Lusted after these when they came out. Still want one. But this is overpriced by at least $10K.

The Lexus ES. Yes it’s quiet and will still be running next to cockroaches after the world has ended, but driving one is emotional Novocaine. My parents have one, and when I visit them in miserably muggy Houston I choose the Leather Express over taking their car. Last time I drove it I didn’t recover for months.

How is the ride quality/NVH compared to the GTI? A car that feels like a GTI with the long term ownership costs of a Honda would get my money tomorrow. That is, if I can somehow avoid ever seeing the ass end of the car.

Any experience and thoughts on the DCC option? Worth it if already getting the Autobahn trim? I’m thinking it might be nice to have for road trips and when my older relatives are riding along. It’s not expensive but fairly hard to find in the CPO market. Also pondering if it’s just one more piece of expensive German…