"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
02/20/2019 at 13:27 • Filed to: None
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"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
02/20/2019 at 13:27 • Filed to: None | 0
| 8 |
** D isclaimer: this got long and I have no clue what car(s) I want to buy next. All opinions welcome!**
After starting my own business and consulting for a year and a half, I’m back to work full-time for one of my consulting clients. I negotiated a decent base salary (as well as up to a 40% bonus), so the time has come to address my car situation.
Currently I have an 03 Boxster, and a 2005 Touareg. The Treg has always been good to me in spite of it’s reputation and advancing age, however the last few months have seen some slight electrical gremlins start to appear. I can deal with fixable mechanical stuff , but I draw the line at intermittent electrical issues that are hard (impossible!) to diagnose, let alone fix . So, I think it’s time to retire the Treg and get something a bit newer and more reliable. The Boxster gets use year round w/snow tires, but it’s not exactly a spring chicken so I don’t take it on business trips unless the location and weather make sense. (I generally work from home, but drive to DC/Boston once or twice a month. Any business trips within ~4 hours I usually drive)
I need something that can do a little hauling (Home Depot, camping , etc) so I’m thinking hatchback or another SUV. I’m open to a lease (up to ~ $400/m) or used (CPO preferred ) in the $ 25,000 range . From history, I know those numbers can go up or down if I really like something, or if I like more than one thing.
My first thought is a CPO VW GTI...I had a MkII a long time ago and I never got over the fact that it was stolen. I’ve also driven the newest gen of both the Golf and GTI and really liked them.
From an SUV perspective, I was impressed by the new Tiguan (and the cheap lease deals), however there are two issues: 1) my girlfriend has one, so it would look weird on weekends when there are two in the driveway, and more importantly 2) I’m used to a V8 Touareg. All this turbo-buzzy-4 stuff does not make me happy. It’s fine in a smaller car but jeez, I don’t like them in crossovers/SUVs. I’ve looked at some newer used V6 Touaregs but I’d kinda like something different. The new Honda CR-V was also too buzzy. What else is out there?
I’m not totally against a sedan, but it would have to be fun . The 2014 Mercedes E550's are creeping into the $25k range, however I’d like to stick with something CPO and not get a surprise $4,000 repair bill in the first two years. But damn, if I find a low-mile 2009 E550 I’ll be tempted to factor in the maintenance.
** That reminds me....there is a 188" length limit to any vehicles, so I can get them into the garage and still walk around them **
Longer term, I’ve though about selling the Boxster and picking up a 996 C4S. I could do without a roadster in the short term, and I think the C4S would hold it’s value and then some.
I’ve also toyed with going cheap on a DD replacement for the Touareg and swapping out the 986 with a 981 Boxster t hat could double as a DD.
Like I said, I’m all over the place....looking for some different thoughts as I’m clearly in a narrow-German focus at them moment!!!
Thanks Oppo!
412GTI
> Thomas Donohue
02/20/2019 at 15:31 |
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You’ll never see me not recommend a GTI or Golf R. I very much enjoy mine and find it to be a great mix of sportiness, comfort, utility and decent fuel economy.
The turbo 4 will certainly be a different experience from your V8, however these only have a slight amount of turbo lag. Really, it’s the transmission (DSG) that seems to hold back performance in the name of fuel economy thus making these a little laggy.
CPO would be a great choice or there’s some very aggressive dealers in the D.C area to could probably get you close to 25 OTD and you’d get the great new VW warranty.
SUV wise, if you like the size and capability of the Tou ra eg, i’d def consider a Grand Cherokee. It’s one of my favorite SUVs to rent/drive.
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Thomas Donohue
> 412GTI
02/20/2019 at 15:52 |
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I’ll have to check out a Grand Cherokee...haven’t driven one since the 90s.
I definitely want an SE (sunroof and heated seats are mandatory) but I’ll have to look locally (NJ/NY) at what the dealers are offering. I’ve seen some loaded CPO 2016's w/LSD and less than 35k miles for under $20k.
Also, I didn’t realize VW went to a 6 year/72k warranty...nice!
E92M3
> Thomas Donohue
02/20/2019 at 16:05 |
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CPO Cayenne. Come on you can afford it.
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412GTI
> Thomas Donohue
02/20/2019 at 16:26 |
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I went with a 17 Sport - which gets SE features on a S, so p ush to s tart, performance park, unique wheels, heated cloth, however, no sunroof.
It’s been great for the near 16k I’ve put on it, however the new warranty would be a great plus.
Here is the dealer I almost bought from. They really blow their prices out and I would have gone through them if my local dealer didn’t match it.
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Thomas Donohue
> E92M3
02/20/2019 at 16:46 |
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Stop it!!!!
I can afford it, but honestly the $12,000 premium over the Touareg isn’t worth it, IMO
Now the Turbo, on the other hand.....
AfromanGTO
> Thomas Donohue
02/20/2019 at 17:08 |
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Let’s ignore the max length for now.
What about a used Raptor? It is something coming from left field, but hold on. They have a great resell value, and you’ll be able to sell it pretty quickly.
My other suggestion is a used C63 coupe or sedan. Mainly because they sound amazing.
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Thomas Donohue
> AfromanGTO
02/20/2019 at 17:23 |
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A pickup is definitely on the map for a fourth car, but not sure I want to be rolling up and down 95 in one. The C63 is something I’ve looked at, but the slightly larger E550 with a twin turbo V8 is a little more usable to me, and a bit less conspicuous . Y ou can also find them in good shape, as the C63's I’ve seen are a bit beat up, and those AMG bills are even higher than standard MB maintenance .
But yes, the sound of that C63....
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Thomas Donohue
> 412GTI
02/20/2019 at 17:26 |
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I don’t see many leftover 18's up here, but thanks for that link. I’ve already taken some screen-shots to show to my dealers (I have two VW dealers, each less than four miles from me. Competition is good!)