Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[Johnny_P]

Like the problem IMO with the GTI is it’s built and designed to be a compromise car. It’s not overly good at any one thing but ok at nearly everything.

[max225]

Like the problem IMO with the GTI is it’s built and designed to be a compromise car. It’s not overly good at any one thing but ok at nearly everything.

And I think that's ok. Every vehicle is compromised. I am not trying to get fun to 100% otherwise I'd be rolling in a miata/beat to shit 911 etc. I want this thing to be capable of additional tasks.

[coogles]

It's what makes the GTI great. It's a car you can use daily that still provides some driving enjoyment when you want, but doesn't really make you compromise versus a more banal alternative.

[Melon2.0]

If anything I’m disappointed no one has brought up a V8 vantage manual.

Frankly it’s the perfect car for what I want if I wanted a 3rd car. But once again I’m looking for something more practical and capable of taking the miles and family members on occasion

Because they're not reliable (mostly expensive clutches), and expensive to maintain.

Man, you scoffed at at 10k on depreciation and expect someone to suggest an Aston?

[max225]

If anything I’m disappointed no one has brought up a V8 vantage manual.

Frankly it’s the perfect car for what I want if I wanted a 3rd car. But once again I’m looking for something more practical and capable of taking the miles and family members on occasion

Because they're not reliable (mostly expensive clutches), and expensive to maintain.

Man, you scoffed at at 10k on depreciation and expect someone to suggest an Aston?

A GTS Macan was suggested at 70k... this ASTON is 48k... and has been 48k for a decade... and will be 48k for the next. IMO Of course.

[max225]

Does anyone know anything about these tires... Ventus S1 Evo 3? Also a german car with korean tires from the factory ?!

[Johnny_P]

Does anyone know anything about these tires... Ventus S1 Evo 3? Also a german car with korean tires from the factory ?!

They’ll probably be just fine the entire 8 months you own this car

[Johnny_P]

A pomelo yellow mk8 would likely be quite a bit more fun than my old man yacht. I couldn’t bring myself to test drive one. Still have PTSD from my MK6 ownership.

[max225]

A pomelo yellow mk8 would likely be quite a bit more fun than my old man yacht. I couldn’t bring myself to test drive one. Still have PTSD from my MK6 ownership.

Pomelo yellow is like impossible to find.

[coogles]

A pomelo yellow mk8 would likely be quite a bit more fun than my old man yacht. I couldn’t bring myself to test drive one. Still have PTSD from my MK6 ownership.

Pomelo yellow is like impossible to find.

Not offered for 2024, used examples abound.

[Melon2.0]

Because they're not reliable (mostly expensive clutches), and expensive to maintain.

Man, you scoffed at at 10k on depreciation and expect someone to suggest an Aston?

A GTS Macan was suggested at 70k... this ASTON is 48k... and has been 48k for a decade... and will be 48k for the next. IMO Of course.

$10,000 is $10,000
Whether in depreciation on a new car, or potential repairs/consumables on an older exotic.

Aston may not be that much, it's a gamble.
Either way, you'll look fly as hell in an Aston.

Max, Ivan Max.

[Melon2.0]

Does anyone know anything about these tires... Ventus S1 Evo 3? Also a german car with korean tires from the factory ?!

I have no personal experience but they seem like decent/okay summer tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/hankook-ventus-s1-evo3

[Desertbreh]

maxxxxxx
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005- ... a-coupe-37

ever think about panamera?
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2013- ... a-turbo-11

Back to the good ol poorsche Argument.

I actually looked at fancy grand coupes
AMG gt53
Panamera
Rs5
They are all 50k+ for a non ragged ok example and will continue to depreciate like crazy. I have near 0 interest in a high mile (50k+) German car.

Occasional visitor Fled has documented that the Panamera is a literal black hole of maintenance spending. It's a Porsche that may be fun to drive and may have 4 seats but its not really a good car.

[Johnny_P]

A pomelo yellow mk8 would likely be quite a bit more fun than my old man yacht. I couldn’t bring myself to test drive one. Still have PTSD from my MK6 ownership.

Pomelo yellow is like impossible to find.

Yeah. There was a used one at the local Lexus dealer. It is a really nice color in person.

[max225]

Back to the good ol poorsche Argument.

I actually looked at fancy grand coupes
AMG gt53
Panamera
Rs5
They are all 50k+ for a non ragged ok example and will continue to depreciate like crazy. I have near 0 interest in a high mile (50k+) German car.

Occasional visitor Fled has documented that the Panamera is a literal black hole of maintenance spending. It's a Porsche that may be fun to drive and may have 4 seats but its not really a good car.

Yep that's any porsche to be honest. Unless you "wrench" yourself.

Same old 2.9TT inside every single P car outside of 911/Cayman/Boxster. So I am a bit surprised it is that SHITTY.

[max225]

Pomelo yellow is like impossible to find.

Yeah. There was a used one at the local Lexus dealer. It is a really nice color in person.

I think the model for you would be the 40th anniversary edition. It has the performance goodies + lack of dangerous sunroof.

[Gberg2119]

What about an FK8 Hype R? Close in price to Mk8 but without the depreciation.

[max225]

What about an FK8 Hype R? Close in price to Mk8 but without the depreciation.

It's one of the most hideous vehicles to me. Absolute

[Gberg2119]

What about an FK8 Hype R? Close in price to Mk8 but without the depreciation.

It's one of the most hideous vehicles to me. Absolute

A couple of certified blue ones.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

[max225]

It's one of the most hideous vehicles to me. Absolute

A couple of certified blue ones.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

Kind of where they sit here also…

So is the consensus that a brand new gti at 10k less than a USED shitvic is not the way to go ?

I mean 34k (pre tax) is not exactly THAT much money for a new car. It’s pretty darn cheap in todays world and even in line with historical GTI prices from 5-7 years ago

[max225]

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory ... NE/DEFAULT

@Johnny

But frankly for myself... A new one is +2k and comes with 0 miles + better stereo + sunroof. Also I think VW did some weird thing where they kept keyless entry from the lower tier cars so you have to use the remote.

[Tar]

To elaborate a little bit on the current picture and situation.

It may seem strange to some but I have near 0 interest in piling on MILES on a special low slung sports car and or driving it daily.

Sure growing up, when I turned 21 I bought myself a C5 corvette and proceeded to daily it .. I mean DAILY. Put 15k miles on it in my first year before coming to my senses. Rain or shine I took that thing to work, to the canyons to street park in SF, everywhere.

It is NOT how I want to spend my time in a vehicle right now. Rough, cramped, loud, scrapy McScrape, fuel inefficient etc. I think there is a time and a place for that and that time is not NOW for me.

I’m currently spending 99.9% of my time driving a BMW minivan with 550hp. It’s fast and it’s comfortable and it does an amazing job at what it is designed to do.

What am I looking for ?

I’m looking for something smaller, lighter, a bit more fun, light ish on the wallet (sub 50k otd), that doesn’t require wrenching, and doesn’t beat me up if I do decide to pile on the miles.

I think the answer has been found. I know some y’all mean very well and are suggesting, more fun, more unique vehicles but they simply don’t fit the current “need”.

We go to sporty and that thing will end up parked causing me count the penny’s because it’s sitting there with no use but still requiring maintenance and insurance. You go too boring ?! And you end up exactly where I am now and is the point. It has to be a balance.

My situation like everyone’s changes over time and it does prompt some sort of change in vehicle for me … likely going to be doing this again if/when the woman finds a job and the kid gets older and more independent.

I feel ya, right tool for the job for me is the camry. I like cars, especially mid engine sports cars, and one day I'll want one again.... But it won't be this year.

GTI is the perfect car, typeR civic is a little cooler, and a little more fun, but it comes at a price. Ranger Danger is a pretty neat truck but at the current cost, I'd be pretty hesitant with one income and a new , so I'd bounce, even if the disposable income is there.

I do like performance oriented lux sedans, doe. Would personally really enjoy something used/Lexus like the LS, but the IS is pretty cool too. Even depreciated, those won't really have big issues.

Get what you want, it's your bankroll financing your commute.

[Desertbreh]

To elaborate a little bit on the current picture and situation.

It may seem strange to some but I have near 0 interest in piling on MILES on a special low slung sports car and or driving it daily.

Sure growing up, when I turned 21 I bought myself a C5 corvette and proceeded to daily it .. I mean DAILY. Put 15k miles on it in my first year before coming to my senses. Rain or shine I took that thing to work, to the canyons to street park in SF, everywhere.

It is NOT how I want to spend my time in a vehicle right now. Rough, cramped, loud, scrapy McScrape, fuel inefficient etc. I think there is a time and a place for that and that time is not NOW for me.

I’m currently spending 99.9% of my time driving a BMW minivan with 550hp. It’s fast and it’s comfortable and it does an amazing job at what it is designed to do.

What am I looking for ?

I’m looking for something smaller, lighter, a bit more fun, light ish on the wallet (sub 50k otd), that doesn’t require wrenching, and doesn’t beat me up if I do decide to pile on the miles.

I think the answer has been found. I know some y’all mean very well and are suggesting, more fun, more unique vehicles but they simply don’t fit the current “need”.

We go to sporty and that thing will end up parked causing me count the penny’s because it’s sitting there with no use but still requiring maintenance and insurance. You go too boring ?! And you end up exactly where I am now and is the point. It has to be a balance.

My situation like everyone’s changes over time and it does prompt some sort of change in vehicle for me … likely going to be doing this again if/when the woman finds a job and the kid gets older and more independent.

So you're leaving a out to again in 6 months. MOST

[Johnny_P]

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory ... NE/DEFAULT

@Johnny

But frankly for myself... A new one is +2k and comes with 0 miles + better stereo + sunroof. Also I think VW did some weird thing where they kept keyless entry from the lower tier cars so you have to use the remote.

Just the regular non anniversary edition for me. That way it comes with the machined wheels which I prefer over these with the red stuff. But I’d totally do that vs a new one if it was the color I wanted. Base spec is fine imo it comes with a volume knob.

[D Griff]

A couple of certified blue ones.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing

Kind of where they sit here also…

So is the consensus that a brand new gti at 10k less than a USED shitvic is not the way to go ?

I mean 34k (pre tax) is not exactly THAT much money for a new car. It’s pretty darn cheap in todays world and even in line with historical GTI prices from 5-7 years ago

I mean, I like the Type R more and think (especially used at $43K) it'll be less costly to own. But what I like better? They both have their merits.

Civic Good:
-more special/rare/enthusiast cred
-faster and better handling performance
-Lower depreciation
-No annoying interface/has volume knob

GTI Good:
-Cheaper
-Better ride quality/luxury