Budget Performance Car Help!
Hello RFD community!
I have been a long time user of the RFD website but am otherwise new to the online community. I presently own a 2009 BMW 335i coupe that i've been eyeing on trading in for the past year or two. Lady luck has not been on my side with this car and I have had to replace a faulty high pressure fuel pump as well several other electrical gremlins. Thankfully this was covered by my extended warranty, however it has since expired and I have been hearing through other owners and car enthusiasts that this car has a known turbo failing, which is why i'd like to dump the car. The cars i've been looking at for a few months now are the Ford Focus ST and the VW GTI. I have looked at the Subaru WRX but I am not a fan of the styling nor the interior. I don't really keep in the loop about what cars have what issues and the like, and I don't know which of the two would be the better buy, which is why i'm asking for any input. A few key points:
1) I drive a truck in the winter time so the drivetrain is a non-issue, BUT having an AWD car that I can use to enjoy all 4 seasons is a bonus.
2) Must be a new car as I will be leasing instead of financing + I like the peace of mind of knowing I am the sole owner and need not worry about prior ownership
3) VW/Audi seem to have a bad reputation throughout the automotive community for being extremely unreliable lemons which makes me very hesitant to buy a VW. I bought my BMW over an Audi because of this exact reason; at the time I was told by my office mates and friends that the Audi would be in the shop more than on the road, but i'm eating crow now. My son in law drives an Audi and he said his car hasn't had any issues. Are these VW/Audi's really ticking time bombs as everyone suggests?
4) I'd like to keep as close to $35,000 MSRP as possible
Cheers,
Rich
I have been a long time user of the RFD website but am otherwise new to the online community. I presently own a 2009 BMW 335i coupe that i've been eyeing on trading in for the past year or two. Lady luck has not been on my side with this car and I have had to replace a faulty high pressure fuel pump as well several other electrical gremlins. Thankfully this was covered by my extended warranty, however it has since expired and I have been hearing through other owners and car enthusiasts that this car has a known turbo failing, which is why i'd like to dump the car. The cars i've been looking at for a few months now are the Ford Focus ST and the VW GTI. I have looked at the Subaru WRX but I am not a fan of the styling nor the interior. I don't really keep in the loop about what cars have what issues and the like, and I don't know which of the two would be the better buy, which is why i'm asking for any input. A few key points:
1) I drive a truck in the winter time so the drivetrain is a non-issue, BUT having an AWD car that I can use to enjoy all 4 seasons is a bonus.
2) Must be a new car as I will be leasing instead of financing + I like the peace of mind of knowing I am the sole owner and need not worry about prior ownership
3) VW/Audi seem to have a bad reputation throughout the automotive community for being extremely unreliable lemons which makes me very hesitant to buy a VW. I bought my BMW over an Audi because of this exact reason; at the time I was told by my office mates and friends that the Audi would be in the shop more than on the road, but i'm eating crow now. My son in law drives an Audi and he said his car hasn't had any issues. Are these VW/Audi's really ticking time bombs as everyone suggests?
4) I'd like to keep as close to $35,000 MSRP as possible
Cheers,
Rich