Advice on a Different Car

[Danoff]

The lady won't drive a stick, and it's one of the things I definitely want this time around. The DSG in the GTI is sweet, but kinda boring. I take the dog about half the time, the other days I usually get to redline once or twice, and there's an autocross once a month, so something sporty is still "needed". Otherwise I'd just get a base fit or fiesta or something.

So basically you're getting a hatckback stick instead of an automatic S2000. I would definitely take the S2000 and drive the forester when the dog is coming along. But I recognize that that's purely personal preference.

I think you have an over constrained problem. You want something with a hatch that outperforms a GTI, and probably stays under a reasonable budget. The best I can offer is along the lines of an E46 330Ti or S4 Avant. Maybe a quattro A3. The WRX isn't a terrible option.

What I would do in your situation (assuming a stick was an absolute requirement) is get a used honda civic AND an S2000. That way you can switch between the forester and the S2000 and your wife can switch between the forrester and the civic. That solves the problem without compromise on anything but price.

 

[Andrew C]

Mazda6 V6 5-speed wagon. Provided you can find one. They exist, they just don't exist.

That made chuckle for some reason.

 

[freedomweasel]

So basically you're getting a hatckback stick instead of an automatic S2000. I would definitely take the S2000 and drive the forester when the dog is coming along. But I recognize that that's purely personal preference.

I think you have an over constrained problem. You want something with a hatch that outperforms a GTI, and probably stays under a reasonable budget. The best I can offer is along the lines of an E46 330Ti or S4 Avant. Maybe a quattro A3. The WRX isn't a terrible option.

What I would do in your situation (assuming a stick was an absolute requirement) is get a used honda civic AND an S2000. That way you can switch between the forester and the S2000 and your wife can switch between the forrester and the civic. That solves the problem without compromise on anything but price.

Sadly we only have two parking spaces or again, I'd have an old miata and a camry. I don't mind having a hatch really, I actually really like the idea of them, I just think the GTI wasn't the one for me, or at least the transmission wasn't for me.

I don't need it to outperform the GTI. Sorry if thats how it came across. I mostly just don't like it. I have no "emotional" attachment to it. It's fairly quick and corners well and is fun (but understeery) at the autocross but the rest of the time it just feels dull and rather A-B golf-ish. Which it is of course.
I'm just looking for some other options, that would provide similar performance, or similar fun levels for less money.

The more I look at Forester XTs the more I think it'd be pretty fun to get one of those and slowly add the STI suspension parts to create something relatively unique. Bonus snow capability too as we live on top of a mountain. Anything I should know about the XT? My fiance had an 08 with the NA 2.5L that had head gasket problems but I hear they fixed that in 03 or so. It's the same engine as the WRX which is pretty solid isn't it? Downside is we'd have somewhat matching cars

 

[Rotary Junkie]

My MkV is totally stock right now and I only have plans (if I keep it) to get wheels/tires and maybe suspension bits. Maybe a catback or something for that wicked 1hp boost I'm much more likely to drop money on wheels, tires, coilovers and anti-roll bars than I am to do anything under the hood.

I'm mostly just looking to drop my payments and maintenance costs, while keeping the same level of practicality of the hatch. (And obviously some similar level of go-fast/fun.)

I'll keep an eye out for a manual one, as they seem pretty cool. 👍

Catback on the GTI might actually do something. On a 6? Absolutely nothing. Wheels/tires/coilovers/anti-roll bars wake them right up as well... But it's not like they suck around corners in stock form.

6 wagon will cover the go/stop/steer well and the trunk area will astound you (hell, the normal 6 hatch would be fine for the dog with the rear seats folded down but I see your not wanting to do so). And I know that the 6 seems to have a bit more soul to the way it drives than a MkIV Jetta, no clue about the MkVs but they seem to be more of the same.