R32,GTi, Mini, Smart Car, etc

I have an 08 Mini Cooper S, not an automatic but I really like it. The S now has a turbo instead of a supercharger, which makes the engine a lot more fun. I average about 33 mpg...its a great car little car. Another car I might consider is a diesel golf or rabbit what ever they are called these days...a couple years ago I had a diesel Jetta at my summer home and I loved it..great to drive, 500 miles on one tank!!! No diesel smell and a lot more torque than the regular petrol engine.

 

Hello:

Like yourself I have F-cars (550 and 355) and a P-car (GT3 RS) for the weekends and occassional office runs, but my daily driver is a 2008 R32 (recently replaced my 2006 Lexus IS).

The R32's size makes it easy to park, it's appearance lets you blend in, the hatchback with fold down seats can haul most items, and the DSG gives you the option of shifting or leaving it in auto which are all positive. However, but my experience is that unless you are trying to apply "hypermiling" techniques around town the best mileage would be in the low 20's.

On a side note the R32 has many affordable bolt-on modifications available which can make it perform better (HPA in Canada has a twin-turbo, transmission upgrade, software, ... kit that gets 500+ horsepower - I've been thinking about making the R32 the fastest in the garage).

I hope this helps!

 

After months of test driving numerous cars to replace my M5 as my daily driver, including an STi, EVO X, TSX, TL-S, Mugen Civic, G35,Mazdaspeed3, GTi, R32 and more...I ordered a 2009 GTi with 6mt, Autobahn and Thunderbunny kits...after the test drive I just couldn't wipe the smile off of my face...it is plenty fast for a daily driver, has a nice interior(almost Audi like), seats 4 comfortably...5 in a pinch, has a roomy hatch for cargo and gets good mpg...low 30s on the highway mid 20s combined...with the GTi turbo it can get an additional ~50hp with a software download alone...after 46k+ miles with an SMG, I wanted a three pedal car for my daily driver. I test drove the R32 with DCG, but I liked the GTi turbo feel better as well as the better MPG... there is a plethora of info on the GTi and R32 here ... http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/index.php

 

R32 is the way to go.

 

I'd order up a GTI w/DSG.

 

Mini's are fun but build quality is low. When the car is out of warranty look out. Labour can be high due to the time required to get to anything important.

 

I have owned my R32 for about six weeks now. The initial fuel mileage was terrible (18mpg/city) and that's where I do 90% of my driving but after almost 2,500 miles I have seen my mileage increase to 24mpg-25mpg in town! I am not "hypermiling" either...maybe the track day I subjected the car to made a lasting impression

 

FYI, Minis are FWD too...

 

This may seem horrible, but have you thought about a 08-09 Suzuki SX4 crossover. Hatchback can be had with AWD. It looks decent, gets good gas mileage. You can pick one up for about 15k+.

 

if it has to be automatic, it will probably not be as fun anyway... The Audi TT 3.2 is a good car - my wife almost bought it but found it too small. She went with the A5 3.2 instead, which is apparently a lovely drive - and very appropiate in autobox (eventhough hers is manual.)

try the A5 and the TT.
The Minis are great too, but best in manualbox. If you need auto, consider the two audi options, or just go for a new C350 with the sports package.

 

In all honesty, you are going up in value (not a bad thing) but you stated you wanted something that you wouldn't mind getting door dinged, something fun to drive and all that. It's not a bad thing at all, I just wanted to point that out. A5s are nice but if I got one, I would protect that like no other, and would mind if it got door dung (grammer?) .

I'll point out some nice cars aswell. How about a Lotus Elise? A Honda S2000 (even though you already have a convertible) I suggest getting the hardtop option or a Spoon hardtop, a Mazda MX-5, or how about a Audi A3, GTi's bigger brother.

 

what are the autobahn and thunderbunny kits ?

 

The Autobahn option includes heated leather sports seats, sunroof, 18" wheels, premium audio, heated windshield washers...the Thunder Bunny option is new for 2009 and includes a larger front grill, front spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper with two center exit exhaust tips based on the SEMA Thunder Bunny http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.europeancarweb.com/firstlook/0612_ec_02_z%2B2007_Volkswagen_Thunder_Bunny%2Bfront_view.jpg&imgrefurl=http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread%3Fid%3D3834893&h=480&w=640&sz=91&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=Xn8C5bH5cQOdYM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvw%2B2009%2Bgt%2Bthunder%2Bbunny%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN concept car...

 

I suppose since he sold the CLS, he is replacing it.. A5 or S5 look like good options to me.

I think i'd mind any car getting dinged, regardless of if it costed 2k or 200k...

 

Yeah, I figured that, but his OP sounded like he wanted a cheap 20k beater

 

I'm telling you. All you need is a Suzuki SX4 Crossover.

 

I want one. I'd love to buy something called a thunderbunny.

 

Mine is on order scheduled to arrive at the dealer the week of Sept 8th

 

well for a city putter, an A5 is abit of an overstatement... The cooperS would be sufficient, but brand new, may end up being the same cost of the new audi. The problem is, in the US you lack all the fun hot hatches which come out of Europe and Japan. Your selection is quite limited - i would look at a used cooperS or a VW rabbit (or GTi if you need the benchmark.)

 

FYI, we only get four exterior color choices(black, red, gray or white) and two interior material choices(leather or cloth) for the 2009 GTi...the ROW gets an almost endless choices via special order...

 

the thunder bunny option is that cayenne looking front end ?

 

It is the front end, side sills and rear bumper with two center exit tailpipes as first seen in the SEMA Neuspeed Thunder Bunny concept and now a 2009 GTi option... http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=neuspeed%20thunderbunny&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi