Author Topic: Small Car/ Fun to Drive/ Reliable (Read 1722 times)

brianlivingstone · « **on:** October 05, 2010, 07:46:49 pm »

Hi,

I own a Honda CRV, taken over by my teenagers. I also share a 2000 VW Jetta 1.8T which my wife drives (great car). I am looking for recommendations for my next car, which will be primarily driven by me solo, about 30K per year. I want the car to last 10 years. I want it to be fun, and reliable, AWD would be great, as I travel the Maritimes. I am thinking a Mini Cooper S, VW Beetle, VW GTI, Audi A3. Budget should be no more than $ 40k but I have some flexibility. No SUVs, maybe a sedan, but I really want something sporty. Not pretentious, probably not a BMW. Really leaning towards an A3 AWD. Recommendations ?

Thinking Out Loud · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:51:20 pm »

Subarus....Impressa/Forrester/Legacy?

tortoise · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2010, 08:19:24 pm »

Auto or manual?

Auto - GTI w/DSG. (I like the A3 but the prefer the 2011 GTI with it's better looks and updated chassis.)

Manual - Subaru WRX.

End Thread.

dougjp · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:04:10 pm »

I'm not sure what defines pretentious. BMW or Audi, both, or neither if its a more common and less expensive 1 or 3 series bimmer, A3 or A4 ? I don't think its much of an issue however only you can decide on that one.

Another twist. Have you considered buying Used at less than half the price, hoping for it to be reliable for 5 years instead of 10?

I'm reading into what you said, that you need to travel the area on business (solo, 30k per year). If you REALLY have to get through all winter conditions, a 4WD (A3, A4 or Subaru WRX) in your area is the way to go. If you have options and can delay trips because of weather, a FWD car like the GTI with great snows would work, and probably get better fuel economy and be more fun.

monevasia · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:13:06 pm »

What about the new AWD Suzuki Kizashi

lebowski · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2010, 08:29:14 am »

Of the brands you mention, the Subaru would appear to offer the greatest chance of reliability over 10 years.

Otherwise, maybe a mazdaspeed 3?

Shnak · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2010, 08:41:08 am »

With reliability, AWD, small, fun and $40k, you're pretty much saying you want a WRX. Nothing else really matches those qualifiers. Buy one and have fun with it!

Maybe an A3... but I'd get the WRX between the two personally... I just don't trust Audi/VW's reliability to last 10 years compared to Subaru.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:28:27 am »

A used Miata, S2000, or Boxster...

Then tell your kids to take the bus in the winter!!!

Otherwise, a WRX gets my vote.

vdk · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2010, 01:30:30 pm »

I like small cars. If I had the funds, a 2.0T A3 with Quattro would be my pick. I would then chip it.

Damien · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:39:46 pm »

+4

WRX

If you don't need AWD, an MX5 woud be great. ( I drive a 2006 MX5 year round and in snow over the highway around Kelowna BC, no issue at all with snow tires)

The MX5 has been absolutely bullet proof. I'm at 85,000 kms. Tires and brakes, thats it.

This is my 2nd MX5/miata. I sold my 1991 before I bought my 2006 brand new. Other than a timing belt and water pump, nothing failed. Drove it from 150,000kms to 240,000kms. Including auto cross racing.

Super reliable, good on gas, and holds value well. I still enjoy driving it everydamnday. So much fun it should be illegal, lol.

My .02$

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:50:46 pm »

Another vote for the WRX. Lots of fun, and imo your best bet to last 10 years and 300 000 kilometres. I'm guessing, but I'll wager any of the German cars will start to need expensive services at that kind of age and mileage...

brianlivingstone · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2010, 10:21:18 pm »

Hi,

After more than a month of deliberations I made my decision. I was really focused on VW, primarily as a result of my VW Jetta being 10 years old next week, and the good luck I had with that car. There were terrific deals on 2010 Passat CCs available. I passed as the car while beautiful, seemed too big and too fancy for its intended purpose. On some days I was sure about the GTI, others the Golf TDI, still others the new Jetta. I was totally impressed with the Suzuki Kizashi. I simply could not get support from my circle to support buying a Suzuki ( I know I wimped out).

So more or less on the spur of the moment I bought a 2010 Honda Civic SI four door in black. I used to own a Civic SiR, and while this car had engine problems, the time I owned it were happy days. So I brought it home to Honda. While I bought the car sight unseen, I tested a friend's car and the VTEC is a beast. It feels as though I made the right decision, and I pick up the keys tomorrow.

Thanks for the assistance.

1TSX · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2010, 11:00:42 pm »

Quote from: brianlivingstone on December 22, 2010, 10:21:18 pm

Hi,

After more than a month of deliberations I made my decision. I was really focused on VW, primarily as a result of my VW Jetta being 10 years old next week, and the good luck I had with that car. There were terrific deals on 2010 Passat CCs available. I passed as the car while beautiful, seemed too big and too fancy for its intended purpose. On some days I was sure about the GTI, others the Golf TDI, still others the new Jetta. I was totally impressed with the Suzuki Kizashi. I simply could not get support from my circle to support buying a Suzuki ( I know I wimped out).

So more or less on the spur of the moment I bought a 2010 Honda Civic SI four door in black. I used to own a Civic SiR, and while this car had engine problems, the time I owned it were happy days. So I brought it home to Honda. While I bought the car sight unseen, I tested a friend's car and the VTEC is a beast. It feels as though I made the right decision, and I pick up the keys tomorrow.

Thanks for the assistance.

Congrats! Another member on here, Mitlov, recently picked up a Civic SI in black too!

vdk · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2010, 02:46:14 am »

Hehehe... who would've thought. Good choice! Happy revving

Loudpedal · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2010, 08:58:40 am »

Congrats on the new Si!!!! v

dr_spock · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2010, 12:21:49 pm »

Congrats on the Si. Nice to see you have good luck with your Jetta.

safristi · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2010, 12:49:16 pm »

...and here i was betting on a second hand SUNFIRE.........j'k..........

Congrats..the Si is a nice piece of WORK.......enjoy flogging it...maybe become a BIG STUD'Der inna WINTAAH....

...with slicks

brianlivingstone · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:53:49 am »

Ugh ! My new 2010 Civic Si has 4700 kms. Last night on the way home from work the oil light came on. This morning I checked the oil level, and not a drop on the dipstick- out of oil. The car is in the dealership.

Now here is my case of deja vu all over again. I owned a 2002 Honda Civic SiR that had the oil light come on at 4900 kms, and was an oil burner for the two years I owned it.

I can't go through the oil consumption tests/ constant checking of oil levels again. I can't believe my luck.

vdk · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:15:08 am »

Have you even hit third gear yet? There's more to it than 1st and 2nd you know.. Just kidding.

Wait and see what the dealership comes up with. It is possible that maybe the PDI was not performed properly.

Mike · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:26:39 am »

The very first batch of 2006 new gen Civics had oil issues (i am talking like 5000 units) but I haven't heard of it since. Bad luck man, hopefully it isn't anything major.