Awesome Convo with the wife

"POD" (podimus) 08/24/2013 at 23:01 • Filed to: New Car Search

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This was a happy moment for me. While driving to the gym, the wife and I were talking about what to do with her hail damaged car. It's covered and it could get fixed through insurance. However, she is thinking of taking the payout, using it to pay off the car, and... wait for it... getting something with MORE POWER!! Also, if it's a car she really likes, she's even willing to get a manual transmission and learn to drive stick.

She, currently she drives a 2010 Hyundai Tuscon with AWD.

So I'd love to hear from the oppo world on some potential vehicle options. Lets lay some ground rules though:

-Vehicle must be new (her rule)

-Vehicle needs very good acceleration (0-100 in the sub 7 second range)

-Needs to be able to fit a large breed dog

-Needs to be good in the snow belt

-Preferably under 30K

So what do you guys and gals think? My first thought was the Focus ST.

Jacques L' Autre > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:03

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I nominate the 2005 Subaru Outback XT. Think Legacy GT, but in Outback form. Bonus points if you can find a manual as they were only produced in MY 2005.

POD > Jacques L' Autre 08/24/2013 at 23:06

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I love those wagons! Well, I love wagons in general really. She is looking for a new car though. I talked about the benefits of used, she is dead set on new though.

Thanks for the recommendation!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:08

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Kia Sportage SX. Same basic car, but with a 2.0 turbo engine with 260 Hp

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:09

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Aww, that's a viable option. I'll run it by her.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:11

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CB > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:11

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Subaru Forester, maybe? The 2.0 XT can do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds, apparently. It'll fit a dog, and also has AWD, which is good for a snowy area (if you put the right tires on). The only problem is that it may be a tad out of your price range.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:11

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Same platform and basic structure, just more power, and in my humble opinion, better looks.

POD > CB 08/24/2013 at 23:12

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Still worth looking into, thank you for the suggestion.

Tom McParland > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:17

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Woah, 0-100 in under 7??? I'm just messing with you. :) OK, ST is good so is GTI and WRX but just an FYI the insurance premiums on those bad-boys are crazy. However if you are open to CPO you can get an A3 2.0T with a 6-speed, all the fun of the GTI but none of the stigma and its one of the cheapest cars to insure. You may also want to consider a MINI Clubman S or JCW. The JCW will break the budget but great on space and fun.

Milky > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:18

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Time for something a bit different ....

I checked pricing btw, and you could get any Cherokee. Even the Trailhawk or limited for 30k fyi.

While there is no pricing on the new A3, last years started at 27k according to consumer reports.

The Real Dacia Sandero > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:19

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Focus ST! In addition to being fast, the current Focus chassis is really refined and has a great interior. Since she wants a "new car" that will be a nice upgrade.

POD > Tom McParland 08/24/2013 at 23:21

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Thanks for the suggestions! I probably should have added kph to that 0-100 :)

Insurance wise (and this is going to sound weird) my Speed3 is less to insure than her Tuscon is. What my broker tells me is that it's because of the AWD. Costs more to fix if there is an accident. Weird, but that's what I was told.

I really like the A3, I find the styling very elegant. I'll run that one by her as well.

Tom McParland > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:21

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Oh, you probably already know but I run a business that helps folks figure out the best car and makes sure they don't get taken by the dealerships.

Automatchconsulting @ gmail.com
WWW.Automatchconsulting . com
:)

Dunnik > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:23

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My vote is for the A3 longroof as well.

Anything but a CUV or SUV ugh.

POD > The Real Dacia Sandero 08/24/2013 at 23:24

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It's at the top of my list. Having and ST and a Speed3 in the driveway would make me a happy camper.

POD > Dunnik 08/24/2013 at 23:25

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Hatch or wagon is my preference. The CUV's are popular, but they've never excited me much.

Cheers!

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:26

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I just checked the Canadian pricing on the SX, over 37K, Yikes!!

POD > Tom McParland 08/24/2013 at 23:28

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I actually didn't know. That sounds like a very fun job!

trynthink > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:28

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I'm assuming from "0-100" you're either in Canada or meant 0-60. Other possible new cars include the Mazdaspeed3, WRX, and GTI, which are the obvious direct competitors to the ST. The Veloster Turbo hits 60 in 7.4 seconds, but that might not be fast enough, and it might not be big enough to accommodate your dog.

A perhaps not obvious choice is the Mini Countryman. I happen to kind of like the Countryman, since it's more like a hatchback enlarged to 120% than a full blown high-riding mommy-mobile. The Countryman Cooper S All4 can be had with a 6-sp manual and gets to 60 in 7.3 seconds (or 7 seconds if you skip the All4 system) and is under $30k with heated seats (before TTL) if you can restrain yourself from the rest of the lengthy options list.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:29

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Wow. In North Carolina, a 2013 Kia Sportage SX AWD without additional options stickers for $29,250, and fully loaded stickers for $32,450. I wonder why y'all Canadians have to pay such highly inflated prices.

POD > Milky 08/24/2013 at 23:31

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I just showed her the Jeep, she wasn't a fan. She does very much like the Audi.

Cheers!

Milky > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:33

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Ah yea the jeep is very hit or miss obviously.

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:35

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It has been a huge thorn in my side. The Speed3 here is just a tick under 30K. It's frustrating. From what I've been told is that we have less buying power due to economy of scale. Smaller population that purchases fewer vehicles than you guys to the south.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:39

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Have you considered buying a car from America (if thats possible). I'm sure you would get huge savings over a similar Canadian car.

POD > trynthink 08/24/2013 at 23:40

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Yes, Canadian. I should have added a kph to the 0-100. I have a speed3 and the back is a little small for the dog with the seats up. The dog will fit, but it's cramped.

I showed my wife the Countryman you posted, it was an instant no from her. But thank you very much for the suggestions! The WRX is one I'm going to get her to drive. Thanks again!

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:44

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I have, it's fairly easy to do, and most of the new cars can be brought over without any issues.

The only problems I run into is warranty. Some of the automakers will not honor a warranty from another country. I had that problem with my old 2008 Accent. I had some electrical issues that were shorting out the passenger head light. I was visiting family in the states and took it to the dealership there. The wouldn't touch it. Said it was a Canadian car and if I wanted it looked at under warranty I'd have to wait till I got back to Canada.

trynthink > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:49

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If you have a speed3 now, and are going to try out the Focus ST, WRX, and possibly a few others, you should post up your thoughts on each. I might be in the market for a car in this segment in about a year, so I would be interested in your observations in light of your experience with the 3.

POD > Milky 08/24/2013 at 23:51

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I went and checked the Canadian pricing on the A3, $34.100 starting. Frustrating.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:52

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http://www.kiasoulforums.com/2-soul-general…

It looks like it can transfer if you get approval from Kia USA to have warranty work done in canada.

POD > trynthink 08/24/2013 at 23:56

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That's a great idea, if she is willing to take the WRX and ST out for a test drive I'll be sure to slip behind the wheel for a bit and do a quick write up. I did a lot of research on the different hot hatches when I was shopping. I settled on the Speed3 because it was the least civilized. But that's what I wanted. This video review of the Speed3 and ST is probably the one I find myself agreeing with the most based on my experience with these cars.

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/24/2013 at 23:57

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That is very good to know. Thank you!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/24/2013 at 23:59

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Also, do you think there is any way that you could talk her into something very lightly used? I purchased my 2012 Soul back in February with 9,000 miles, and saw substantial savings over what I would have paid had I purchased new.

POD > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 08/25/2013 at 00:03

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I think I could probably get her to go with a 2012 if the right one popped up. You are right, the savings for lightly used is substantial.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/25/2013 at 00:03

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I hope you can find something good!!!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > POD 08/25/2013 at 00:04

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As long as you get a Carfax (or equivalent) and an independent inspection from a mechanic you trust, you should be good to go.

Milky > POD 08/25/2013 at 00:09

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Opps didn't know you were Canadian! Also that is a bummer, I wonder what the difference is, more equipment or something? http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/aud…

POD > Milky 08/25/2013 at 00:14

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We get boned up here when it comes to new car pricing. It's not uncommon for the same car to cost $3000-6000 (or more) above the American price.

That's a nice site. I used Car Cost Canada for my Speed3 purchase and it really helped me negotiate a fair deal. $500 over wholesale, no dealership logos or decals (that is a deal breaker for me) and the shipped in the color I wanted (black) from out of province. Knowing the true cost of the car is a huge benefit to negotiations.

She is really liking the A3 though so she might be willing to spend a bit more. Or I might be able to talk her into a CPO A3.

xxxxxx > POD 08/25/2013 at 00:22

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Duh. WRX hatchback. Easy-peasy.

POD > xxxxxx 08/25/2013 at 00:24

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It's on the list, thanks!

Milky > POD 08/25/2013 at 00:33

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Personally CPO and Audi's go together excellently. My father was looking at buying a used Escalade and I persuaded him to test drive a A8. Needless to say it was a ton nicer and he went the CPO route. You can save a lot of money.

xxxxxx > POD 08/25/2013 at 09:29

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Just remember, a new one is probably coming out next year so be sure to factor that into your choice ;)

Long Live the Longdoor > Tom McParland 08/25/2013 at 09:37

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Do you do work for Canadians?

Tom McParland > Long Live the Longdoor 08/25/2013 at 10:06

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I've never done it before but I don't suppose why not. All my communications with clients and dealerships is via email. So it should work. I also have a package where I consult you through the process, that might work better.