Hello everyone.
I’m not exactly new here, I’ve been lurking for a good two months.. and I’ve really come to enjoy this site’s hybrid community. So allow me to finally formally extend my greetings. =)

Now.. I do have a bit of a problem..

You see, I’m having some major troubles deciding on my soon-to-be car, and was hoping I could get some of the forum’s user opinions. Blatantly put: do I want performance or do I want practicality?
Before you tell me to get the hybrid, I think that some basic background information on me might affect your opinion.

I am 18, soon to be 19.

And my parents are going to be buying this car for me, in full.

First of all, I know that I am incredibly fortunate to have parents that are loving and wealthy enough to spend such a large sum of money on a young drivers vehicle. Please don’t think I overlook this in any way. =(

Now again, here’s my problem.. Performance or practicality? The two cars I’m looking at are: the fun and youth oriented Volkswagen GTI Mk V (EPA 32 MPG highway), and the much more refined and eco-friendly TCH (I’m pretty sure you all know this car’s MPG capabilities).

The VW has flashy things such as an incredibly nice interior, 0-60 in 6.5, launch control, hatchback carting capabilities, 200 HP with 207ft-lb or torque, and so on.. all of this with, in my opinion, very good EPA figures for the power it comes with: 25 city, 32 highway.. But it’s not like I drive fast much of the time or would use most of the power. However, one cannot deny how enjoyable it is, almost constantly, to feel and experience that powerful of a car.

TCH, you all know all about. I think the car looks beautiful, it’s inaudibly practical, and the much smarter choice. But.. would it be appropriate to satisfy my spontaneous youthful (and don’t worry, VERY responsible) urges? I mean, I’m pretty sure that I could get heavily into some of the more, “extreme” capabilities of the car, such as becoming exceedingly good at hypermiling.. and that, honestly, seems like a lot of fun to me. Also, driving a hybrid would just simply be an amazing statement (PZEV, gas mileage, and everything). But I also think that a 19 year old having a Camry is sort of funny.

As for other cars, I’ve honestly pretty much looked at everything that isn’t American (I need a heavily reliable car). I test drove the Prius and really didn’t like the feel of it. It’s just come down to picking one of these two cars.

In your opinion, is the VW worth getting while I’m still younger and actually enjoy frivolous things such as top speed, horsepower, and torque (again, all with decent MPG).. or do the benefits of the Camry hybrid outweigh all of these factors? I mean….. I guess if I got the Camry, I could always add racing stripes.

Thank you for reading such a long post from a new user. Your opinions are greatly appreciated. I’m completely stumped!