My mom drove a manual for the first time in about 25 years

"Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur" (velocity860)
06/15/2014 at 11:08 • Filed to: Test drive

I'm proud. She did well, and she liked it!

She and I both drove three cars yesterday because we were looking at fun cars to daily drive for her. My dad said that it's gotta be fun, because he doesn't want us to have a "boring" car apparently. Yet he's reluctant to get rid of the minivan in a timely fashion...

Anyway, we drove a 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. So, the brand new MK7. I drove it as well and I'm impressed, VW did a great job with this thing. It's like a rocket when you hit boost. My mom loved it, although she doesn't like leather (or well, pleather) because it sticks to her legs or something. That's all fine because I showed her the plaid cloth seats you can get with it and she thought they were "cute". The only one they had was a manual, so that's why she had to drive a manual.

Second car we drove was a Fiat 500L. At first my mom thought it was the ugliest thing, but then it grew on her. She liked the features, the space it had, she liked how it sat up higher (so she didn't have to fall into the car when she got in or something), and she was amazed with the optional panoramic sunroof. She didn't like the seats, which I also thought felt kinda odd and a little uncomfortable, and she didn't like that it was a ton slower than the GTI, and that the steering was really numb and light. I basically agree with all of that.

Then we drove this... Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio. This thing makes me smile just thinking about it, seriously. It's not as refined or smooth in any way as the GTI, but who cares when it has that amazing exhaust note and the crazy turbo lag. The reason we drove the Cabrio is that the dealer only had that Abarth in stock because they were waiting for some new models to come in. My mom liked the fact that it was a convertible (kinda), and that it was reaaally fun. My mom didn't like that it's really small (I'll even agree that she wouldn't be able to daily drive that. She needs at least a GTI for space), and because of that she thought it was unsafe. She still liked it though.

There's no way we're getting a car anytime soon though. I've talked to my dad and he says that we'd have to replace the SUV first so we could go on trips and such, and then wait a while so we would have enough money to buy a fun car to daily drive. But even then, I know my dad, and I know that he's not going to buy anything until he absolutely needs to. Oh well, I'm sure it'll happen eventually.

DISCUSSION (19)

Vicente Esteve > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
06/15/2014 at 11:41

Its so awesome that your mom thinks getting a "fun" car is important. I would highly recommend trying out the Volkswagen Beetle Turbo. It has the driving dynamics of the GTI, the retro/cool design of the Fiats, and just a little more space.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 12:41

I second the notion of the "Bug GTI"

Having been in a GSR beetle, and having experienced what kind of 0-100 time it can put down (with a DSG in this case) I was seriously impressed. Granted, this one did have an APR tune and exhaust (makes about 270hp and 300ft-lbs) but I'm sure it's very fast stock as well

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 12:50

I think it is one of the best designs of any car. It really looks classicaly modern and just right everywhere. I love it, but then again, I am a VW fan.

A GSR is on my bucket list of cars I have to have.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 12:56

As a fellow VW fanboy, I completely agree. One of my close friends drives a 2013 non-turbo Beetle, and that thing is fun to chuck about, but the GSR Is one serious piece of kit. The normal Turbo bug itself is quite the sleeper, especially in the "fender" trim, which gives it the SEL bug's 18inch rims!

Here's my friend's GSR bug, picture was taken with a potato-tastic camera. This is on the night he got it, and that's why he's in "tool mode" showing off next to it!:

Kinja'd!!!

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 13:12

Awesome to the max! I also adore VW's and am quite Jelly of you as well as your friend with that 2.0 Litre powerplant. Haha yes, the Fender trim is seriously cool, my father adored it and said it would be the only Beetle he would buy.

GTI MkVII > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
06/15/2014 at 13:57

Nice! I can seriously vouch for the GTI. Have had mine for nearly 2 weeks now and love it to pieces. =) Don't discredit the DSG by the way - its a superb transmission.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 14:21

It is! to be honest, I wouldn't mind driving a red Turbo bug myself...
There are 4 new bugs at my school! the GSR, a red diesel, my friend's grey 2.5, and a light grey convertible. I've ridden in 3 of them, minus the red TDi. I'm trying to get my mom to buy a yellow convertible bug as her next car

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 14:30

Do it! In my school there is only a blue one wi the 2.5 auto. I like how it would loo likenext to my grandmothers brother 60s Baby Blue Beetle! I expect to inherit it someday

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 14:50

that's awesome! I learned to drive in a yellow '66!

Kinja'd!!!

MylesD > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
06/15/2014 at 15:48

Someome confirm since I didn't Google it - doesn't the GTI have real leather and not the leatherette from the rest of the line up?

oldestyoungn > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
06/15/2014 at 16:02

If you need a van look for a manual Mazda5 van. They seriously sell brand new ones with a manual.

I, being biased, say a FiST is good and a FoST could semi-uncomfortably roadtrip 3 people. I've shuttled a 350 lb 5'11" guy in the back before.

That being said I agree with everyone on the GSR.

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 18:09

The Blue Beetle was actually yellow when bought! I kid you not! Here it is besides my car. Im starting to like your thinking:

Kinja'd!!!

have we just become best friends?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 18:37

Yes, I do believe we have!!! old bugs are awesome! the yellow one up above was my dad's friends daily for 18 years. I think he's converted it in to a Baja bug since I last drove it, but I'm not sure, it's been a few years since I've seen it...
I actually know a girl who drives a cabrio just like yours! What part of the states are you from?

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 18:51

Haha it does look like a Chicks car.

I am not from the U.S., haha I live in a small city called Tampico in the state of Tamaulipas about 500 kms or 350 miles south of Texas. I do go to the U.S. A lot though! Where are you from?

jkm7680 > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
06/15/2014 at 19:02

Nice! Now she must never go back.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/15/2014 at 19:08

Seattle WA, up here on the west coast
And bro, you're talking to the guy who drives THE sorority girl car, the jetta, so it's all good on the "girly car" front :P

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/15/2014 at 21:39

Oh man, you are a long way away! Haha, my sister also has a 2011 auto Jetta, but I used it for like half a year before they gave it to her. Yes, my older sister drove after I drove.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
06/16/2014 at 01:31

That's ok, my older sister drives, but doesn't have a license, and i'll get one before her!
Also, my jetta has been graced with the 3rd pedal, and the 5speed row your own. She's my mom's baby, but I take her to beat on her. I love it so much!

Vicente Esteve > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/16/2014 at 10:09

I just love the 5 Cilinder engine noises. I always wanted to try out the 5 speed, but nevr had the chace!