The Decision Helper

[potsdam_11]

Ziggy,

If you have a VW dealer near you, take a serious look at a Jetta, a little pricier than Honda, but the TDI diesel is a great ride. Plenty of giddy up and 45 mpg. Don't let the Diesel engine scare you, very-very reliable.. 5 star safety rated all the way around... We've had ours for 3 years and will replace with another..

I usually have to pry my wife's hands off the wheel if I want to drive it... oh, yeah... It's really fun to drive too..

[MJZiggy]

Is it manual?

[potsdam_11]

Aren't all real cars?

That would be a yes, I created a monster years ago when I taught her how to drive a stick...

[MJZiggy]

I'll have to go drive one. I hope there's a market for used models. Does it have the engine sound you normally associate with a diesel?

[potsdam_11]

Not really, at least not your prototypical diesel sound. The VW is a 4 cylinder it's been around for years.

VW does have a great certified used program, when we bought ours they gave us a new warranty. (1 model yr old car.. only 8200 mi.)

If you have been driving the Japanese cars you will notice that the Germans prefer torque... it's a good thing.

The Jetta comes in 4 engine types, 1 diesel, 3 gas, the newest engine is a 5 cylinder. You'll find more gas engines, but if you can nab a diesel...don't hesitate..

Do yourself a favor and drive one... you'll like it. Up here (Duluth) the TDI is very popular.

[MJZiggy]

I'll check it out. Yes, torque is a good thing. So is cheaper gas!

[MJZiggy]

I just looked it up and around here, there is exactly 1 diesel Jetta for sale and it's out of my price range. I'd have to be a huge tightwad for the whole summer and it would be gone by the time I could afford it. I ran it in a search with the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe which, as far as I know, are the same as each other. Vibes are more rare than I expected and there are lots of Matrixes out there. My dream car is still a Mini Cooper.

[potsdam_11]

On the other hand, if you were a HUGE tightwad for the whole summer, the chances are pretty good there would be another one for sale by then.. and at 45 MPG just think of all the money you wouldn't be spending on gas in the following years..... ... and they tend to hold their value better than most.. Keep shopping.... where is "here" btw?

Mini Cooper? .... Sweet

You could park under the Hummers.....

[MJZiggy]

I'm on the east coast. Where (like the west coast) everything's expensive.

[potsdam_11]

I guess you should try the third coast.... Actually the demand for the Jettas is pretty high here too.... I guess everyone is tired of the cost of gas.

Made my first East Coast visit last year... Newport. RI. impressive, I will go back.

[MJZiggy]

I like it.

[GBRulz]

zig, a couple good used (and new) car websites are autotrader.com and carsoup.com -

Car dealers know that more and more people are price shopping with the internet. Therefore, they are more than likely going to put their best price online to draw interest. Where as, if you go to the lot, that car might be $3,000 more than their website.


By the way, my brother has been driving Acura's for years now and he swears by them. He left his MDX at my house last month as they flew out of GB for vacation. Of course little sis had to take it out for a ride.... dayum that thing was sweet. I love the little camera that turns on when you're backing up, too

[MJZiggy]

I wasn't considering anything so big as an MDX, but if I get the little RSX you can visit and zoom around with me. Thanks for carsoup. I was looking at autotrader and cars.com as well as craigslist. I'm also considering the Mazda3 and I now have to try the Jetta Diesel that potsdam11 suggested. I e-mailed a dealership looking for safety information on rear end collisions with mini-coopers and haven't heard back...I wonder what that means.

[GBRulz]

They might have thought it was a joke?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I would highly recommend, if you have the cash, going to an auction. Prices are very good.

BTW, the diesel Jetta is a great car. They drive great and think about the gas savings over a year.

When purchasing a vehicle you have to look at the TCO, not just initial price. For me, former owner of euro cars, i couldn't get past the high reliability/quality/customer satisfaction, etc. that my IS 300 offered.

I know it isn't as great as a beemer, but i weep openly, like a child when I think about the constant nagging problems and mechanics fees that I endured.