One Car Garage... One Car for it All

"mitology" (mitology) 11/04/2015 at 15:04 • Filed to: one car garage

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So, after checking out the article on best cars for a One-Car Fleet at road & track today, i decided to give it a go, and thought out what would be the one car for all my needs.

I will try to start by describing a bit of my lifestyle.

I am a gearhead:

1 - In the mid twenties.

2 - Have a very short commute to work, usually there under 15 minutes and only need to lug a laptop around.

3 - Currently dating but with no kids.

4 - Occasionally need to help mom and grandmother carry stuff around, mostly old household stuff.

5 - Go out with my buddies to the pub once or twice a week.

5 - Live in a country with sunny weather for most of the year.

6 - And as for outdoor activities, I play basketball, jog a bit and frequently visit the beach.

So, what would i drive all year round in all occasions?

The RS4 Avant, it hits all the right notes with me because:

1 - I cant have enough of its looks, so so sexy in red.

2 - It’s fast and loud, thanks to the 4.2 litre v8 under the hood.

3 - Has space for me, all my mates and probably to haul some of mom and granny’s old household thingey’s.

Plus whenever me and GF decide to get married, and have kids, gearhead dad would already be prepared.

now tell me, what would be your car of choice to meet all your needs?

Moves-Like-Senna > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:08

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So just to confirm do you want the car to say “future kids” or “marriage ready” or to say “no kids”?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:09

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Ferrari FF (money is no option correct?)

1. It’s fast enough and considering I do a lot of highway driving for my job it’d be a perfect cruiser

2. It’s practical enough to carry what I need for work (some laptops and accessories) and what I would need for a vacation.

3. I am single so no kids, no girlfriend, and when I do have people in my car it’s usually 2-3 so that’ll work perfectly.

4. I live in NJ where it can be either beautiful or have a snow storm so the ‘AWD’ would do somewhat well.

5. It’s a Ferrari.

On a more down to earth note. A GTI/ Fiesta ST/Focus ST/WRX would also work.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:10

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Syclone. As always. I wish it came in extended cab form, but I think I can live with it.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:13

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I’m 100% with you there. There’s only one slight problem: The RS4 Avant is not sold in the States. We have a pair of mighty fine alternatives available, though.

Party-vi > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:20

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15 minute drive to work means your going to mess up that engine unless you take it out to stretch its legs.

atrombs > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:20

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I like your thinking, but as a MB fan, I’d have to go with the E63 S Wagon. I perfer the looks, but it also hits all the same points as the RS4 Avant.

Mercedes Streeter > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:28

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Not sure if I’m doing this right...
Am petrolhead.

1. Early 20s.

2. Have a very long commute to work (50 miles - 1 hour), but only need to carry a computer bag.

3. With the lovely Miss Tesla (currently 68 miles from me) - No kids on the horizon indefinitely.

4. LOL family.

5. Hang out with the bestie or take Miss Tesla on dates.

6. Weather either gets super freaking hot or super freaking cold with deep arse snow.

7. I go to the beach, bike, walk, and camp.

1. Is able to achieve 40mpg, even at 70mph!

2. IT’S SO FUCKING ADORABLE.

3. RWD, Rear engine.

4. Pfft, who needs ample boot space...



Luc - The Acadian Oppo > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:29

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If you take MPG’s out of the equation this is literally the perfect car for me. The abysmal gas mileage is the only drawback of this thing.

You can shuttle the kids around,you can bring a bunch of stuff in it,you can tow a trailer,it would be good in the snow,you could track it.

It really is my ideal vehicle.

-30y/o

-married

-1 kid (so far)

LongbowMkII > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:40

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Mazdaspeed5. You know a Mazda5 with Mazdaspeed3 parts. Weeee.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:40

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- 30

- one kid (infant)

- 30 min/23 mile commute

- weekly field work, 6-8hours in and out of car

- bi-weekly trips to second home, 120miles/4 hours each way

- kid and wife have lots of junk.

- would like AWD and as close to 30+mpg as possible

Please, Oppo, give me recommendations. I’m leaning toward the Volvo V60, but am afraid of maintenance costs down the line.

Autohaus Derp > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:42

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Let’s have a go then.

I are petrolhead. Have owned 2 cars on and off for the past 6 years, so one car garage is a bit hard to pin down.

1. Mid 20s.

2. Walk or cycle to work unless its raining like hell

3. Dating on/off who knows

4. No plans for kids for next 10 years

5. Like to go to t’pub like you, also cycling, and general outdoorsy activities (hiking, climbing, whatever takes the mood) with a friend or two.

6. Michigan, so hot summers, snowy winters and rust.

7. I like to travel to the forests, coast, lakes etc a couple of times a month. Also go out specifically for a hard drive once a week most weeks.

Here’s my current (achieveable) ideal car:

Because:

1 - Hoonability, all year round

2 - Previously had a 2007 WRX GB270, which I sadly got rid of when I moved to the states - so it would have to be WR Blue

3 - Some practicality for carrying people when needed, but far from dull

4- Plenty of aftermarket support. I get bored easily and like to tinker, so having a tuneable car is essential to me

The only reason I currently don’t have one is I’ve been in the US less than a year and have very little credit history. In all likelihood I would get a WRX with the FA20 and spec up brakes etc from there.

MultiplaOrgasms > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:46

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Funktheduck > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:51

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What will you drive when it's in the shop?

GTI Sprinks > Party-vi 11/04/2015 at 15:55

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story of any car owner with 15 minute commute.

EL_ULY > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:56

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2015 XC60 T-6 w/Polestar

it floods a lot here and the extra ride height will help

djmt1 > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:57

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Suzuki Swift Sport

22 year old with a crap ton of student debt so:

Cheap to buy

Cheap to insure

Cheap to maintain

Did I mention it was cheap.

T5Killer > mitology 11/04/2015 at 15:58

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1. Mid 30s

2. 15 minute commute plus Errands and honey dos during the day.

3.Married 2 kids 3 and 9

4. Always need room for stuff.

5. Its always sunny and fairly nice in NM

6.Drag racer and helps run car events plus trips to the gun range with the wifey.

Übel > mitology 11/04/2015 at 16:03

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Forester 2.5XT. If you can find an earlier one with a manual, it’ll do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds (and 0-30 in 1.3!!!) but keeps those Forester looks for ultimate sleepiness, it drives like a Subaru, lots of room for lots of things, and that Scoobie AWD.

I actually test drove one over the summer, but it wasn’t quite in the condition I wanted so I bought a Karmann Ghia instead. It only made sense.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 11/04/2015 at 16:04

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10/10 would hoon

Funktheduck > Mercedes Streeter 11/04/2015 at 16:09

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Do you notice an efficiency effect from the little fin things?

Mercedes Streeter > Funktheduck 11/04/2015 at 16:13

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Not at all. In my case, the vortex generators help the car deal with crosswinds better, but nothing else. :)

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > mitology 11/04/2015 at 16:13

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functionoverfashion > mitology 11/04/2015 at 16:15

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My BMW 325 wagon has served me well through the transition you talked about. When I bought it I had just gotten married, but no kids. I like to ski and bike and we had a dog. In fact, we got the car and dog in the same week. It’s sort of my only car, although I have a 1972 Ford F100 that I keep on the road only for the summer... but I don’t get to DD that with the kids.

Now we have 2 kids and we are stretching the limits of the car, but it’s basically perfect for me and my daily family/dog/ski/bike/trash hauling duties. It’s safe, comfortable, reliable, inexpensive to operate, insure, register, etc. and reasonably fun to drive.

Steve in Manhattan > mitology 11/04/2015 at 16:55

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Four rings to rule them all?

I think I just won the internet.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Party-vi 11/04/2015 at 17:09

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Am I missing something here?

Elumerere > functionoverfashion 11/04/2015 at 17:15

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A wagon for a family of four is stretching the limits of said car?

Wow. I’m euro, we are used to much smaller cars.

Did holidays, 4 grown folks, in a Twingo full of luggage. Was comfy.

Elumerere > djmt1 11/04/2015 at 17:16

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My brother has one of those, with a family of 4. Now they upgraded to a Renault Megane.

Party-vi > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 11/04/2015 at 17:21

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Making short trips does not allow the engine/components to warm up and could lead to premature wear. Also, with VAG direct-injected engines there have been issues with carbon build-up due to short trips.

daveIT > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 11/04/2015 at 17:35

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Is that a Patriot or a Compass?

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > mitology 11/04/2015 at 17:41

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Save money and buy the b8 s4 avant. The 3.0T is a way better motor, with much more potential. Plus it’ll check most of the same boxes. Im sure you’ve seen this video but in case you haven’t:

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > mitology 11/04/2015 at 18:02

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I am a Gearhead

Under 18

Have 25 minute commute to school, 5 to work

Not dating, have to haul siblings sometimes

Responsible for gas and other costs

Live in Midwest where winters get nasty

Play soccer and travel around with a chamber choir

My choice? Audi S3 three door hatchback. Why?

Stands out.

Fair amount of space for transporting my things.

Fuel efficient. (ish)

Quattro for winter.

Fun little car, makes me feel like a rallyer

Fairly spunky with 200 HP.

Audi.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Party-vi 11/04/2015 at 18:17

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What is the remedy if your commute is short and you don’t necessarily have a VAG engine?

Amoore100 > mitology 11/04/2015 at 18:19

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Also total gearhead, obviously predisposed to Swedish brands...

Late teens

Super short commute to school, (maybe 10 min) but later in the day longer drives around town

No relationships (thankfully) but plenty of friends to cart around

Every now and then the odd Home Depot or Ikea run

See number 3

Very sunny area, rains about once every never

Hiking, biking, scuba diving, pretty gear intensive

Enter the new Volvo V40 T5

Hatchback, good for cargo runs and hauling dive gear

Volvo, and the V40 happens to be one of the safest cars today

Quick, with the 245 hp petrol, paddle shifters, and Polestar tune

Handles rather well or so I’m told

Sumptuous enough to be nice for passenger duty

Fuel economy (some)

Rather gorgeous (IMO) with that glass bootlid

Why the hell do we not get this in the states?

Axial > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 11/04/2015 at 18:47

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Go on pleasure drives?

C’mon, man, this is Oppoland...

Funktheduck > Mercedes Streeter 11/04/2015 at 20:06

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Interesting. I wouldn't have thought that would be an effect.

Party-vi > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 11/04/2015 at 21:52

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You need to get out for some longer drives. Maybe take a longer route to work, or go for cruises on the weekends if possible. It needs to be a semi-regular thing.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Axial 11/04/2015 at 23:29

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I’m still learning. Would you like it if someone mocked you when you didn’t know something?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Party-vi 11/04/2015 at 23:31

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I can definitely manage that. I was concerned mainly about the short drive to work being a bad thing on its own. Thanks for the answer!

mitology > Amoore100 11/04/2015 at 23:52

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This is a nice car, wish i had it in my late teens too lol

The US seriously needs to reconsider their predilection for crossovers and companies might just start selling wagons there again, or at least i tend to think so...

mitology > Party-vi 11/04/2015 at 23:55

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yep, “honey, i need to walk the car” I scream while hurriedly running towards the garage with a big grin on my face

mitology > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 11/04/2015 at 23:57

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Drive the beans out of it me thinks :) or at least i hope...

mitology > Mercedes Streeter 11/04/2015 at 23:59

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nice, but how does it cope with the snow? Sounds like a mini 911 to me lol

mitology > Where have all the lightweights gone? 11/04/2015 at 23:59

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oh yeahhhhhhh

mitology > Elumerere 11/05/2015 at 00:03

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haha i think maybe functionoverfashion might have had the 325 for some time maybe

mitology > djmt1 11/05/2015 at 00:04

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Looks cool and should be fun enough, rigth?

mitology > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 11/05/2015 at 00:05

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oh man, FF, i can’t decide if it is seriously sexy or just plain ugly... would hoon the ‘ish out of one though...

mitology > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 11/05/2015 at 00:07

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Cheers, then you probably evolve into an RS4 and then we both graduate to the RS6 haha

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > mitology 11/05/2015 at 00:07

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Fine by me!

mitology > Übel 11/05/2015 at 00:07

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oh man, from a Forester into a Karmann Ghia, there is a story there somewhere... lol how did that happen?

mitology > T5Killer 11/05/2015 at 00:09

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This thing looks seriously sexy, Caddy is not coming with a newer model are they?

mitology > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 11/05/2015 at 00:12

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oh but i have, just a fan of natural aspiration here :)

but for the price yes, b8 s4 avant will do...

Chris Harris is one of the best car content creators on the web no doubt...

mitology > MultiplaOrgasms 11/05/2015 at 00:14

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what

am

I

looking

at

?

mitology > Moves-Like-Senna 11/05/2015 at 00:18

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lol I guess marriage and kids ready, i’ve always thought i should have a hot wagon when I have a family of my own...

Übel > mitology 11/05/2015 at 00:20

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It’s not quite as exciting as it seems. I was looking for a new-to-me car, but I was torn between replacing my GTI with something higher performance and AWD or getting a second car for summer/shows/etc. I test drove the Forester as a candidate for the former category, but decided not to buy it. A month or two later, a Karmann Ghia came up at a fantastic price and in great condition, so I bought it and I’m keeping my GTI on for DD duties.

mitology > Übel 11/05/2015 at 00:48

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Lol that’s cool, the forester is forever boring compared to a Ghia, enjoy it man

Axial > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 11/05/2015 at 02:07

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I wasn’t aware I was mocking. I just figured...if the problem is that the car isn’t getting its legs stretched on a longer drive, and you are a car enthusiast, why not go on a longer pleasure drive just for the sake of enjoying your vehicle? Solves the problem.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Axial 11/05/2015 at 02:11

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The intent of my question was to determine how to fix the problem. I didn’t know that taking it on weekend drives would be enough, but now I know it would.

functionoverfashion > Elumerere 11/05/2015 at 08:46

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I should clarify, it’s tight when we have the dog along. We go away most weekends in the summer, and by the time we pack our bags, plus a cooler with food for the 4 of us for 2 days, there’s not much room for the dog. Then if we want to bring the stroller for the baby or anything like a beach chair, suddenly it’s very tight. It’s really the dog that makes it hard, because we can’t pack her in like a duffel bag!

Moves-Like-Senna > mitology 11/05/2015 at 09:23

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Hot wagon is the right choice then! CTS-V everything!

MultiplaOrgasms > mitology 11/05/2015 at 10:04

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There are people that don’t know of the delightfully JDM despite being sold nearly everywhere almost-a-Skyline-but-not-and-therefore-cool Nissan C32 Laurel with a panda paintjob?

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > mitology 11/05/2015 at 10:33

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I hear ya, I have only ever driven boosted audi wagons:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Mercedes Streeter > mitology 11/05/2015 at 12:08

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Depends on the tyres. On proper rubber, it’s like a little snowmobile.

On crap tyres? Very tail happy...VERY TAIL HAPPY.

mitology > MultiplaOrgasms 11/05/2015 at 16:43

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By the side it looks like a skyline of the R31 family indeed, my dad had one of those and boy was it fun...

FMSims > Amoore100 11/05/2015 at 17:19

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It’s called the Ford Escape with EcoBoost Engines 2013+ with slightly weaker powertrains in the US

FMSims > FMSims 11/05/2015 at 17:19

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_C1_p…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_V40… #V40_T5_Drive-E.2C_D4_Drive-E_.282014.E2.80.93present.29

Amoore100 > FMSims 11/05/2015 at 18:28

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Yeah, they’re platform buddies just like the old V50 and the Mazda 3/Euro Focus. Still, the Escape is rather ugly in my eyes IMO and if you get any sort of technology options you have do deal with Ford’s SYNC (which is akin to the devil itself, or so I’m told) Plus I am strongly anti-CUV; they’re possibly the stupidest vehicles out there. Because I don’t feel like wasting more fuel to roll over more likely just because I can’t stand the wagon/hatch stigma. Just my 2 cents.

mitology > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 11/06/2015 at 03:27

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haha nice, awesome pic and caption dude