2nd car recommendation!
#16
Intermediate
+1 on the GTI. I dropped my 997.1S with the Tiptronic a couple years ago for a loaded GTI with the DSG transmission. It seems crazy but the GTI is seriously fun, extremely practical (2 or 4 door) hatchback and actually very upscale fit and finish. It has to be worth a drive. My wife 'hated' hatchbacks before the GTI. I put quotes on the hated because she really had no idea what she was talking about... Anyway... She now loves the car. Only drawback is that there are no power/memory seats available on GTIs
#17
Rennlist Member
Women love the Lexus IS
#18
Rennlist Member
+1 on the Mini Countryman.
If you like the CooperS, but it's just a bit too small, take a serious look at the Countryman. It gets called the "big" Mini, or Mini Crossover, but that's not really fair. Yes, sitting next to a Cooper it looks big...but on the street it's the same size as a GTI and other compact cars. It retains the fun of the CooperS but has 4 doors and 4 seats. This year they've added the John Cooper Works model, and if the room does it for you but the 4 doors don't they have a forthcoming 2 door called the Paceman.
We seriously considered it but they didn't have the JCW available when we were ready. We had long liked the CooperS but i felt it was too small for my build (6'3, 250+), to the point that my feet would get tangled up in the pedals. That was all fixed in the Countryman.
If you like the CooperS, but it's just a bit too small, take a serious look at the Countryman. It gets called the "big" Mini, or Mini Crossover, but that's not really fair. Yes, sitting next to a Cooper it looks big...but on the street it's the same size as a GTI and other compact cars. It retains the fun of the CooperS but has 4 doors and 4 seats. This year they've added the John Cooper Works model, and if the room does it for you but the 4 doors don't they have a forthcoming 2 door called the Paceman.
We seriously considered it but they didn't have the JCW available when we were ready. We had long liked the CooperS but i felt it was too small for my build (6'3, 250+), to the point that my feet would get tangled up in the pedals. That was all fixed in the Countryman.
#19
Pro
I'm thinking of a Ford Focus ST as my '2nd Car' for city duty and golf bag/cart transportation. I've done a couple of test drives and found them 'OK' for the price (approx $27K). The ST version has been in Europe for awhile and the reviews for the most part are favorable.
#20
My vote: a boxster spyder, the new mini when it comes out, or the new gti when it comes out. I read it will be 500lbs lighter than the outgoing gti. BTW the new 911 is lighter than the current GTI.
#21
Rennlist Member
Thanks for all the input.
I had thought of the VW GTI but not the Ford Focus ST I must say. My wife plays tennis with the wife of the local Ford dealer, so could possibly get something interesting.
Audi S4 would be nice.
As far as "cute" factor I must say that Fiat and Mini hit the nail on the head, but realistically, it's not going to be fun being 3 in any of those and we really don't need a small car. She just wanted/wants something "cute" and fun.
I guess we'll hit the dealers this weekend and see.
I had thought of the VW GTI but not the Ford Focus ST I must say. My wife plays tennis with the wife of the local Ford dealer, so could possibly get something interesting.
Audi S4 would be nice.
As far as "cute" factor I must say that Fiat and Mini hit the nail on the head, but realistically, it's not going to be fun being 3 in any of those and we really don't need a small car. She just wanted/wants something "cute" and fun.
I guess we'll hit the dealers this weekend and see.
#25
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
M3,ISF,CTSV,Raptor,S7...Oh sorry,that my list
#26
If not an Audi S4 or A4, VW Golf TDI, 4 door, plenty of room and nice torque. I picked this with the intention of getting some miles on it then handing it over in 3+ years when my son gets to driving age. No sunroof, great interior, cold AC, nice touchscreen audio w/ BT, I pod , satellite, etc. and sporty, not to mention 2 years remaining on current warranty with full service at the dealer and 2 years CPO on top of the original warranty. 30-35 mpg all day.
#27
Drifting
A nicely used M3 Cab in the $40K range... enough room for 3, cabs are "cute" per my wife, enough umph to keep you entertained when you need to chauffeur the family.
#28
I bought a 2012 VW Golf TDI and love it.
It is fun to drive with gobs of torque, practical with 4 doors and a hatchback, is very refined with a great interior, and I get over 50mpg on the highway as a bonus.
The manual transmission shifts brilliantly to boot.
Plus it's a really safe vehicle, one of the few that have full welded seams not just spot welds.
You can't loose with a VW.
Nice large touch screen as well.
Check one out.
It is fun to drive with gobs of torque, practical with 4 doors and a hatchback, is very refined with a great interior, and I get over 50mpg on the highway as a bonus.
The manual transmission shifts brilliantly to boot.
Plus it's a really safe vehicle, one of the few that have full welded seams not just spot welds.
You can't loose with a VW.
Nice large touch screen as well.
Check one out.
#29
Rennlist Member
We have two MINI Coopers, a Countryman S and a Cabriolet S. I daily drive the Countryman; my wife drives the Cab.
I would highly recommend either model. If you need room for more than two people, the Countryman is the choice.
There are at least six MINIs owned by guys/gals in our PCA region. Not a coincidence.
I would highly recommend either model. If you need room for more than two people, the Countryman is the choice.
There are at least six MINIs owned by guys/gals in our PCA region. Not a coincidence.
#30
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
But I digress - my vote is for a GTI. It's what I'm looking at right now to replace my '97 M3.