Quote:
Originally Posted by Natheria
I would think the mention of insurance would mark the WRX right out since it has a reputation for being owned by... unsavory hooligan sorts. I don't know how the GTI compares for insurance.
As much as i don't like dubs i would say the GTI is probably better overall for her if she isn't completely comfortable with manual (that changes as you start driving it every day but i don't know how much against manual she is) and she gets better mpgs. The WRX would be my personal choice except i wouldn't really want one of those late model hatchbacks, at least until the recent face lift (they are just blobtasticly dreadful looking in my eyes).
I know I'm a bit of a mazda fanboy, but have you considered a mazda 3 or even a hatch 6? I always love driving my dad's 04 m3. The steering is just so nice and the shifting is crisp. I'm actually looking into selling my dd civic for one it's that good. The civic is just so boring that i'll gladly take the hit in fuel economy. Plus i want to get a hatchback like you guys because there have been so many times i've wished i had one when i have large odd shaped cargo.
If either of those aren't racy enough for you then there is always the option of looking for a mazdaspeed 3 or late model speed6 (unfortunately the speed6 isn't a hatch though). The speed3 is the direct rival of the GTI anyway so it's a great car to consider at the very least if your into the GTI. At the very least i would go looking for one of each to test drive and see how you like them. I would love to get a speed3 or speed6 as a daily but they are just a little too far out of my price range at the moment. They both also tick very much the same boxes you are looking for. Still more economical than her old legend, practical, and all the speed3's are hatch. I would also think the mazdas have better insurance rates than at least the WRX since it's not as mainstream and you don't have as many ken block wannabes in mazdas ruining the rates.
|
She doesn't much care for the front end of the MS3 and the MS6 gets pretty terrible mileage(17/23), plus they are hard to find, let alone at a reasonable price. She doesn't mind the looks of the new Focus ST, but the few used ones i've found have still been too expensive.