Reason Why New Isn't Always Best #3

Have you read my last three posts? If not, you should do that first. This post will make much more sense if you do.

Alright. Let's start.

The 2011 Hyundai Accent is a cheap, five seat, three door hatchback. Unfortunately, it's boring to look at and boring to drive.

So, if you've got $10,000 to spend on a hatchback, you need another option. One that does everything. One that carries your groceries, looks good, and is fun to drive.

Since the 80s, the obvious choice has been the Volkswagen GTI.

Mark I GTI

Nothing's changed. The GTI is still, the perfect car. It's reliable, cheap to buy, cheap to fix, practical, economical, good looking, and fast.

These days, you can get a well kept Mark V GTI for about $9,000-$10,000, or for $6,000-$9,000, you can afford a very nice Mark IV GTI. Either way, you get a solid car that's done less than 100,000 miles.

Mark V GTI

The Mark V GTI is the one I'd choose because it's better built and more fun to drive. With its 2 liter turbocharged engine, the Mark V GTI has slightly improved horsepower figures compared to the Mark IV. However, while the Mark V may not have much more horsepower, the driving experience is much better because the power is more accessible. Turbo lag is almost eliminated and all of the power is available in any gear at any speed. This makes city driving much more exciting.

But if you need to save a few grand the Mark IV GTI is still a smart buy. The 1.8 liter turbo in the Mark IV still delivers enough power.

Whether you buy a Mark IV or a Mark V GTI, you get a big trunk, an attractive shape, a fun drive, and the best dealer experience in the country. Sorry Lexus. I don't care how many massages or manicures you guys give, VW people are the nicest.

Mark IV GTI

To this day, fun and practicality haven't been blended as perfectly as they are in the GTI. It was the obvious choice of the 80s and it's the obvious choice of today.


Come back next week for a $10,000 classic.