CARS CARS CARS, Help me choose! Options

[anoniez]

My criteria:
AWD (parents insist), sporty, small, cute looking, not absurdly expensive.
Here are 3 I came up with that my parents are fine with. If you guys have any suggestions please do tell me!

1) 08 Volkswagen R32, sport coupe/hatchback.
3.2L V6 250hp engine and AWD drivetrain.
$32k.
pro: I REALLY want a coupe. & resale value is very good due to rarity.
~20mpg (con)
con: expensive-r :(
con: will this car be too much for an 18 year old (somewhat inexperienced) driver to handle?



2) 2009 Audi A4 2.0T
sedan
2.0L 200hp turbo-4 AWD
$32k(?)
~25 mpg
con: a bit bigger than I was looking for


3) 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i
2.5L 170hp 4-cylinder AWD
~25 mpg
$20k
pro: hella cheap
con: It's so ugly and bland that I might cry every time I see it in the parking lot.
con: inside is pretty bargain-bin


Edit/Update
Changed the prices of VW&Audi bc apparently they don't know what the 09 price will be, only that it's more expensive. So I'm assuming same price.

I test drove the VW and the Audi today! The Audi was a 2008 and it was a pretty cushy ride. Engine performance was pretty good, overall it felt extremely relaxing driving it, like floating on a cloud or something. Very comfortable, good for long commutes. The salespeople at Audi were definitely nicer and more forward, the VW guy barely made an effort and no one came out to help us.

But then I tried the R32.. and I think I'm in love. Honest to God. I never saw myself as a "performance car" person, I've never tried one, but oh god, it was so good! The handling was tight, shifting was clean, acceleration was so quick, the car was so responsive! Interior not nearly as nice as the Audi - everything was more "sporty" and a little sparse/macho plus some ugly aluminum trim- but the performance completely made up for it. I spent so much time in the Audi looking at the inside but in the R32 I just enjoyed the driving experience. Truly fun to drive, I can't even describe it. Now I know why it's so expensive. Definitely a performance car. There wasn't even a comparison. It begged to be driven fast, which kind of scares me actually. I'm a safe driver, but I don't know if I can resist temptation like that..
Definitely leaning toward the VW now unfortunately.. still unsure about the mileage though -- and you can barely hear the turn signals which throws me off.

[berrypop90]

The first 2 are beautiful! Personally, I would go for the Audi b/c it's a little cheaper and the fuel efficiency is best. That's the main thing I look for in a car. I don't know how expensive the car parts are though, might want to look into that.
The Subaru is nice b/c it's cheap & it's fuel efficient. Have you thought about getting a Toyota Corolla in place of that? They're better looking and the parts are easy to find. The newer models also have great fuel efficiency.

But w/e, I say Audi!

[anoniez]

Unfortunately I need an all-wheel-drive car, otherwise I probably would've gotten a Corolla, haha. thx though!

[brooklyneast05]

are mommy and daddy going to be buying the gas for you?

[rnicron]

My criteria:
AWD (parents insist), sporty, small, cute looking, not absurdly expensive.
Here are 3 I came up with that my parents are fine with. If you guys have any suggestions please do tell me!

are you fucking kidding me? a cobalt is not absurdly expensive, but a fucking $30k audi being not absurdly expensive? lmao

[aaayotiffany]

omg, an audi!
lol, i actually think a VW would fit an 18-year-old better. it is pretty expensive though.

[karmakiller]

I think they're all expensive, lol. The VW's smaller than the rest. I don't know where you live, but if you have bad weather the Audi might get you through it a bit better. Plus, it gets pretty good gas milage.

[LoveToMySilas]

I was rooting for the first one but since its the most expensive, I say you go for the second.

[Sandraaa]

30k?? NOT EXPENSIVE?

[manny-the-dino]

I say the Audi. I like them.

[anoniez]

are you fucking kidding me? a cobalt is not absurdly expensive, but a fucking $30k audi being not absurdly expensive? lmao

Yes, they ARE expensive. If I was searching for FWDs this price would be way too expensive for me, but for AWDs it isn't ABSURDLY expensive.

Take a look at the comparative numbers of car models available, by price.(yahoo! autos)

$15-25k AWD cars: 5
$25k-35k AWD cars: 17 (10 >$30k)
$35k+ AWD: 35

< $20k FWD cars: 89
$25k-35k FWD cars: 59
$35k+ FWD: 92

Most FWDs are <$35k. Most AWDs are >$35k.
See what I mean? With AWD if you don't like the cars at the lower prices, you suck it up and move up a price bracket, there aren't 88 other alternatives. If I'd had my way I would've gotten the scion tC at $17k but I couldn't so I'm finding a car I like that my parents are fine paying for.
I'll be paying for my own gas.

[karmakiller]

Just throwing this out there, but what's wrong with buying an used car? I think it'd be a little easier for your parents. Cars aren't investment. Once you drive off the lot, they depreciate quite a bit in value.

[lojay]

Just comparing them... they both take premium gas it seems... That kind of sucks but it's good at the same time. But the R32 is a lot more roomy, whereas the Audi seems to be more of a luxary. However the Audi also seems better on gas, which is pretty important.

In my opinion, I like the 08 Volkswagen R32.

You can compare all the cars you are looking at easily. Just google car comparison and you can compare anything you are looking at. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ seemed pretty good. However, the Audi may be a bit too new for any good information.

Most FWDs are <$35k. Most AWDs are >$35k.
See what I mean? With AWD if you don't like the cars at the lower prices, you suck it up and move up a price bracket, there aren't 88 other alternatives. If I'd had my way I would've gotten the scion tC at $17k but I couldn't so I'm finding a car I like that my parents are fine paying for.
I'll be paying for my own gas.

I have an '07 Scion tC and I love it. I actually got it used for like 14k with only 7000 miles and never been in an accident off someone's lawn. Perfect condition. So I agree, used cars aren't bad, I got a good deal.

[manny-the-dino]

Just throwing this out there, but what's wrong with buying an used car? I think it'd be a little easier for your parents. Cars aren't investment. Once you drive off the lot, they depreciate quite a bit in value.

You know what? That didn't even cross my mind until you mentioned it, Dee.

I think getting a used car first would be better. Is this going to be your first car? How long have you been driving? Getting a teenager, who doesn't have that much experience driving, a new car isn't such a good idea. I know a lot of people who got new cars when they started to drive & they got into accidents & trashed the car. Maybe you should wait until you have a lot more experience. There's nothing wrong with a used car. As long as it works fine, right?

[anoniez]

You know what? That didn't even cross my mind until you mentioned it, Dee.

I think getting a used car first would be better. Is this going to be your first car? How long have you been driving? Getting a teenager, who doesn't have that much experience driving, a new car isn't such a good idea. I know a lot of people who got new cars when they started to drive & they got into accidents & trashed the car. Maybe you should wait until you have a lot more experience. There's nothing wrong with a used car. As long as it works fine, right?

Yes, great suggestion! I've actually wanted a used car and I was considering getting a used 2006 Audi A4; the VW R32 only comes out with 5000 cars once every 4 years so there aren't many current model used. However my dad especially is mega concerned with resale value so he tossed that out unfortunately, and said to get the new 2009 Audi or none at all.

I've been driving frequently for about 2 years now, though, and I have no tickets and no accidents (OK, one $10 parking ticket..) so I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. But it's a good thought to consider.

[rnicron]

dude i wish my parents would pull stuff like that, but i like that i can be independent.

[*paperplane*]

If you have an expensive car, it's going to suck that much more when you do get in an accident. Insurance, repairs...oh my god.

I don't know why it's an issue that your parent say you have to have an AWD car when they're willing to pay an absurd amount of money for it. Whatever, just get what you want.

(I will concede the fact that I am probably just bitter that I had to pay for repairs on some spoiled bitch's BMW when the accident wasn't even really my fault.)