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The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

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Really like my Audi for it's fit and finish and how well it does even after 15 yrs on the road. Love a manual transmission and this one is short throw 5spd with a turbo. Its fun but too expensive to justify maintaining it any more. Next crisis and I'm shopping.

I like a wagon or hatchback - I haul drone andphoto equipment and like to take excursions with the fam.

I don't need all wheel drive but really like it. My driveway is on an incline and can be challenging in a FWD car because all the weight is up front when you need it at the rear. Intrepid traveler living in the Northeast, really appreciate the times I have needed it.

Have two teens that will be sharing the car. Would love another manual but may hang onto the Audi to go back and forth to work 5 miles away and purchase an electric or hybrid for us to share.

Not sure that its in my price range. I like the looks of the Ford Focus hatchback line but read they're not doing well on reliability.

I've owned a Subaru Loyale in the 90's which held up ok but was like a tuna can on wheels. Reticent to go to another Subaru model. Road in a friends Forester the other day and it feels a little trucklike.

So, maybe something in VW can haul some stuff - Tiguan? I definitely prefer the German Engineering over the Japanese. My wife has a Toyoya Sienna 2004 and it has not held up well cosmetically. It has held up well mechanically and appreciate the cheaper repairs.




Priorities: Materials & workmanship / Reliability & durability / Handling

Preferred Bodystyle(s): Hatch / Wagon / SUV

Car Needs: Daily commuter / Family transporter / Errands about town / Long trips / Client-facing / Off-roader / Fun toy

Primary Driver(s): New driver / Short driver

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 30000
Maximum age: 3 years

Maximum price: US $ 27000

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Response from mkaresh

7:03 pm April 3, 2016

The 2012 and up Focus has decent reliability if you get a manual transmission. But no AWD. Among hybrids I especially like how the C-Max drives, very European feel, but again no AWD. For AWD, check out the Ford Escape. Reliability was iffy at first but has been good in the past year. I'd feel more comfortable with the 2014 and up, as the 2013 was the first model year of the current generation. The Escape doesn't have the Focus's troublesome dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The 2.0T engine is the one to get for performance, while the 1.6T is better for fuel economy and cost.

The reliability of the VW Tiguan has been so-so at best in our survey--we don't have a lot of data for them. The most troublesome years are outside your range. Just about anything should be significantly more reliable than your current car, though.

Related to the Tiguan, you might really like the Audi A3. Not as much room inside, but more agile handling, and offered with AWD. Reliability might be a little better than the Tiguan's. They're on the same platform and have related engines and drivetrains, but not the same transmission.

The Mazda CX-5 is also worth a look, though it doesn't feel as solid as the German cars.

With any candidate I'd check on insurance costs before buying. Some could be very expensive to insure with teens.




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Audi A3 / S3 / RS3
Volkswagen Tiguan
Mazda CX-5

Response from jasonmreece

12:06 pm April 7, 2016

The Mazda CX-5 is a great compact SUV with a lot of features for the money. The top-level Grand Touring models are nicer and better equipped than several small luxury SUVs that I've driven. The fuel economy and reliability is also at/near the top of the class.

I also like the now-discontinued (2015 was final year) Toyota Venza. I like the look and they're nice to drive (with the V6, the standard I-4 is barely adequate and real-world fuel economy is very close between the two). Just AVOID the panoramic sunroof because there have been more than a few reports of leaks, creaks and pops and several eventually exploded (no injuries that I'm aware of, but it's an option that I would avoid).

In addition to the VW Tiguan, there's also the the Golf 5-door and the Golf SportWagen.

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Mazda CX-5
Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI
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