2017 Volkswagen CC Project Log

[blueneo03]

So i sold the neon 6 months ago or so...(wife deemed it was unsafe for children) and since have been looking for a replacement.

Criteria in no particular order:
Blue
Black or dark leather interior
keyless start and entry
4-Doors
"Safe"
Quick, not necessarily fast but fun nonetheless and not under powered.
looks good
trim. dont want a bulky camry..
under 50K miles and $30K
semi practical back seat and trunk
automatic......
sunroof for the wife because she didnt get one on her new durango...

List so far:
Acura TLX A-spec(x)
Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0T Ti with sport
Ford Fusion Sport(x)
Honda Accord either 2.0T new or old V6
Infiniti Q50 Sport
Mazda 6
Nissan Maxima Platinum(x)
Volvo S60 T6 R-design AWD(x)
Volkswagen Passat VR6


Top two right now are the Alfa romeo and the volvo. i really like the Q50 but price and premium fuel are factors dropping its rank. the mazda 6 is a very possible backup for price and fun but pretty underpowered.
the acura it expensive and the aspec which actually looks the best in the lineup is low on the used availabilty plus they are a little bulgy...(see camry)
The alfa is fun but being new is unproven and has limited used options, but the dealers have 17's on the lot and seem ready to deal. back seat is "snug"
the volvo is also very fun but is a hair more practical and family friendly. seats are fantastic but back seat is still tight.
Ford... has a ford interior but the 2.7 eco boost sport fusion looks nice in spite of the interior.
accord is similar to the mazda as a cheap base option but a little bigger and more boring.. but could get a slightly older v6... the 16's were a really nice look but they only have gray leather interiors.... i like black..
The maxima is actually really nice.. the looks are growing on me and the interior is nice, price is really good and the color is right.. but a 3.5v6 paired with at CVT....... meh...


Input, criticism, other options, let me know!

[theColonel]

I had a neighbor in Louisiana who owned many Volvos ... very safe and reliable. Kind of lost touch with John, since I moved to Texas, and he moved to Maine.

[blueneo03]

Ya the safety is a benefit of it, i think that would be a good selling point for the wife

[ducktapetg]

have you looked into the 2017 honda accord sport? They look nice

[INVUJerry]

I was gonna say, I just read a nice article about the Honda Accord. They’re very nice and even the 2.0 turbo automatic (10 SPEED) is quick! They go 14.2 stock and have a lot of nice options in them.

[JeremyJ]

It's a mildly detuned version of the Civic Type R engine. I'm sure you could probably get it up to R power with just a tune. I still think the old manual V6 coupe was the best version, but the new one is pretty nice.

Remember when the 13.9-second SRT-4 was crazy fast? Now the average Accord almost runs that. Even cheapo crossovers run fifteens anymore. What a crazy time.

[INVUJerry]

Dude, reading the reviews online, my wife’s minivan will run a 15.7@87. My old 05 SXT I only got to run a 16.3@84. Even my 1gn with mods only went 15.7.

It’s also a crazy time that I’m recommending a Honda over anything that Mopar offers at all. They simply don’t have any one thing that is mildly interesting or entertaining to offer in the small/mid sized car market.

[theColonel]

Dude, reading the reviews online, my wife’s minivan will run a 15.7@87. My old 05 SXT I only got to run a 16.3@84. Even my 1gn with mods only went 15.7.

It’s also a crazy time that I’m recommending a Honda over anything that Mopar offers at all. They simply don’t have any one thing that is mildly interesting or entertaining to offer in the small/mid sized car market.

[occasional demons]

The even scarier part is these idiots in their minivans/SUV's can haul ass, they forget they cannot haul ass around corners like a smaller lower car with the same or less power. It's amusing when they are behind you, and not so much when they are in front of you.

[MyNeonSaysHi]

It's a mildly detuned version of the Civic Type R engine. I'm sure you could probably get it up to R power with just a tune. I still think the old manual V6 coupe was the best version, but the new one is pretty nice.

Remember when the 13.9-second SRT-4 was crazy fast? Now the average Accord almost runs that. Even cheapo crossovers run fifteens anymore. What a crazy time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDhJtapFXQ&t

Crank numbers but very nice! Not sure how long the drivetrain will last though

[blueneo03]

Actually test drove the accord sport 2.0 and really liked it! it has a really nice interior, the wheels aren't terrible like the rest of the lineup is.the main thing with the sport is it allows a black leather interior whereas the rest of the accords you ahve to get gray(looks cheaper) with the blue exterior. and ya the motor and tranny do good work. i test drove a 2013 Regal GS that they had on the lot then right into the 2.0 sport and its about the same, maybe a little faster. but it is overall a really good option. plus new on the lot only sat at 32k, and i would imagine i could get that down to 28k easily. it comes with all the lane departure crap i thought i didn't want but thinking about long interstate driving.... i might actually want. the look of it isnt my favorite but its one of the more reasonable options on the list currently.

(EDIT) just saw you said 2017, havent tried the 17 yet but it would be nice to have the V6 with a tradtional auto and no CVT like in the maxima. only other thing is that like mentioned above, gray interior only... not a deal breaker but not my first choice and since the 18' sport is so nice it probably beats the V6 overall between the two.

another thing i am seriously considering is that the new 2.5T mazda 6 is coming in priced at 30k too.... i may need to go test drive one of those and the manual 2.0 sport for fun and research tomorrow.....

[blueneo03]

Dude, reading the reviews online, my wife’s minivan will run a 15.7@87. My old 05 SXT I only got to run a 16.3@84. Even my 1gn with mods only went 15.7.

It’s also a crazy time that I’m recommending a Honda over anything that Mopar offers at all. They simply don’t have any one thing that is mildly interesting or entertaining to offer in the small/mid sized car market.

Ya unfortunately dodge has nothing good, however the Alfa romeo is still FCA....

[JeremyJ]

I've felt like they haven't had shit to offer in the small car market since they killed the Neon. I'm sorry, but the Caliber and Dart did absolutely nothing for me. Do not want.

I would, however, drive the shit out of a 124 Abarth. The whole three kids thing means I can't have one, but man...they look like a riot.

[blueneo03]

They really havent. the caliber was a crossover and the dart, while i liked it, never really had the same full spectrum. plus with all the safety regs required there will never be a simple car like the neon again.... i would have considered a dart but just needed some more space and power... but i think that dodge has shifted their small car manufacturing to the "italians" while they build jeeps and rams..


I like the abarth, i really like that there is a competitor to the miata again even if it is a miata... id take one for sure. maybe a few more years down the road.

[INVUJerry]

Far from the truth lol.

Ya unfortunately dodge has nothing good, however the Alfa romeo is still FCA....

Don’t compromise to stay with a corporation man lol. Only compromise if you’re happy with your choice. Next year I may end up with a challenger or charger but for now I’m still pretty happy driving my neons. My wife loves the one we just picked up.

[blueneo03]

Far from the truth lol.

Ya unfortunately dodge has nothing good, however the Alfa romeo is still FCA....

Don’t compromise to stay with a corporation man lol. Only compromise if you’re happy with your choice. Next year I may end up with a challenger or charger but for now I’m still pretty happy driving my neons. My wife loves the one we just picked up.

Oh not at all that’s why I’m doing my reaearch... I want to get the right one as I’ll be keeping it for a while. On he other hand the Alfa’s are really nice just a little pricy. But absolutely no need to stay with a manufacturer just want to get a good car

[ducktapetg]

What about a GTI? You can have those in autos. The back seat is roomy and there is hatch space. When I looked at one, they were having a kickass deal on a brand new one. I was really close to buying it but for a little less money, I bought a fully loaded used ST.

[blueneo03]

I actually have the GLI on my list, only problem with it is that it doesn’t come in blue... the regular Jetta does but it also has a flat spot in second gear that I don’t like too much.. but they have a good back seat and ride pretty good. Need to try out the GLI and see how it compares to the standard Jetta

[blueneo03]

Correction.. i would be looking at the Jetta GLI or the Passat...

[INVUJerry]

Aaaaaand?

[blueneo03]

Oh its still a little while out... i like to do my research and i will keep it for a while so i want to make the right choice... im still tallying trims and test driving models.... i know this is a little bit of a tease but there will be a payoff later...

[theColonel]

Oh its still a little while out... i like to do my research and i will keep it for a while so i want to make the right choice... im still tallying trims and test driving models....
I know this is a little bit of a tease but there will be a payoff later...

Don't be in a rush ... it's easy to buy the wrong car. "Been there, done that"

[blueneo03]

Ya, its a mix between research and awaiting the financial "right time" the wife hates that im looking so early, but its not a decision i can make in a week, so ill take 6+ months lol when i want a car, a lot of it is "feel" i hate the civic i drive because its numb and bland, thats the same reason i refuse to own most toyota cars.. so there is a lot of test driving and a large spread sheet lol

[blueneo03]

Well, annual Bonus came in at about 10% of what i was expecting/hoping so it looks like im delayed at least another 6 months or so....... Ill update when i get back to serious looking...

but i did test drive the new Mazda 6 with the 2.5T and i really liked it. their seats arent as nice as they were before but the car overall is nice still

[blueneo03]

Alright so a few updates on car but the timeline is still the same.

I test drove two new ones this weekend and have added to my list.

The kia stinger.. off the list(well was never on but i was curious) not bad, really not bad. but the back was tight, the looks werent my favorite and there are better cars on the list so im not going to worry about it any longer.

the Volkswagen Passat V6 SEL... oddly i really like this one.... i drove the 1.8 2017 passat a while back and like it pretty much all except the engine had a huge flat spot right in the middle of second gear that would drive me nuts... and this dealership had none of the VR6 option so i crossed it off my list. but they called and said they had the GT model which was really nice. blacked out trim, carbon look dash and better front bumper, but doesnt come in blue... but these can be had relatively cheap used and the motor is a really good performer, car feels solid but not planted but i would think some sway bars could fix a lot of the roll... plus the back seat is huge!!! i can sit back there behind my driving position and have a full 4 inches of leg room before touching the seat.

overall i think is a nice looking car. not hugely sporty but germanesque...?

What do you all think on these??

[CharmfulPeace]

I know that a couple years ago I took a 2016 Passat for a test drive and it was one of the best rides I have personally experienced. Personally, if I were to go for a newer vehicle, it would be a Standard Diesel Passat.
I have heard some nice things about Infiniti, though... And, from my experience, Honda knows how to make engines (Bodies.. Not so much )

As for the rest of the options, I am unable to provide input (Not really the biggest fan of any make other than GM, Chrysler, and Volkswagon).

[blueneo03]

Alright so this is actually happening... wife is getting a contract bonus at work and well pay off her loans and have extra cash for a down payment for me...

Sooooo,

terms have been updated...

price cap has decreased to 25k and the accord has been vetoed... which is okay, i like them but they were my "sensible" option... the cost omits the alfa romeo as those used are still like 35k so i cant even negotiate that down...

showed her my saved car list on cars.com and i think she is leaning to the VW which i like as well..

So choices right now are:
Infiniti Q50
Volkswagen Passat VR6
Mazda 6 (2017)

i like all three for different reasons.....

infiniti is fast, good looking, sporty RWD, good MPG. but it takes premium gas, will probably be more expensive to insure and the color i want isnt as cheap yet as it was a newer color...22-27k

VW is a good balance and responsible car... the VR6 makes this an option at all.. huge back seat, big trunk, well appointed. its a little dated and the suspension is softer as its more luxury oriented... but it looks slick IMO, i worry about the reliability and maintenance costs...i think it takes premium as well... about 22K

the mazda 6 is the older one before the model refresh and with no turbo... HP is 185ish and a lot lower than the others.... but it takes regular...the interior is well appointed, comes with all the safety tech for a good price... looks phenomenal, drives well just wish i could get the older model with like 25 more HPs about 22-25

input??

[blueneo03]

[jonnymopar]

Mazda always wins for me.

[JeremyJ]

The VW is the only one of those three I wouldn't consider.