Blogs

If you are shopping around Bergen County this weekend, three current AW Auto listings are worth comparing because they solve three very different problems. One is a newer compact sedan for the Route 46 commute. One is a Volkswagen GTI Autobahn listed with the manual-transmission enthusiast angle. One is an older Subaru Forester with AWD and a price under $7,000. None of them is the “one right car” for everybody, which is exactly why they make a useful short list.

2023 Kia Forte LXS IVT — newer commuter value

The first pick is the 2023 Kia Forte LXS IVT, stock 89897N, VIN 3KPF24AD9PE572439. The current listing shows 33,169 miles, a Steel Gray exterior, FWD, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and a sale price of $15,497. For a Hackensack, Passaic, Garfield, or Lodi driver who wants something newer without stepping into luxury-car money, this is the practical starting point.

The Forte makes the most sense for someone who cares about age and mileage first. It is the newest vehicle in this three-car comparison, and it has the lowest listed mileage by a wide margin. That matters if the buyer’s normal week is work, errands, school drop-offs, and highway time on Route 46. It is not trying to be a truck, a family SUV, or a weekend toy. It is a straightforward compact sedan with a confirmed price and useful commuter positioning.

2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn Manual — for shoppers who still want involvement

The second pick is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T Autobahn Manual, stock 89908N, VIN 3VW5T7AU2MM001724. The listing shows 81,872 miles, FWD, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, Dark Iron Blue Metallic paint, hatchback body style, and a sale price of $21,997. The current trim/listing language is what gives this one its enthusiast appeal: GTI shoppers often know exactly what they are looking for before they arrive.

This is the one for the buyer who does not want the same crossover everyone else has. A hatchback can still be practical for North Jersey life: easier to park than a larger SUV, useful enough for errands, and more interesting to a certain kind of driver. The right question is not “is this the cheapest car here?” It is “would you enjoy driving this every day enough to make the mileage and price make sense?” For a manual-GTI shopper, that is a real question.

2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X AWD — budget AWD utility

The third pick is the 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X AWD, stock 89889N, VIN JF2SHABC6BH771969. The listing shows 102,377 miles, AWD, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, Sky Blue Metallic exterior, sport utility body style, and a sale price of $6,997. It is the oldest of the group, but it is also the only AWD utility vehicle here and the lowest-priced option.

This Forester fits a different buyer from the Forte or GTI. If you are looking ahead to bad-weather months, drive local roads around Bergen County, or simply prefer the seating position and utility of a small SUV, AWD under $7,000 is the headline. The smart approach is still inspection-first: with an older vehicle, condition, tires, maintenance history, and how it feels on a test drive matter as much as the listing facts.

How to choose between the three

Start with your actual week, not just the badge. If you want the newest, lowest-mile daily driver in this set, the 2023 Forte is the cleanest commuter choice. If you want a hatchback with a stronger enthusiast pull, the 2021 GTI Autobahn Manual is the one to pause on. If budget and AWD utility are the priority, the 2011 Forester is the value play.

All three are currently price-confirmed in the feed, which makes them easier to shop honestly. Come see them at AW Auto & Truck Wholesalers, 23 US-46 West, Lodi NJ, or call (551) 345-8100. Availability can change, so verify the vehicle you want before heading over.