2003 Jetta TDI??

cas57 · Aug 21, 2016

Looking at a 2003 Jetta 5-speed with 92,000 miles on it. Owner wants $6900 for it, which I know is too high. Would this be a good car to buy? What should I look for? What would be a fair price?

I am buying a used car to tide me over until I can do the buy-out with my 2009 JSW. It is showing some codes and I am afraid I won't be able to drive into the dealership under its own power.

Thanks in advance for your help.

miningman · Aug 21, 2016

You might think $6900 is too high but the owner will probably get close to that if he advertises aggressively and waits awhile. If you dont like his price , walk away.

TDI smile · Aug 21, 2016

It's a good price for both of you.... We have members here with over 1 Million Kilometers on the car. It's the ALH engine....That JETTA is just broken in.

Powder Hound · Aug 22, 2016

Timing belt done? When?

Body rust? Have you crawled under the car to look for yourself?

How's the battery?

Where is the target car located?

Good luck,

PH

PS: I have a 2 dr silver Golf, 5 sp, more miles but half the price. And I can tell you exactly what is wrong with it.

oilhammer · Aug 22, 2016

If it is in really good shape, it may not be that bad of a price. It'll easily outlast anything else you could buy for that.

jokila · Aug 22, 2016

I think it's way too much. You can get newer model TDIs for similar prices. Of course, that's where I live and we don't get rust on cars like in other parts of the continent.

eg:

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5691251946.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5718529317.html

If you are willing to drive your car back it would make sense to check on craigslist using adhuntr.com to search multiple areas.

Curious Chris · Aug 22, 2016

In Mpls MN KBB says $3200- $5100 in Excellent condition.

MarsBar · Aug 22, 2016

Also find out what brand of timing belt, etc., was used. Proethe has multiple websites/domain names to peddle his junk through.

Ol'Rattler · Aug 22, 2016

With 92K miles on it, the TB may not have been done yet. If that's the case, you would be able to do the TB correctly with quality parts and KNOW without a doubt the TB's and related components condition.

Some, not all folks can be very deceptive when selling a car. Even if you ask all the right question, many time the owner may tell you what you want to hear.

Also, even if they did use quality parts you have no way of knowing the quality of the workmanship.

turbovan+tdi · Aug 22, 2016

$6900 is reasonable due to mileage and if there isn't rust, the tires, brakes etc are ok and the timing belt was done properly. If the t/belt wasn't done, then I'd offer $5900.

AndyBees · Aug 22, 2016

And, being a 2003, with only 92k miles, there's a very good chance the TB has never been changed! I've done several TB jobs that had anywhere from about 100k to one with 149k miles.

Also, there's a big difference in the '03 you speak of vs the two listed on craigslist in Texas... both are BRM engines with auto trans.

jokila · Aug 22, 2016

I know the those cars are different. My point is the price of the 2003 is way over the value of what it is truly worth. A fully loaded 2003 TDI in excellent condition (which is nearly unlikely) is worth $4100 on kbb for private party sale in my area.

miningman · Aug 23, 2016

What something is worth depends very highly on whether you are buying or selling. KB estimate or any other book value is nothing but an estimate and does not accurately account for geographical differences in supply and demand. As previously , if you don't like a price, walk away. And that is the beauty of buying at auction. By definition, if you are the high bidder, that is the definitive value of that piece of property on that day. Now whether it is a good buy, or mechanically sound , that is a totally different discussion.

jokila · Aug 23, 2016

miningman said:
What something is worth depends very highly on whether you are buying or selling. KB estimate or any other book value is nothing but an estimate and does not accurately account for geographical differences in supply and demand. As previously , if you don't like a price, walk away. And that is the beauty of buying at auction. By definition, if you are the high bidder, that is the definitive value of that piece of property on that day. Now whether it is a good buy, or mechanically sound , that is a totally different discussion.

For sure what you say is true. However, the differences between prices between locales can't be that much different - not 50% difference anyway.

At the end of the day, the OP can pay whatever he wants. Sometimes convenience costs more.

kiara · Aug 23, 2016

miningman said:
What something is worth depends very highly on whether you are buying or selling. KB estimate or any other book value is nothing but an estimate and does not accurately account for geographical differences in supply and demand. As previously , if you don't like a price, walk away. And that is the beauty of buying at auction. By definition, if you are the high bidder, that is the definitive value of that piece of property on that day. Now whether it is a good buy, or mechanically sound , that is a totally different discussion.

I'm TOTALLY agree with this.
Price is not something you can measure just by kilometres, many to consider. Let's say memories, no I'm just kidding here

2003 Jetta TDI??

cas57

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miningman

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TDI smile

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oilhammer

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