Need a non-SUV daily driver with cargo space

SAMM3Y · 12-11-2020, 03:27 AM

I'm shopping for a car to fill a niche:

- $35k budget
- don't want an SUV
- decent cargo capacity, maybe 4-6 totes with the rear seats folded down
- nice to be in and drive with adequate creature comforts that could double as a weekend getaway
- it'll see some miles so 22-25mpg would be nice but it can't be completely gutless

I was checking out 340i GT's with xDrive. I used to think they were hideous but the utility coupled with drivability has really grown on me.

Alfisti · 12-11-2020, 08:25 AM

Find a creampuff 2008-2010 9-3 wagon with the Blown 2.8 litre. Keep $25K in your pocket and enjoy. Stage 0 tune is well over 300HP, motor is an absolute gun.

BMWCCA1 · 12-11-2020, 09:32 AM

Don't overlook the stylish 4-series Grand Coupe. It may not look like a hatchback, but it is, and it does versatility without looking like a beached whale.

pikkagtr · 12-11-2020, 10:10 AM

Golf GTi the ultimate everyday driver

stein_325i · 12-11-2020, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Find a creampuff 2008-2010 9-3 wagon with the Blown 2.8 litre. Keep $25K in your pocket and enjoy. Stage 0 tune is well over 300HP, motor is an absolute gun.

Those Saab wagons are absolutely awesome.

stein_325i · 12-11-2020, 10:29 AM

-VW MK7 Golf GTI/R: Practical Hot Hatch that's surprisingly roomy and also fun to throw around.

-BMW 330i Touring: Plenty of power from the efficient 2.0L 4-Cylinder (B48), and still just enough fun and creature comforts.

-Mercedes S212 E-Class Wagon: Space for days, bulletproof V6 engines with power, and a comfortable and quiet daily.

-Kia Stinger 3.3TT V6: Practical, unique, drives well and is very comfortable.

-Audi A5 Sportback: Quick, comfy, practical.

RobC2 · 12-11-2020, 10:30 AM

GTI for the reasons stated above.

SAMM3Y · 12-11-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

Golf GTi the ultimate everyday driver

I've test drove two GTI's I do really like them, they check a lot of boxes. A little small is all. Love the dsg.

Alfisti · 12-11-2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Those Saab wagons are absolutely awesome.

It's my DD, the 2T though. Had it 10 years, ideally give it to my oldest as his first car in 8 years.

SAMM3Y · 12-11-2020, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Find a creampuff 2008-2010 9-3 wagon with the Blown 2.8 litre. Keep $25K in your pocket and enjoy. Stage 0 tune is well over 300HP, motor is an absolute gun.

Love Saab too. That does look good.

GenXer · 12-11-2020, 11:26 AM

1. VW GTI
2. KIA Stinger
3. BMW 440i GC Xdrive

Humdizzle · 12-11-2020, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

cargo capacity, maybe 4-6 totes with the rear seats folded down

...

could double as a weekend getaway

...

it'll see some miles so 22-25mpg would be nice but it can't be completely gutless

what exactly is it that we're trying to move here boss???

Machinebuilder · 12-11-2020, 11:59 AM

I owned a 3 series GT and now a 6 series GT and they are great but dated. Hot hatches are also fun and practical. Regarding Saabs I have owned two and they are just a maintenance nightmare and fall apart. But I would also look at smaller hybrids that are now available. My daily is a Prius Prime hatchback and it is a hoot to drive being partially electric and hybrid. Its zippy like electric cars. I think that with all the new cars coming out and $35,000 you can get something modern with built in Apple Carplay Android auto great gas mileage, warranty and space that even 3 year old cars do not have.

Burrcold · 12-11-2020, 12:05 PM

A5 Sportback (not trying to be bias, but they are incredibly versatile while being fun to drive and great looking in my opinion).

SAMM3Y · 12-11-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

what exactly is it that we're trying to move here boss???

Think three sets of golf clubs with the gear and a cooler full of cold ones..

SAMM3Y · 12-11-2020, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

A5 Sportback (not trying to be bias, but they are incredibly versatile while being fun to drive and great looking in my opinion).

Thank you that wasn't on my radar and should be. Love the center dash nav/display on the audis.

swanson · 12-11-2020, 01:12 PM

Audi A5 sportback.

King Rudi · 12-11-2020, 01:16 PM

I know guys around here like their Mustangs. Does Ford make a Mustang wagon? I've never seen one.

A little cross-thread humor for those playing along at home.

chassis · 12-11-2020, 01:28 PM

Mercedes E-Class wagon
BMW wagon
Buick wagon - based on an Opel chassis, take a look
Volvo wagon
Audi wagon
VW Jetta or Passat wagon

Germanauto · 12-11-2020, 01:51 PM

I second the A5/S5 Sportback. Great looking car, probably decent enough to drive, and practical.

4er Gran Coupe is just too dated now. Exterior is great, interior is not.

psuibmw · 12-11-2020, 03:11 PM

Get a Honda Accord Sport 2.0T

These cars check all your requirements

stein_325i · 12-11-2020, 03:12 PM

Forgot these existed. Could also be a good choice.

12-11-2020, 03:27 AM	#1
SAMM3Y Colonel 3091 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Need a non-SUV daily driver with cargo space I'm shopping for a car to fill a niche: - $35k budget - don't want an SUV - decent cargo capacity, maybe 4-6 totes with the rear seats folded down - nice to be in and drive with adequate creature comforts that could double as a weekend getaway - it'll see some miles so 22-25mpg would be nice but it can't be completely gutless I was checking out 340i GT's with xDrive. I used to think they were hideous but the utility coupled with drivability has really grown on me. __________________ 9ers
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12-11-2020, 08:25 AM	#2
Alfisti Brigadier General 7028 Rep 3,319 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Find a creampuff 2008-2010 9-3 wagon with the Blown 2.8 litre. Keep $25K in your pocket and enjoy. Stage 0 tune is well over 300HP, motor is an absolute gun.
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12-11-2020, 09:32 AM	#3
BMWCCA1 BMW Owner Since 1971 2552 Rep 1,536 Posts Drives: 1964 700 Sport Cabriolet Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central Virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 128i [10.00]	Don't overlook the stylish 4-series Grand Coupe. It may not look like a hatchback, but it is, and it does versatility without looking like a beached whale.
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12-11-2020, 10:10 AM	#4
pikkagtr Go Spurs Go 4004 Rep 2,921 Posts Drives: '22 GR Z4 Coup '06 Z4M Rdster Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (-1)	Golf GTi the ultimate everyday driver
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12-11-2020, 10:29 AM	#6
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25326 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	-VW MK7 Golf GTI/R: Practical Hot Hatch that's surprisingly roomy and also fun to throw around. -BMW 330i Touring: Plenty of power from the efficient 2.0L 4-Cylinder (B48), and still just enough fun and creature comforts. -Mercedes S212 E-Class Wagon: Space for days, bulletproof V6 engines with power, and a comfortable and quiet daily. -Kia Stinger 3.3TT V6: Practical, unique, drives well and is very comfortable. -Audi A5 Sportback: Quick, comfy, practical.
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12-11-2020, 10:30 AM	#7
RobC2 Lieutenant 318 Rep 520 Posts Drives: different makes and models. Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	GTI for the reasons stated above.
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12-11-2020, 11:26 AM	#11
GenXer Major 1401 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: Like a bat out of hell. Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: here and there iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Chevrolet Volt [0.00] 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe [0.00]	1. VW GTI 2. KIA Stinger 3. BMW 440i GC Xdrive
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12-11-2020, 11:59 AM	#13
Machinebuilder Second Lieutenant 281 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 640 IX GT Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Northeast USA iTrader: (0)	I owned a 3 series GT and now a 6 series GT and they are great but dated. Hot hatches are also fun and practical. Regarding Saabs I have owned two and they are just a maintenance nightmare and fall apart. But I would also look at smaller hybrids that are now available. My daily is a Prius Prime hatchback and it is a hoot to drive being partially electric and hybrid. Its zippy like electric cars. I think that with all the new cars coming out and $35,000 you can get something modern with built in Apple Carplay Android auto great gas mileage, warranty and space that even 3 year old cars do not have.
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12-11-2020, 12:05 PM	#14
Burrcold Brigadier General 6503 Rep 4,679 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	A5 Sportback (not trying to be bias, but they are incredibly versatile while being fun to drive and great looking in my opinion). __________________ Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive \| 2022 Audi Q7 Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 \| 2020 BMW M340i \| 2019 Audi RS5
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12-11-2020, 01:12 PM	#17
swanson Convicted Felon 801 Rep 2,198 Posts Drives: chariot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Audi A5 sportback.
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12-11-2020, 01:28 PM	#19
chassis Colonel 8355 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Mercedes E-Class wagon BMW wagon Buick wagon - based on an Opel chassis, take a look Volvo wagon Audi wagon VW Jetta or Passat wagon
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12-11-2020, 01:51 PM	#20
Germanauto Major General 9848 Rep 6,147 Posts Drives: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Rosso Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I second the A5/S5 Sportback. Great looking car, probably decent enough to drive, and practical. 4er Gran Coupe is just too dated now. Exterior is great, interior is not. __________________ Former -2008 E90 328 black/brown -2012 Lexus IS250 black/black
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12-11-2020, 03:11 PM	#21
psuibmw Brigadier General 3715 Rep 3,152 Posts Drives: G06/G20/F30/F15/F10/E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMWM2 [10.00] 2022 BMW [9.63]	Get a Honda Accord Sport 2.0T These cars check all your requirements
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12-11-2020, 03:12 PM	#22
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25326 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	Forgot these existed. Could also be a good choice. Attached Images
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