Anyone NOT thrashing their TDI or skipping maintenance/upkeep?

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Nope. Front grille is broken, windshield is broken, fuel filter is 12,500 miles past due, oil change is 1,500 miles past due, the 8 month old Pirellis are being taken off and stored in the garage for the Toyota replacement and the cheapest used bald tires on Craigslist are getting spun on for trade in. A/C still only intermittently works and the steering still growls and moans.
VW can have this heap back.

Which brings up the "no condition" formula on the buy back

road killed gets the same as premium condition cars

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Mine was recently washed and vacuumed inside, has about a half tank of diesel fuel, a new windshield earlier this year, new Michelins late last year, and received a dealer oil and filter change at 110k miles. Odometer is now at 119,xxx. It has WeatherTech floor mats and cargo mat - still in place.
Registration expired last day of October so it's parked inside a garage awaiting it's last drive to the dealership.
It's a good car that gave me 60,000 miles of reliable, economical, and practical transportation. Fun to drive as well.
I had no plan to sell or trade it but the excessively generous buy back offer and pending scheduled maintenance persuaded me.
The thought of neglecting, damaging, or stripping parts never crossed my mind.

I have no reality of replacing the ALLOY wheels and new-ish tires with steel wheels and banana skins. .... but might bring a pretty penny on CL

 

[Cayman]

My car has been sitting in the driveway for the last month or so; I started it twice, that's about it. It will be towed to the dealer December 1st, they can wash it if they want to.

 

[Mr. Furious]

I'm certainly not thrashing it, and I'm doing the upkeep that I would have had I decided to keep it, with one notable exception - my rear tires won't pass inspection (due in February) and I'm not going to replace them. If (and I really, really hope this doesn't happen) the buyback process drags on to the point that I have to get an inspection, I'll get two used tires at one of the myriad used tire joints to see me through. Shouldn't cost me more than $100.

My RNS-510 will be sitting on the front seat along with the Bluetooth module. I have an aftermarket HU that I'll be removing, and I can't justify the cost of having the RNS-510 reinstalled. If, however, it looks like reinstalling it myself will be a simple matter after I take mine out, I'll put it back in.

 

[POBOX2897]

I am driving more and worrying less. I just used my goodwill $$ to do the 130k service a few weeks back, which included the timing belt.

I know I know...but I am still making the last bit of payments and I depend on it everyday, so I treat it as well as possible since I average about 2,800 miles/month.

I had indicated that a March 1st buyback date would be a good tentative date, but at the rate things are going, it looks like that may be bumped out a few months unless VW gets their act together sometime between now and then.

 

[ToffeeTDI]

Just did my 20,000 a little early, had to pay about $220 out of pocket since the '15s only are covered for the 10k service for free.

No problems at all, even added four stone guards a week ago before it got cold. Fresh supply of Winter XPD ready to go.

 

[newbeetleman]

I don't understand this thought process.. Why in world would you even want to "thrash" your car, even if you are turning it in? Granted mine is ready for an oil change, but the only other place it is going is to the dealer for buy back.

 

[stasek]

I just did an oil change (by myself). When I purchased the car, I bought a bunch of Ravenol oil and few filters and still have 3-4 liters left. I JUST had my paperwork approved (no offer yet), so I figured I'm still probably a month or more from being able to turn it it. Of course , as the luck goes, the Check Engine light came on right after the oil change. I'm probably just going to leave it alone.

 

[TomB]

Why? Why would anyone destroy a quality car? To spite VW? To be a jerk?

Again, with all the real issues in life people are wasting their time destroying a car to get back at VW?

Childish to say the least.....

 

[Tenebrae]

My loyalty cards are both spent and my car is coming up on its 40k maitenance. I would like to keep it up, but can't afford to do so. It will be a gamble for me as this is my daily driver and I still do not have an approval / offer from VW yet.
I am going to try to keep it up as much as I can, though, and don't intend to strip or thrash it.
I may, however, keep the trunk extras (those velcro blocks), Monster mats, and emergency kit.
And the hub caps. I paid for the replacements because people kept stealing them in the Valley (Rio Grande Valley, TX).

-T.

 

[DanB36]

Did the 15k service on my A3 this weekend, and intend to keep it up. The "moonrock silver" JSW is wrecked but can still be driven, so I'm not fixing it. I'll do routine maintenance on the others if needed, but I don't plan to drive them enough to need more than an oil change. They aren't getting washed though.

 

[k1xv]

One "responsible citizen" here on the board even wanted to pull his car into a gasoline station across the street from the dealer, and intentionally put some gasoline into the tank, to sabotage the car. The only thing that seemed to be inhibiting him was that once he put the gas in, he might not be able to demonstrate that the car could move under its own diesel power.

I hope none of these folks are airline pilots with grudges against their employers.

 

[kc1174]

Got my A3 TDI February 2015, coming from a hybrid I hypermiled the hell out of it. 600 mile tanks pretty much all the time. Also handwashed the nice glacier white metallic paint. Then dieselgate broke and I started to not give a damn anymore and floored it for fun to see how low I could get the mpg and ran it in sport all the time and threw it through drive through car washes. I did keep the maintenance going though since it's a lease. It's now been sat parked up for a month and the battery is dead too. So I guess I'm half keeping it maintained and half not giving a flying. I may do a few vag com tweaks before handing it back. It will look wonderful with a spot on maintenance record, but it may contain some hidden Easter eggs. No gas in the tank though. That's just asking for trouble.

 

[swampyankee]

Nope. Front grille is broken, windshield is broken, fuel filter is 12,500 miles past due, oil change is 1,500 miles past due, the 8 month old Pirellis are being taken off and stored in the garage for the Toyota replacement and the cheapest used bald tires on Craigslist are getting spun on for trade in. A/C still only intermittently works and the steering still growls and moans.

VW can have this heap back.

Amen, sounds a lot like mine. good riddance

 

[stakeman]

Honestly, never been in the "holier than thou" crowd but don't see the reasoning behind neglecting your car for "spite". Do these people think VW is screwing them over? Maybe I don't get it? I fully understand the whole scamming emissions issue but also understand most of us are getting a fair payout from this. In all reality these cars are no worse on the environment than that diesel locomotive rolling down the tracks or the Jet Airliner I fly for a living. VW did "work" the system but we all are being compensated for this. For me I drove my 13 Passat for 4 plus years and put 79000+ miles on it and lost around 5 grand during that time. That my friends is a win! I honestly can't see where the downside to this is? This whole "Let's screw VW" when we turn in our cars is childish and classless. Sorry if this rubs some on here the wrong way, but I'm embarrassed to be associated with these type of people. Take a little pride in who you are as a person and deal with reality. We are being compensated 20% or at a minimum of 5100 bucks, if your not happy with that then fix the damn thing and keep on driving it, or get an attorney and stick it out for what you deem necessary.

 

[Salsaman06]

honestly, never been in the "holier than thou" crowd but don't see the reasoning behind neglecting your car for "spite". Do these people think vw is screwing them over? Maybe i don't get it? I fully understand the whole scamming emissions issue but also understand most of us are getting a fair payout from this. In all reality these cars are no worse on the environment than that diesel locomotive rolling down the tracks or the jet airliner i fly for a living. Vw did "work" the system but we all are being compensated for this. For me i drove my 13 passat for 4 plus years and put 79000+ miles on it and lost around 5 grand during that time. That my friends is a win! I honestly can't see where the downside to this is? This whole "let's screw vw" when we turn in our cars is childish and classless. Sorry if this rubs some on here the wrong way, but i'm embarrassed to be associated with these type of people. Take a little pride in who you are as a person and deal with reality. We are being compensated 20% or at a minimum of 5100 bucks, if your not happy with that then fix the damn thing and keep on driving it, or get an attorney and stick it out for what you deem necessary.

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+1

 

[Rico567]

Honestly, never been in the "holier than thou" crowd but don't see the reasoning behind neglecting your car for "spite". <snip>

There has been quite a bit of carrying on -and for a while- by various people who state that they are going to do everything from keying it before turning it in, to removing seats, nav unit, etc. Apart from some people removing upgraded wheels and/or new tires they have bought, maybe some fuzzy dice they have hanging from the mirror, I'm betting most won't do all the drastic disassembly they've been bloviating about.......

 

[Debra Morgan]

As long as I'm making the payments I'll be doing all scheduled maintenance on time, washing and detailing, and driving it with care.

Pretty much me...actually thinking of putting tires on it and driving it until summer. It's only two years old and running flawlessly.

 

[Debra Morgan]

I am driving more and worrying less. I just used my goodwill $$ to do the 130k service a few weeks back, which included the timing belt.

I know I know...but I am still making the last bit of payments and I depend on it everyday, so I treat it as well as possible since I average about 2,800 miles/month.

I had indicated that a March 1st buyback date would be a good tentative date, but at the rate things are going, it looks like that may be bumped out a few months unless VW gets their act together sometime between now and then.

Yep...

 

[atomicfront]

My loyalty cards are both spent and my car is coming up on its 40k maitenance. I would like to keep it up, but can't afford to do so. It will be a gamble for me as this is my daily driver and I still do not have an approval / offer from VW yet.
I am going to try to keep it up as much as I can, though, and don't intend to strip or thrash it.
I may, however, keep the trunk extras (those velcro blocks), Monster mats, and emergency kit.
And the hub caps. I paid for the replacements because people kept stealing them in the Valley (Rio Grande Valley, TX).

-T.

I would at least do the oil change. You don't want the engine dying on you.

 

[atomicfront]

WOW

Would not put too much gasoline in it

Might not make it one mile before you own a heap of nothing

It would be hilarious if he gets like 5 feet from the dealership the car dies and he is left with a worthless car and no buyback. He would surely win a Darwin award for that.

 

[ezshift5]

.......being on the fence........vis-a-vis...........WHEN to give up my diesel wagen......

I plan doing the next 10,000 mile service when due. Tires are fine.....I don't qualify
for the added 4-5 Franklins needed to keep a DSG civilized...................

On cannabalizing the vehicle, I am considering keeping the snappy little LED flashlite
I have in the rear 12v. receptacle. .....courtesy of my VW credit card.

best,


ez (still impressed with VW's proposed BB amount!)

 

[heehaw]

I will not trash mine. But, I don't plan on spit shining it for them, either. It has been parked in the tractor shed since the first of Oct. It gets started once a week. This whole ordeal has been too stressful, I just want to be done with it!

 

[kitarkus]

I won't "trash" my car purposefully...that's just silly. I am not, however, treating my car as if it will be in my stable for the next many years. I still BADLY need a new set of tires and am also in need of a DSG service. I'd been thinking about driving the car for the next 2 years....but I just hate to spend over a grand for oil, tires, and DSG service. I let the bird poop stay longer than I normally would...I don't clean it as often...but I am in no way purposefully neglecting the car.

It is a very tough call for me whether to put $1200 +/- in to the car and drive till Sept. 2018....or just call it quits and buy a new vehicle. The former is likely the fiscally smarter choice...however...it has its inherent risks. I am tiring of risks associated with my TDI....which can be more expensive than gasser risks....not to mention the chance of totalling my car and losing out entirely.

 

[DanB36]

not to mention the chance of totalling my car and losing out entirely.

There are different kinds of "totaled"--my car has been declared a total loss by my insurance, but I can still drive it (for short distances, at least). I can't say what will happen, but what should happen is that I give it back to VW for the full buyback amount, then take the insurance money less salvage value.

But even if the car's completely wrecked, can't drive at all, and can't be made to drive at all, you still get the restitution money from VW as long as it was wrecked after 9/16/16. There's no scenario where totaling your car after 9/16/16 means you "lose out entirely."

 

[k1xv]

Time will tell how literally we can take the thought that the only condition on buy back is that the car be able to be driven under its own diesel power. I have no doubt that a cracked windshield won't matter. But a car that has been smashed to the point where it is unsafe to drive may turn out to be a different story.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I won't "trash" my car purposefully...that's just silly. I am not, however, treating my car as if it will be in my stable for the next many years. I still BADLY need a new set of tires and am also in need of a DSG service. I'd been thinking about driving the car for the next 2 years....but I just hate to spend over a grand for oil, tires, and DSG service. I let the bird poop stay longer than I normally would...I don't clean it as often...but I am in no way purposefully neglecting the car.

It is a very tough call for me whether to put $1200 +/- in to the car and drive till Sept. 2018....or just call it quits and buy a new vehicle. The former is likely the fiscally smarter choice...however...it has its inherent risks. I am tiring of risks associated with my TDI....which can be more expensive than gasser risks....not to mention the chance of totalling my car and losing out entirely.

If you're interested in continuing to drive your car for another two years, you may be able to trade wheels and tires with someone who is doing the buyback and has a good set. We just did traded our 17" wheels and tires for a friend's 18" wheels and tires off of his SEL... they'll get us through 2018.

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

It would be hilarious if he gets like 5 feet from the dealership the car dies and he is left with a worthless car and no buyback. He would surely win a Darwin award for that.

Revenge is a brew best served cold

Having many mixed feelings about vw, I will do nothing to sabotage the car.

100 % garaged and CLEAN

Will drive it with care 'til turn in day.

But if some fender bender or hail should happen, will try to collect from insurance co. ~~ and pocket the cash

 

[DanB36]

But a car that has been smashed to the point where it is unsafe to drive may turn out to be a different story.

I think the settlements are pretty clear, but I'm also hedging my bets--I'm not doing anything final with the insurance until the car is bought back, or I know it won't be.

 

[dropnosky]

Honestly, never been in the "holier than thou" crowd but don't see the reasoning behind neglecting your car for "spite". Do these people think VW is screwing them over? Maybe I don't get it? I fully understand the whole scamming emissions issue but also understand most of us are getting a fair payout from this. In all reality these cars are no worse on the environment than that diesel locomotive rolling down the tracks or the Jet Airliner I fly for a living. VW did "work" the system but we all are being compensated for this. For me I drove my 13 Passat for 4 plus years and put 79000+ miles on it and lost around 5 grand during that time. That my friends is a win! I honestly can't see where the downside to this is? This whole "Let's screw VW" when we turn in our cars is childish and classless. Sorry if this rubs some on here the wrong way, but I'm embarrassed to be associated with these type of people. Take a little pride in who you are as a person and deal with reality. We are being compensated 20% or at a minimum of 5100 bucks, if your not happy with that then fix the damn thing and keep on driving it, or get an attorney and stick it out for what you deem necessary.

This. Ours has and will be maintained normally and driven normally. The pettiness displayed on this forum has been depressing to see.

I dont have time for some BS vendetta over a very fair settlement offer.