Ask the Car People.SM


Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

32430 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 10:20 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 3031 of 3244

#30297 of 32430 Couple Saturday test drives by breld

Feb 16, 2013 (8:48 pm)

Had a couple free hours this afternoon, so the wonderful wife suggested I go drive some hatchback candidates.
 
Ford Focus (auto) - I'm not so sure what all the fuss is about with the 6-speed auto. It seemed fine to me. Nevertheless, I just couldn't get into it - roadburner summed it up pretty well with saying that the car doesn't have much personality. The rear seat room seems skimpy compared to the competition, and I like the interior overall in the Hyundai much better.
 
Impreza - surprisingly nice with probably the best rear seat room of the hatch's I've looked at. The 36 MPG (highway) is impressive considering the AWD and a decent amount of pep. I drove it right after the Focus, and the Subaru did seem more engaging. The CVT would take some getting used to, but I suppose that's why it nets the high MPG. Still not a big fan of the exterior styling, but it could grow on me. I'd like the sport model without the roof rails (maybe they're removable).
 
So at least I crossed the Focus off my list, but the "long-shot" Impreza moved up, so I still have a few hatch's in consideration.
 
All in all, I'm not in all that much of a hurry, considering the E39 I'd give up, while somewhat redundant with the 335xi I just added, is still more engaging as a second car than any of these cars.

#30298 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [corvette] by boomchek

Feb 16, 2013 (11:35 pm)

Replying to: corvette (Feb 16, 2013 4:24 pm)
Congrats on the Jetta. I am impressed with some of VW's latest offerings, especially the Jetta and GTi.
 
In Canada the GTi tops out at $40k for fully loaded 5 door with DSG and Nav. Even though it's pricey I think it's one of the (if not the) best hatchbacks/sports compacts you can get on the market right now. Even compared to an Audi A3, the GTi just seems like a much better and nicer car.
 
Enjoy the car!

#30299 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [fezo] by roadburner

Feb 17, 2013 (12:16 am)

Replying to: fezo (Feb 16, 2013 8:09 pm)
Congrats! I love the 6 wagon- wish there was an MS6!

#30300 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [corvette] by ateixeira

Feb 17, 2013 (7:11 am)

Replying to: corvette (Feb 16, 2013 8:47 pm)
DI engines clatter a lot, no wonder they synthesize the noise. Still great tech.

#30301 of 32430 Re: Couple Saturday test drives [breld] by ateixeira

Feb 17, 2013 (7:13 am)

Replying to: breld (Feb 16, 2013 8:48 pm)
The 2.5i Limited doesn't have roof rails. Told ya that back seat was surprisingly roomy. I liked the sedan I test drove.

#30302 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [fezo] by steine13

Feb 17, 2013 (7:45 am)

Replying to: fezo (Feb 16, 2013 8:09 pm)
Fezo,
Congratulations on the 6/stick/wagon -- quite a find.
 
I believe that's a V6 -- a friend was interested in these and said there's a nasty problem with the PCV system; something about a valve clogging up, or the oil pick-up clogging, and in the medium term, bye-bye engine.
 
It sounded like one of those things were forewarned is forearmed, so you may wish to check one of the fan sites and see whether there's anything to it. I really like those as well. What keeps me from Mazda up here in MI is their tendency to rust -- aside from the fact that, like Nissans, they are fairly thin on the ground.
 
One of these days I'll get my Outback, but I'm really not sold on the need for AWD.
 
Good luck with the Six. FWD wagon FTW!
 
Cheers -Mathias

#30303 of 32430 Re: Couple Saturday test drives [ateixeira] by breld

Feb 17, 2013 (8:31 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 17, 2013 7:13 am)
You were certainly right about that backseat. At 6' 3", I need all the seat travel possible in the driver's seat - in the Impreza, the back seat still had reasonable room for the kids in back with the driver's seat all the way back. In the Focus, the front seat was practically touching the back seat.
 
My wife, who has a dislike for Subarus, actually likes it. What she really likes is the tangerine orange XV Crosstrek . Too bad the XV gets 3 MPG worse than the Impreza - how can that be? Just ride height?

#30304 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [roadburner] by fezo

Feb 17, 2013 (11:56 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 17, 2013 12:16 am)
Congrats! I love the 6 wagon- wish there was an MS6!
 
You and me both!

#30305 of 32430 If I'm going to dream... by oldfarmer50

Feb 17, 2013 (12:47 pm)

Might as well dream big.
 
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3615658225.html

#30306 of 32430 Re: 2013 VW Jetta GLI impressions [breld] by jayrider

Feb 17, 2013 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: breld (Feb 16, 2013 8:30 pm)
Breld, Your ship has come in. You can now be the proud owner of a Jetta Hybrid which from all accounts drives like a euro sedan. High MPG and around 30k. Not a hatch but it has a large trunk with fold down seats. That's the good news. The bad news ? It's a first generation Hybrid from VW --- what could possibly go wrong with all the extra technology ?

Messages Page 3031 of 3244

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement