Car advice

Get a impreza hatch and throw a sub and ski box on it. I got an impreza no turbo for the fact that I’m a student and don’t wanna fill up with 89/91 octane. Impreza runs cheap compared to turbo version, but if money ain’t an issue cop an sti. ***Obviously buy manual***

SchoessYes but no awd+stick. DSG is great but it's no substitute for manual. Also Haldex AWD is basically FWD 80% of the time which means you carry around a lot more weight 80% of the time for no benefit. It's quattro but not true quattro

Yeah of course it is not true Quattro, I was definitely just referencing the haldex system because I assumed the car would be used in the winter. Living in an area that gets winter I rely on that extra 20% of power to the rear to get me to my destination. Also, a 6 speed is cool, but a DSG is fast. Stage 2 tune with my DSG and I am able to bounce if off the limiter when I want to rip tight roads, but have launch control when I want to jump a light. juts my two cents .

Bigruss39Yeah of course it is not true Quattro, I was definitely just referencing the haldex system because I assumed the car would be used in the winter. Living in an area that gets winter I rely on that extra 20% of power to the rear to get me to my destination. Also, a 6 speed is cool, but a DSG is fast. Stage 2 tune with my DSG and I am able to bounce if off the limiter when I want to rip tight roads, but have launch control when I want to jump a light. juts my two cents .

I live in MN currently so I do appreciate 4 wheels putting power to the ground at the same time no doubt. I was mainly speaking for everyday fun driving.

Also yeah DSG is the best of the attainable semi-auto/auto gearboxes for sure. Fun factor will always just got to a 3 pedal car no matter the transmission.

SchoessIn that case, the GTI is your best bet by far IMO. The WRX motor is stupid and dumb, Mazdaspeed 3 goes Zoom Zoom Boom, and the Focus ST is more expensive and is less comfortable day to day. A Mark 5 or 6 GTI is great, my gti is a 2006 mark 5 with the 2.0t FSI and I love it. Don't be a 12 year old, buy a stock one and keep it that way. Clean and nice cars hold their value and will stay reliable for you. Replace broken parts with good parts but modifying it is a money pit that's not worth it at this point in your life yet. You could buy the nicest mark 5 in the universe for less than 10k, or a pretty decent mark 6 for 8-10. The mark 5 has a few less issues from my knowledge such as using a timing belt rather than the later TFSI and TSI chains which suffer from guide issues and whatnot that gets v expensive v quick.

Lastly I'll say this.... Everyone thinks they want more power more power more power, when in reality they can't drive for shit and couldn't take a stock corolla around a track at it's limit let alone a modified hot hatch. Don't buy into big dick power gainz flex blessed bro big turbo culture. Focus on improving your driving skills as all of these cars are more than quick enough already and you'll have more fun and your friends will be left in the dust when you do make it to a track. (Also gokarting is stupid fun and the best way to train)

**This post was edited on Jun 10th 2021 at 10:00:44am

So my friend is selling his 2012 gti with 110k miles for 7000. It’s got a stratified tune and a borla exhaust and he has a down pipe he said I could have. I also know that the turbo, intake manifold was, and ignition coils were recently replaced. Does that seem like a good deal or should I wait and keep looking for something stock?

FlynnskiSo my friend is selling his 2012 gti with 110k miles for 7000. It’s got a stratified tune and a borla exhaust and he has a down pipe he said I could have. I also know that the turbo, intake manifold was, and ignition coils were recently replaced. Does that seem like a good deal or should I wait and keep looking for something stock?

That's a decent deal. Especially in today's car market. I would personally take the tune off and make it as stock as possible because if you're in college, the most important thing by far is reliability. A tune is super common and is awesome for someone who can afford to replace a few more parts over time, but it will make you go through random parts here or there more quickly. I'm being careful on how I say this because a stage 1 tune on a stock gti is awesome, but understand the tradeoff is in the longterm maintenance cost. Also you'll use more fuel if you make more power. The exhaust is fine, but you might appreciate the quiet german refinement of stock on long rides to the mountain.

All that said, I love my mark 5 and am working on thi this weekend to fix a few random things. These cars will be awesome to you if you take care of them and don't get carried away in mods.

Lastly, if you revert it to stock, you can sell the tuned ECU and exhaust for some money to buy winter tires or fix any outstanding maintenance items. I promise you'll be happier driving it stock and 100% fixed vs tuned and 80% fixed.

FlynnskiSo my friend is selling his 2012 gti with 110k miles for 7000. It’s got a stratified tune and a borla exhaust and he has a down pipe he said I could have. I also know that the turbo, intake manifold was, and ignition coils were recently replaced. Does that seem like a good deal or should I wait and keep looking for something stock?

First year mark 7's are dope, just be aware of the timing chain guide issues that motor has. It may have already been addressed on that car at 110k but I'm not sure. My motor is an FSI so I know a lot more about those engines. For tips and info on YT, I'd recommend this homie.

https://www.youtube.com/user/HumbleMechanic

He's sort of the main DIY Audi/VW repair tutorial Youtuber. Awesome content from him, and he really knows his shit. Check out his playlists for lots of info on the TSI and newer GTI's.

If you have any other questions or anything feel free to ask away. I'd love to help.

OH and if you do buy it, lets see some pics and shit!

hyundai veloster isn’t a bad choice either but the “n” version is much more desired/expensive and i’ve heard it’s less reliable than the regular one

FlynnskiSo my friend is selling his 2012 gti with 110k miles for 7000. It’s got a stratified tune and a borla exhaust and he has a down pipe he said I could have. I also know that the turbo, intake manifold was, and ignition coils were recently replaced. Does that seem like a good deal or should I wait and keep looking for something stock?

my parents bought a mk6 gti new, can't remember which year but I think it was a 2012. The thing was a legitimate maintenance nightmare. Cam seals, timing chain, random oil consumption issues all under 100k on it.

Not sure if it being the twin scroll + dual clutch model made it worse in terms of reliability, but it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth for newer VW's.

SchoessFirst year mark 7's are dope, just be aware of the timing chain guide issues that motor has. It may have already been addressed on that car at 110k but I'm not sure. My motor is an FSI so I know a lot more about those engines. For tips and info on YT, I'd recommend this homie.

https://www.youtube.com/user/HumbleMechanic

He's sort of the main DIY Audi/VW repair tutorial Youtuber. Awesome content from him, and he really knows his shit. Check out his playlists for lots of info on the TSI and newer GTI's.

If you have any other questions or anything feel free to ask away. I'd love to help.

OH and if you do buy it, lets see some pics and shit!

Well it turns out the car is having problems right now. He thinks it’s carbon buildup so he’s going to get it walnut blasted. He said he’s make sure it runs fine before he sells it to me so I’m hoping I won’t have to worry about most of the common problems for a while

FlynnskiWell it turns out the car is having problems right now. He thinks it’s carbon buildup so he’s going to get it walnut blasted. He said he’s make sure it runs fine before he sells it to me so I’m hoping I won’t have to worry about most of the common problems for a while

Yeah carbon buildup can be an issue but it's literally a free fix if you do it yourself. Every car has issues, even toyota land cruisers (the most durable and reliable vehicle ever made). Learning basic mechanic skills and buying decent parts at the right price will make many cars palatable for you.

Also I would even make him a lower offer on it as is if it's having problems and you can deal with it. Chances are it's no big deal and can be fixed with relative ease.