. The mini has tons of character and if you don't need as much space it sounds perfect!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > bradledy
12/15/2013 at 07:03

If I need space, that's why I have an F-150.

Granted it's a 351W, so it gets roughly 10-13MPG on most good days.

The dealer is giving me a deal on a white car in their stock, but it has black wheels on it. That one I'm not so sure about. I think there's a picture in another comment thread here.

Tom McParland > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/15/2013 at 10:54

And black wheels sweet! You will also save $ on the insurance over the ST I hear those are a bitch to insure.