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      02-23-2017, 07:17 AM   #1
F80Dreamer
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Help Me Choose a Daily Driver!

Absolutely loving my M3, 7 months into ownership...but I am planning on buying a second car to use as my daily/bad weather/airport car. I can spend up to $30k, and looking for a fun, manual, efficient, comfortable car. Since I already have the 4 door M, plus my wife's truck, no real need for back seat space for kids, etc...as it will mostly be just me in the car. I also need it to be a little smaller so I can fit it into the garage. So far, I have narrowed it down to 3 choices:
- 2017 GTI, base model -- have always wanted to own one, think this would be a blast to drive
- 2017 Mazda RF base model -- sexy as hell, great manual shifter/balance, just not sure about interior space (I am 6"2)
- 2017 Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 -- back to basic thrills
Would love to hear your thoughts on the above list, or any other choices I should consider.
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      02-23-2017, 07:21 AM   #2
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GTI. It is a fun little car, and its German.

There is only one constant in the last 500 years of civilization...when it comes to engineering (of any kind), don't mess with ze Germans.
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      02-23-2017, 07:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F80Dreamer View Post
Absolutely loving my M3, 7 months into ownership...but I am planning on buying a second car to use as my daily/bad weather/airport car. I can spend up to $30k, and looking for a fun, manual, efficient, comfortable car. Since I already have the 4 door M, plus my wife's truck, no real need for back seat space for kids, etc...as it will mostly be just me in the car. I also need it to be a little smaller so I can fit it into the garage. So far, I have narrowed it down to 3 choices:
- 2017 GTI, base model -- have always wanted to own one, think this would be a blast to drive
- 2017 Mazda RF base model -- sexy as hell, great manual shifter/balance, just not sure about interior space (I am 6"2)
- 2017 Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 -- back to basic thrills
Would love to hear your thoughts on the above list, or any other choices I should consider.
Done!
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      02-23-2017, 07:49 AM   #4
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Get the 2017 GTI, but opt for the Sport, not the base model. Sport adds 20 hp, better brakes, and limited slip diff among other things. It is totally worth the $2k extra you pay for it. I've owned MKIVs, MKVs, and MKVIs and the MK7 is truly a pleasure to drive.

However, I did come from VWs, so I may be biased; but I've test-driven the new GTIs and the new Mazda 3 with a manual. The Mazdas are very nice, but have no comparison at all to the GTI as far as driving fun.
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      02-23-2017, 07:52 AM   #5
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GTI no doubt about it assuming we are choosing from just those 3.

Otherwise CPO M235s will start rolling off leases soon but probably a little more than you want to spend.
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      02-23-2017, 07:56 AM   #6
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I vote rf as i am a z4 coupe lover and i cannot lie

plus rear wheel drive more fun

plus normal aspiration more connection
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      02-23-2017, 07:56 AM   #7
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Using your own criteria, GTI would be be way better than the other two for: bad weather, airport (luggage capacity) and comfort.
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      02-23-2017, 08:24 AM   #8
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Miata no question
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      02-23-2017, 09:16 AM   #9
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Miata, absolutely. I'd have one if I didn't have the kid seat.

I'm 6'2" and fit great in the regular ND, it's a lot roomier than my old NB which required taking a turkey knife to the seat foam, removing the sun visors and hammering out a lump for the RHD fuel pump to let the seat move back further.

I want to love the BRZ, and have driven them four or five times, but the steering is lacking and the motor has an awful torque hole around 4,500rpm.
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      02-23-2017, 09:40 AM   #10
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GTI all day. One of my favorites amongst the cars I've owned. My dad still has a 2009 that I drive sometimes at their summer house and am reminded how great of a car that is.
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      02-23-2017, 10:11 AM   #11
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Yeah but a GTI in manual can be had new for under $20k. That's a bargain compared to the others.
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      02-23-2017, 10:32 AM   #12
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ford has a couple great small hatchbacks out in the world. but to your list the gti is the winner.
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      02-23-2017, 10:37 AM   #13
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BRZ. I know its slow but its a much fun car. The car stays flat in hi speed cornering. One thing I don't like is how noisy the inside is when driving >60.
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      02-23-2017, 10:58 AM   #14
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On your list, all 3 cars seem great, but for different reasons. For a everyday car, I'd go GTI, though I'd worry about reliability a bit.

No WRX? No Hyundai genesis 2 dr? Or even a 1er?
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      02-23-2017, 11:18 AM   #15
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Biased since I own a '16 GTI and love it, but out of that list, GTI for a DD. As a toy, I would pick something else, but the day-to-day comfort, refinement, and practicality is what made me go with it, even though like you, I had other 4 doors to cover the kid-toting duties.

In all honesty, if you were going to sacrifice the the GTI's strengths, I'd just get a used Boxster or Cayman long before I got a Miata or FRS/BRZ for a daily duties.
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      02-23-2017, 11:35 AM   #16
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If BMW brought a 130/140 with an MT and xdrive into the US I would probably buy it in a second
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      02-23-2017, 04:49 PM   #17
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Just saw this on my way home, good for a laugh
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      02-24-2017, 07:24 AM   #18
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^That's funny. The A3 is actually smaller than the GTI is since the MKVI models
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