Help me pick a car

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 12/22/2014 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

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I turn 40 next year, and the more I think about my situation, the more I'm leaning toward something preposterously American.

I'd convinced myself that I wanted a VW GTI, but I'm beginning to rethink my position after riding in a coworkers new Taurus SHO last week. yeah, we enthusiasts are supposed to dislike the new SHO for not being the old SHO, but hot damn was it comfy. American. Who'd a thunk it?

I've also spent a couple of hours in a new Charger R/T, which has come light years since the last one I had the misfortune of clambering into.

You see, I live in city with horrifying traffic. My commute, which is not quite 12 miles one-way, can take almost an hour in the morning, and even longer in the evening. It's gridlock, 5 MPH, stop and go asshattery. I hates it, nassty trafficses. So I don't want a clutch pedal. I don't want bone rattling suspension. I don't want rock hard seats with constructing bolsters. I don't want engine drone. I don't want 15 MPG. I also don't want boring.

I do want something that can be exciting and engaging when called upon. A Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde split personality, if such a thing exists. I want something that the whole family (two adults, two kids in car seats) can ride in comfortably - that means (at least) four doors. I want something understated yet slick, comfortable yet athletic, competent yet a little bonkers.

CPO is OK (warranty of some sort will be a must). Under $33k is ideal if not essential. Fuel economy also has to be considered, as does that boring list that contains reliability, and cost of ownership.

What am I missing?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:30

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I would probably buy the GTI if it was my money. Although I'm not sure what the DSG's manners are like in stop go traffic.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:32

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Chrysler 300C. Not awful fuel economy, superbly comfy ride, looks good, quite fast w/ V8 rumble, has a better interior than the Taurus.

A last-gen CTS or CTS wagon might also be worth a look, as is a Lincoln version of the Taurus SHO.

As Du Volant > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:34

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I'd suggest the Charger, you can't go wrong with a classic American car like that- it's big, it's RWD (or AWD if you want), and it's got a big-ass V8 under the hood. It's comfortable when you want it to be but is also great for driving fast, and it's not even that bad on gas.

I'd suspect cost of ownership will be lower in the long run as well- the SHO has more complicated tech under its hood while the Charger is built much simpler.

You could get a brand new 2014 Charger R/T RWD with mid-level equipment within your budget, and you could get a one year old CPO AWD in the upper 20's.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:35

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I'd go with a new Charger. Probably the most undeniably 'Murican sedan on sale right now.

PatBateman > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:37

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I'm just going to take the easy road and tell you to do the SHO. It's a nice sleeper that can get decent gas mileage and is usable in traffic.

That or a Z06.

Aaron James > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:38

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Drive a bunch of cars and brands and see which suits you best, don't settle on the first car you see or let the internet decide for you. It's amazing how many people recommend cars that they've never driven, let alone ever owned, based solely on hype. I'd tell you to get a CPO 3 series because I had one and loved it but it's you that has to drive it not me so make sure you fully explore all options before you pull the trigger.

Milky > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 13:58

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Charger has been suggested, but don't care I'm suggesting it too.

You can get that new '15 RT with a couple options (starts at $30k iirc) and 370hp. Or a slightly used SRT8 …. because maybe, just maybe you want to go all out Murica and have 470hp.

Yea, fuel economy isn't the best. but I'd suspect cost of ownership is low.

Chairman Kaga > Milky 12/22/2014 at 14:08

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I really like the '15 much better than the '14, primarily due to the interior.

My biggest concern with any Chrysler product is how well it'll hold up over 8-10 years, which is how long I usually keep my cars. A lot of the 90s and 00s Chryslers I've ridden in were already falling apart to a truly embarrassing degree after just a couple of years. I know they're better, but that much better?

Chairman Kaga > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/22/2014 at 14:09

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That's my concern. I hear it's better, but the one DSG I've driven (and it was a 2008) in heavy traffic was terrifying. Lurching, jumpy, sounded like it wanted to and was going to soon break.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 14:14

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Might be better to go for something with a conventional torque converter auto for stop start crawling.

Although if you were still interested you could always test drive a GTI and see hot it behaves. I would worry a little about clutch pack longevity too though, they're expensive to change out I believe.

Chairman Kaga > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/22/2014 at 14:16

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Yeah.

Z06 it is!

Milky > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 14:22

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The '05 are still are relatively terrible, but the ones I've been in certainly didn't seem any worse for wear after all of these years … and I'd bet the refreshed interiors are even better at staying together.

Just my 0.02 cents.

Vee Ate Injun > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 14:23

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because Corvette engine and secretly Australian:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

6.2-liter V-8, 415 hp

It has been out long enough that you can find low-mileage used examples. Cars.com currently has 64 used examples.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chairman Kaga 12/22/2014 at 14:24

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Sounds like a plan.