Car shopping thoughts
While I probably could look at more cars, I'm really not sure I'll gain much more insight to anything I'd want to drive, since I've seen my top picks. After a week of stewing on it, I'm ready to start putting my thoughts down.
As I said before, I do have a preference for wagons, which unfortunately are becoming a dying breed. One of my top picks is one of the few choices there, the VW Golf Sportswagen. Course, I'm kinda biased given that I've been driving VW for 13 years, but to be honest I wasn't expecting to like the Sportswagen without the diesel engine. Typically, VW's gas engines haven't been the most fuel efficient, but that seems to have changed with the TSI, a sporty turbo that gets pretty solid gas mileage. Also, a similar 10k oil change regimen that my diesel has. It isn't a TDI, but given my limited options it is definitely acceptable. I was also a bit worried about VW's recent history of cheaping out of there cars, but the Sportswagen is pretty nice. The only real issue I had with it was that the seat felt weird. Personally, I need to have a second go to see if it is an issue.
The other vehicle I liked was the Subaru Forester. While I'd probably prefer the form factor of the Outback, it has the disadvantage of being bigger and costing more. The engine is their standard 2.5l that they have had in their cars for years. So, reliable but also not something to get excited about. The interior is roomy and it definitely feels bigger than the Golf. It is also probably the only SUV that felt like I was driving a car, with little body roll in the turns. It is also an AWD vehicle, tho to be honest, my need for it in my lifetime could probably be counted on one hand.
So, really it is a question of what I want: does the Sportswagen have all the space I need, or do I need more? Personally I don't know. I know both vehicles are larger than what I have, which was one goal. Pricewise it might be a push, tho I probably can get a better deal on the Golf with the whole Dieselgate thing. I'm also familiar with VW, so I mostly know what to expect. That being said, I'll need to test drive both again. The good thing is, I'm not in a hurry right now.
As I said before, I do have a preference for wagons, which unfortunately are becoming a dying breed. One of my top picks is one of the few choices there, the VW Golf Sportswagen. Course, I'm kinda biased given that I've been driving VW for 13 years, but to be honest I wasn't expecting to like the Sportswagen without the diesel engine. Typically, VW's gas engines haven't been the most fuel efficient, but that seems to have changed with the TSI, a sporty turbo that gets pretty solid gas mileage. Also, a similar 10k oil change regimen that my diesel has. It isn't a TDI, but given my limited options it is definitely acceptable. I was also a bit worried about VW's recent history of cheaping out of there cars, but the Sportswagen is pretty nice. The only real issue I had with it was that the seat felt weird. Personally, I need to have a second go to see if it is an issue.
The other vehicle I liked was the Subaru Forester. While I'd probably prefer the form factor of the Outback, it has the disadvantage of being bigger and costing more. The engine is their standard 2.5l that they have had in their cars for years. So, reliable but also not something to get excited about. The interior is roomy and it definitely feels bigger than the Golf. It is also probably the only SUV that felt like I was driving a car, with little body roll in the turns. It is also an AWD vehicle, tho to be honest, my need for it in my lifetime could probably be counted on one hand.
So, really it is a question of what I want: does the Sportswagen have all the space I need, or do I need more? Personally I don't know. I know both vehicles are larger than what I have, which was one goal. Pricewise it might be a push, tho I probably can get a better deal on the Golf with the whole Dieselgate thing. I'm also familiar with VW, so I mostly know what to expect. That being said, I'll need to test drive both again. The good thing is, I'm not in a hurry right now.