Bryan has a 2011 GTI that is having the issues one might expect from a 12-year-old Volkswagen. He is in the market for a new commuter car for his one-hour trip to work. He wants some semblance of fun but also needs it to be reliable and reasonably comfortable. With a $20,000 budget, what car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
Considering a new commuter car. I bought a used 2011 VW GTI a few years back to save on gas commuting. It’s been great, but it’s in the shop for the 3rd time in the last 15k miles with a clogged injector, despite having them supposedly cleaned. I’m thinking that it’s time for a new, used car. Primarily, it just drives to work and back, across Houston. Lots of heavy traffic in the afternoon, so it needs to be an automatic. I’ve got a 97 Dodge Dakota for tinkering on, and my wife has a Hyundai Elantra that we use for road trips. I need something reliable, to get be to work and back, that won’t suck my soul out. My commute, is about an hour, round trip, each day.... so I’d like to at least enjoy being in the car. I mostly use my truck for hobbies - but I liked that I could fit 2 adults, 2 dogs, and luggage in the hatchback. I don’t want to spend more than $20,000.
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $20,000
Location: Houston, TX
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Fun, Reliable, comfortable
Doesn’t want: Boring or heavy on the maintenance
Expert 1: Tom McParland - Just Sporty Enough
My go-to choice for anyone shopping for a sporty sub-$20,000 car is the Mazda3. However, since you have gotten used to the turbo power in the GTI, you may feel the 3 is not quite punchy enough for highway passing, and any MazdaSpeed models at this price point are sure to be a bit dicey.
I still feel that Mazda is the right answer for you, but with a slight modification. I would suggest you find a nice Mazda6 especially anything 2018 model year and higher with the turbo motor. You will get plenty of passing power with the 250 hp motor that also brings 310 lb-ft of torque to the wheels provided that you use premium fuel. You will also get the comfort of a mid-size sedan that is loaded with features similar to most luxury cars. And of course, you’ll have the Japanese build quality you expect for relatively worry-free ownership. The tricky part will be wading through the sea of non-turbo cars to find the right example. Almost everything at this price point is nearing 100,000 miles, so you might as well get the extra power. Here is a nice 2018 Grand Touring Reserve with about 76,000 miles for under $19,000.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard - A Different Kind Of Enjoyable
As usual, Bryan, you can’t go wrong with Tom’s suggestion. The Mazda6 is a great choice. I’m also going to guess you didn’t write in hoping to hear, “Just get the newest GTI you can afford.” So I’m going to go in a little bit of a different direction.
You’re going to use this car mainly for commuting and have your truck for hobbies and doing things outside the city. With at least an hour-long commute every day and based on what I know about Houston, I’m also going to guess you don’t come across many opportunities for spirited driving. So I say let’s prioritize comfort and reliability, as well as fuel economy. You didn’t exactly say you’re concerned about what kind of gas mileage it gets, but when you’re driving in heavy traffic, it never hurts to drive something a little more efficient.
Which brings us to the Lexus ES Hybrid. If you really do want something with sporty handling, it’s absolutely not the car for you, and my feelings won’t be hurt if you dismiss it outright. Just think about it, though. Not only is it going to be ridiculously reliable, but it also packs in more comfort than you can shake a stick at, and the build quality is top-notch. Plus, it’ll get fantastic gas mileage in the city. Just think about how much more relaxing and less stressful your commute will be in an isolated, quiet, incredibly comfortable car.
If that sounds appealing to you, here’s a 2014 Lexus ES 300h near you with less than 75,000 miles on it for $17,999.
Expert 3: Andy Kalmowitz - Don’t Dodge This Bullet
Bryan, if you want the “objectively correct” or “smart” or “reasonable” options, then you cannot go wrong with either Collin’s or Tom’s suggestions. However, if you’re a fun loving son of a bitch like me, you’re going to want something a bit less vanilla. Buddy, you need a Dodge Challenger SRT-8. Is it older than your current car? Yes. Is it reliable? Sort of. Is it comfortable? Hell yes it is, brother.
You’ve got to deal with an hour long commute every goddamn day of your life. Don’t you think you should be in something that makes you smile whenever you step on the gas? Six-point-one-liters of America Hemi V8 power will absolutely do that. Gas mileage will not be great, but who the hell cares? You’re in Texas. Gas is cheap, but freedom isn’t. You’re going to have 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque at the disposal of your right foot. All that power is going to be sent through a bullet-proof 5-speed automatic transmission, too, so nothing to worry about there.
Bry-guy, because I’m so nice, I found the perfect Challenger SRT-8 for you. It’s in Houston and is listed for just under $19,000. Bud, that’s under your budget. It has under 100,000 miles on the clock and an accident free history. From the pictures onthe dealer’s website, this bad boy looks clean as hell, espeicallly with the Torred paint.
I know this probably isn’t the car you were thinking of replacing your GTI with, but it’s the car you need to replace your GTI with. You’ll be smiling all the way home every day.
Expert 4: Owen Bellwood – Fast Fords Forever
Bryan, you’ve had some good suggestions from my colleagues so far, but I’m not sure they quite tick the “fun commuter” hole that’s coming the moment you say farewell to your GTI. To do that, I think there’s only one option: you need to get a fast Ford.
Obviously, the correct choice should be this excellent ‘93 Mustang GT with its awesome black and yellow finish. But that doesn’t scream practical commuter to me. So instead, I’ve got two suggestions for you: the car I want you to buy, and the car you should probably buy. Personally, I want you to buy this orange Ford Fiesta ST, because it looks awesome, is fun to drive and the world would be a better place if more of us drove great little city cars like this.
However, the car you actually should buy is this Focus ST, the Fiesta’s bigger, angrier brother. For one, it’s a lot more interesting than Collin and Tom’s (probably quite correct) suggestions. It’ll also use about an Olympic swimming pool’s worth of gas less that Andy’s ideal car for you. And regardless of its sensibilities, you’ll still get a slick looking hatchback, a reliable runaround and a car that’s great fun when you’re done with the 9-5 and looking for an adventure on the weekend. Bryan, do the right thing and get a fast Ford.