3 ms·

Located centrally in the USA. Not much is off limits assuming it's not too huge. My target is something that's reasonably compact but can still comfortably seat

Located centrally in the USA. Not much is off limits assuming it's not too huge. My target is something that's reasonably compact but can still comfortably seat four. Doesn't need to be new, but I'd prefer not to go back more than ten years if it can be helped.

grvdrm 3y ago
GTI. Amazing car.
- dwd 3y ago
  Hell yeah; my Mk5 everyday drive will be 16 this year.
saltcured 3y ago
Our first-gen Audi Q3 is a "small" SUV that could meet your stated requirements as a used car. I think 2018 model year was the last year of this (first) generation in the US market. It was given high predicted reliability ratings by Consumers Reports back when we were shopping for it. And ours has been reliable. However, regular maintenance can be costly. I think it shares a lot with similar vintage VW GTIs, so you might be able to find a VM-oriented independent mechanic who could take care of it. It's a 2 liter turbo 4 cylinder. It has the haldex clutch style AWD and ours can get around 30 MPG on highway trips. I might see 24 MPG around town if smoothly cruising, but it easily dives to 18 MPG or worse with too many red lights or stop and go traffic. This is pretty typical of all the small Audi turbos unless you get to the much more recent mild-hybrid setups. This first Q3 generation started ~2011 in Europe, so the cabin tech is quite dated and minimal. Our basic "premium" trim level has no connectivity other than bluetooth to phone for calls or music. It has a rather small screen for the reversing camera and music/phone/settings.
Klonoar 3y ago
I detailed my “hidden option” here if you’re interested - it might be close enough to what you’re looking for, or at least give you another path to run down: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 (Responding since the thread is a few days old and if it’s helpful you might want to get a notification or whatever) Edit: also to be clear, when I owned mine I disabled all phone home bullshit and the car had no issues.
- MrDrMcCoy 3y ago
  Thanks for the response! A decade ago I had a BMW 330 xi circa 2003. It was super fun to drive, but the plastic components that made up the cooling system needed to be replaced or repaired every month or two. I sold it because I was tired of the constant overheating. I take it that newer models have more durable parts, then?
  - Klonoar 3y ago
    BMWs from 2000 - ~2013 were... problematic, but BMW has mostly solved all of those smaller issues over the years and I would argue that they're rock solid at this point. i.e, all to say: I never once needed to worry about replacing those parts, nor did I ever during my multiple years of ownership. I would be shocked if they're an issue on that particular model.

grvdrm 3y ago

GTI. Amazing car.

dwd 3y ago
Hell yeah; my Mk5 everyday drive will be 16 this year.

saltcured 3y ago

Our first-gen Audi Q3 is a "small" SUV that could meet your stated requirements as a used car. I think 2018 model year was the last year of this (first) generation in the US market. It was given high predicted reliability ratings by Consumers Reports back when we were shopping for it. And ours has been reliable. However, regular maintenance can be costly. I think it shares a lot with similar vintage VW GTIs, so you might be able to find a VM-oriented independent mechanic who could take care of it. It's a 2 liter turbo 4 cylinder. It has the haldex clutch style AWD and ours can get around 30 MPG on highway trips. I might see 24 MPG around town if smoothly cruising, but it easily dives to 18 MPG or worse with too many red lights or stop and go traffic. This is pretty typical of all the small Audi turbos unless you get to the much more recent mild-hybrid setups. This first Q3 generation started ~2011 in Europe, so the cabin tech is quite dated and minimal. Our basic "premium" trim level has no connectivity other than bluetooth to phone for calls or music. It has a rather small screen for the reversing camera and music/phone/settings.

Klonoar 3y ago

I detailed my “hidden option” here if you’re interested - it might be close enough to what you’re looking for, or at least give you another path to run down: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 (Responding since the thread is a few days old and if it’s helpful you might want to get a notification or whatever) Edit: also to be clear, when I owned mine I disabled all phone home bullshit and the car had no issues.

MrDrMcCoy 3y ago
Thanks for the response! A decade ago I had a BMW 330 xi circa 2003. It was super fun to drive, but the plastic components that made up the cooling system needed to be replaced or repaired every month or two. I sold it because I was tired of the constant overheating. I take it that newer models have more durable parts, then?
- Klonoar 3y ago
  BMWs from 2000 - ~2013 were... problematic, but BMW has mostly solved all of those smaller issues over the years and I would argue that they're rock solid at this point. i.e, all to say: I never once needed to worry about replacing those parts, nor did I ever during my multiple years of ownership. I would be shocked if they're an issue on that particular model.