Turo Options

"BeaterGT" (beatergt) 02/05/2019 at 10:15 • Filed to: Turo, Phoenix

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Oppo, I could use your input on these fine German vehicles. Got a trip to Phoenix coming up and want to allocate a day for some driving. Have no prior experience with any of these, so what would you pick for a day out and about?

And if we have any Phoenix Oppos, I’ll gladly take any advice on the area in general or meet up for a beer. Also, shout out to the Turo owners for the decent pictures.

Option 1: 2016 Manual Golf R.

Option 2: 2017 DSG Golf R

Option 3: 2006 Manual Porsche Cayman S

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:20

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How much do they cost? If they’re all pretty close, go Parsh. is that a base Cayman or an S?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:21

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Are you just going to be in the city, or will you get a chance to drive out into the desert / mountains?

DSG Golf if city (Phoenix traffic blows), either of the manual ones if desert. Maybe even the Golf over the Porsche since roads may be a bit rough. 

WilliamsSW > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:22

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Not exactly comparable, but I’ve driven a GTI with the DSG, and a ‘13 Boxster S with a manual.

The GTI was a lot of fun.  The Boxster is what they drive in heaven.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:27

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If you choose the Golf, get the DSG. Everyone needs to experience the DSG. Also, with the weakness of the Golf manual clutch and being in a rental, there is a chance that goes out on you. 

Arrivederci > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:30

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Cayman, then DSG Golf R.

BeaterGT > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/05/2019 at 10:31

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The plan is to take it out of the city to somewhere it can be enjoyed responsibly.  This is my first time visiting but also have plans to mountain bike and whatnot so hopefully not too much time spent in traffic.

BeaterGT > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 02/05/2019 at 10:33

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The Golf Rs are twins at around $70 and it’s a Cayman S at just under $100.

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/05/2019 at 10:34

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That weak, eh? I don’t plan on really abusing it but seems like DSG might be the way to go.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:37

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I personally don’t like the DSG but I like most autos; so I’d say definitely the Golf R manual. That being said, many folks like the DSG, so you won’t be disappointed either way. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 10:38

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Slip city. They are designed to hold exactly what the engine is rated for. The problem is, these two departments don’t communicate, and some cars tend to make a bit more. 

BeaterGT > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/05/2019 at 10:44

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Haha, I should have known this decision wasn’t going to get any easier. Might get the DSG just because I drive manual cars 99% of the year. Or I m ay have to rent a different car for each day....

DipodomysDeserti > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/05/2019 at 11:05

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We have traffic? I guess having driven in LA, New York, Chicago and Houston, ours seems miniscule compa red to other big cities. The golf tournament is in town, so traffic in North Scottsdale will be a nightmare.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 11:05

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Do the 2 Golf Rs belong to the same guy (given that photos are taken in the same spot)? Pretty nice way to fund your addiction, I suppose...as long as you don’t mind strangers driving your car on a regular basis. 

BeaterGT > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 02/05/2019 at 11:08

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Yep! And t he guy offering the Cayman has a bunch of other Porsches and recently took down a modded 2012 Golf R that was leading my list of cars to rent.

I’ve considered the T uro business model briefly... very briefly.

Spanfeller is a twat > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 11:09

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my ex lives in Phoenix, and she was overwhelmed by traffic and heat.

Get the DSG Golf.

BeaterGT > Spanfeller is a twat 02/05/2019 at 11:15

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H eard a lot about the heat hence the snowbird visit . Thanks for the suggestion!  I’ll try and stay clear of the ex too :)

DipodomysDeserti > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 11:16

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For fu n places to drive you can take the 87 up to Payson then the 260 west over to Camp Verde. You can head back the way you came or if you’re tired ride the I17 back down to Phoenix. You’ll go from desert to forested mountains and ride along the Mogollon Rim. You’ll pass Four Peaks on your way to Payson which will have snow on it. That Brewery is off the 260 just north of Payson in Pine. Cool little mountain town with a few craft shops.

What area of Phoenix are you staying in?

Spanfeller is a twat > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 11:21

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She probably sits half of the day on Scottsdale traffic.

I’m sure Skychismo can help you the most, specially for bike trails 

BeaterGT > DipodomysDeserti 02/05/2019 at 11:30

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First part of the trip I will be closer to downtown and then I will be getting a different Airbnb north of Phoenix closer to Phoenix Preserve and McDowell Mountain Park for the driving/mountain bike portion .

Thank you so much for the routes! The Golf Rs come with more mileage so may have to go for one of those.

nermal > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 11:49

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Get the Porch. Watch out for rattlesnakes and old people. Don’t pet the cactus, despite the temptation. Don’t stand out in the sun for too long.

This concludes your AZ travel guide. 

OmerCarrothers333 > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 12:01

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Just get the DSG. If you have it in “ manual” or “sport”, it will hold the revs. Hell, just keeping it in regular is pretty fun too.

BeaterGT > nermal 02/05/2019 at 12:10

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Cactus... Cuddly? Also accepting brewery recommendations! 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > DipodomysDeserti 02/05/2019 at 12:36

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My experience was that the freeways were whatever, same as any large city but no worse than Denver, Portland, or Dallas. The surface streets, though, were nothing but traffic lights and idiots going less than  30mph.

DipodomysDeserti > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 13:03

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You’ll be good to go for trails in the Phoenix and McDowell mountains. They’re filled with them. If you want a bit more hardcore stuff you can head down to the South Mountain preserve. I don’t know the McDowell Mountains too well, but if you head into the Phoenix mountains at Dreamy Draw, you’ll have access to trails that will take you halfway through Phoenix proper. There’s also the Shaw Butte area a bit north of that. It’s prime time for desert activities with highs in the 70s. We also just got rain, so the desert should be nice and green.

If you want to get some legit hiking in you can head east on the 60 to the Superstition Mountains. Depending on the trailhead, you can’t bike (wilderness area), but you get to see some beautiful desert. You can take the Peralta Trail up to Freemont Saddle for a nice 2 hour or so hike with a beautiful view. Bring lots of water and a map. Lots of people get lost out there. It’s a well travelled trail, but you are still in the middle of the desert. Camelback Mountain is centrally located, but will be filled with women in yoga pants.

Phoenix has been going through a restaurant boom over the last few years, so there’s a ton of places. None of them are bad, but most are ble h. They’re all the same place. Here’s my food recommendations.

Downtown:

Larder and the delta : tiny chef owned joint with southern inspired dishes. Very small place, so you might have to wait if you’re there during prime hours. Love this guy’s cooking.

The Breadfruit and Rum Bar : one of my favorite places in Phoenix. Great Jamaican food, cool ambiance with a very good music selection, and a shit ton of rum. Pricey, but it’s worth it.

Welcome Diner : very casual, old school style American diner with great food and drinks. Nice place to hang out and relax. It’s in the middle of a neighborhood, which gives it a cool vibe.

The Coronado : if you feel like eating vegetarian. This place also has amazing drinks.

Carolina’s : this place is legit, and by legit, you feel like you’re in Tijuana when eating here. C heap Mexican food in the middle of a bit of a sketchy neighborhood. It’s crowded at lunch, which is the best time to go.

Wild Thaiger : legit T hai food, nuff said. Phoenix has a fairly decently sized Thai and Vietnamese population, and lots of families will open up restaurants in random strip malls. If you see a Thai or Vietnamese restaurant in a strip mall, it’s probably delicious.

If you’re feeling brave hit up El Norteno . D irt fucking cheap Mexican food , and you get the real Phoenix experience. Once watched someone overdose on heroine here. If you eat here, I’ll award you ten Phoenix bucks and strip away you’re snowbird status.

The rest of downtown Phoenix is an ASU inspired hellscape. You’ll feel like you’re in one giant, open air student union building.

Central Phoenix:

Sun Up : best pub in Phoenix. Tons of beers, cool atmosphere, good cheap food.

East Phoenix: everywhere in the east valley is tailored towards bored, rich, white women . Everything is high quality, but I just can’t bring myself to recommend them. Here’s what I can stomach:

Buck and Rider : love this place. All sorts of stuff on the menu. My favorite is the seared Ahi burger. Not too fancy, not too casual. Rich peo ple casual.

OHSO brewery : great pub. Really good beer and food. They also make their own spirits and have some very interesting offerings at the Scottsdale location (horseradish vodka changed my life)

North Phoenix: the further north you go the more it sucks. Sunnyslope is really the last bastion of coolness in north Phoenix

El Salvadoreno : this place is awesome. If you’re never had a pu pusa, you need to go here. They also have a selection of El Salvadorean beers.

El Rinconcito DF: really the only place to get legit Mexican food in Phoenix (there was another, but they’re going vegan). Mexico City style street food. The parking lot is a bit sketchy, don’t hang out in the park across the street. The place is a bit haphazardly run, but they have good food. If you’ve never had huaraches, try one out. Also, the red salsa is actually hot, so be careful.

If you want Italian food or breakfast, you’ll have to hit up the restaurant that is my kitchen, as I don’t bother getting it from anywhere else. Also, the traffic here is not that bad. Rush hour lasts about an hour and a half and moves smoothly. I drive a manual Jeep around in it. Definitely wouldn’t choose your transmission based on our traffic.

DipodomysDeserti > Spanfeller is a twat 02/05/2019 at 13:07

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Here’s the traffic from 9:30 this morning. Your ex just like to complain. There is congestion in the east valley during rush hour, but it lasts two hours max and moves smoothly. That red at the top is because of the golf tournament.

The red at the bottom is god punishing people for living in Chandler and Gilbert.

BeaterGT > DipodomysDeserti 02/05/2019 at 13:24

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Skychismo, can’t thank you enough! Definitely owe you a beer or several . I did plan on hitting South Mountain as well for some riding and will most likely visit some of the pubs and Mexican places you suggested.  Hopefully, I can shed the snowbird status by the time I leave.

DipodomysDeserti > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/05/2019 at 13:31

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Weird. I’m usually getting passed if I drive the speed limit in Phoenix proper. The knock on Phoenix is usually that it’s too dangerous for pedestrians and cyclist on account of how fast traffic moves. They’ve even installed traffic calming devices on main streets.

If you were downtown I could see that, as it is filled with people visiting on business and college students from California, but the rest of Phoenix has lights spaced out pretty far and speed limits in the 40-45 mph range.

I had to look up traffic stats, just to see where Phoenix ranked. According to these guys we are ranked 140th in the US for congestion, which is quite a ways behind Dallas (28) , Portland (40) and Denver (120) . Keep in mind that the Phoenix metro area has a larger population than the entire state of Oregon. Almost 5 million people live in this valley.

http://inrix.com/scorecard/

DipodomysDeserti > BeaterGT 02/05/2019 at 13:42

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No problem. One of my wife’s gigs is “food blogger”, so I’ve been dragged around to pretty much everything Phoenix has to offer.

Forgot to mention Taqueria Los Yaquis for street tacos. Colloquially known as “gay tacos”, they set up in the parking lot of a gay night club at 7th Ave and Camelback (central Phoenix). They’re only there on T-Su evenings. Amazing $1 street tacos, and it’s awesome to see old abuelas eating next to dudes all gelled and glittered up. They’ve gotna decent sized line going by 8pm. They were on vacation, so if you go make sure they’re the ones who are there and not the stand in.

Also Wren House for beer. Really amazing stuff. It’s just a tap house, though, so no food.

BeaterGT > DipodomysDeserti 02/05/2019 at 14:00

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Street tacos, I’m in! I think that is around where my 2nd Airbnb is so might have to check it out.

Thanks for beer rec, think the Wren House came up in my planning as my 1st airbnb is nearby . P retty eager to see what the area has to offer as I’m pretty spoiled when it comes to craft beers.

BeaterGT > DipodomysDeserti 02/15/2019 at 13:15

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Skychismo, I apologize but it seems I am bringing some cold weather down to Phoenix with me and the Payson drive seems like it will have a lot of snow on it. Any other routes you can recommend? I got 300 miles to burn with this Golf R.

DipodomysDeserti > BeaterGT 02/15/2019 at 14:02

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I have another spot for you. Teaching right now, but I’ll wri te it up when I’m done.

DipodomysDeserti > BeaterGT 02/15/2019 at 18:44

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Take the US 60 east out to the AZ 88 and head north. This drive takes you through the entire east valley, and kind of sucks. However, you’ll be staring at the Superstition mountains once you get to Mesa, and they’re pretty cool to look at. During rush hour this route will suck, but outside of that it’ll be good.

After slicing through Apache Junction (shitty town with very interesting Craigslist offerings) the 88 eventually turns into the Apache Trail which is a winding one lane road that cuts between the Four Peaks and Superstition wilderness areas. We just got a bunch of rain, so the desert should be pretty green.   If you hit this road up on a weekday, it’ll probably be empty and an absolute blast. It leads the three resevoirs, so it could get a bit crowded on the weekends.

You’ll eventually make it to a couple of tourist trap stores. There’s a stream crossing here, which sometimes washes the road out. If the water is too deep they’ll close the road, so you won’t have to play any guessing games.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

If the road is open, the rest of the route is an absolute gem with much less traffic. Lots of beautiful desert vistas. You’ll get a great view of the Four Peaks to the northwest. Just make sure you don’t cross the centerline here , as motos frequent this road.

The paved road eventually turns to dirt. It follows the Salt River all the way up to Roosevelt Lake. It’s a fairly remote area ( I’ve heard mountain lions while camping out here) , and is absolutely beautiful.   It’s doable in a car if it isn’t raining, but there are a few sections that will make you pucker.

You can turn around, or take the dirt road all the way to the Roosevelt Dam, and ride the 188 back down to the 60 and back into Phoenix. That loop is a solid day of driving, so bring a lunch. On the way back in to Phoenix you can hit up Wilderness Brewing for dinner. Great beer and food. They’re just south of the 60 off Arizona Ave in Gilbert (rich suburb of Phoenix).

https://azwbeer.com/

BeaterGT > DipodomysDeserti 02/15/2019 at 18:59

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Dude, thanks again! Unfortunately only have the fun car for S unday so that’s when I’ll be driving out . Probably won’t do the dirt road portion just because it’s not my car but will definitely stop at Wilderness Brewing.

Monday I’m going to hang around Phoenix and hit up some of your other recommendations and save South Mtn/McDowell biking for Tuesday and Wednesday.