Topic: New Car Shopping Time

[Julie]

I even showed her pictures of the two cars, side by side, to show they're not even remotely the same. She just laughed and yelled out "Look at the headlights! It's exactly the same car! It's horrible!"

   That's funny.  That happens though sometimes - you had a bad experience, or somebody you disliked owned a particular car, or whatever the reason! - and you hate whatever reminds you of it.

That's too bad, as the GTI was the one you liked best.

Btw, the 328 model has been reliable.  It was not a easy choice for me to pick between 328 or 335i for that reason... 

[HeliDriver]

It's a tough call. If BMW made a 335 Touring with xDrive, I think that car would be just about perfect (maybe too expensive for me, but still perfect).

As it is, I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 328i Touring - a 3,800 lb car with all wheel drive and the base engine. I'm sure it would be nice enough, but maybe a little underwhelming for 50 large. 

[vdk]

It's a tough call. If BMW made a 335 Touring with xDrive, I think that car would be just about perfect (maybe too expensive for me, but still perfect).

As it is, I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 328i Touring - a 3,800 lb car with all wheel drive and the base engine. I'm sure it would be nice enough, but maybe a little underwhelming for 50 large. 

I thought you were thinking about importing one without the added weight from the States. What happened to that?

[Julie]

It's a tough call. If BMW made a 335 Touring with xDrive, I think that car would be just about perfect (maybe too expensive for me, but still perfect).

As it is, I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 328i Touring - a 3,800 lb car with all wheel drive and the base engine. I'm sure it would be nice enough, but maybe a little underwhelming for 50 large. 

Yeah, if your gut is not excited about it, don't get it.

Does your wife know that the GTI is World Car of the Year and such?  Maybe that will help with her image of "poverty-level transportation appliances for people without the means".    Didn't it also win the Canadian Automobile Journalists' Award for Best Sports Car under 50K?  That's a nice benchmark figure...

[HeliDriver]

It's a tough call. If BMW made a 335 Touring with xDrive, I think that car would be just about perfect (maybe too expensive for me, but still perfect).

As it is, I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 328i Touring - a 3,800 lb car with all wheel drive and the base engine. I'm sure it would be nice enough, but maybe a little underwhelming for 50 large. 

I thought you were thinking about importing one without the added weight from the States. What happened to that?

Still thinking about it, but it would be a huge hassle. And it wouldn't be much cheaper, either - BMW Canada really nails you with unnecessary modifications if you want them to honour the warranty.

Also, now that the roads are horrible, and will likely stay that way for another six months, I've been thinking a little more about the benefits of xDrive.

[HeliDriver]

Does your wife know that the GTI is World Car of the Year and such?  Maybe that will help with her image of "poverty-level transportation appliances for people without the means".    Didn't it also win the Canadian Automobile Journalists' Award for Best Sports Car under 50K?  That's a nice benchmark figure...

Oh yeah, we've been through all that. It was also Automobile Magazine's Automobile of the Year - for the second time in three years! And don't forget that it's a top safety pick in the IIHS crash tests.

Funny, but none of that makes the slightest bit of difference. The car is a hatchback. Therefore it's hideously ugly. End of discussion.

My only hope now is that if I bring one home she falls for the heated seats - she's still PO'd that we didn't get that option on the Suburban. 

[Julie]

I just remembered something.

There is a possibly that BMW will introduce a new, single turbo, twin scroll engine for the 335i with the launch of the coupe facelift next.  This engine would produce slightly greater HP and better gas mileage.  The thing is, there is some speculation the 328i will also get a proportional power gain to match. 

BMW insiders have confirmed the possibility for the 335i engine, but I have not seen an insider confirm the possibility for the 328i upgrade.

Anyways, another thing to consider if you have time.  I can keep you updated as soon as I hear.  At any rate, you might want to test a manual, just to cover all bases, as it apparently makes a noticeable difference.  Also, the 328i auto tranny is different from the 335i's (328's is sourced from GM; 335's is made by ZF).  Since they don't have a manual demo, maybe they have a pre-owned one you can take for a spin...

[vdk]

If they officially up the power on the 335i they could always use the 330i engine in the 328i.

[Julie]

If they officially up the power on the 335i they could always use the 330i engine in the 328i.

Unfortunately, they won't do that , because the 330i is still available in Europe.

If it were here, I would have gotten it.  Gorgeous naturally aspirated engine; more reliable than twin-turbos.

The speculation is that the 328i would come with a mild bump in HP only.  The 328i is a de-tuned version of the 330i btw.

[HeliDriver]

Thanks for the info, Julie.

While we're on the subject of BMW updates, what would really be perfect for me is a 1-Series hatchback. Or maybe VW will bring over the R20 (doubt it would have a real manual, though). Oh well, I could probably spend the rest of my life waiting for someone to sell me the perfect car. 

[HeliDriver]

Damn... just when I thought I'd made up my mind to get the GTI...

I finally stumbled across a CPO 2007 328xi Touring with a manual transmssion and the Sport package. The colour and interior wouldn't be my first choices, but I suppose I could live with them. The car has only 27,000kms, which may or may not be a good thing. 

My thinking (in a nutshell):

GTI: great value at $33k OTD; fun to drive; new car smell; unhappy wife.
BMW: decent value, but still around $41k OTD; more fun to drive in winter, probably less fun in summer; happy wife.

Tough decision. 

[Julie]

Damn... just when I thought I'd made up my mind to get the GTI...

I finally stumbled across a CPO 2007 328xi Touring with a manual transmssion and the Sport package. The colour and interior wouldn't be my first choices, but I suppose I could live with them. The car has only 27,000kms, which may or may not be a good thing. 

My thinking (in a nutshell):

GTI: great value at $33k OTD; fun to drive; new car smell; unhappy wife.
BMW: decent value, but still around $41k OTD; more fun to drive in winter, probably less fun in summer; happy wife.

Tough decision. 

Would the wife like the colors?  What are they btw?

I doubt, with a manual transmission, that the xi would be less fun to drive in the summer.  If I'm not mistaken, the additional weight of the xdrive is minimal.

[Turbo Bob]

Just to mix things up a bit, I drove a new VW GTI yesterday. Well, maybe drive isn't quite the word. More like rolled along at 30 km/h down snow-covered, icy residential streets on 18" all-season tires in the middle of a nasty blizzard. Well, I did get it up to 80 km/h once... briefly... and only in a straight line.

So, I basically have no idea how the car handles, but I'm willing to take the word of all the reviewers who've called it a joy. As for what I could discern about the car - the interior quality, comfort, ride, shift feel - I loved it!

Yes, it's FWD, but I think I can live with that (again). Other than that, it covers all my wants and needs nicely. For less than $35k, out the door, tax included, with all the options I'd want (just the upgraded stereo), it strikes me as a screaming deal. In comparison, spending another $20k on the BMW just seems stupid.

But... and it's a big one... my wife absolutely loathes this car.

Have you ever heard auto execs say that North Americans (well, mostly Americans) hate hatchbacks? That they equate them with poverty-level transportation appliances for people without the means, or the good sense, to buy a real car? That they're ugly and unsafe little tin cans that aren't fit to share our semi-truck-clogged North American roadways?

Well, apparently my wife is one of those people. 

What about the Audi A1, would she go for that?

[Julie]

Also, do they have all the service records?  You could at least see how the car was maintained until now...

Test drive it!    And then let us know what you think!  

[rrocket]

Damn... just when I thought I'd made up my mind to get the GTI...

I finally stumbled across a CPO 2007 328xi Touring with a manual transmssion and the Sport package. The colour and interior wouldn't be my first choices, but I suppose I could live with them. The car has only 27,000kms, which may or may not be a good thing. 

My thinking (in a nutshell):

GTI: great value at $33k OTD; fun to drive; new car smell; unhappy wife.
BMW: decent value, but still around $41k OTD; more fun to drive in winter, probably less fun in summer; happy wife.

Tough decision. 

Are you shopping for YOUR car, or for HER car?  Easy decision IMO...

[rrocket]

What about the Audi A1, would she go for that?

A1 NOT coming to North America last I read....

[Turbo Bob]

What about the Audi A1, would she go for that?

A1 NOT coming to North America last I read....

Oh dear, what a shame!

[HeliDriver]

Are you shopping for YOUR car, or for HER car?  Easy decision IMO...

Good one! 

No, it will be my car, and I'm free to get whatever I want. But...

Also, do they have all the service records?  You could at least see how the car was maintained until now...

Test drive it!    And then let us know what you think!  

The car is about 1,200 kms away. Not too far for me to hop on a plane and bring it home, but a bit too far for a test drive.  I'll call the dealer tomorrow to get some more info. It's a CPO from a BMW dealership, so I assume it will have a full history.

Would the wife like the colors?  What are they btw?

I doubt, with a manual transmission, that the xi would be less fun to drive in the summer.  If I'm not mistaken, the additional weight of the xdrive is minimal.

Colours are silver metallic on black leatherette. A little boring IMO, and I'm concerned the black leatherette will be a bit hot and sticky in the summer. Haven't even mentioned the car to my wife yet. 

And you may be right about the xDrive still being fun in the summer. But, it does add about 260lbs, IIRC. Still, I think the GTI will be a scrappier, more exciting car to drive, even if it is FWD.

A proper GTI test drive is out, though - it's a four-month wait for a factory order (can't get the car I want otherwise), so I'll need to get on it soon if I want the car for spring. Maybe if we get a few good days of warm weather the roads will improve to the point that a proper flogging will be possible. 

[rrocket]

In all seriousness...get what YOU want if it is truly your car.  I know compromise, blah, blah, blah...but when it comes time for her to get a new car..will she be getting the car you prefer then??

New car purchased don't come around often....so don't have any regrets...get what you love...drive what you love..and be happy.

[Julie]

You know, I'm not a fan of leatherette either.  Looks a lot like leather and is easier to clean, but I'd be worried about the heat/ stickiness in the summer too.  Plus, the inside/outside color doesn't excite you too much.

It sounds like your gut is saying GTI.  And it is fantastic, fantastic refresh this year!  I agree with rrocket then.  You need to get the GTI spec'd exactly to your liking.