Oppo, what's the best car for living in downtown(ish) Chicago?

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 07/22/2015 at 14:13 • Filed to: None

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It’s everyone’s favorite time again: talking about how I might be moving away from beautiful, cheap, and simple Madison, WI to some bigger city. In this case: Chicago. My vehicle situation, well, it’s not ideal for Chicago.

(I hate my job and have been interviewing in other places to increase my options. I flirted with my hometown, DC, but have settled on Chicago as my next move. Because of reasons.)

I have two cars: a ’13 BMW 135is that’s leased through June 30, 2016; and an ’05 Jeep Grand Cherokee. If/when I get a job in Chicago, nothing about my car situation will have to change immediately. I have ways to make having the 2 cars work until the 135is goes back.

The totally sane, reasonable thing for me to do would be to turn in the 135is as planned, keep my Grand Cherokee I already own, and shut up about cars already. But when it comes to cars, I’m just not that sane .

So let’s say you’re going to be living in a particularly yuppie and/or hipster-infested part of Chicago with many restaurants and bars that use the word ‘artisinal’ to describe things, and where reserving a parking spot in the winter means first digging it out and then putting a piece of lawn furniture in it until you can put your car there. (You might not actually have a lawn, but you own lawn furniture for calling dibs on parking spaces.) You take public transit to work so your car is mostly for running errands and other trips that don’t work for taking transit, or for getting out of the city.

To me, desirable qualities in a vehicle include:

Decent-or-better fuel economy

Good enough power and handling to hit small gaps in traffic

Smooth enough ride to deal with shitty potholes

Small enough to parallel park on streets as pictured above

4wd/awd

Not too nice because someone’s inevitably going to mess it up

Kiiiiiiinda focusing on automatic transmission

“Not boring”

Let’s say $35k-ish price cap, used but not too old or high mileage is fine

What do you choose?

Option A: My 2005 Grand Cherokee Hemi with 3 eLSDs, beefy winter-rated all-terrain tires, and laughably bad fuel economy. In a way it’s kinda perfect in spite of the terrible mileage. It’s heavy and the brakes are a bit mushy which in heavy traffic makes for some heavy standing on the brake pedal, but uprated pads and stainless lines could help this.

Option B: (your idea, and why)

CB > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:16

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Maybe a WRX, because it has decent power, isn’t huge, and the fuel economy isn’t that terrible.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:18

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Despite its underpoweredness and lack of AWD, I submit the Honda Fit. It’s VERY easy to parallel park, the ride is decent, and they can swallow a lot of gear.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:20

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Where in the city are you moving to, by the way?

nermal > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:20

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You need an i3. At least go test drive one and see how great they work in the city. Put snow tires on it in the winter, no need for AWD.

Textured Soy Protein > nermal 07/22/2015 at 14:22

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I’d be renting thus unable to install a charger at home.

OPPOsaurus WRX > CB 07/22/2015 at 14:22

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that was all good until the pothole part. hitting a pothole in a WRX feels like a massive collision with the street

CB > OPPOsaurus WRX 07/22/2015 at 14:22

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Put a suspension lift on it?

MPA > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:23

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My friend just moved up there and sold his VW Toureg and bought a Honda Fit since he won’t be driving much.

Patrick Nichols > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:25

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Tank

And here’s why (my words in bold):

To me, desirable qualities in a vehicle include:

Decent-or-better fuel economy. Why pay for gas when you have a tank.

Good enough power and handling to hit small gaps in traffic. Think what Doug did to that PT Cruiser only it could be you all the time.

Smooth enough ride to deal with shitty potholes. Tracks won’t dip into pot holes as far.

Small enough to parallel park on streets as pictured above. Park it anywhere and dare them to be towed.

4wd/awd. Tracks.

Not too nice because someone’s inevitably going to mess it up. You have a gun for when they inevitably scratch it...

Let’s say $35k-ish price cap, used but not too old or high mileage is fine . Aforementioned big ass gun can recoup your investment fairly quickly... Use your imagination.

tromoly > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:26

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Driving in Chicago is frustrating at times, bicycles are much quicker and easier to get around downtown with.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:26

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cant go wrong with an Evo X

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:30

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Textured Soy Protein > Where have all the lightweights gone? 07/22/2015 at 14:34

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At first I’d be in my grandma’s old condo in Hyde Park. She’s in assisted living now but her condo hasn’t sold. I could stay there rent free and it has a parking space in a gated lot.

I live with my gf here in Madison and she’d be staying in our townhouse here for the time being. I’d do a lot of back-n-forth to start with but whichever of my 2 cars I didn’t bring to Chicago with me in a given week, I could leave at my townhouse.

At some point grandma’s condo will sell, and my gf will move to Chicago as well. Looking at these zip codes, roughly....

Textured Soy Protein > tromoly 07/22/2015 at 14:35

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I’d have a bike too.

They can take my car from my cold, dead hands!

tromoly > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:40

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Don’t worry, when you’ve crashed off the icy highway and died the snow and salt will rot the car away around you, that’ll take the car off your cold, dead hands.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:41

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Here is the car you need for Chicago.

Textured Soy Protein > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 07/22/2015 at 14:41

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That’s what I’ll be “driving” to work!

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:42

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My friend lives near Lincoln and Irving Park Roads. It’s a very nice area. If you need a realtor, I can connect you with someone that’s helped 2 of my friends find gems.

scoob > Patrick Nichols 07/22/2015 at 14:43

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No one needs an explanation to buy a tank.

scoob > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 07/22/2015 at 14:43

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How about an Evo XI

Jkjkjkjk

Under_Score > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 14:48

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HR-V LX? They’re small, fuel efficient, have AWD, a higher ground clearance, and aren’t as nice as the EX and EX-L models.

Textured Soy Protein > Where have all the lightweights gone? 07/22/2015 at 14:50

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Possibly, I have to get a job there first though. ;)

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:00

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Focus RS/STi/Golf R

There are no other choices

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:07

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I live in Evanston and my only vehicle is an FR-S. It works great! A good set of snow tires in the winter and you’ll be fine.

If you’re going for automatic though, I’d probably opt for a GTI, because that dual-clutch it a great transmissions. Probably one of the best automatics you can get in that price range.

If it absolutely has to be AWD, then a WRX is the most obvious answer. Although I’d try to find a 3 or 5 series xi.

RazoE > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:14

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1st gen Rav4. The most reliable thing in the world, optional 4WD, and 2 door versions are comically small on the outside. Do it. Do it now.

WiscoProud > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:22

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As someone who lived in Chicago for 8 years, and in the West Loop for five, I have some insight into your questions. Number one, either vehicle is fine due to the good public transit system. There is an exceedingly high chance that if you work downtown you will not have parking, and will be taking the train (which still runs in blizzards), so what you drive on the weekends isn’t that important.

Second, which is far more important, is that you are going to need to pay for parking and that parking will likely only be available with newer construction. The neighborhoods like you described (Lincoln park, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, etc.) parking is at an absolute premium. You likely will have difficulty finding street parking for one vehicle, let alone two. At our last apartment in downtown, my wife and I were paying between $200-250 per spot/month for garage spaces. This was on top of our already elevated rent payment. So unless you’re going to be crushing it, its much more economical to only bring one vehicle. An actual garage is worth its weight in gold in Chicago, considering accidents, vandalism, break-ins, etc. I actually had the catalytic converter stolen off my truck. Chicago also sold off the parking meter rights, so many streets that used to allow free parking are now pay.

Let me know if you have any questions.

WiscoProud > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:24

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What is your budget for rent? Based on your map, the Uptown area will be cheapest, with Lincoln or Wicker park being most expensive. You need to factor in parking fees as well.

Hyde park can be beautiful or scary depending on where you are.

Textured Soy Protein > WiscoProud 07/22/2015 at 15:41

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Grandma’s condo is in the nice part of Hyde Park...E 50th & Lake Shore.

I’d say the top end of my range for rent is $2500/month but I’ll have a better idea of that once I get a job. I kinda dig the neighborhoods along Milwaukee Ave like Wicker Park and Logan Square.

WiscoProud > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:44

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Wicker park is a lot of fun, but $2,500 might not get you much. I lived in logan square when I first moved, and its an up and coming neighborhood. Not to mention an easy ride on the blue line. I've heard that its getting popular due to people being priced out of Wicker park, so it may be a good option. You will need off street parking though for security.

Textured Soy Protein > WiscoProud 07/22/2015 at 15:44

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I’ll be making pretty solid but not crazy money, to keep it vague. I’m mostly looking at places that are like 2-flat or 3-flat buildings with detached garages in back. Occasionally they’re advertised with the garage space included but often yeah there’s that separate parking fee. I really want at least 1 garage space. My grandma’s condo has a space in a gated lot so I’m set for the short term.

WiscoProud > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 15:51

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I would do that while you look for something more long-term. If you’re doing a 2/3 flat be aware that they typically do not have AC or laundry on-site, unless they have been fully rehabbed. Also carrying groceries. or anything else, to the top of a three flat is exhausting. Also the alleys are the last thing to be plowed, if ever, so if you're parking is off the alley AWD or 4wd is very nice to have.

area man > nermal 07/22/2015 at 15:53

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Those things are laughably bad in slippery conditions.

Textured Soy Protein > WiscoProud 07/22/2015 at 15:59

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Yeah that budget is borderline in Wicker Park for the amenities I want, which are more than 1.5+ bathrooms, cats allowed, somewhere to grill, and garage space(s). I’d rather be in a townhouse-type building split up into flats than a big apartment building. This is a pretty good example of the places I’m looking at, except it’s only off-street parking not a garage, and it’s on Division St when I’d rather be on a side street.

Fun story: the part of Humboldt Park between the park and Western Ave is now sometimes referred to in property listings as “West Wicker Park.” There’s actually a lot of rehabbed properties in that area now but it’s still slightly questionable once you go west of Western Ave there.

Rock Bottom > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:00

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The answer is always... JEEP XJ! Or in your case, 10 of them (at $35,000 cap). Sorry about the fuel burn though. 17 mpg is pretty rough, but if you only buy one XJ instead of 10, you can use the money you save to buy 20 years worth of fuel.

nermal > area man 07/22/2015 at 16:01

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Source? Everything I’ve read says they go great with snow tires.

samssun > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:02

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The ideal car for Chicago is small and AWD. RS3, STI, Focus RS. Prepare to be gouged on your tag, plates, insurance, city sticker, zone permit, tolls, meters, and garages (22% tax!)

WiscoProud > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:07

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I had read that realtors were calling Logan Square “West Wicker Park” a couple of years ago, not surprised they’re still doing it. I lived by Kedzie and Armitage, which could get sketchy at times, but the rent was cheap. My wife lived by Milwaukee and Fullerton, next to the Whistler, which was ultra convenient for the train.

It sounds like you’re going to likely wind up in Logan Square. It was a nice unpretentious area when I lived there, and I’m sure its gotten a lot better since then. Parts will seem scarier than Madison, but don't worry about it.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:11

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A HS friend is also looking to rent their place out. Also in a nice area. http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/513430…

Rico > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:14

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If you were going to ditch both cars I’d say a Mazda CX 5 AWD. You can get a 2014 right now for under $22k by next year a 2015 will be going for as much. If you are keeping the Jeep but still want a small, sporty car a CPO 228i M Sport!

CompactLuxuryFan > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:18

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Suzuki Kizashi AWD. Or is that too boring?

area man > nermal 07/22/2015 at 16:18

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It’s the regen braking that’s the problem: http://bmwi3owner.com/2014/02/winter…

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 07/22/2015 at 16:49

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I’ve done rwd + snow tires before when I had an NB Miata. “Performance” Blizzaks weren’t quite enough snow traction, so I switched to just straight up Blizzaks with no sporting pretenses which worked better.

After that care I had a Mazdasped 6 after, and with “performance” Blizzaks it was better in the snow than the full Blizzaks on the Miata.

My Grand Cherokee with 3 eLSDs and General Grabber AT2s (all-terrains rated for severe snow duty) kills those cars in snow.

Textured Soy Protein > Rock Bottom 07/22/2015 at 16:51

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So...did you see the part about I have an ‘05 WK with Hemi & Quadra-Drive II?

Textured Soy Protein > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 07/22/2015 at 16:52

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The Recaros are too tight for my over-muscled thighs.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 16:54

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I drove a RWD 4Runner with a eLSD and really nice all seasons when I first moved here,a dn the FR-S with Blizzak WS-80s is waaayyyy better.

On Super Bowl Sunday when we had that blizzard I went driving for fun with some friends, and never even came close to getting stuck. Passed plenty of awd/4x4 cars and crossovers that were stuck though. With proper snow tires the FR-S handles great in winter. Did awesome in some rallyx on a frozen lake in Wisconsin too!

We should grab a drink with some other Oppos when you get down here btw.

Rock Bottom > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 17:04

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Small enough to parallel park on streets as pictured above

Not too nice because someone’s inevitably going to mess it up

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 07/22/2015 at 17:06

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Sure, snow tires are going to be impressive compared to non-snow tires. I’m comparing all of these on snow tires.

If you’re thinking of Auto LSD on the rwd 5th gen 4Runner, even though it has LSD in the name, it’s not actually an LSD. It’s an open diff with spiffy traction control to somewhat mimic an LSD.

With my Miata, which had a Torsen LSD, I started on Blizzak LM-22s and then went to WS-60s. The LM series are more sporty and less good in winter than WS series. The WS-60s made it pretty good. It had a Torsen LSD.

My MS6 had Blizzak LM-25s. That car with a sorta-kinda center LSD (computer-actuated clutch pack/power takeoff unit) and rear Torsen LSD on LM-25s was way better in the winter than the Miata on WS-60s.

My Grand Cherokee has 3 proper computer-controlled LSDs that can each go to full lock. With those, the ground clearance, and tires, it’s a monster in the snow.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 17:09

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Yeah, I’m aware it wasn’t a true LSD on the 4Runner.

My only point is that AWD really isn’t necessary in the winter, and it’s definitely going to compromise you on the decent-or-better fuel economy.

With your criteria I’d honestly look for a Tacoma. Then you can buy a track car and tow it places! :D

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 07/22/2015 at 17:49

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Basically we’re on the same page. Where we differ is that while I know it’s not necessary , all else being equal (i.e. proper winter tires) it’s better .

MLGCarGuy > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 19:01

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How about an Audi S4?

It’s not the best on gas (19/28), but otherwise it’s got Quattro for winter, 330 hp for overtaking and to keep you awake, it’s smooth, and it looks good.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Here’s a used one for $33k.

Maxi Cooper ¯\_()_/¯ > Textured Soy Protein 07/22/2015 at 21:04

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I think a used mid-2000s Legacy would do well. Smoother ride than a WRX, not as “nice” or new so no worries about rock chips or salt affecting the paint, AWD but likely gets decent mileage, and the GT versions have pretty decent power.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein 07/23/2015 at 01:09

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Raider, Samurai, 500x, Countryman or my favorite...

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein 07/23/2015 at 09:49

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Fair enough.

Well, either way, welcome to the city!