[tastic]

Wife needs a daily driver soon...soon as in before mid November at the latest. She's never owned her own car before. She's also worked very hard and has some accomplishments recently career-wise that I'm proud of, so I want her to really enjoy her first car since she'll be spending over an hour everyday in it from now on.

At the same time, she's frugal.. Even with me telling her that she can have more, the top 3 on her list to test drive are a TT, a mini and bug...all soft-top.

For those that have driven recent versions of these and can directly compare pairs of them, could I bother you for your opinions on these cars?
I could like to keep them to these specific engine sizes if possible...so the base TT roadster, the Cooper S convertible and the beetle convertible with the 2.0L.

Thanks in advance!

[Bender Unit]

Mini hands down.

[yray]

beetle hands down. :troll:

[jinxcrusader]

TT hands down

[bcrdukes]

I can picture your wife in a smoking hot red Beetle. Check out that two-tone black/red going on.

[yray]

^ hey, don't post my fucking car without asking me

[BBMme]

just throwing this out. Fiat 500? I got one for my GF and she loves it. Cute and very easy to drive.
I think they are also bringing the auto to the Turbo 500 end of the year?

[jinxcrusader]

^ hey, don't post my fucking car without asking me


I thought that was Lomac's

[westopher]

I'd say the TT so you can take it for a rip without having to put a dress on first.:hotbaby:

[ilvtofu]

I test drove the non turbo beetle in both convertible and coupe form, back seat is pretty good but that base engine is genuinely slow. Interior is alright, drives like meh, steering is vague.

Back seat and trunk on the mini cab are pretty useless, but fun car to drive and will be more enjoyable for the everyday stuff too.

If she can put up with the practicality of the mini, I'm almost tempted to recommended an NC miata. Yeah it will be replaced soon but they're offering good discounts on those but they have a timeless character to them and probably cheaper to run as well. They're quite soft in stock form too.

[Klondike]

just throwing this out. Fiat 500? I got one for my GF and she loves it. Cute and very easy to drive.
I think they are also bringing the auto to the Turbo 500 end of the year?

2012 FIAT 500 Hatchback Consumer Reviews (http://www.edmunds.com/fiat/500/2012/consumer-reviews.html?sub=hatchback&ps=used)

It's plagued with reliability issues. Looks cute though. Anyone on RS have a cinquecento?

[LP700-4]

Bit of a price gap between the 3 isn't it? TT roadster starts at 55k :lawl:

I did drive a TT-S coupe and it was definately a fun little car with good power.

[Euro7r]

Mini-TT-Bug

That would be my choice in order.

[tastic]

just throwing this out. Fiat 500? I got one for my GF and she loves it.

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually recommended it to her as well thinking she would like it, but she doesn't like the shape.

I'd say the TT so you can take it for a rip without having to put a dress on first.:hotbaby:

LOL! Fair point. Although obviously not the real reason for going with the TT and not the TTS, she did point out that one upside to NOT getting the TTS is that I'm far less likely to be out driving her car.

I test drove the non turbo beetle in both convertible and coupe form, back seat is pretty good but that base engine is genuinely slow. Interior is alright, drives like meh, steering is vague.

Back seat and trunk on the mini cab are pretty useless, but fun car to drive and will be more enjoyable for the everyday stuff too.

If she can put up with the practicality of the mini, I'm almost tempted to recommended an NC miata. Yeah it will be replaced soon but they're offering good discounts on those but they have a timeless character to them and probably cheaper to run as well. They're quite soft in stock form too.

Thanks for the review. Funny you mention the miata...if the PRHT ND was available now, that would be her top choice...she loved the styling immediately when we were watching that reveal show online. Trading in the car she gets now for the PHRT ND when it comes out is a distinct possibility. AFAIK it will be out one year after the initial ND release.

Thanks for the responses thus far. Much appreciated.

[tastic]

Bit of a price gap between the 3 isn't it? TT roadster starts at 55k :lawl:

I did drive a TT-S coupe and it was definately a fun little car with good power.

Yes, just happened that way because we didn't start with a price and then compare what cars we could get for that number. I wanted her to just pick first and we would address the cost later if it was an issue. I know her and she is frugal so there was no way a 6 fig car was going to appear on her short list. She rarely treats herself to anything so I didn't want to limit her. The price range just fell that way.

[jinxcrusader]

if audi TT is a possibility from the price point why don't you look at other options near that price?

You can also look at the VW Eos, extremely comfortable ride.

[tofu1413]

Abarth 500C. Comes in automatic this year as well along with the trick LCD dash

[westopher]

if audi TT is a possibility from the price point why don't you look at other options near that price?

I think the point though is she chose those 3 cars without even knowing the price. As the car is going to be a bit of a "get what you want" kind of purchase to celebrate. I'd agree though, and I'd be pushing my wife very hard to "ask me" for a Porsche 930 if we were around that price range. but I don't think thats the situation tastic is going for here.:p

[bcrdukes]

He hasn't posted yet, but OP should highly consider Shark Tank's opinion.

[Gucci Mane]

i hate the mini, think the TT is a womans car and for some weird reason actually really like the new bettle. that r-line turbo done right looks quite minty.





pics of wife? :troll:

[tastic]

if audi TT is a possibility from the price point why don't you look at other options near that price?


I think the point though is she chose those 3 cars without even knowing the price. As the car is going to be a bit of a "get what you want" kind of purchase to celebrate.

That's right, westopher. A small, (relatively) nimble convertible were her wants. From there, I presented every option I could think of, including models I thought she'd choose, like the SLK or Z4. These are the 3 that were her favorites wrt styling.

[dark0821]

I can only give opinion on the mini S, the one I drove was a 2013 5 door, spent a good 2 days to Oaknagon in it. The highway noise is just about the same as my Hyundai Elantra, aka not great. but since you are looking at the convertible, I can only imagine it to be worse. The Navigation is almost hopeless, horrible to enter an address, and slow to respond. We ended up just using my Garmin.

Now the bad parts out of the way. It is a fun little car to drive around, I wouldnt say it is fast, but definitely not slow. Gas mileage is good, and I generally walked away impressed.

---------

Now for a car that is not on your list. I took a ride in a Lexus IS 250C recently. The rear seats are useless, but my gawd was the car comfortable. It is a "small" interior car for the size. But I went in doubting all things Lexus and genuinely walked away super impressed. Maybe it is because I dont have much experience in "premium" cars, but for a comfy ride/stereo goes, you know those seats where you sit in and just think "damn" this shit is comfortable? That was my reaction. So maybe take a look? And cant go wrong with toyota reliability.

[yray]

Time for some serious input :pokerface: as I drove 2.5L 2012 beetle for two years.

Pro: Shitload of space in coupe model, enough umph to get around city driving and highway

Cons:
First: it's mexican made, I had three pages of warranty claims at VW for my car :lol
Second: torque steer that I used to pull out of spaces in (could be a pro)
Third: can't turn off traction control button, 10km/h all day everyday in snow
Fourth: Overpriced
Fifth: wheels need to be torqued at 103lbs :lawl:
Sixth: rattling interior galore
Seventh: my T5 ate gas like a V6. not sure about your 2L
Eighth: You kinda sit low with the wheel kinda in your face, very retro but kinda tiring for long journeys, arm rests are optional :lol
Ninth: Brake pedal is kinda high due to the sitting position, I pull the handbrake at every stop because it was tiring to keep my foot on the brakes

ask me for more cons :lol

[hud 91gt]

Get her to drive all 3. Cooper S is an absolute blast to drive in the city.

[Westcoast67]

Out of the box idea: Volvo C70 Hardtop Convertible...

[Marshall Placid]

TT roadster, 2nd gen.

Good luck with the search.

[The_AK]

2006 Toyota Tundra 4x4 crew cab

[StylinRed]

TT

Don't have experience with the other two but I quite like the TT and was considering grabbing one, from the interior to the driving experience, and I would too if it weren't for the Lexus RC I've now put off all plans of getting another car until I can give that a drive

just a note I hope your wife doesn't plan on using it as a weekly grocery getter because there really isn't much room in it (speaking about the roadster that is) a daily grocery getter would totally work though

[bcrdukes]

just a note I hope your wife doesn't plan on using it as a weekly grocery getter because there really isn't much room in it (speaking about the roadster that is) a daily grocery getter would totally work though

I'm going to politely disagree on the grocery getter part.

I feel that it has ample amount of room for groceries and the usual errands. Of course, you wont' be able to fit in an Ikea bed frame in there but granted the amount of trunk and rear seat space, should be more than sufficient for a dual income, no kids couple.

[underscore]

Unless she's a "spirited" driver, I don't think our opinions are going to be of much use. Do some research into any known issues for the trim levels of those 3, have her test drive any that aren't going to spend more time in the shop than at home and go from there.

That said my cousin has a Mini convertible and she loves it, the thing is damn small inside though.

just a note I hope your wife doesn't plan on using it as a weekly grocery getter because there really isn't much room in it (speaking about the roadster that is) a daily grocery getter would totally work though

What the hell kind of grocery runs do you do? I make big Costco runs and fit everything into the cabin (ignoring the trunk) of any of my cars, and really these three aren't much smaller inside.

[StylinRed]

my usual grocery runs are t&t veggie load, costco load (fill 2 of those fruit boxes full of stuff), and a stop at superstore or save-on for some odd tidbits/drinks :D

the regular tt has an okay amount of space especially with the seats folded down but the roadster as I understand it has almost no space

[yray]

pay for delivery :troll: just think ahead before you buy :lol I have a roadster, boxes are your enemy.

[Marshall Placid]

You know... when I said 2nd Gen TT...

The 3rd Gen TT is coming out probably early next year if you put a deposit down now.

Now.......... if your wife chooses the next-gen (3rd) TT, you'll probably be driving it more than SHE does (so, make sure you are also "suggesting" car options, colour, etc. in the buying process... just a suggestion).

People say that the TT is a the little brother/sister of the Cayman, but if I remember correctly, Car and Driver mentioned that the newest Gen TT is on par or better (driving experience wise) than the Cayman... and cheaper and the new dash + new air-con controls + interior =:whistle:

[tastic]

I'm going to politely disagree on the grocery getter part.

I feel that it has ample amount of room for groceries and the usual errands. Of course, you wont' be able to fit in an Ikea bed frame in there but granted the amount of trunk and rear seat space, should be more than sufficient for a dual income, no kids couple.

That's us in a nutshell. This is only needs to be her commuter. Shopping, Point Roberts runs and taking the dogs out will all be in the hatch.

[tastic]

We pulled the trigger on the TT roadster...it was by far her favorite after the test drives.

[Boostslut]

Lucky wife! I'm sure she will enjoy it!

Mini's thumbs down all day. Nice cars, quick and all, I thought steering was very tight and had good feel which I like but not for my wife, or a lady. Horrible trunk space, and back seats blow.

[tastic]

Thanks! She is over the moon. The mini ended up being the runner up, but by the time she made her decision, it was a bit of a distant second.

[godwin]

Having seeing the reliability of Minis.. I rather go with VAG TT then Beetle.. and this comes from a life long BMW owner.

[yray]

Having seeing the reliability of VW.. I rather go with a Japanese car.. and this comes from a VW, BMW, and Benz owner. :troll:

[BMW_freak]

TT is the s*it! If I was to trust my gf with a sporty car it would be equipped with Quattro :D

[meme405]

Congrats. Post some pictures once you take delivery. They're pretty cars that's for sure...

[StylinRed]

grats! what colour did she opt for?

[tastic]

It is glacier white metallic.

[Marshall Placid]

Congratulations!

Pics when you have the time, please.

[The_AK]

All good options but TT definitely nicest out of the bunch even though the beetle has been redone inside.

[dashosh]

Red New Beetle is the really nice car for wife. Good design, comfortable and cheap, what else your wife needs?