Nope... not a lot of ppl bought 3GT and 5GT. That is why they didnt last long, only 2 or 3 years and they were dead.

 

The 3GT sold for like 6 years, the 5GT sold for like 9 years. I think the 6GT is still available in Europe?

My neighbor has one, it's ugly AF.

 

+1 for the Mk 7 Golf R, that would be my #1 choice if you don't want a manual and plan to just DD it. Or if you want the manual, to never launch it.

I've read mixed things about the carbon buildup on the newer TSI engines, but I'm sure Sam and Civic are more versed in it.

 

They sold 3GT for 6 years in the US? that is shocking... i sat 1 in the show room before.. the rear leg room was ridiculous... it felt like a limo... but yah Ugly AF...

 

Hmmm...good call on the direct injecton issues. I'm still used to old school port injection and some of the newer DI motors you have to be aware of....hopefully not too much carbon buildup?

 

I don't think you're going to get a mk7 R for $23k unless it has a butt load of miles on it.

I haven't heard of any carbon issues with the newer mk7 cars but who knows, it may still be too early to tell. Either way, with a 6/72 warranty, you won't have the car for a whole lot passed that point anyway. And, also, it'll still be cheaper to maintain than an old Audi lol.

 

Oops, didn't see the budget. Low 20s then? Yeah, slim pickings there for a Mk 7 R.

Carbon buildup removal is not really a deal breaker, rather something to factor in as a maintenance line item.

Every engine is different. Some have port injectors to clean up, others have PCV systems that work very well (Type R) and don't really have buildup issues with just DI. Early DI engines, you can find pics where the manifold runner looks like a clogged sewage pipe.

 

Yeah true true. Good to know newer DI motors are not as bad, which makes sense as new tech and engineering solves these issues.

Dang...if only I had like a popular youtube channel or something to help it be monetized or write off as taxes...lol.

Yeah budget wise...it's really variable. I would say probably 25k or less (I plan to pay cash) or so. The $20-23k number is because that ad for that Audi A7 is listed at $22k or so....so just looking at this range of options. I mean I could definitely go north of 30k++ but just don't see the value in it for me....either a newer economical brand (Honda, VW, etc.) or a slightly older but more luxurious ride (Audi, etc.)

 

You can definitely get a solid mk7 GTI for $25k. And can absolutely certainly get an alltrack for that price too.

 

Just get a brand new or 2-3 years old Accord 2.0T. Those cars are amazing and it's super roomy in the backseat and trunk.

 

You can get a new GTI for $25k

Early model Rs, 2015s and some 2016s can be had in the low to mid 20k range, but they'll be on the higher mileage, and the early models have haldex and turbo issues.

 

I think first you need to decide if you want the used Luxury brand or just a quick fun commuter car...

I think that will make your decision much easier.

Logically and financially speaking, a new non-luxury reliable brand is always a better bet than a used luxury German car... but we all know logic and financial common sense dont work here in AZ...

 

Yes but not the one with all the fancy gadgets and gizmos.

 

I'm firmly against buying any GTI new - they don't hold value. Good deals can be had, but just get a 2017 or 2018 to save a shit ton.

 

I'm sharing this photo because I think red looks great on this car. But there are plenty of these with decent mileage for way below your target price. I looked for V90s but they're all pretty far on the other side of the budget cap.

Could be an option?



https://www.carsforsale.com/Search?C...vo&Models=V60&

 

Agree 100%. There are so many on the market with like 5000 miles on them for a lot less than new and the 2018 models come with a super long warranty.

The R, on the other hand, holds its value WAY more.

 

Howabout a gently used M3 circa 6-7 years ago?

 

my brother in law has been waiting to get a Telluride. He does not feel like paying over MSRP for any car let alone a KIA...

I checked around, thinking the Pandemic might have lowered the demand.. all the dealers here still want 2-3k over.... WTF???

 

I don't know if this is within reach, but also on the V60 theme:
2017 Volvo V60 T6 R Design

 

Kia had my buddy drive one for a month as his family is a Nielsen family. He was very impressed as he drives an Explorer and his wife a Buick SUV. It's a nice looking ride with lots of nice features from what I recall.

 

Not only that, good luck finding one. Last time I checked, within 100 miles of Houston, there were 7. And, that included new/CPO/used.
Haven't seen any with markup here, luckily.

 

@rockstar143 had one for a bit. He can chime in on it as a DD.

 

honestly, perfect DD.
Most comfy seats ever.
I had a T5 with the new eco 2.0 turbo motor with a polestar tune from facotry.
It was reasonably quick...had that beechwood interior and the copper flake in the black paint...
made it look reasonably cool...

as a daily, pimp shit.
my only gripe is it did feel a bit feminine. I can't tell you what that means...it was a wagon and it was cool...but I did feel
a bit like a bitchass in it (maybe unrelated to the car?). It also felt like it was so smooth...so good at mileage...got 30 mpg
which I never get because of my lead foot...so well behaved...but for all those reasons it also didn't feel like anything...it
didn't make me grin or do dumb shit that I love to do.

but as a daily..it was the fucking bomb.
Maybe the T6 would be more better...I always said...if it had been 5 cylinder and manual I would still be driving it.

 

damn, I completely forgot I did the euro HID headlight retrofit...
what a mission I went on for that.
Okay, maybe I do miss that car for a daily.

 

That interior is pimp shit. Volvo seats are the best.

 

@rockstar143 it's probably because Vagon that the V60 felt like less.

 

I went to a family function and 2 of my cousins were like WTF, you put volvo wheels on the cadillac?
they didn't even notice.

 

 

Right. And this is a good point too as wife and I have been talking over it. What's the value/worth of a more luxury ride vs economical ride.

~25k budget =

• Brand new, very economical car (Civic, Corolla, more lower end accord/camry, etc.) OR
• Near new, larger sedans and bit better (mid to higher trim Accord/Camry, some lower end luxury models like Volvo V60) OR
• Much older luxury models (good "bang for buck" but maintenance can be very expensive) OR
• Older / lower end Sports car

I commute 1hr to work each way (2hr total daily commute) on freeway and certainly it would be nicer to be in a more luxurious space BUT the cost is definitely higher. Not to mention the A7 seems interesting in that is has basically 20 gallon tank with almost 40mpg = almost 800mi range per tank....which also cuts down to fill up once a week instead of twice a week.

Nice, wow didn't know those already depreciated down into the 20s. Yeah i've been looking at wagons also. I am a bit worried about the new Volvo motors where its like combo hybrid + supercharger and turbo...but maybe 2017 had simpler drivetrains?

haha, well that'll be after my student loans are paid off.

I'm definitely looking at a weekender/sports-car...probably in 1-2 years. And so far I'm slightly leaning towrads more purpose-built sports car rather than a sporty sedan...so more like a 2-seater (S2k, Miata, Vette, etc. etc...)

Dude yes....I follow a couple of youtubers that were former car dealers/salesmen and apparently whole sale prices from Manheim and from auctions (for used cars) are now going UP instead of down.

Proposed theory is that dealers are anticipating lower new inventory due to the shutdown in factories, and they are anticipating higher demand for used cars so used lot is going up in price...AND with lesser new inventory too, they might be able to get away with charging higher for the new cars still.

It's weird since with 30-40million+ unemployed, you figure demand would be much lower. But my explanation so far is that if you look at the entire US, its 300M+ people. Not 100% of 300M are unemployed or had huge financial reduction. Many households are either not affected, minimally affected, or maybe even making MORE money now than before. Even if we say it just the proverbial "1%"...that's 3 MILLION people/households....and so even if half of them are in a position to get a new or upgrade their car to a newer used one....that could be multiple hundreds of thousands of people wanting to get a newer car....that's a lot of people. And people who are more well off are probably also wanting to take advantage of the lower interest rates also (maybe similar phenomenon happening in real estate market...?)

But in the long-term, say next 1-2 years....that's where I think we may see an overall reduction in demand. So right now we have people who are not as affected trying to take advantage of 0% APR and lower interest.....and then months and months later this year there could be more reduced demand?

Yeah good suggestion....definitely looking at some wagons too now.....car enthusiasts and wagons man....lol

Dang, not bad for 30mpg with lead foot...probably can get to mid 30s with light foot. Yeah some of the higher trim Volvos have super complex motors (turbo + blower + hybrid) which I'm wary of but looks like lower-mid trim Vovols have the usual smaller turbo motors as have many cars these days.

Maybe the more "curvy" styling makes it more feminine like?


Update to the Audi A7 TDI. I emailed a local well-known VW/TDI independent shop (found via TDIClub forum, damn I love forums...) and the owner emailed back saying that unfortunately no way to really check if timing chain needs repair....if it rattles alot you have a problem. Also due to the more complex diesel exahust/emission system (there's 2 filters for the exhaust + the adblue injection system, and 1 of the filters, the DPF, can be clogged at about 100k/120k miles which is another big expensive repair) .
Youtuber says he quoted a A7 timing chain at $6700 (40hr labor + parts), and DPF replacement can cost north of $5000 also.....so potentially looking at $10k+ repair in the first year if unlucky......oh boy....

Another option is maybe looking at taking over a lease....I drive quite a bit per month (3000+ miles) but I do not want to lease for 36 months....saw some interesting deals on Swaplease....a 2017 E400 wagon for $739/mo for 10mo and 2000 miles/mo....will have to factor in mileage charge though.....

 

I don't know...
but it was a perfect commuter.
mine was the simpler 2.0 e motor although it did have that polestar tune.
I love the polestar blue true polestar though.
Great little car.
And I got it for $15K, at like 70 something thousand miles iirc...down from 43K only 3 years prior.
They depreciate a LOT.

 

Anybody ever taken over a lease before?

https://www.swapalease.com/lease/det...?salid=1436678

 

If you do decide to go with the new car route at 25k.. i would strongly recommend you to take a look at the CX-30 in mid trim level.. my gf's MSRP was 27k and got it for 25k.

The quality, the interior layout and features are at least 1 full level above its segment... The interior will make you feel like you are in a $40k car inside...

It does not look as small as Mazda 3.. and if you dont like the black stuff outside... paint it..

Only the new Mazda 3 and CX30 have the newer mazda interior and infotainment system.

 

That looks pretty cool!

 

That does look good. Wish they had more power

 

its LED headlight while not adaptive, can see for miles, unlike my $1500 adaptive BMW LED, that i can barely see shit

It has 2 tone (dark blue/black or brown/black depends on trim) leatherette dash and door panels...
The infotainment resolution is on par with BMW... much better than anything Acura or Lexus offers..
Rear cross traffic alert and lane departure, forward collusion are standard at the 25-27k level.
Android auto and car play standard

The LED turn signal in the front and back fades instead of blinking like others..

i mean for 25k, i feel like we are ripping them off..

 

i think 190hp in that segment is pretty good considering others have like 140-150 (HRV, HRC and crosstrak) and the 2.5L definitely feels more adequate than 1.8 or 2.0L regardless what the # suggests. ... and it has 6 speed auto, not CVT.

The suspension is stiff, not harsh.. unlike many others in that segment that feels floaty... I like them stiff..

 

That actually looks really cool. They even fixed the stupid looking C pillar from the normal 3 hatch. This is what the 3 should look like from the factory.

Painting the black cladding makes it look like a widebody kit.

 

My Mom has the CX-30 and I can endorse it. The heads-up display and etc. are all pretty nicely done.

 

Yah.. at first CX30 was never on our radar cuz of the lifted look and the black cladding... she wanted the CX5... That quickly changed when we saw it in person.. especially when she saw the interior

Even my GF was telling me something about the 3's rear is off... even tho she didnt know what a C pillar is.

 

I am surprised your mom doesnt have a white RX350...