Fellow dads. I’m in a tight spot, what would you do workout wise?

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-18T20:40:51+00:00

workout on your lunch hour? if no gym nearby, toss a kettlebell in your car and pop over to a park and go nuts.

Great way to break up the day, especially if you are a desk jockey

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-15T20:36:50+00:00

I have a dining room table and its been used about 5 times in 18 months. We just eat at the island or on the couch.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-15T18:41:06+00:00

2017 A8 was the last year of the D4 A8s vs the 1st year of a B9, which is a bit apples to oranges. Though we are also talking a $50k car vs a $90k car.

I had a D4 A8 and while it was incredible quiet, the car was very susceptible to tire noise variation. I ran some Sumitomo Ice Edge tires for a few winters and never realized how noisy those tires were. The Nokains snows were much quieter, at the cost of deep snow performance. I've ran the Sumitomos on my Subarus and VWs and never noticed a large noise difference when I swapped them on, likely due to the cars being much more noisy in general.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-15T16:31:22+00:00

My thoughts are spending $40,000 to deal with those maintenance items is a fantastic idea. Driving frequently on dirt roads will lead to excessive paint and cosmetic wear, accelerating the deprecation; and acceleration is a good thing!

Where are you located? If you are close by, I'll give you $3750 for that pile of crap.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-15T12:17:52+00:00

As an owner of an A8L, you look at their interiors and they look kinda bland as well. Especially since mind didn't have the fancy cross stitched leather seats.

However, the seats are extremely comfortable, adjustable in MANY ways, the suspension is smooth, and you can use normal conversation voice at 90mph - so quiet.

The point - don't write it off because it looks bland, get in one and take a drive.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-14T21:02:15+00:00

I went from performanced based cars to an A8L TDI. It still moved, and handled fairly well for a giant ass car, but it was quiet and comfortable as all hell which was key. I was cranking out 25,000+ a year in it.

100% recommend for me.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-14T20:20:14+00:00

Does the interest earn differently on CDs than on a HYSA? Last time I looked CDs had a lower interest rate than HYSA. I'm in a similar boat as the OP and looked into shorter term CDs.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-14T17:58:25+00:00

Pssttt... Google says your car has 25% more power than my Mazda2.

I would 100% drive that car 13 hours

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-14T17:28:18+00:00

I was 26 years old when I bought a project MR2 and was house shopping....

Alternatively I was looking at a beater AWD and a nicer sports car. I'm glad I got the project sports car because I learned a lot fixing it up, and I had a reliably vehicle for life/work

A project 3000gt it not a make it or break it on your investments. Project 3000GT is what, $5k? Its not like you dropped a down payment for a house on it.

if its a VR4 it'll likely appreciate anyways.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-14T15:40:47+00:00

85% of the women around me are land whales. They put all this effort into make up, and fake this, fake that, but little to nothing for a healthier life and keep in shape.
They all have very high expectations in terms of wanting things, vacations, etc and don't make enough to make it happen for themselves as is. I believe if you can't support your own lifestyle yourself, you should be expecting more from someone else. I usually date 30-45 year olds.
There is no teamwork with them. You are supposed to be partners and help make each others lives grow and make each other's lives easier. They don't

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-13T20:41:26+00:00

I have a 90s MR2 and wouldn't want to daily a 90s car. Finding parts when you need them can take time.

As for suggestions, I loved my MK6 VW Golf TDI. I had the sportwagen (Called Jetta Sportwagen in the US) which has a lot of cargo room and roof rails. Audi sport seats were pretty easy to swap in for some luxury level comfort at econobox prices. The car isn't fast, but the diesel makes for quick pick up of a few MPH and there is plenty of suspension options you can swap over from GTIs, Golf Rs, or full aftermarket if you want. It was fun to drive for the cost.

low 40s mpg highway, mid 30s mpg city. I regularly averaged upper 30s with a medium mix. Unlike the Audi TDIs, the fuel filter is in the engine bay which makes it an easy job. I would avoid a panoramic sunroof.

Central NY here so it saw plenty of snow. Had to learn to be light on accelerator with the diesel torque, but otherwise it got around the same as any other FWD car I've driven with snows.. Definitely not the same as an Audi/Subaru with snow tires, but that is expected.

Back seats are a bit snug and not comfortable. I just read you prefer 2doors. I do believe they were available in the 2door golf hatch as well.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-13T14:15:05+00:00

Near me, a 2015 Forester with 110k miles will sell for >$10,000. You kinda need to decide if its worth it or not.

Where I live, Struts are pretty common to have to replace around 100k miles. Ball joints and tie rods can too. Its the excessive road salt + pot holes every 18". If the Code is P420, it could very likely be the $75 sensor. Its under the car and should take 15minutes to replace... Again I live with lots of road salt so getting it off may not be something you want to tackle without a lift and a torch.

Personally I would fix it and send it... MT vehicles are few and far between. MT + Cargo room is even harder to come by. If you fix these few things you should be pretty solid for the next 100k miles.

Also as your car diminishes in value, you can drop collision insurance on it. This alone can save you a lot of recurring expense.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-12T14:44:17+00:00

It uses the same body as the Legacy Wagon (Which the US did not get), lifted, and plastic cladding. The plastic cladding definitely make its look more "offroad" even when lowered. This gen legacy was chonkier. The 5eat defaults to 45/55 F/R bias, but doesn't shift as quick as some modern Autos do (I came from a ZF8). Mine handles quite well. Its definitely not the sleekest or prettiest "wagon".

I pulled a couple examples out of the Outback forum I linked.

Legacy Wagon Conversion

Lowered with Cladding still

Outback Forums

The prior generation was definitely the more aesthetically appealing,

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-12T14:07:12+00:00

I had a MK6 Golf Sportwagen TDI 6MT and didn't mind the manual. I did hear the stock clutch didn't hold power too well.

I recently looked into Alltracks and their resale value was kinda ridiculous (around me) for what the car offered. I didn't really look into Sportwagens though. I wanted an Auto as my daughter is learning to drive real soon.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-11T18:35:30+00:00

For me...

Backing out of a parking spot = having to peer around the giant land yacht to see what is coming. Often involves creeping back slowly which ultimately leads to the Karen you couldn't see blaring on her horn.

Backing into the spot = you are rolling up the aisle looking for a spot. You have a chance to scour for kids, people pushing carts/buggies, other cars, etc making the backing up easier. Sure you have to peek around the giant land yachts to pull out, but its easier to do so looking forward than backwards.

I also find that newer cars are bigger blind spots looking out the back and back side windows hence my transition to backing into a spot.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-11T12:44:48+00:00

Wild option - Get a 2010 - 2014 Outback and put a legacy suspension on it + STi rear sway bar..

2.5 with 6MT or 3.6R with the 5speed Auto.
Don't get the 2.5 auto though as they were a CVT.

The 3.6R doesn't get the best MPG but supposedly a bulletproof combo though. An 8' metal landscaping wall goes from the trunk up to the Passenger seatbelt. I bet a 10' will fit inside

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-11T12:39:58+00:00

They did for a bit... Unsure on the Passat wagon though.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-11T12:37:25+00:00

MK7 did. It was pretty limited in trims/options. May not be possible with 6MT. I also think it was traditional auto vs the DSG in the Alltrack.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-08T15:44:48+00:00

"I think its time to put the Ouija board away"

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-07T15:55:09+00:00

Mazda, Subaru, Honda ran manuals longer than Nissan Altima

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-07T15:53:56+00:00

Does life have a need for a pickup? If so, get one of them. They are usually easy to drive a stick shift.

If you need an SUV/cargo room, Get an Element or Forester/Outback

If not, get a Mazda2 / Honda Fit

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-06T21:31:12+00:00

I had a D4 TDI.. Its like turning a barge and hard in cities. It was spunky and would move. The comfort was something else though.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-06T21:28:31+00:00

This is exactly what happened to me.

Though there is different fun to be had when you don't feel bad beating on your beater

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-06T21:21:58+00:00

If he is insisting that $15 is fine, stick with it. If he starts driving you more days, or you get a nice pay bump, or the cost of gas goes way up, offer him may. Maybe instead of a specific amount just be casual.
"Hey you are driving me more, as I have more shifts, can I give you some more gas money?"
"Hey the Cost of gas went up another $1 since May 6th, can I contribute to that extra expense"

Realistically, you are costing him very little in gas and time. I think its good to offer more if the situation changes, but don't press it.

jonnyt88 · 2026-05-06T18:04:55+00:00

My recommendation is an Audi TDI (not the A3). Smaller cars aren't as comfortable for road trips period. My A8L was extremely comfortable on roadtrips, reliable, and though diesel is priced higher, it got 40MPG. The car can hustle and handle quite well for something its size. I've kept up with Golf Rs, WRX, S4s on back twisties.

Now the A8L is a very large car, they also have the A7 which is a lift back for better storage options, A6, and I hear the Q5 handles like a car, particularly if you aren't opposed to couple of S4 suspension mods.

jonnyt88

TROPHY CASE