Should I trade in my car for something more practical?

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: dmw16

Well the S2000 has 2 sets of wheels. It goes thru at least have a set of $1000 tires every summer. Requires lots of scheduled maintenance. Maybe Im missing something on the GTi.

THe end result is that I need something more practical.

As for noises, the S2000 rattles are from the softtop. BUt over time that and the road noise grates on you. I drive 400mi a week between going to work and grad school.

Given that Goodyear Eagle F1's would be $680 for a full set, and a much more reasonable set of Falken Azenis is $386 for a full set, I REALLY doubt that claim. Do you do burnouts all day long on the most expensive rubber you can find?

I was figuring in cost of mounting and balancing. But the S02's are very soft and very expensive. The Falken's offer far less traction at the limit and are less predictable. Plus I commute in it so I am tearing up expesive tires just driving 70mi a day on the highway.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
From what I've heard, VWs are mechanically reliable, but you'll get a lot of rattles and squeaks. A good number of those electronic gadgets break fairly often also.

VWs are a lot of fun though. And if you want to make it even more practical there is a 4 door option now also.

VW got a bad rep from the MKIV (Mark 4) cars, namely most '99-'04 ones. I haven't heard or seen anything bad about the MKV GTI.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: dmw16
4 door is a little too practical at this point

No car can rattle or squeak more than my S2000.

Honestly though if you are getting married, those 4 doors really do come in handy

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dmw16

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: dmw16

Well the S2000 has 2 sets of wheels. It goes thru at least have a set of $1000 tires every summer. Requires lots of scheduled maintenance. Maybe Im missing something on the GTi.

THe end result is that I need something more practical.

As for noises, the S2000 rattles are from the softtop. BUt over time that and the road noise grates on you. I drive 400mi a week between going to work and grad school.

Given that Goodyear Eagle F1's would be $680 for a full set, and a much more reasonable set of Falken Azenis is $386 for a full set, I REALLY doubt that claim. Do you do burnouts all day long on the most expensive rubber you can find?

I was figuring in cost of mounting and balancing. But the S02's are very soft and very expensive. The Falken's offer far less traction at the limit and are less predictable. Plus I commute in it so I am tearing up expesive tires just driving 70mi a day on the highway.

Mounting and balancing is like $20 a tire.

I've heard the exact opposite about the Falkens. They are sickeningly common in the autocross world, because it's a relatively cheap, predictable summer tire that just wears really quickly.

Why are you putting top-performance tires on a commuter, though? Get some touring tires for that beast!

 

[dmw16]

Eh, I got good summer tires because I do get to run it thru the twisties sometimes and it deserves better than a touring tire. Maybe Im wrong about the Falkens, I never tried them.

I test drove the GTi tonight and liked it. It doesnt feel as fast as the S2000, but it is much better as a highway car. It has great acceleration from merge to highway speeds. And with a chip it can be even better. I may hit a carmax to see a few other cars, but I am pretty sold on the GTI.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

i'd go with the getting a used accord/camry and keeping the s2000.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Eh, I got good summer tires because I do get to run it thru the twisties sometimes and it deserves better than a touring tire. Maybe Im wrong about the Falkens, I never tried them.

I test drove the GTi tonight and liked it. It doesnt feel as fast as the S2000, but it is much better as a highway car. It has great acceleration from merge to highway speeds. And with a chip it can be even better. I may hit a carmax to see a few other cars, but I am pretty sold on the GTI.

Fair enough...just throwing options out there, because I hate to see people give up their sports cars if they don't have to.

Drive on.:thumbsup:

 

[dmw16]

Yeah, I think the reality of owning the car isnt a great as the idea of it. I had it for a year and a half. I learned to drive a stick in it. It just doesn't fit my lifestyle. And owning a 2nd car at my apartment complex is very difficult. I'd have to park way far out because I only get 2 spots (1 for me and 1 for my finacee) and the visitors spots are far away and under bird-filled trees and beyond that i cant keep an eye on the car.

Thanks for the suggestions tho. I am sure I'll be back to a sports car at some point. But we are saving for a house and all that too, so 1 car payment is better than 2.

 

[T2urtle]

DSG or 6 speed?

good cars both trans. small problems here and ther but nothing big.

coming from a former VW tech

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Keep the S2000. That way you'll be sure to have a car where all the electronics work.

ZV

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Eh, I got good summer tires because I do get to run it thru the twisties sometimes and it deserves better than a touring tire. Maybe Im wrong about the Falkens, I never tried them.

I test drove the GTi tonight and liked it. It doesnt feel as fast as the S2000, but it is much better as a highway car. It has great acceleration from merge to highway speeds. And with a chip it can be even better. I may hit a carmax to see a few other cars, but I am pretty sold on the GTI.

You could always add turbo the Impreza later, and you start out with AWD (way better in the wet/snow than either the GTI/S2K)

 

[cbrsurfr]

Test drive the GTI and I'm sure you will be impressed. I really liked the 2008 Rabbits but I couldn't find a 4 door in gray with the options I wanted. I thought I was going to have to wait till sometime in 08 to find one when I decided to test drive a GTI.

Ended up buying a 4-door 2008 GTI in gray w/DSG and sunroof. It's an absolute blast to drive. It has a ton of nifty little features that a lot of other manufacturers don't do. Such as 4 window one touch up/down, heated washer nozzles, switches ac/heat to recirculate when in reverse so exhaust doesn't get sucked into the ventilation system, auto rear wiper when in reverse and windshield wipers are on, speed sensitive wipers, and there are tons more.

Here is a topic discussing many of the features (it's for the Rabbit, but both have a majority of the same electronic features): Linky

I don't know if you are considering the DSG, but it is a technological marvel. It's like no automatic you've driven before. Dual clutches so the next gear is always preselected. Lightning fast shifts. Quicker than you can shift a manual. Very versatile with Drive mode, Sport mode, Tiptronic, and Paddle shift. Also has launch control. No torque convertor either which gives you more power to the wheels.

I only have two complaints:

1. For starting $5K more than a Rabbit I'm disappointed it doesn't have heated seats standard with the cloth "Interlagos" interior. It's only available with leather whereas the Rabbit has it standard on all 4-door models.

2. When driving it hard I sometimes experience wheel hop with ESP (traction control) off. It doesn't seem to be a problem if I use launch control. Others have this same complaint. There are solutions available to reduce/eliminate the chances of it happening ranging from a $40 Dogbone mount insert, to replacement mounts, to suspension, to a true LSD. I've purchased the dogbone but haven't installed it yet. It's only happened a few times but has left me concerned and wanting to eliminate it (without changing my drive it like you stole it style of driving).

Other than that I think it's great and so far I've had no reliability issues.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

An s2k is a dream car of mine, but practicality is a very strong point for those of us that can't afford two cars.

I'd say go for AWD, bro. The GTi is nice, but with snow, AWD > all. While I don't know about reliability, I would imagine Subaru being more reliable than VW. I'm biased here as well, because my friends Passat is always at the dealer (every couple months).

 

[exdeath]

How bout just staying out of the throttle when conditions aren't appropriate for it?

I've been caught in heavy rain with 12" wide drag radials before and have had no problems. It's all about respecting that throttle pedal and knowing the limits. Nothing wrong with cruising at the speed limit or a little below in the right lane when conditions are poor.

In a peaky engine lacking in bottom end torque like the F20 you should have no problem keeping the revs down and not breaking the rear loose.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Dudewithoutapet
An s2k is a dream car of mine, but practicality is a very strong point for those of us that can't afford two cars.

I'd say go for AWD, bro. The GTi is nice, but with snow, AWD > all. While I don't know about reliability, I would imagine Subaru being more reliable than VW. I'm biased here as well, because my friends Passat is always at the dealer (every couple months).

Yep, the new Impreza also feels a lot more modern than the GTi. For some reason, whenever I'm riding in a VW, I feel like I'm in an 80's car. Reliability of VW is notoriously shady. Only VWs I would ever consider would be one of the excellent Diesels, but that's just me.