02-18-2018, 08:57 AM | #11 | |
Western Anomaly
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca
Posts: 16,609
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Quote:
very refined interior and the engine has tons of torque for what it is. no one does the 2.0 litre turbo better.
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02-18-2018, 09:13 AM | #12 |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,610
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Yeah the A4 is definitely worth a look.
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02-18-2018, 09:15 AM | #13 |
Hello.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5
Location: Downingtown, PA
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FWIW (not much really) I had a VW Jetta in rental car trim this week while I was in California and it was absolutely awful. Most any American or Japanese rental has been more pleasant.
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Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3 |
02-18-2018, 09:46 AM | #14 |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,610
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The Jetta is not great. Nor is the new Passat. Both have been biggified and decontented to appeal to mass market Americans.
The Golf still feels German, and has much nicer interior materials. The R is really hard to argue with. It’s very fast, AWD, not terribly expensive, and has a Swiss Army knife utility to it. It’s also fun to drive, though being honest the car’s biggest weakness is that it doesn’t really sing to me. I like it, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather own for the price...but I don’t *love* it. |
02-18-2018, 09:58 AM | #15 | |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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I'd be interested to drive one. I did have the b8 a4 for 4yrs/45k miles, a good daily & winter drive but not an interesting one. In every condition but snow, the mk7 GTI (or any Golf R) is way more fun to drive, even with FWD. You just don't get a semi-luxury sedan. I'm also curious if the newer weaker sauce quattro would be an issue or not. |
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02-18-2018, 09:59 AM | #16 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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Directly compared, Macan S does not handle as well as a WRX. It's a very nice, peppy, good-sounding SUV, but it's still on stilts. I drove one at launch. It was not nearly as sporty as my "sports" a4.
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02-18-2018, 10:00 AM | #17 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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02-18-2018, 10:02 AM | #18 | |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Regarding the Macan: if I decide to get an suv - yes. But the JGC was mostly just goofing around. For now I'm sticking to my requirement of being a manual. A4 is worth a drive for sure, if I decide to go the less fun route. The BMW 440i xdrive actually comes in a manual as well - but it's nearly 60k. |
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02-18-2018, 10:12 AM | #19 | |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
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What do you not like about your e90 awd wagon? Its age/condition or its handling? I doubt any recent audi or bmw or Macan would be a drastic improvement in the latter - without major $$ spent on S4 or 335 optioned up, but of course major improvement on the former. Definitely drive the Mk7 Golf R. I haven't touched one, but the mk6 R was much better than the mk6 GTI. I haven't driven the mk6 R and the mk7 GTI back to back, I might like the latter better, but that's a guess. Also our mk7 isn't stock. Engine sound isn't great, but it won't be in any 4-cylinder. The Mk7 GTI (SE leather w/ Perf Package, red brakes and LSD) works very well for us. With APR, it is basically as fast as a Golf R, just a bit less traction, more like a Mini JCW, being able to break loose at all sorts of speeds. It is very much limited by its all-season tires, would feel downright sporty with more grip and - I daresay - match the Golf R for fun (though not on a track or on snow). It is also a tank in the snow with Blizzaks and front LSD. I think there are slicktop GTI's as well with plaid seats. The sunroof is pretty useless in that application. Cool that you tried the JGC. It's a pretty nice truck/SUV, soft but not hateful. I do like either the hemi or the diesel much better. Anyway, you have a different problem, moving from 3-point to 2-point optimization. I wouldn't have a truck/suv in a 2 car garage. These days, with lots of construction, parking space and the big dogs big stuff, crates etc, it makes partial sense. You need to figure out the Cayman R. Seems like it's not really working for you. What color is it again? Are you keeping the e46 definitely? |
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02-18-2018, 10:34 AM | #20 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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