So that's why Oppos keep choosing a GTI...

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
12/12/2018 at 21:47 • Filed to: None

I’ve been shopping for a Turbo Beetle replacement. I want an entertaining automatic(my wife has no interest in learning manual and as long as my 996 is manual, I’d be fine with a good auto for the other car ), a little more space, something that can have a roof rack, and preferably 4 doors. I don’t want to spend too much.

All the things I ruled out:

- BMW X1; I’d be really interested in a RWD X1 with the m sport package but there are none of those in my area. And there are very few X1s in general in my area.

- 135i; I’ve always wanted a 1 series but this would be probably too small and too impractical to serve the purpose I’m hoping for.

- VW Sportwagen 4 Motion; not much for used inventory and I don’t think I’m ready to drop $20k on a brand new car; especially since I’d be tempted to do a ECU and DSG tune.

And the on e car I can’t rule out(this is a CPO 2014) :

And the GTI, in comparison, looks pretty darn great. It’s got space comparable to the X1 and a better engine and DSG tune than the Sportwagen. It probably can’t hold a candle to the 135i in some manners but running costs should be way lower and practicality is way better. I need to do some test drives with my wife but man, I have a hard time imagining that I’ll find a better all around car than the GTI.

DISCUSSION (26)

sony1492 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/12/2018 at 22:08

If you find an R you’ll have awd and more hp/ potential.(aluminum interior accents most importantly)

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/12/2018 at 22:14

Don’t rule out a GolfR

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/12/2018 at 22:38

...RWD X1? Huh. I didn’t realize the first gen could be had that way. I figured it was always FWD or AWD. Neato. I always liked the X1.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/12/2018 at 23:06

I drove one of these, and I definitely liked it as a lightly used value. (Dealers around here wouldn’t deal on the warm or hot hatches.)

Crazy as it sounds though, you might want to take a look at Kia. I know, right? Makes no sense. But damn if they don’t have some very practical cars that are easy to like, and surprisingly well-built. Maybe not quite as big a grin, but the Soul ! is not half bad, and the Soul Turbo is actually good .

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
12/12/2018 at 23:47

X1 beca me FWD-based (rebadged Mini, if you prefer) the following generation. The original X1 is kind of (?) based on the 3 series. They might share a platform... Maybe. Either way: I like them, too.

gettingoldercarguy > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 00:05

Check out the WRX. Fantastic handling, pretty quick, fuel economy is way above rated i f you’re easy on the throttle. Good luggage space, roof rack capable, awd. Great resale and reliability.

Tristan > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 00:27

Just buy the GTI. Or be like me and buy the heavier, slower Mexican-built version.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 00:58

“Running costs should be way lower”

I’ve owned my 2012 GTI that had 58k miles on it when I bought it for a little under a year and have racked up almost $8k in repair bills already.

I love the little thing but the moment the warranty is out it’s going away. I recommend it as long as you get a DeMuro style bumper to bumper warranty.

Saracen > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 01:51

I second and third Golf R recommendations.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
12/13/2018 at 08:54

I think it’s pretty cool that you could get them RWD. And the M Sport come without plastic cladding and lowered.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/13/2018 at 08:56

Mother of god! $8k?

If you check out consumer reports they indicate that the 2013-14 were much less problematic than 11-12. VW definitely seems to be a company that irons things out through model runs. But yeah, the goal would be to at least get a 2yr bumper to bumper.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/13/2018 at 08:57

I’d be open to test driving the new Soul or Forte 5SX. Good thought.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > sony1492
12/13/2018 at 08:59

Yeah, an R from the recent gen to get the DSG blows up the budget though.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Tristan
12/13/2018 at 09:00

I’d be open to a GLI but I’d rather have a hatch.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > gettingoldercarguy
12/13/2018 at 09:01

The WRX lacks the one thing I’d really like though which is an engaging manual mode automatic.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
12/13/2018 at 09:02

Probably too much coin but yeah that would be preferable.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Saracen
12/13/2018 at 09:02

See above; budget too small for the R.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/13/2018 at 09:05

Indeed; the X1 shared a platform with the E9X platform. And as I mentioned to the other person the M Sport package gets rid of the cladding and lowers it ; turning it into a 3 series hatchback essentially.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Tristan
12/13/2018 at 09:56

I’ll say this; there are two things the GLI has going for it:

- comparable miles and year cars are $1,000-2,000 cheaper

- cars available in red(only GTIs I find in auto and 4 door are black, grey, and white)

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 09:59

Please not the CVT WRX, saying after having driven one

how about a used A3 quattro?

If you want a Turbo AwD automatic s edan which is also a hatch, a Kia stinger might be an option. It is a big car though. But the prices on the 2.0t have been steadily dropping.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 10:53

Just thought of another one. It’s no GTI when it comes to performance or handling but ticks all the boxes.

Elantra GT Sp ort hatchback

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-hyundai-elantra-gt-sport-first-drive-review

Tristan > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 12:18

Cheaper is why I have one. I got mine for $6500. A comparable GTI was nowhere to be found for under $10k.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/13/2018 at 22:50

I’ ve had all the big problems happen. Timing chains, front end problems, CV axles, water leaks, among other things I’ve nitpicked ... I have an appointment for the 8th for another list of things.

AM3R, lost another burner > gettingoldercarguy
12/14/2018 at 01:04

What kind of fuel economy do you see in your wrx?

AM3R, lost another burner > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
12/14/2018 at 01:05

335i

gettingoldercarguy > AM3R, lost another burner
12/14/2018 at 02:41

25-30 in the city depending on my foot. 45+ on the freeway taking it easy.