Colorado resident wants something quick and dog-friendly

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GilesGuthrie

GilesGuthrie

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CMDRTheDarkLord
A friend of mine who lives in Colorado is after a new car. She wanted a Golf R, but she's giving up on VW ever importing them. Her requirements are:
  • Fast
  • Good in snow
  • Able to cope with 2 labradors in the boot
  • Small
  • NOT an SUV

I don't think money is a primary concern for her - if she wants it enough she'll pay for it. I'm assuming that in her head "good in snow" translates to "is 4WD". She goes skiing a lot. And I don't think she'll even look at anything with less than 250BHP.

I can't see anything credible other than a WRX STi wagon or an Audi S4 wagon. Does anyone have any suggestions for her?

PS: Based on the requirements above, is it any wonder I chose this woman to be my son's godmother? :)
 
If she can't get the R, how about the next best thing in the Golf lineup, the GTI? It's FWD as opposed to AWD, but does that mean it's not good with driving in the snow. I live in Houston, and I rarely ever see snow here. So I'm not an expert in what's good for winter driving and what isn't.

Or does it have to be new? Would an MK5 R32 work? Still checks all the boxes.
 
I can certainly suggest she look for a good late R32. The 330iX is a good shout to consider too.
 
Subaru Outback, no better hatchback in the snow, preferably before 2005.
 
Try to explain to her that anything can be 'Good in Snow'. She's from Colorado, and SHOULD know that you put winter tires on during winter. FWD MINI Cooper S was good in snow, with winter tires. My Sky Redline is good in snow, with winter tires. Anything can be good in snow... perhaps that will open more options. Any car with winter tires > a 4x4 or AWD with all seasons, especially on ice.
 
Yes, I'm a real convert to winter tyres and am running them on both cars. I've made the point to her as well, but since she's looking at around the 300+ bhp mark, 4wd would also be wise!
 
The mini is a great option, but the dogs would be in the back seat rather than the boot. My sister has had a mini for a few years now.

She has crashed 3 other cars in icy conditions, but she's not had a single problem or near miss with her mini. And we've seen some pretty bad winters recently. Maybe not compared to Colorado though.

I'm assuming that your friend is a good driver (or considers herself one) due to the horsepower requirement. The mini might be a good choice if she can see past the horsepower.
 
If the MINI Cooper S is an option, keep in mind it's only 2600lbs. 180hp and 190tq in 2600lbs feels nice.

People either love it or hate it, but the MINI Countryman All4 is turbo and AWD and gets some nice MPG's.
 
I think the A6 Allroad might be too big for her, and the A4 Allroad too slow. I can suggest she have a look at the Minis, especially if there's a Clubman S.

I can't suggest to her that she get a Countryman because if she did I'd have to slag her off until the end of time!
 
Does she really need 250+ bhp? Because I was going to suggest a Jeep or an old Land Rover. You know, a true 4x4.
 
GilesGuthrie
I think the A6 Allroad might be too big for her, and the A4 Allroad too slow. I can suggest she have a look at the Minis, especially if there's a Clubman S.

I can't suggest to her that she get a Countryman because if she did I'd have to slag her off until the end of time!
Click to expand...

There's a Clubman S and a Clubman John Cooper Works I believe. I thought they both had under 250bhp though...
 
2012 Audi TTRS
MegaFast, Small, 4WD.. only problem would maybe be the dogs.

Base Price $56,850
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3306
City (MPG) 18
Hwy (MPG) 25
Horsepower 360@5500-6700
Torque (lb-ft) 343@1650-5400
url
 
orimarc
Does she really need 250+ bhp? Because I was going to suggest a Jeep or an old Land Rover. You know, a true 4x4.
Click to expand...

Knowing her, yes, she needs > 250bhp. She also said "no SUVs", and I can't see her in a Wrangler or a Defender.

ENTERSANDMAN13
2012 Audi TTRS
MegaFast, Small, 4WD.. only problem would maybe be the dogs.

Base Price $56,850
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3306
City (MPG) 18
Hwy (MPG) 25
Horsepower 360@5500-6700
Torque (lb-ft) 343@1650-5400
url
Click to expand...

For a hobby, she rehabilitates large dogs. TT definitely not an option for her.

Also, are Audi having a laugh with the price of that thing??
 
I just can't see anything topping the Audi S4 estate you suggested, it would be the best option imo.
 
Enigma
I just can't see anything topping the Audi S4 estate you suggested, it would be the best option imo.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's my feeling too. She's apparently driven an Impreza and liked the performance but not the handling. She's worried about her dogs lunching (on?!) an Audi interior, but I've found a place that does interior protection covers, so we'll see what she thinks of that.
 
Wait, why not the Golf R? I just went to the VW USA website to see if they still made the Passat VR6 4Motion, and they've got the Golf R right there on the front page.
 
Dunno! She says she's giving up on it ever coming. I don't know if it's been delayed and fallen out of her timescale for changing, or what...
 
Well, they've got a "Build and Price" option, and it appears as if it's already available for purchase. I put in my zip code and it even gave me dealers that had one on the lot for test drive (Edit: Actually, no. I misread that. That was just dealers that I could go to to order one).
 
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Newest S4 wagon one can get is 2008. Meaning no warranty. If money is not an issue - maybe. Otherwise - no. From stuff not suggested above - 2009 Outback XT.
 
GilesGuthrie
Yes, that's my feeling too. She's apparently driven an Impreza and liked the performance but not the handling. She's worried about her dogs lunching (on?!) an Audi interior, but I've found a place that does interior protection covers, so we'll see what she thinks of that.
Click to expand...

My 5 Touring is made for dogs. The dog guard is even standard. A 3 Touring shouldn't be so muc different.
 
GilesGuthrie
Dunno! She says she's giving up on it ever coming. I don't know if it's been delayed and fallen out of her timescale for changing, or what...
Click to expand...

Everything I've heard from Volkswagen has indicated that it is on sale now-ish. Just like the R32s before it, it will be a pretty limited run of cars, so you likely would have to have your name down sooner than later. I'd think that Denver would get a decent amount, but I'd assume VW would dump most of the models where they have high sales numbers.

...If we're looking at alternatives...

  • 2012 Subaru WRX Wagon
For the money, and from what I understand, it is close enough to the STi in overall performance that you don't really need to upgrade that far. The boot should be big enough to handle her requirements, and obviously the AWD system is noted for its performance. But, I still don't like the looks. From what I understand, the reliability is questionable. Its not a ball game I'd like to play.

  • 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback
It sounds like that they only offered this configuration for one year. What do you get? Most of the stuff from the Evolution X, turned down from eleven to a more-reasonable nine. There is a hatch, the build quality is... okay. That's about all there is to say.

  • 2013 Toyota RAV4 V6 Sport
I personally wouldn't consider it an SUV, but from what I understand it is quite sporty, quite capable, and in the end would likely be the most-reliable choice she could make in the segment. Dog friendly? You bet. Fuel friendly? About as friendly as they come with an engine that size. The price is a bit higher than I would have expected, but it isn't completely outrageous. Especially when you consider that this crossover straddles the line so closely to SUV territory.

  • 2013 MINI Cooper Counryman S All4
It doesn't quite hit the power requirement, but it will come close. The size is surprising in the Countryman, and I'll give a nod to MINI for getting the look right inside and out. I like it, the press seems to like it, but I hear the reliability is pretty bad (Joey D has mentioned it a great number of times). Perhaps the newer models are better?


Otherwise, in wagon/hatch town, you're pretty much stuck in a sub-200 BHP, FWD land of awkwardness. Unless you want to spend eleventy-thousand dollars for a Cadillac, BMW or Mercedes.

I'd be in support of something like the Acura TSX V6 Sportwagon, or perhaps the two best options... The Mazda 3i SkyActiv, or the Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv.
 
If she's not against a slightly older model ('06-'08), what about the Forester XT Sports crossover? I think only 230hp, but it's hardly slow. Plenty of ground clearance for trails and such if she's really outdoorsy. Kinda has that aggressive look of the Golf R, too.

800px-06-08_Subaru_Forester_2.5XT_Sports.jpg
 
dsgerbc
Newest S4 wagon one can get is 2008. Meaning no warranty. If money is not an issue - maybe. Otherwise - no. From stuff not suggested above - 2009 Outback XT.
Click to expand...

That's odd, you can buy a brand new one from Audi in the UK

Audi UK
 

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