Joey's Next Car Thead: Test Drives

[Joey D]

So...here's the deal. The Cooper has been paid off (w00t!) and I am currently racking up 22,000+ miles per year on the car. It's sitting at about 61,000 currently and there is still a couple weeks to go before it rolls over to the 3 year mark. I am well aware that I drive a lot .

Now it takes me quite a long time to decided on a car because I'm horrible at making decisions like that, the Cooper took me two years to decide on and I must say I still love it. But since in the next year I'll probably start thinking about a new car I am going to start test driving them now. Really by this time next year I'd like to be rocking something new since the Cooper will have 80,000+ miles on it. It will also hopefully still have some value in it and not have had anything catastrophic go wrong with it (knock on wood). There is also a good chance I could be coming into some money soon too.

I have been looking around but since my friends suck at having an intelligent conversation dealing with cars I'm turning to the internet (my the gods have mercy on my very soul ).

So here is what I'm looking for:

• Under $35,000 with options, tax, title, license and whatever else the dealer wants to tack on.
• Looking for new, only a couple vehicles I would consider used.
• Warranty has to be at least 50,000 miles or better
• Maintenance program is a plus!
• Insurance that won't screw me to the wall.

Vehicle Criteria:

• Car, truck, SUV, van, doesn't matter.
• Would prefer a hatch of some sort but other configurations are OK, it needs a back seat though. No roadsters.
• Automatic trans is preferred, has to be at least a 5 speed. Manual transmission only if I absolutely fall in love with the car and can't have anything else, or the automatic option is a CVT (shutters).
• Drivetrain doesn't matter, I like FWD but the vehicle will rock winter tires.
• Prefer smaller engine (forced induction is fine) over large engine.
• Fuel economy can't suck.
• HID headlights are preferred, not needed though.

Cars I Wouldn't Touch With a 10ft Pole:

• Anything from the Chrysler Group.
• Anything from Nissan.
• Anything with a rotary engine.
• Mazda 3, the happiest freakin' car in the world.
• Subaru WRX

The Current List:

• MINI Countryman Cooper S (FWD)
• Volvo C30
• Honda CR-Z EX (manual trans )
• Honda Accord Coupe
• VW Jetta (probably a TDI)

Like Mr. Yss, this won't be till next year but like I said it takes me a long ass time to figure out a car and I am going to start test driving this coming weekend because honestly I have nothing else to really do.

 

[Tornado]

I wouldn't bother with the CR-Z. homeforsummer will tear me a new one about this, and maybe the car is better in Europe or whatever, but I've read far too many reviews of the car that basically come to the conclusion of "hey, this car is alright, but too bad the Fit is better in nearly every way" to see it as anything but exactly that.

Similarly, I haven't read a test of the new Jetta that didn't absolutely hate the thing compared to the previous car, so you would probably be better off splurging a few more grand with the current Golf instead (I'm actually thinking about giving the Jetta a test drive when the local dealer gets one, and then comparing it to my Uncle's Mk. V Jetta to see just how bad it is).



I suggest just upgrading to the Countryman. If you plan on trading the Mini in, I'm sure the Mini dealer would be happy to accommodate you in an upgrade. And even if you plan on keeping your current car, you've seemed pretty thoroughly happy with it over the past couple years, so you might as well give them another shot anyways to see if you'll find similar happiness out of a larger car from the same brand.

 

[Eric.]

Is there any desire (or means) to keep your paid-off Mini as the daily driver and then have some sort of "toy" with this new money?

My pick:

BMW 335i

 

[Joey D]

I wouldn't bother with the CR-Z. homeforsummer will tear me a new one about this, and maybe the car is better in Europe or whatever, but I've read far too many reviews of the car that basically come to the conclusion of "hey, this car is alright, but too bad the Fit is better in nearly every way" to see it as anything but exactly that.

That is a good point, but the Fit looks hideous. I don't know I like the idea of owning a hybrid that isn't stupidly overpriced, ugly as sin, and has some sporting qualities about it. I haven't driven one though so I have no idea.

Similarly, I haven't read a test of the new Jetta that didn't absolutely hate the thing compared to the previous car, so you would probably be better off splurging a few more grand with the current Golf instead (I'm actually thinking about giving the Jetta a test drive when the local dealer gets one, and then comparing it to my Uncle's Mk. V Jetta to see just how bad it is).

I haven't read any tests on the Jetta yet so I don't know. But I'll look into it. Honestly the only reason the Jetta made the list is that I like the TDI.

I suggest just upgrading to the Countryman. If you plan on trading the Mini in, I'm sure the Mini dealer would be happy to accommodate you in an upgrade. And even if you plan on keeping your current car, you've seemed pretty thoroughly happy with it over the past couple years, so you might as well give them another shot anyways to see if you'll find similar happiness out of a larger car from the same brand.

Ya that's sort of my thinking and really the only thing that I don't like about the Countryman is the price, the S starts around $25k for a wee SUV. But I know MINI's are overpriced from the get go. I don't know I need to drive one first and my dealer said they'd have them January 15th-ish.

Is there any desire (or means) to keep your paid-off Mini as the daily driver and then have some sort of "toy" with this new money?

I don't really want a toy car right now, it's just another thing to store, insure, plate, and maintain. I don't have the mechanical know how or time to really dive into a project car either. So really I would have to buy a fully functioning car that wouldn't break...so an S2000 .

My pick: BMW 335i

I priced one, it neared $51,000.

 

[Philly]

VW Jetta (probably a TDI)

If you go this route, I'd recommend a wagon (if you want the MKVI). Those are still on the MKV Golf platform, not that new POS MKVI Jetta we have here. I believe VW has maintenance and they have that 100k warranty option, so all those repairs shouldn't cost you too much. And they have DSG which is a sweet gearbox. I drove one a while ago. It's a very nice car. Acceleration wasn't stellar compared to the GTI but I liked the rest of the car quite a lot.

Also, GTI? That Lancer Sportback thing?

I'm sure Brad will be in here very soon to recommend you a Fusion as well.

 

[hemisport15]

I'll give you the Corrado for $34,999.








But seriously, here are some fan boy options... i'm biased towards these of course.
2010 VW GTi

EDIT: Just re-read your requirements for the cars and it appears that these are on thin ice... along with most things that are german.

MK5 VW R32

 

[Eric.]

I priced one, it neared $51,000.

Which is why you take advantage of depreciation.

$34k, certified used.

Rest of the results.

 

[McLaren]

Is there any desire (or means) to keep your paid-off Mini as the daily driver and then have some sort of "toy" with this new money?

My pick:

BMW 335i

That suckers starts at $43K new. Quite a bit out of Joey's range for new & under $35K.

Which is why you take advantage of depreciation.

$34k, certified used.

That's not bad, but the registration & everything will still overcome $35K. Joey also needs to be aware that the CPO Warranty is extremely strict & will only cover a few things. A PPI would be highly advised for any BMW he might want. Otherwise, he could get stuck at the dealer footing the bill for an alignment, brakes, suspension, etc.

 

[Cale]

Nissan Juke?

New Focus ST if it's available with an auto?

 

[Eric.]

That's just the first one I found. I've looked at them as low as 27k.

I'm just not seeing the point in trading laterally when you're going to have money to afford something nicer. Trading a Mini for a Focus is probably a downgrade overall, besides it having more performance (which, isn't hard to have more performance than a basic Cooper).

 

[Keef]

I've got a feeling the new Focus is going to be so good that you'd have to be a fool not to want one. I also agree with the Juke, because it's awesome. I have no idea why you don't like Nissan...

A TDI would be an economical choice because you drive so much, but because you're not the type to keep a car for 200,000 miles it might not make as much sense as something else. A diesel's efficiency and long-term reliability together are its main benefits. Plus, they're just god awful boring. I couldn't imagine going from a Cooper to a...Volkswagen.

 

[Kylehnat]

So here is what I'm looking for:

• Warranty has to be at least 50,000 miles or better

That's going to be a tough one, as the standard on anything that isn't Korean is becoming 36,000.

Cars I Wouldn't Touch With a 10ft Pole:

• Anything from Nissan.
• Mazda 3, the happiest freakin' car in the world.

You, sir, have offended my delicate feelings .

Good luck with the hunt! The second car hunt is a fun one .

 

[eiriksmil]

I'd love to one day have a 200k mile Cooper.. Drive it for many years to come and mod the hell out of it..

 

[hemisport15]

I forgot to mention that i like the Volvo C30 idea, i don't know much about them... but they look cool.

And did you think about the Hyundai Genesis Coupe?

 

[Joey D]

MKVI GTI I don't know why I didn't really think about it. I almost bought a MKV GTI when I was looking at cars back in 07. I loved it, especially the DSG transmission, but the dealer was awful. I think that's the sole reason I didn't buy it. If I went to another dealer I'd probably be more likely to buy a VW. I know a lot of people have something against them but I don't. Although like any VW, I'd have this overwhelming urge to StanceWork's it.

Mitsu Lancer Sportback They still make Mitsubishi's? I can't even recall the last time I saw one, let alone a dealer .

Used 3-series Looking around here I can't find much that I would say, ya I want to spend money on that. Getting a car with 30,000 miles already on it doesn't really make sense to be because I drive so much. That's like taking a whole year of life out of the car. If I was going to get anything used it would have to have less then 10,000 miles on it.

Nissan Juke I can't get past the looks. The front end just irks me with it's design because of the way the headlamps and turn indicators are. Plus it's a Nissan which I despise.

On Nissan Hate I just don't like Nissan, to me they are like the Japanese version of Chevy. Bland, generic cars that don't really inspire anything at all. I've driven several of them and they all have a rental car feel to them which I don't really like. The 350Z was decent enough but even then I don't think I'd ever want to spend money on one. If Nissan's of today were like Nissan's of the past (240Z and the like, and the Datsun 510) I'd be all over it.

2012 FocusI would be stupid not to at least look at one since I do get the Ford discount. I like the car very much and think it looks really nice. I'm not sure what is holding me back for saying I want one though.

Volvo C30 Right now it's between the Countryman and this for the leading vehicle. The C30 is basically a more grown up and larger Cooper so it might fit me perfectly. The new design on it though is weird. I hate how Volvos got all roundy all of a sudden, they look like freakin Subarus. The R-design is nice though.

Genesis Coupe I drove one and didn't like it, sure it's a good car and everything but it's not my type of vehicle. It felt solid enough but if I wanted a RWD sports car I'd go to Ford and give them money for a Mustang.

On Image/Upgrading I honestly don't care what the vehicle is, as long as it's nice and not a load of rubbish. I mean I don't want to go from a Cooper to a Chevy Aveo or anything. Linear trading is fine by me.

**Oh and I hope this is riddled with too many errors, I typed it on my phone.

 

[Tornado]

MKVI GTI I don't know why I didn't really think about it. I almost bought a MKV GTI when I was looking at cars back in 07. I loved it, especially the DSG transmission, but the dealer was awful. I think that's the sole reason I didn't buy it. If I went to another dealer I'd probably be more likely to buy a VW. I know a lot of people have something against them but I don't. Although like any VW, I'd have this overwhelming urge to StanceWork's it.


2012 FocusI would be stupid not to at least look at one since I do get the Ford discount. I like the car very much and think it looks really nice. I'm not sure what is holding me back for saying I want one though.

I'd give good long looks at these two.

The new design on it though is weird. I hate how Volvos got all roundy all of a sudden, they look like freakin Subarus. The R-design is nice though.

Don't worry. They will return to normal soon enough. They tossed the styling chief that made such a mess out of the S60 and C30.

 

[homeforsummer]

I wouldn't bother with the CR-Z. homeforsummer will tear me a new one about this

Pfft, I'm not that bad!

and maybe the car is better in Europe or whatever, but I've read far too many reviews of the car that basically come to the conclusion of "hey, this car is alright, but too bad the Fit is better in nearly every way" to see it as anything but exactly that.

I've not driven it myself yet so until that point I can't make any definitive judgement, but the car really is better suited to Europe. Apart from anything, our Honda Jazz doesn't come with the 1.5 engine that yours does which brings it a lot closer to the CR-Z.

What I will add is that I have a lot of contacts in the early stages of motoring journalism like myself, all around my age or younger, and every one of them who's driven the CR-Z comes away loving it. I've heard it compared to and described as better than anything from the MINI through the Mazda 2 and Fiesta to the Fiat 500. That's some fair competition it's beating.

I suggest just upgrading to the Countryman. If you plan on trading the Mini in, I'm sure the Mini dealer would be happy to accommodate you in an upgrade. And even if you plan on keeping your current car, you've seemed pretty thoroughly happy with it over the past couple years, so you might as well give them another shot anyways to see if you'll find similar happiness out of a larger car from the same brand.

I'd go with this too. I'm pretty sure Joey would be more than happy with the Countryman.

 

[Eric.]

One of my friends that I autocross with test drove a CR-Z and told me it was a terrible driver's car.

 

[Cale]

One of my friends that I autocross with test drove a CR-Z and told me it was a terrible driver's car.

Transmission is very pleasant, but the rest is 100% mediocre.

 

[Joey D]

I'm not a crazy driver, I wouldn't mind something I could have fun with occasionally. I mean the Cooper is perfect, it's by no means a fast car or even that sporty of a car, but I can have fun with it. I'm sure the CR-Z is about the same way.

Hopefully I have some free time on Saturday so I can go give one a look. I am really intrigued to drive the car.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Here you go.

You've tried the wrong wheel drive BMW, so how about right wheel drive for a change?

 

[socomplayer2]

Out of all the new car threads this one makes me the saddest . It feels like just yesterday I read about your old car thread when you got the cooper.

 

[Joey D]

I'm good on the 1 series, I think it's hideous and it's not terribly useful as you can fit approximately nothing in it. I would like a 3-series but that's out of my price range for the time being. Maybe in a few more years.

Out of all the new car threads this one makes me the saddest . It feels like just yesterday I read about your old car thread when you got the cooper.

It's been 3 years oddly enough, within the next year or so the car will be at the end of it's life time with me and time to go on to someone else who will do something else with it. While I love the car and it's been good to me, it's time to move on. And there is still a chance I'd end up with another MINI.

 

[lpb-nissan-gt-r]

I sat in a cr-z and found the rear visability quite bad.

 

[socomplayer2]

I hear ya, same thing with the gti.

Not trying to be all fan-boy like but have you thought about a mark6 golf tdi? I've heard good things and they get great mpgs. Though not quite fast, Im sure the 2.0 tdi gives it enough tourqe to make a grown man giggle, and the 6speed dsg trans is quite peppy and smooth. Even though I am a manual guy myself I must say the new dsg transmissions in VAG vehicles are really nice.

From the 2.5 golf Ive driven it handles quite nice. I personally have always like VW interiors, they feel higher quality than your average car, not sure how they compare with the mini but they are nice. Also you can equip it with a handful of nice options that wont just make it another golf.

Good Luck!!! Hope this helps

 

[Joey D]

One thing I hate about VW's is their option packages. You have to get stuff you don't need or want in order to get the things you do. Like on the GTI in order to get the HID's you have to get the NAV system...like what?

I priced a 5-door GTI and a TDI and they both come in around $27k which isn't too bad. Although you do get a tax credit with the TDI of $850 I believe.

I don't know I've always wanted a VW for whatever reason, I'm not sure why I haven't gone down that path.

 

[socomplayer2]

One thing I hate about VW's is their option packages. You have to get stuff you don't need or want in order to get the things you do. Like on the GTI in order to get the HID's you have to get the NAV system...like what?

I priced a 5-door GTI and a TDI and they both come in around $27k which isn't too bad. Although you do get a tax credit with the TDI of $850 I believe.

I don't know I've always wanted a VW for whatever reason, I'm not sure why I haven't gone down that path.

I say its worth at least a test drive:tup:. They are two very different cars for being basically the same thing if that makes any sence.


You wont be disappointed, especially with the gti at least.

 

[Joey D]

Oh I loved the MKV GTI so I have to imagine I would love the MKVI. My only problem, and this is the truth here, would be not wanting to StanceWork's it.

It's definitely on the list to check out though.

 

[Philly]

One thing I hate about VW's is their option packages. You have to get stuff you don't need or want in order to get the things you do. Like on the GTI in order to get the HID's you have to get the NAV system...like what?

You can always get OEM HIDs aftermarket. Might be pricey but maybe worth it... The $3000 that I just looked up is probably cheaper than HIDs with nav... Maybe you could find a 2010 that has HIDs but no nav. I thought you could spec that in that year.

Oh I loved the MKV GTI so I have to imagine I would love the MKVI. My only problem, and this is the truth here, would be not wanting to StanceWork's it.

It's definitely on the list to check out though.

Nothing wrong with a nicely done up GTI. Coilovers + wheels will make that one sick car. Also, $800 for an APR stage 1 chip. That'll make the car very fast.

 

[socomplayer2]

Oh I loved the MKV GTI so I have to imagine I would love the MKVI. My only problem, and this is the truth here, would be not wanting to StanceWork's it.

It's definitely on the list to check out though.

Lol, thats a good idea.

IMO, I think it definitely looks really good when properly pulled off BUT it kills when daily driving it. I'm sure Michigan is worse than New Jersey, and trust me NJ is pretty crappy. Mines not even that low and it rides better than most other people I know who have lowered their VW but it still stinks a good portion of the time.

I think, especially in your case, that the gti is a dish that is best served stock. Its well put together from the factory especially for a daily driver.