I am currently driving a 2021 Mazda Miata RF GT manual. I don’t have a car payment. I traded in a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road and made some money on the trade. About a year ago I traded a 2017 Audi TTS for the Tacoma straight up. I paid cash for the TTS. I got lucky as the TTS appreciated nearly ten thousand USD during…

Toyota Tacoma still has rear drums. My wife had a 2011 Mazda Tribute that had drums on the rear. My first car was an inherited 1967 Chrysler Newport with drums on all 4 wheels. If you tried to stop hard from 80 or above they brakes would fade completely by around 20mph. Then you just rolled until you started going…

I saw Robbins race at the Texas 500 at Texas World Speedway the year after Hemis were neutered by NASCAR with restrictor plates. I believe he was the only car still running one. It was amazing how different it sounded from the wedge-based Mopars. He wasn’t competitive that race but (like him) the car sounded great.

Not these days. My 2016 Ram 1500 diesel required 12 quarts of really expensive oil. The filter was around $50 online. Modern cars don’t require plug changes until around 100,000 miles. Modern diesels have very complex emissions systems that also require additional maintenance. Plus you have to occasionally add DEF. I…

I had a 2016 Ram half ton diesel. Great truck. I could get 30+ mpg on my commute to work. I had a 2013 Ram 1500 Hemi which was also a very nice truck. It averaged around 16-17 mpg. I have not driven a Hemi with the 8 speed auto but I imagine it’s better than with the 6 speed. The diesel truck was a nicer trim level…

A couple of weeks ago when arriving in Portland on Southwest I found my suitcase was literally missing about 8 inches of corner. Luckily the net lining was holding everything inside. Went to the Southwest baggage office near baggage claim and the lady there gave me a new suitcase. Downside was that I had to transfer…

At least the race wasn’t incredibly boring like it was in France. Anything that slows the Mercedes juggernaut is good for the sport. 

I looked for one of these for sale a few weeks ago online. I used several apps to search for one here in Texas. Didn’t find a single one. Then looked at a few dealer websites. Nothing. I’m not a serious buyer so I quit after a few minutes. If they really are stacking up at dealers maybe they need to make them easier…

Now we have several Autobahns showing up here in Austin. You’re right about not having to wait long.

My closest dealer has had a couple of 35th Anniversary editions for about a week. I am definitely waiting on the Autobahn trim and likely will wait until the end of the year for a discount. Our 2017 GLI DSG was under 24K on the last day of the calendar year.

Some people, like me, just prefer the form factor. It’s also significantly cheaper. About 6K in the Autobahn trim.

I prefer the wheels on my wife’s Tiguan.

GLI Autobahn trim is a hair under 6K cheaper than the Autobahn GTI. You don’t get DCC or rear seat vents but you get the digital cockpit and a trunk. GLIs are typically discounted a bit more than GTIs as well. 

It’s quite a bit cheaper in the Autobahn trim. I have seen Autobahn GTIs going for 6K over the sticker of the GLI Autobahn. Typically GLIs are discounted more than GTIs so potentially you can get the top trim for under 27K once they start being discounted. 

I own a 2017 manual GTI and it’s a great car. I may buy a GLI because I like the form factor a bit more. But If I keep the GTI a few more years I’ll be fine. Best daily driver ever.

I will likely buy one of these. I will wait until the Autobahn version hits the dealerships because I like all the extra stuff you get with that trim. I wish the US would get the Canadian version of the 35TH anniversary edition which comes on the Autobahn trim there. I like the wheels on the 35TH and the DCC on the…

Does your perception of VW electronics come from experience? Mine does. My first VW was a 77 Rabbit. I have had many since then. Right now I own a 2017 GTI (mine), a 2017 GLI (my daughter’s car), a 2019 Tiguan SEL, and an Audi A3 (essentially a VW). We have had easily 15 or 16 VWs. No electrical issues of any kind. I…

We own a 2017 GTI and a 2017 GLI. I drive the GTI and love it. I love the GLI too but it is definitely a step down from the GTI. Does not feel as solid and well put together as the GTI on the MQB. The electronic diff really makes a difference in slippery conditions. I honestly prefer the sedan form factor of the GLI…

I own a 2017 GTI SE manual. Awesome commuter car. The manual is fine in traffic. I’m old and lazy and even in the worst Austin traffic I haven’t wished for an auto. They are fairly reliable these days and the new VW warranty is amazing.  Every day this car amazes me with how solid it feels. I drive the snot out of it…

Really? I’m 63 and drive a GTI. Get a Golf R if you’re embarrassed by the red stripe on the nose. You’ll miss the torque steer but it’s a dramatically better car.