Hey team! Long time no post!
I’ve been happy this past year or so, working at home, on a modern laptop (Dell 7490) running windows 10 (21h2 at the moment), playing the occasional video game, driving the wife’s ‘21 Subaru Crosstrek. But it’s come time to trade in my ‘19 Forester for a fun car! Do I have to? No. But I want to!
Test drive 1: Alfa Romeo
I went to the Alfa dealer and drove a stelvio (the most fun you’ll have in an suv) and then a Giulia (an amazing sedan). The stelvio didn’t bother me - analogue dials, old school infotainment, small digital screen between the dials. But the Giulia which I drove second gave me some eye strain which built throughout the night. And then I got dizzy. But - I think that may have been my TMJ because my orthodontist had me only using my night guard when I had symptoms. I’ve been using it and will do another test. The screen on the Giulia seemed washed out so I might have just had the brightness up too high on that also.
Test drive 2: BMW M440.
I wanted the most modern thing they had. It was great! Screens didn’t faze me! I was blown away by the car. But it wasn’t fun to drive. I mean it was super powerful but around town it would just be boring. They do that on purpose. Meh. I’ll be going back to try a 2 series gran coupe that’s based on the mini platform.
Test drive 3: Volvo S60 R design
Nice car. Screens were ok but not perfect. Didn’t wow me for the price (which was high).
Test drive 4: 2019 vw GTI autobahn.
They didn’t have a new one to test. Great to drive. Great on my eyes. If I could get a ‘21 With low miles and not pay $40k I would do it in a second. I’ll be going back to try a ‘22 and a golf R when they have them.
Next drives: Audi s3, Mazda 3 turbo, Acura tlx, genesis g70.
Backup plan: I can order a Subaru wrx gt.
Any other suggestions? It needs to have 4 doors, be zippy and sporty, and last me a decade of like-new driving. I’m ok with automatic
I’ve ruled out: Mercedes (so much digital screen), Jaguar (4 tablets!!!)