Hey all... I need your help...
I am about to buy a car and in the next week or so I am planning to start the test drives. I like stylish, smallish, fun cars. Unfortunately the one that I really like (BMW Series One) is not available in the US and most cars around here seem to be biiiiiig 🙂
After looking around to see what's available (and what I can afford), I created this short list:
- Volkswagen Beetle : Really stylish and fun but perhaps a little bit too small. I want to be able to go on a road trip and to the mountains for skiing (Einar... I am waiting for your visit :-).
- Golf GTI . In Europe everyone seems to have one but it doesn't seem to be very popular around here.
- Mazda3 (5 door) : This seems like a stylish car even though it's not European.
- Audi A3 : It's beautiful but much more expensive than all the others. It's one of the favourites though. I'd loved it if there was a 3-door version.
- Toyota Prius : I personally think this is an ugly car but I am still considering it because it's environment-friendly (it's a hybrid).
As you can probably tell, I like hatchbacks.
So, do you have an opinion on any of the above? Comments, experience? I've never had to buy a car so this is a first for me.
(BTW: for those of you who don't know what RFC stands for... Request for Comments)
11 responses to “RFC on cars :-)”
I don’t know if Opel (GM) is very popular there but if Opel Astra is available, I would definitely go for it.
Beetles are too impractical; the boot/trunk too small, and the roof makes fitting a roof rack hard.
Audi S3 is a 3 door edition, and while pricy its depreciation should be pretty low. that depends on how you drive it of course, and what state you leave it in.
I’ve heard that Japanese cars in general are supposed to be very reliable. My neighbour’s relatives go round recommending Mazdas to all and sundry.
Prius is overrated and way overpriced. If you are concerned about the environment buy a Harley – much better on gas and much more fun to drive.
The Beetle looks cool, but the interior is pretty useless; try to use the back seat, or the trunk.
We had a Golf for four years, and liked it very much; no problems at all, lots of trunk room for a car that size, and very fun to drive. I’ve heard other people say they have mechanical problems, but we didn’t.
My brother-in-law had an S3 (the sport version of the A3) and found it very fun to drive, but very expensive to maintain. He was glad to get rid of it at the end.
If you’re concerned about the environment, have you considered a TDI Diesel (like the VW)? They’re *very* efficient.
The Prius is overrated and overpriced; however, I’d probably get one as it seems to the best option for a hybrid these days.
If you are interested in a Beetle, why not the Mini? Way cooler looking and still small.
> (BTW: for those of you who don’t know what RFC stands for… Request for Comments)
Really ? I thought it was Request for Cars. I was about to get you one and since all you wanted were comments, I thought I leave you this then 😉 Enjoy dude 🙂
I’d get A3 or Golf GTI just because they are better cars in my opinion.
I’ve test-driven Mazda 3 and wasn’t all that impressed with auto gearbox and interior (dashboard looks cool though), but overall it’s a good car. It would be by 3rd choice.
So my list is:
A3 – best of the lot
Golf GTi – very good car, fast, but its shape is quite old
Mazda 3 – nice overall
Prius – bloody ugly piece of work
Beetle – too impractical
If you’re interested in Golf GTI take a look at Honda Civic Type-R as well. (I wonder though if it’s actually available in US at all…) Slightly smaller, but better performance and much sportier feel over all. And none of those wimpy traction control or ESP thingies…
I did consider Mazda3 GT when I was in the market a year and half ago, but in the end after several testdrives felt that the build quality seemed a bit shoddy. Lots of squealing from the interior and the front end seemed a bit loose. IMHO, A3 is just an overpriced Golf and I would rather buy Golf GTI that A3.
>(Einar… I am waiting for your visit :-).
Damn straight! 😉 Just back from a visit to
Cornell last week, and everything now is about
paperwork….. Which as you know may take a
while. Which basically means I’m treading water
until I leave.. possibly in January.
As for cars; I’d go for a Golf TDI, preferably the mk4 (make 4, the latest is the mk5 – too round, I’ve got a mk3, which is good, but too old now). Ideally get the 2.5litre (what’s called the
GT TDI – fantastic power, awesome milage)
A3 is nice (and is _only_ in 3 doors – at least
that I’ve seen?), but pricey (S3 even more so)
However, the car to REALLY go for is the
Golf R32… Mmmm… Fast… 🙂
p.s. buy used through Ebay.
Look at the Subaru Impreza, they have a hatchback body style, its been around for a while, you can get as much power as you like, four wheel drive and rally car handling, very reliable and well made.
The WRX is fun, the STi version is insanely fast.