josephvman

I was in a pretty bad accident in my 2022 VW GTI Autobahn a few weeks ago when someone made a left right in front of me. It's possibly a total loss, or at minimum several months of repair due to parts issues. I've decided to just buy something pre-owned now to drive, and then figure it out later once the GTI is fixed, or they pay me for it. My preference was to get another new GTI or Golf R, but I can't find one. I have a 2 car garage and my daily has to sit outside (my Porsches get the garage!), and my comfort level with an "outside" car is around $50k,

I see a lot of 2020-2021 base Macan service loaners for sale, which has the same engine as my GTI. Upside is there are plenty to choose from in the $50k range; downside is that they're all pretty low-option cars. A 2019 Macan S is a little more money, but they seem to have much better options, and of course more power. I don't need load of options, but 14 or 18 way seats with heat/ventilation, decent stereo, and non-base model wheels would be nice.

My driving is 90% city driving on Houston streets, which are third-world quality. I really didn't want something that was significantly slower than my GTI. For around-town driving, is there really much difference between the 4 and 6 cylinder Macan? Are there any other reasons to consider getting an S that I might be overlooking?

Thanks all!

chuckbdc

Based on my experience with loaners you will have no issues driving a base vs an S around town. The 4 cylinder has reasonable oomph up to about 50 after which it falls off. I had an S for a few years and it was far far more capable on the highway. I like my 14 way heated/vented seats and use to options frequently. Other options like dynamic (swiveling) lights, bose, signals of approaching cars in the mirrors really add to what the Macan offers. The panoramic roof/sunroof is a worry in hailstorms and about useless otherwise.

VAGfan

It took me a while, but I found a nicely optioned low mile CPO Base (Pano, 14-way heated/ventilated memory seats, Bose, Adaptive Cruise/Active Safe, LKA/LCA, auto hi-beams, 20 inch wheels, roof rails, PDLS+). They are out there, but I would avoid the service loaners, they are like buying a former rental car......and they typically have no or very minimal options.

Concerning the engine power, my Base 2.0T went from 6.2 sec 0-60 to 5.5 sec with the addition of a $380 JB1 piggyback module.

rasetsu

Try to find a base Sport Edition. I had a GTI before too. It will be slower because of the weight but not significantly slower practically speaking. Like the GTI, it's very easy to tune a base Macan.

jobunaga

The engine note on the 4 cylinder is not as good as the V6 in the S. The 4-banger engine labors noisily when accelerating to street speeds and is one of the first things I notice when I pick up a loaner. That might not be an issue with a sports exhaust.

That said, sometimes I think that I should have gotten a Base instead of an S because you can go full throttle more often. Letting out the throttle on the S brings you to an unsafe speed too quickly. All other things being equal, there isn't much of a difference in the handling profile of the Base and the S.

manifold danger

I don't think a base Macan is a good alternative to a GTI.

Don't get me wrong, I just had a base Macan as a loaner and it felt great to drive. But a GTI being a true "hot hatch", I think the fun-to-drive factor wouldn't be matched until you at least step into an S with some of the performance options ticked. A T would be a good consideration but the price point will be dramatically higher. Obviously a GTS is great, rivals most sports sedans if not easily exceeds them (RS5, M5, etc.), but you could buy 3 GTIs for the cost of a new GTS...

Find another GTI or Golf R, that would be my recommendation. Or consider other cars in the segment, like an STI or Civic Type R.

Deeply consider an S3. Fantastic car, and basically a Golf R with an Audi suit on.

A base Macan is great for those who need or want the extra ride height and (slightly) more space of an SUV/CUV but still want to feel alive when they drive. It isn't actually a true hot hatch rival until you get more Porschefied options and/or drivetrains.

hilander444

First, Houston streets are far from third-world quality I have a base, and it will do just fine, especially when you kick it into sport mode. I would however look into an S if I lived in TX, there are plenty of highways where the S can shine.

luv2sleep

My son has a GTI and I think it’s a fun little car to drive except from a stop. I’m not a FWD fan. To each his own. I don’t think you’ll enjoy a base Macan just by reading your post. The base and even the BOSE sound system in Porsches in general are lacking. The base Macan isn’t even close to GTI performance (engine wise). As always, test drive one.
I had a S3 and it’s not as fun as a Golf R. Just my 2 cents.

VAGfan

Some acceleration comparisons:

A 2022 GTI (241HP) with the 6-speed manual does 0-60 in 6.1 secs.
With the DSG, it does 0-60 in 5.4 secs.

My stock 2019 Base Macan (248 HP) does 0-60 in 6.2 secs. (No SC, no launch control used, just floored it from idle)
With a JB1 piggback module (293HP), it does 0-60 in 5.5 secs. (No SC, no launch control used, just floored it from idle)

Porsche claims a 2023 Macan T (or Base) (261HP) does 0-60 in 5.8 secs.

luv2sleep

Those are some impressive numbers for a 4 banger. I enjoyed driving my son’s GTI but it just couldn’t hook-up from a dig for obvious reasons. The S3 was quicker but didn’t corner as well as a GTI/Golf R. The Macan feels more planted than the S3.

pitt911

I agree
I had a base Macan 2022 which I liked but is boring so I dumped it for a Cayenne GTS
GTI is a fun little thing and base Macan is not the best replacement
as others said S3 , S4 , M340 , C43 MB , M2 are better suited for daily driver with fun factor

manifold danger

Good call on the M2. That's the direction I would go. You can't beat that car for the price vs fun-to-drive factor.

Find a nice used M2, done deal. Unless you just have to have rear doors. The M2 arguably has more room in the rear seats so it isn't really that big an issue.

Amra1959

I am in the same boat... minus the accident. I have a 2022 GTI autobahn 6 speed, but looking to get into something with a dual clutch so the wife can drive it.

(If you are interested in a 6 speed, let me know)

josephvman

I has a 1M coupe as a daily for six years. Fun car but honestly it was kind of a POS from a reliability standpoint, and the poor dealer service here probably has me off of newer BMW’s forever.

I’ve got a GT3 for fast driving, so I think a base Macan will be fine for the 4K miles a year of inner city driving my daily gets. It might just be a short term car until I can find a manual Golf R order at MSRP. I found a loaded ‘21 Macan base at a fair price, and it wasn’t a service loaner. Planning on pulling the trigger this evening if the car is as advertised.

jbx2

Split the difference between Base and not Base and get an SQ5. I find our Cobb tuned 2.0 to be adequate within legal speed limits in our neck of the woods. You were on the right track looking for a Golf R, I mean the Macan isn't that much larger inside but does have the mass to protect you.