Nick is on his third VW GTI. His current one has 120,000 miles and it’s time to move on to something else, he wants something with a similar level of sportiness but needs more space to haul things. What car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
Hi there! Long time reader, first time messager. Love these articles and thought I would give it a shot as I’ve been car shopping for a few months and I’m pretty stuck. I’ve got a 2010 VW GTI thats got around 120k miles on it (this is my 3rd VW GTI BTW). It’s got some rust spots and is starting to make some really random squealing and squeaking sounds so it’s about time I get something new (or at least new to me). I’ve recently bought a house that I’m updating and found the GTI a little restrictive with hauling things from your general home box stores and want something with a little more utilitarian-ism but still fun to drive! Im not opposed to used cars at all as that’s pretty much all I’ve ever bought in the past. I can spend up to $40,000, but I don’t want to source something from the other side of the country.
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $40,000
Location: Rochester, NY
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Fun, more cargo space
Doesn’t want: Something too far away
Expert 1: Tom McParland- Stick With What You Know
As a GTI owner and a longroof fanatic, I really wanted your solution to be a wagon. But the rarity factor makes them a hassle, and most of the “compact” wagons don’t really offer much more in the way of cargo space compared to your GTI. I’m going to suggest an Audi A5 Sportback. I know what most of you are thinking- “Isn’t the A5s 21 cubic inches of cargo space less than the Allroads 24 cubic inches of cargo space?” That is correct, but the problem with cubic inch measurements is you can’t suspend things in mid-air so what is most important is the usable space on the floor behind the rear seats, and in this case the A5 offers more room under the hatch.
Under the hood is the 2.0 turbo motor that is shared with the current GTI, and will provide plenty of punch for your commute. If you do feel the need for more speed, aftermarket tunes will crank up your power at a reasonable cost. Inside is all the accouterments of your typical German luxury car. Inventory is fairly plentiful in the tri-state area and you may dig something like this 2023 Premium Plus model with the sporty packages.
Expert 2: Owen Bellwood – Did Someone Say ‘Fun, More Cargo Space?’
Nick, the GTI is a great car, and it takes a real fan of a little runaround like this to live with three of them, so nice work sticking to the small car mission in this manner. Obviously it’s a shame when someone trades in a small car for something bigger, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t need something that much bigger to still have fun and get even more cargo space.
So Nick, it’s time to meet your new car: the Hyundai Elantra N. I truly believe this excellent little(ish) car ticks all of your boxes and should come in well under budget. The Elantra N is an absolute hoot to drive, and it’s got some great styling tweaks to make it stand out from the other Hyundai’s you’ll see driving around town. It’s also got a bigger trunk than your outgoing Golf, with a whole extra cubic foot of the stuff to play with. Sure, a wagon would probably offer a bit more space, but while something like a Volvo V60 would pack in the practicalities, it wouldn’t be nearly as cool, or as fun, as an Elantra. Nick, make the right choice.
Expert 3: Andy Kalmowitz – You Need The D In Your Life
Congrats on the house! That’s huge my guy. I cannot even imagine what that must feel like. Anyway, you need more space but you want to stay sporty. Well, amigo, I’ve got the perfect car for you, but it’s going to take a little bit of work on your end to make it happen. Trust me, though, it’ll be worth it.
Buddy, you need an F31 BMW 328d xDrive WAGON. The 328d is better suited to your needs than any other car. There aren’t many cars (for under $40,000) that are going to combine the sportiness and power you desire with the hauling capability you need. Let me walk ya through it. The 328d comes with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel motor that puts out 180 horsepower and a beefy 280 lb-ft of torque. I promise you, with some light tuning you’ll be able to best those numbers by a long way. On top of that, the F31 3-Series is a great handling car, so you’ll be able to have some fun in the corners too.
When it comes to practicality, well, it’s nearly impossible to beat a wagon. With the rear seats up, it has 17.5 cubic feet of cargo room. Drop those rear seats, and you’re working with a massive 53 cubic feet of room. Think of all the shit you could fit back there, Nick. The possibilities are endless. It’s also loaded up with all the modern tech you could ever want.
It sounds like the perfect car, doesn’t it? Well, there’s a catch. You see, BMW didn’t make too many 328d Wagons for the U.S., so they’re a bit hard to come by. You’re going to have to expand your search area a bit and be willing to travel to get the car you want, but I promise it’ll be worth it. Another bonus is that the nicest 328d Wagon you can buy is going to come in well under your $40,000 budget, so you’re going to have some extra cash to take a little trip to pick it up.
Because I’m a really good guy, I found you a perfect example with just 41,000 miles on the clock, a spotless record and a great price. Keep in mind, this is the most expensive 328d Wagon on Autotrader, and it costs just $33,670. The only issue is it’s nowhere near Rochester. Nick, this is the car for you.
Expert 4: Amber DaSilva – Why Compromise?
Nick, from a proud former Rochester resident, you’ve picked a good place to put down roots. Unfortunately, my esteemed coworkers have given you nothing to put in your shiny new driveway — a sedan? A diesel wagon? You want fun and cargo space, Nick, and I’m here with the most correct answer to help you out.
Introducing the FK8 Civic Type R. Your $40,000 budget isn’t quite enough for the latest FL5 generation, but the FK8 is arguably the more interesting daily driver — it’s more eager, it feels more like it’s tugging at its leash at all times. You will never be bored behind the wheel of an FK8 Type R. Unless you’re dodging potholes on Monroe Ave, maybe.
As for cargo space, the Civic beats out the GTI for both volume and ease of use with its more sloped hatch that grants easier access to the load floor. Even Andy’s esteemed 328d, which he’s currently bragging about in Slack, only manages an extra seven cubic feet of space above the Civic. It’s not even an M-Sport car!
Nick, get yourself a Civic Type R. All the fun you could want, all the cargo space you need, all for $39,200 — nearly a grand below your budget. All I ask is that you put some of that $800 towards a Pabst Smear at Lux in my honor.
