So I have a new car purchase looming as I am doing more and more travel for work and my truck just doesn't make that much sense right now. I have a few ideas, but would love some advice from the TS community. Right now I am looking at the MINI Countryman S and a new 4-door GTI.



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I have owned a number of VW's before and the GTI seems like a perfect choice for me. The 2.0T is a fantastic motor and very adequate for my needs, fun to drive, functional and nice interior, etc. I have also owned a MINI (first gen Cooper S) and loved it at first, but the size and novelty wore off after about 7 seconds because of the size and power train.

I drove a new Countryman and really like the new turbo motor and the size was good. Also, I love the looks and it is very functional. My main concern with the Mini is that the novelty will again wear off...

Here's what I'm looking for:

Spend under $35K
Year round capable (I live in the mid west)
4 door and room for the dog
Fun to drive
Quick
Not too mainstream, i.e. I don't want to see 17 of them in my parking garage

Any ideas guys? Does anyone have a Countryman and could shed some light?

Thanks,

 

I honestly feel that the GTI is one of the best cars on the road currently. Not for the price, not for a hot hatch, but period.

If you need awd or a bit higher seating position then the Countryman would be a good option... but as much as i like Minis and the Countryman, i would go GTI.

 

Both good options to have. I would take the GTI for two reasons: 1) IMO it's a little classier both inside and out, and 2) it has a very good track record of reliability.

 

agreed, ive heard great things about them, but just remember, still german, still higher maintenance costs if something does go wrong

 

I saw a mini in the exact same configuration as pictured above, my god it is horrendous would rather purchase the regular Mini or the Clubman. The Countryman Mini is absolutely ugly, the GTI is the way to go.

 

I vote GTI...

 

This.

 

I've been driving around a GTI for the past 6 months now and it's really a great DD. I live in the midwest also (St. Louis) and we had a pretty bad winter; lots of ice. Even with stock summer tires (P zero's) I didn't experience any problems.

Though there probably won't be a lot of Countryman's around, there are already tons of Mini's & Clubman's on the road. If you want something a little less common, GTI is definitely the way to go.

 

GLI... Saw one @ dealer this week and it was really clean looking... Seats are awesome too!

 

Thanks for the help guys. Rep to everyone I can right now. Seems to be a pretty general consensus on the GTI being the right choice, and I have to say that if I was pulling the trigger today, it'd be the GTI.

Any other suggestions other than these two?