On the verge of huge mistake: New VW content

OP I am kind of in the same boat. I am looking at a 15 WRX or a 14 GTi. I had the Fiesta ST on my short list but after a recent test drive it sadly had to be removed and I wanted to love that car. I have a friend with a 10 GTi and have gone over the car in detail as well as multiple ride and drives. Great car that keeps me bringing it back up. I did a thorough test drive of 14 GTi in manual and DSG forms a week ago and it really was great. I didn't find anything wrong or off putting and could see it as my next car. However it doesn't have AWD or as good of outward visibility and open airyness the WRX has which are big pluses for me. I tried a Tiguan thinking I could get AWD the DSG in a higher riding tall windowed GTi. It was a no go since the Tiguan auto is not a DSG. I'm still waiting for a test drive in a WRX for power,clutch,shifter and ride evaluation but my wife's 12 Impreza is really nice for open airyness,ride and great function/utility so I don't have many concerns the 15 WRX will be anything but a winner.

It sounds like either car can work for your needs but subjective wants/issues are swaying you one way while objective issues of reliability concerns sway you the other way. Since no one can predict the future of any specific vehicle it looks like going with a large survey of real owners over time and your wanting to keep the vehicle for a long time would point to Subaru with their much better track record than VW with their less than stellar record.

I still can't decide yet and will go back and forth between daily driving enjoyment and functional practicality objectiveness a thousand more times myself. If it helps try doing a head and heart list for each vehicle. Write down everything you love or hate about each from the objective scientific standpoint and the same from the subjective/feeling emotional involvement standpoint. Sometimes you get a clear winner or at least a clearer idea. Good luck

Same boat here. I want to replace my 2011 Hyundai Elantra-Touring with a mid-size sedan...and I really like the Passat SE (manual 1.8T). It has the content that I want at the pricepoint that I want. It is also the most comfortable car for 6'6" me and still has plenty of back seat space behind me.

I am also considering the Accord Sport, the 6 and the Fusion SE...but every one of those has at least a package content compromise (want power driver seat/XM/heated seats) except the Ford, but no one has a manual on the lot to test drive.

I might have accomplished a minor coup... delay tactic on the VW Tiguan opened another small window. I think I've got the special lady friend around the corner on a '14 WRX wagon. We're calling it a wagon and not a hatchback. If our camping gear doesn't fit inside + roof box, we'll add one of these: http://www.dinoot.com.

That's if I can make the buy before she sees how infantile these things look.

Especially when compared to the '15 GTI.

When I really want something that looks like this, but with AWD and manual.

I'd get the VW. If you want AWD, look at the Golf R. I'm an unabashed fan of the VAG cars and have had one in my garage for the past 15 years. I've put 100's of thousands of trouble free miles on them. They get a bad rap from people who buy them when they're cheap and neglected. Or own one and neglect it. Take care of it and it'll take care of you. Not letting the dealer F it up goes a long way as well.

Well, despite the wife's offer to get the WRX... I really hate the way the '14 wagon looks, and won't do the '15 sedan. Wagon, yes. Sedan, no. There is a really good deal on a tiguan local, and we may just do it. Hopefully I'm not another internet lemon story waiting to happen. I keep forgetting this will be her car. I have the hot rod MG and the '95 M3. They don't all have to be rockets, I just want them to be.

Take her to test-drive a 500L.

Can't tell if serious. Those things are hideous to my eyes.

Indeed. I would much rather have a VAG product than a 500L.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Well, despite the wife's offer to get the WRX... I really hate the way the '14 wagon looks, and won't do the '15 sedan. Wagon, yes. Sedan, no. There is a really good deal on a tiguan local, and we may just do it. Hopefully I'm not another internet lemon story waiting to happen. I keep forgetting this will be her car. I have the hot rod MG and the '95 M3. They don't all have to be rockets, I just want them to be.

Life's too short, get her what she wants and you'll both be happy. We had the same concerns a few years ago but bought a couple of Audis anyway. So far-so good and they're both great drives.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Can't tell if serious. Those things are hideous to my eyes.

100% serious. I've driven one with the 1.4T/6 speed and really liked it. I don't hate the look, but also not in love with it.

Can you wait? At the New York Auto show last week, VW had on display a "Golf Variant Concept" with a 2.0 TDI, 4-Motion AWD and a 6 spd MT. It was literally a Euro market car with a "concept" plate stuck on it - right down to the 220V outlet in the cargo area.

I would have bought that car as it was. It was even the right color - dark blue.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Seems like the only wagons are either built by unreliable company (VW/Audi), expensive (BMW/MB/Audi), or just meh (Subaru).

IDK their pricing, but the Ford Flex is definitely something I'd call a wagon. Roomy, AWD option, and based on a solid platform.

I like the idea of the Flex- I think it even looks cool, but it is truly massive. Same really with a V70. There has to be that one right in the middle somewhere. I saw the news on the Golf variant 4motion (AWD jetta sportwagen), but I didn't get any indication that they had any intent of bringing that here.

We live near DC and will live in/near cities for the next 20 years, so looking for something with some good space, but maneuverable and parkable, and with enough space for summer camping trips. AWD, mid-twenties or higher MPG, cool looking, fast, and is more generous with the Bravo Juliet than the wife.

In reply to Teh E36 M3:

Its not that much bigger than a Fozzy.....or at least the brick fozzy's I'm used to seeing everywhere.

Have you considered a Volvo V60? A little pricy, but smaller than the V70 for sure. If you are considering the VW, why not check out a Focus ST? Then there are the Jetta Sportwagon and the Mini Clubman. All in the ballpark.

The Flex certainly seemed much bigger than the foresters at the auto show. Maybe worth another look.

V60: ~$40k. I'm looking at under 30. Focus ST has spaceship interior that I don't like, and cargo space is tiny. Jetta Sportwagen you get either turd 2.5 or TDI, and only fwd- but it's almost there. If they truly import the golf variant with awd, and 2.0T power, we may be talkin. Mini clubman: no.

The wife laughs at me because I agonize over this crap. But I only buy a new car once a decade or so, and I want it to be worth it.

Toyota Venza? I bought a Prius last night from the dealer in Falls Church and their prices are excellent. Oh yeah - anyone need a 2005 Saabaru WRX? I'm letting it go suprisingly cheaply!

Again, Golf R. 2 liter turbo, 6MT, 5 doors, AWD.

Yes on the Golf R. It's too much, but if I can hold off until January, I'm definitely going to keep that one on the list.

Uh, is that the 2.5 Saabaru? Did I buy wheels off of you a couple years back? And what are you looking to get? Aero?

Does the wife like the Mazda 6? They're more fun to drive(plus for you) than the Accord or Camry and are just as reliable.

I would personally get a 1 or 2 year old car instead of brand new to let someone else to take that initial depreciation.

Do you /need/ all-wheel-drive? Where are you camping?

In reply to Tom Suddard:

The spousal unit wants it for the occasional cocaine piles that happen in MD/VA from time to time by the sound of it.

I think the new requirement was for vw only. I don't want one of those with less than a 3/36 warranty. No sedans- we need a wagon or wagonish thing.
Tom- yes. Live in DC, and we apparently have started to have winter over the last few years. Not an absolute requirement (could be swayed if GTI), but wife likes the idea and feels safer. We camp where you don't need the awd/4wd.
Yamaha- nailed it.

Left field: Does anyone have any experience with the jeep patriot? I like the way they look (think old cherokee), but haven't heard anything good about them, except from Expedition Portal, who refreshingly told a good story about one:
http://expeditionportal.com/jeep/2597-the-little-overlander-expo-s-long-term-patriot-project.html

They get decent mileage, and are cheap. And look good with a couple slight mods. Probably slow as dog poo, and ready to fall apart though.

You said no to the MINI Clubman (which looks a lot better than the Countryman), but, errr, how about the Countryman?

AWD: check, Wagon: check, 6MT: check, Turbonium: check, fun to drive: check.

expensive: check, a little cheap feeling inside: check.

SWMBO and I are in a similar boat to you. The daily driver 1991 Audi 200 Quattro Avant 20Valve is still chugging along, but the 1986 Audi 4000 quattro is ailing, hence the need for another vehicle.