saintfan

So, I'm in the early stages of divorce and I'm looking around at vehicles because I can't very well haul my kids around on the back of my Kawasaki.

I have been looking at cars and SUVs of all makes and models and will be buying used. I've never owned a VW, however people I know that have speak well of them. I've been trying to find out more about the Jetta and the Passat. Anyone with any thoughts, positive or negative, please feel free to educate a brutha! LOL

I found this on the web and had to laugh...

C'mon Man...

SmashMouth

I am in the market as well.... I was considering a Passat TDI. They are well made and in Tennessee too in a state of the art facility. Visit tdiclub.com for a more comprehensive analysis. What is shying me away from it is the concern with the fuel pump. Under warranty, it's not an issue of course. But outside of the warranty it becomes an expensive repair which can occur as a result of bad diesel. Newer diesel engines are a bit more sensitive to quality fuel. The other concern if the operation and sluggishness of the radio head unit. I may still get it. Although the new Avalon intrigues me a bit too. You'll have a hard time finding a pre-owned Passat diesel, however.

saintfan

Definitely not seeing much for used diesels, but I'm okay with that really. When I need great mileage I'll ride the bike.

I've read tons of reviews and 99% of them are stellar, but I do see a repeating theme which is the cost of maintenance and that's not something I want to get involved in.

Then again, are they truly more expensive to keep up than other cars in the same class like, say, the Nissan Altima? I don't know. They certainly seem to come with more features. I'm just not a 'car guy'. I do very basic things like oil changes and that's it. I won't be tearing into stuff under the hood on a domestic so no way I'll be doing much under the hood of a VW other than looking.

I'm just afraid. I'm very afraid. But I really like the Passat and the Jetta too for that matter. My kids are 7 and 3 so heck a Jetta would probably work too. But I'm skeered...

C'mon Man...

SmashMouth

Jetta is big enough. My current company car is the Prius.... which I have to return real soon. I have to buy my own now .. in about a month. You might like the Prius... and it is very reliable and I know tons of people with high mileage ones. They are not comfy for very long trips.

papz

Sorry to hear that man... well wait, should I be happy for you instead?

Either get a minivan(soccer dad + soccor mom's=profit!!!) or go the mid life crisis route and get a sports car.

I just recently bought a Camry and was happy with my decision. The new ones are easy on the eyes and it's very cost effective. No complaints except I should have gotten the V6.

TheOak

With the cost of diesel these days it doesn't make as much economical sense to go diesel for a commuter. Yes the motor it self will last longer than a gas motor in most cases but the wear and tare on the rest of the vehicle may leave you with a running motor and no AC, transmission, power locks, power windows, etc...

Vehicle parts are generally designed to last about as long as the warranty period. Drive train 100k and everything else 4y-40k.


I looked at the chart and 2k a year on just maintenance? Thats about $170/month I would seriously look at adding that 170 to what your budget is and see if you can find something with a warranty.

TheOak

BTW, what market are you in Saintfan? Or where will you be looking?

saintfan

Either Cali or Dallas. Just depends on when work puts me back in God's country...

TheOak

If you can, wait and shop Dallas or Houston. Huge markets with out Cali emissions. Less crap you will need to maintain.

Danno

My friend bought a Passat.

Had his 6 month old car in the shop for SIX MONTHS waiting for a warranty part on back order.

That is not a typo. It wasn't 6 weeks, it was six friggin months.