"Straightsix9904" (Straightsix9904) 02/17/2017 at 12:35 • Filed to: None

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I’m about to ask a question that has been asked 495,040,123 times. What car should I buy with my VW cash? I’m getting about $29k, I would like to keep my budget around $20K to $25k so I can pay cash and drop one of my car payments, however, the absolute most I want to spend is 32K(ish). This car is the one my wife drives so it has to be dead reliable, so no 1970 wagon suggestions. We recently moved to a city and don’t do that much driving, so gas mileage isn’t terribly important. I prefer something sporty(ish) with a high quality interior. My wife is on the shorter side (4’8”) so she needs something she can see out of, so adjustability in the drivers cockpit is definitely a bonus. She also prefers hatchbacks. Also, I really like German cars, but I have a 335 so that itch is scratched when I drive my car.

Here is my list so far:

Volvo V60 – pros : super nice, dead sexy, wagon largest and most practical Cons : budget stretcher, they are stopping production, probably expensive to service/maintain

Mini 2dr or 4dr – Pros: fun, customizable, Cons : Reliability, expensive to maintain

Fiat 500 Abarth – Pros: DAT EXHAUST!, small, maneuverable Cons: Cheap interior, super small

Lexus CT 200H – Pros : Nice, fuel mileage, interior Cons : Nicer Prius, would probably stretch budget

Prius: Pros Wife interested: Cons: UGLY! BORING! EVERYTHING ELSE! HELL NO!

Anything else I’m missing? I am not terribly crazy about anything Korean or Ford. We live in the deep south so AWD is never needed, could really even go RWD.

Have a Swedish racing green v60, a car that I can’t afford :(

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:38

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NISMO RS, you can get them new for your budget.

Nibby > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:40

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buy a $500 beater and give $28,000 to contribute to the Jalopnik Gold fund

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:41

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My ballot goes to Volvo. I’ve known people to have horror stories with Mini ownership. It’s insulting to even see the Prius on your list. :p

The Lexus, meh, it’d probably be nice but I really don’t think their styling is aging well.

And I’ve seen enough 500 Abarths to know that I would never buy one. They’re cool in that they’re unique and quirky. But then I imagine that being my car. Nope.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:41

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You could find a really nice late model GS in that range. Not brand new but maybe 3 years old? So worth it. Even the 2nd gen GS300s are still great to drive and fun to drive to this day. My sister has had two(one totaled) with 465k miles combined

Tripper > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:44

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gawdzillla > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 12:56

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my wife has a mini, its ok ... you got the pros and cons correct.

you dont NEED awd, but sounds like you are ok with hatchback, look at subaru, they have the Crosstrek XV, i like it, take it for a spin

do NOT get that CT200, it drives horrible, makes you hate life

i had a chance of driving it for 3 hrs and i hated every second of it

i am only 5 8 170 lbs i am not big by any means and i feel that thing doesnt haev room, i even prefer sitting in a hardtop miata.

aebome > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 13:04

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I know you said you weren’t really considering Korean, but the Hyundai Genesis/Genesis G80 is something to look at. Used 2015-2016s with the new bodystyle /interiors are right in your price range: 2015 Gensis 3.8 . It’s Korean, not a hatchback and only mildly sporting, but it is a lot for the money.

Straightsix9904 > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 02/17/2017 at 13:22

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Ugh, dislike. I hate the fake SUV things

Straightsix9904 > aebome 02/17/2017 at 13:23

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They are huge though. Not a great city car.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 13:27

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Whoa, ease off with that when talking to The Crazie Kanuck! Them’s is fightin’ words!

Straightsix9904 > Nibby 02/17/2017 at 13:46

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I’ve been meaning to talk to somebody about that. I wrote my $25,000 to Torchinsky a few weeks ago but my account was never upgraded.

Textured Soy Protein > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 14:23

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Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring

180 hp turbo motor, sportified a little over the regular Civic, has a hatch, comfy but manageable size, runs on regular fuel unlike many turbo cars that need premium. Styling is fussy. $28,300 fully loaded.

Hyundai Elantra Sport

201 hp turbo, gets a multilink rear suspension instead of the usual Elantra twist beam, looks good, sportified, runs on regular. Not a hatchback. $25,985 fully loaded. (Can sorta be had in hatchback form as the Kia Forte5 SX but that one has the twist beam rear suspension and is more expensive by a few grand when loaded up.)

Straightsix9904 > Textured Soy Protein 02/17/2017 at 17:21

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Oh Honda! Didn’t think about this one!

Textured Soy Protein > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 17:43

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I know you said you don’t like Korean stuff but the Elantra Sport is supposed to be good, if a little numb in the steering. Check the link in my original post. Hyundai is being pretty aggressive on incentives. There’s a $2000 rebate thru February. So even before any dealer discount you’d be looking at $23,985 + tax. Could certainly be within your range of paying cash. The Civic Sport Touring is basically $5k more than that.

Straightsix9904 > Textured Soy Protein 02/17/2017 at 18:49

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Ouch. $5k cheaper. That actually may be worth a look.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Straightsix9904 02/17/2017 at 22:16

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These are super reliable, can easily be had for your price or cheaper, and are quite frankly, awesome.

I have even had the opportunity to beat a stock one around a racetrack when I worked at the Volvo dealer. Only issue it had was overheating the gearbox, otherwise it took it like a champ.

CB > Straightsix9904 02/19/2017 at 13:07

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If you can wait and want a hatch for convenience’s sake, apparently there’s a new Elantra GT Sport coming out in 2018.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Straightsix9904 02/19/2017 at 13:25

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Ok, I’ll take one for the team: what about a Yaris or a iM Corolla (the hatchback)? Well below your budget, reliable, no nonsense, simple. Not sexy, I know. But that’s an extra $10k in your back pocket to boot!

Straightsix9904 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/19/2017 at 14:04

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I drove a Corolla for 9 years.....I’ve put my time in, God even said I could skip purgatory.