So it's coming up on time to trade my car in. Being that I'm middle aged and in a decent life situation right now, my wife has suggested that I get a "fun" car that will last me a decade instead of another used practical car.

So I've begun the process of looking around at vehicles, and it's a little frustrating the number of very nice fun vehicles that in order to get them in a decent trim, they come with the "digital dashboard" or "virtual cockpit".

That said, virtually ALL cars now have some kind of LCD tucked in with the speedometer and tachometer. I had a hard enough time dealing with my Fusion Hybrid, which has bright blue speedometer detailing, and two 2x3" "LCD screens to either side of the speedo. I have to turn those way down and I put yellow film over them, and when I'm tired they still mess with me a little. But it's a 2014, tech has come a long way...

Do any of you have any experience with digital dashboards? I'd think that a company like Audi would do extensive testing on their displays, but I'm not super hopeful given how mediocre the last few brand new vehicles I've driven have been in this regard...

Requirements:

  1. A manual transmission.
  2. Some kind of longevity. That rules out "fun" cars by Hyundai and cars like the Ford Focus ST, since I am pretty sure they'd wear out by year 3 of ownership.
  3. AWD is a nice to have but not necessary.
  4. Ideally mid-20's USD. Could go a little higher if it was a new car with extended warranty on payments, and I knew it would last a decade or more.

Cars I'm considering:

VW GTI - even the top-spec trims here in the USA don't come with digital dash (they do in the UK, so it's only a matter of time but I'm safe 2019-2021), but they DO have a big infotainment screen and a 2x3" LCD tucked between the tach and speedo. I'll need to evaluate that.

VW Golf R - this comes with virtual cockpit standard. Ugh. Nevermind, I was hoping for AWD but..

VW Jetta GLI - unfortunately the nice trim with the good sound system and leather... has "virtual cockpit" standard. Ugh. Lower trim would need an aftermarket upgrade on the sound and doesn't have the same handling.

Subaru WRX - I know I can tolerate the subaru lighting, since it's the same as my wife's Forester. And so is the infotainment screen. Only problem is I hear these can be a little... harsh... to drive. But then again I live in New England, we get a LOT of snow (18" on the ground the past couple weeks) so it might not be so bad.

BMW (pre-owned) - I can't afford a new Bimmer, but a nice sporty 2015 model isn't out of my price range and very few of them had digital dash.

Audi - almost all audis have "virtual cockpit" and it isn't even optional. But lower models like the A3 don't...

    Gurm I had a Focus ZX3 for 13 years, great car for the model year I had. All cars these days will last 10+ years so don't rule out Focus or Hyundai (or KIA) if you like their offerings. Your criteria shouldn't be will it last 10 years, all of them will if you keep up with maintenance. Plenty of cars without a digital dashboard, though you won't be able to escape that stupid tablet screen they all have now, but you can turn it off at least.

    • Gurm replied to this.

        At least have a look at Hyundai.
        There doing some great performance models in the N range
        I'd love to own a i30n Fastback
        https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PLRIxK89SA
        Not sure if they cause led eye strain though.

        Here in Australia the police use Kia Stingers. So they must be reliable enough.

        • Gurm replied to this.

          Sunspark yes, the infotainment screen can almost always be turned off. I've gotten used to the one in the Subaru, so if I end up liking the WRX then this is a no-brainer as it ticks all my boxes except the one I didn't list that says "German Engineering".

          What I meant by "last 10 years" is more along the lines of... I bought a used 1993 BMW in the year 2000 with 100,000 miles on it. I sold it in the year 2007 with 200,000 miles on it. When I sold it, it was still tight, solid and ran great just like when I bought it. 14 years. 200k miles, and yes stuff broke and had to be fixed but the car drove like a BMW all those years and miles later. That's what I want. I know a WRX or a GTI will still drive like new after 5 years and probably even after 10 years. Can't say the same for a Focus or Hyundai, no matter how nice the trim.

            German engineering also means paying top dollar for parts and mechanics which you know about since you had a BMW. I really appreciate that with American cars you can get at the oil filter without having to remove the front wheel, unscrew some stuff to see into the engine, and then have a specialized tool.

            You got a rare thing, permission to have a mid-life crisis vehicle. Get something fancy like a restored 1967 Corvette. 🙂

            • Gurm replied to this.

              Gurm What yellow film are you using to cover the LCD screens? I use an orange plastic gel / filter on my LED laptop screen and I'm having massive problems with it. It is shiny and glossy and reflects light into my eyes. I'm looking for something with a matte finish ideally or at least a glossy finish thats not too bad to look at.

              • Gurm replied to this.

                  Sunspark eh you’re overstating the issue. My 1993 bmw 325is was the cheapest maintenance car I’ve ever owned (other than the 1986 corolla).

                  That said, I want something fun to drive through the curves. Not an ancient vehicle that requires constant maintenance.

                    Larkenn I’ll try to find a link. It was just headlight film for boy racer types that want to make their blue lights yellow instead of the other way around.

                      thorpee the only good Hyundai available here is the Veloster N. The "n line" vehicles aren’t all that. I’ll definitely drive a Veloster N, but it starts at $35k which is the “loaded out" price for the WRX.

                        5 months later

                        Gurm I'd think that a company like Audi would do extensive testing on their displays

                        Funny enough, Audi's have always have the absolute WORST lighting and displays of any car on the road for me.

                        Personally I gave up hope trying to find any newer car with a screen that doesn't cause me issues. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will be driving older, pre "digital display" used cars for the rest of my life. But I'm not a "car guy" so I don't really care. I'm currently looking for an old 90's Ford Ranger I can put around in. No screens or LED's on that puppy.

                        Get an old 1960's Charger Lol

                        • Gurm replied to this.

                            ensete

                            90's Audis were not bad. 🙂 But I hear you.

                            This is my final search, after this I'm resigned to ancient cars. But I made a significant mistake switching to the WRX and need to find SOMETHING comparable that doesn't trigger me, or else I'll be driving my wife's Forester forever. (There are worse things…)

                              dev