Car shopping evolution

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 04/04/2020 at 17:16 • Filed to: None

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This was the nicest one we looked at yet in terms of a balance between what my son wants and what I want. 2016 Focus ST, owned by a cop who bought it certified pre owned from a Ford dealer. He has the dealer paperwork and maintenance records.

If you can seen from the photos, just hand waxes to and missed getting the wax in a few places. A very nice car, and a serious contender.

Here is the wildcard: New car incentives are starting to get a little nutty. VW has 2019 and 2020 Golf R at 0% for 72 months and no payments for 180 days. Subaru has WRX STi at 0.9%. I feel like these deals are only going to get better. So I am thinking about upgrading and giving my son the GTI, which still has the "sorry we lied" warranty.  What else should I look at? Civic Type R has great performance specs, but I think it is kind of ugly.  No incentives have popped up on Veloster N yet.  I need a back seat for Toby, so Miata is not the answer.  This is getting harder. 

CB > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:22

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What’s on your son’s list of cars?

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:25

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2015 and up Mustang 5.0 and a twin turbo kit. 800+whp on stock motor

liam > CB 04/04/2020 at 17:28

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Apparently the GTI :-)

Under_Score > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:36

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I know his past has been eh with cars, but GTI or bust. The “even if it’s more expensive for us to buy something new , it’s still in the family” motto is how I have my RAV4.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:37

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Those are some good deals for financing. Know that the STI will be a lot r ougher around the edges than the Golf R and your GTI. That being said they are awesome cars and I love mine.

I can’t compare the STI to the Golf, but compared to the Focus RS I had it is a lot less polished, but has a lot more character and is IMO the more fun car. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:37

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But you love your GTI just  the way it is. What value would you really get out of upgrading? And what would you even get? I dont think you would find an STi to be an “upgrade” even though its certainly faster. A Golf R I guess? But is it really that much better to warrant another car payment? I bet finding an R in the trim that you want will be difficult too. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:40

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If you wanted to go RWD; the pricing on G70s is seriously discounted(not sure if these are some sort of magic combinations that most people wouldn’t qualify for) but this one is listed at $30k  https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/new/searchresults.action?zip=55412&sortDir=ASC&sourceContext=homePageNewCarTabMobile_false_0&distance=50000&sortType=PRICE&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d2701#listing=267521976

sony1492 > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:46

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What about a newer mazda 3 hatch?

gettingoldercarguy > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:50

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Camaro 1le, v6 or four cylinder.  Heavily discounted and underrated

notsomethingstructural > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:52

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I’m not particularly in the market for a new car, but I’d be open to a 2019 at invoice with $4k on the hood and 0%/60 months. I’d give it another 2-4 weeks if you’re really considering new, because I’m guessing that’s not far away .

Tripper > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:54

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“ VW has 2019 and 2020 Golf R at 0% for 72 months and no payments for 180 days.” Wut...

I just emailed the guy who sold me the alltrack w a screenshot of the and “I’ll take one if you take my alltrack back”

Tripper > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 04/04/2020 at 17:57

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Sti wins on fun for sure 

412GTI > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 17:59

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I’ve found it hard to find a good replacement for the GTI. Sure I’d love an S5 or something, but then giving up the manual. It’s just so well rounded.

I enjoyed the Accord 2.0 6MT, but still prefer my GTI.

I still think that Mazda would be a good car for college that you don’t have to worry about turbo motor maintenance. It can be run hard and should last many many miles. I’m even saying that as a 26 Y/O who’d LOVE an ST or GTI when I was his age.  

thatsmr > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:06

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Lease an awd giulia! 

WRXforScience > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:14

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There’s a new generation of STi coming out soon (was supposed to come out in 2021 as a 2022 model). STi’s hold value pretty well though, so a new gen won’t kill resale but it might make you want to upgrade again. The BRZ/FRS/GT 86 has the same issue right now, but with those you’re better off with used since 2017 was the last update and that was relatively minor (I’d suggest a 2015/2016 as the best bang for your buck). The 86's have a backseat that’d work well for a dog, aside from just having front windows (all the 2-door options will suffer the same drawback).

The Type R is fantastic at the track (I’ve only driven and ridden in them there while instructing). But the owners admit that it’s a little much for commuting (harsh ride and ridiculous styling). I know a few people who went with an Si (mostly for autox/daily dual duty), and they’re very happy.

The Golf R is the most grownup but also can cause headaches (the guys who track them love them until they have to start fixing stuff). Personally, I prefer the GTI to the R as a driver’s car.

The Veloster N is a better used option, assuming the Hyundai badge accelerates its depreciation relative to its peers. As its newness fades the underlying mediocrity rises to the surfaces, it seems to be a perfectly fine car that’s fun and ticks most of the boxes but doesn’t do any one thing fantastically well. It’s the one you get because of the price, not the passion. It’s like the hatch version of a Honda Accord (also, not a bad option).

For weekends and canyons, I’d suggest Civic Si or GTI (depending on personal preference). You could also go with the flavor of the season, the Yaris GR.

The STi and Golf R are your stoplight drags and showing up the yooths cars (assuming you went with the wing delete option on the STi). The Type R and STi (with the wang) are the cars for you if you want to be mistaken for your one of whipper-snappers. The Veloster N falls between just about all the categories, it’s the potluck/sampler of hot hatches (not all compromise is bad).

Otherwise , if you just want to embrace your inner old, the Accord is there (the V6 is surprisingly fast, and they handle well enough). The BRZ et all are great, but probably not what you’re after (without plans or aspirations to go to the track or at least do some autox, the handling advantages and driving fun just won’t be significant enough over the hatches).

CaptDale - is secretly British > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:18

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You and I both know that Subaru isn’t always the best idea. The GTi is a great car and your son would be lucky to have it, but that begs the question as to what you would really be upgrading to. Sadly we don’t get many fun and good hatchbacks. You could look at the Stinger or my preferred G70. That said the ST sure fits the young guy car. 

oldmxer > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:18

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i assume this is a manual, i am a focus junky and my ‘16 handles better than the backroads around here allow, from the days of the first focus(i bought the 1st one) i have never driven another car in this segment that can match the combo of cornering and ride quality, however had i known about the auto trans issues i would have bou ght something else, you have the hatch, i wish i had bought that version my wife has a thing against them, have fun you will love it

DavidHH > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:21

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There will probably be no 2021 model year cars, and the parts supply will also be disrupted. S o buying American used is a safer move.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 18:27

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Deeply b iased opinion is Golf R.

Svend > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 20:10

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Treat yourself to a new car.

Your son will love the GTi, and you know it’s history. 

Manny05x > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 20:25

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I like the choice you are already looking at, good times to be car shopping.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 22:18

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New car incentives are tempting for sure, but if you upgraded to the golf R, you would then be spending 40 ish grand instead of 14 for the st. A golf R would be sweet, but not totally necessary, especially since you love the gti.

However. Playing all seats here, what about a new manual regular  golf for the kid? Not quite hot, but still nice and enough power for a college student. Plus new car reliability and warranty. (Sub golf for any other new manual hatch that has money and financing on the hood)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ImmoralMinority 04/05/2020 at 14:45

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GTI? R? STI? Is this the same some that wrecked two cars?