If you are considering buyback which cars are you looking at as replacements?

[str1ck]

Picking up a 2016 Passat SEL today! Got a great price on it!!!

 

[gatz]

I'm not so concerned about CVT's feeling but its longevity. Theres alot of variants out there and I'm sure theres a few good ones, but really who is to say for sure until a few more years down the road.

 

[Namlehse]

When my wife got her Golf TDI, it had a subwoofer in the trunk on top of the spare tire (which meant no full-sized spare). I am not a fan of subwoofers in general - I make her turn the thing off when I am in her car, and frankly I would rather have the full-sized spare.

The Volvo has no spare tire at all - just a can of fix-a-flat and a compressor that you plug into the cigarette lighter . I am not sure, but I think there is still room in the trunk for the spare - I just have to go out and buy one. Believe it or not, the car did come with a jack and a wrench, but without a spare it isn't clear how that is ever going to be useful.

That's part of what I liked about the V60 Cross Country, it came with a full sized spare. The fuel mileage wasn't so great however.

 

[avid]

Plus, I've never been in love with GM products (irrational, I know).
Wound up going with the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron, their plug-in hybrid. Only gets ~15-20 miles on the battery, but has a little more space than the Volt, similar cabin size as the JSW, but shorter, so less cargo room. Gas/highway mileage isn't quite as good as my JSW, but not bad. I drove it hard on the highway home from San Antonio to Houston and got a little over 34mpg. My JSW would've done around 37-38 tops. But my work commute is 5 miles each way so I'll drive most of the week on battery

My first car was a Chevy Vega. Chevy will never be forgiven.
Which model E-Tron did you purchase? What kind of year end discounts are they giving in Texas? Interested in the E-tron but the closest dealer is 300 miles away.

 

[APT]

I looked around at some cute utes, like the CX-5. Hey look you can get it with a stick!! But not a stick AND awd... Seems silly to me.

Subaru Forester base and Premium trims offer AWD + manual trans for modest $.

The CVT in my 6-cyl Outback is fine. At most people's normal acceleration, it quietly stays around 1500rpm. It keeps the whole experience very smooth. Around 35%-75% accelerator position, the CVT simulates gears with stepped ratios. It is a little awkward to me, but maybe it makes someone happy. Over about 75% accelerator pedal it does what most people expect from a CVT, engine speed holds 4000-6500rpm and acceleration is brisk.

 

[chadbag]

Which model E-Tron did you purchase? What kind of year end discounts are they giving in Texas? Interested in the E-tron but the closest dealer is 300 miles away.

I am not in Texas, but I got the 2016 Premium Plus with "technology" and "B&O radio" packages/options and I got 15% plus $1000 off (around a little more than $8100). With the (for my state) combined Fed and State tax credits of $5.5k it is $13.6k plus a little off the MSRP between the two. Plus I figure in 10 years, for the type of driving I do now, which is highly short range on the EV side, I should save $4k-$6k in fuel costs.

I had to fly to Phoenix for this from Salt Lake City so I spent a little over $500 in flight, gas, food to get it back to my home in Utah. There was a similar one a Utah dealer offered me at a very slightly better deal, but since I had a choice I wanted the one in Phoenix due to color and I'd rather pay for radio upgrade than "sport" package.

I wanted a "Prestige" but they are harder than a hen's tooth to find on a lot. Most people with Prestige special order them. Some dealers list "Prestige" in the title but it is really a loaded "Premium Plus" when you look at the details.

I contacted 11 dealerships from Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Las Vegas, and Arizona and while most all dealers responded, most were stuck on their "internet" prices and did not get down to real negotiations. But 2 dealers did, and did fast, and I took one of them.

I like the car a lot. I wanted to order a 2017 but the wife balked at the price and I doubt I would have been able to negotiate the same sort of deal on a 2017 and I wanted the tax credit this year as I started a new job in January that will greatly impact the taxes I have to pay... So I went with the 2016.

 

[speedrye]

So to bring back a topic from 15 pages ago...

Got a picture of my sax in the trunk. You can see it fits, but is actually wider than the opening. If there wasn't a pocket behind the wheel, or if the opening was any smaller, I wouldn't be able to get it in. I recently read a review of the Mazda 6 that specifically mentioned the generous trunk opening, so I'm going to go take a look at lunch time today. We'll see!

My 2015 Mazda 6 had a good sized trunk that could take a full jogging stroller turned sideways with no issues, so I think you'll likely be okay. Curious to hear the results anyway! If you're considering one with an automatic, make sure it has the sport button for the transmission shifting (I think all the newer ones have it, but only the Grand Touring models had it on the 2015s). Without it, transmission is decent, but a little lazy. With it engaged, shifting is crisp and much sportier while holding RPMs a little higher to stay in the torque curve a little better. Better yet, get a manual...

 

[avid]

I am not in Texas, but I got the 2016 Premium Plus with "technology" and "B&O radio" packages/options and I got 15% plus $1000 off (around a little more than $8100). With the (for my state) combined Fed and State tax credits of $5.5k it is $13.6k plus a little off the MSRP between the two. Plus I figure in 10 years, for the type of driving I do now, which is highly short range on the EV side, I should save $4k-$6k in fuel costs.
I had to fly to Phoenix for this from Salt Lake City so I spent a little over $500 in flight, gas, food to get it back to my home in Utah. There was a similar one a Utah dealer offered me at a very slightly better deal, but since I had a choice I wanted the one in Phoenix due to color and I'd rather pay for radio upgrade than "sport" package.

Thanks for your detailed response. Like mostly everyone here I am having difficulty deciding what to purchase. My wife asks every couple of days what my current choice would be. The ETron is my current choice. Like the idea of the year end discounts helping to defray the sticker shock. I am facing up to the fact that whatever choice I make it is going to cost something in the high 30s. I wished that VW would bring the GTE to NA but it doesn't seem to be in the plan. Also surprised there isn't some loyalty bonus from Audi for VW owners.

 

[rfortson]

Thanks for your detailed response. Like mostly everyone here I am having difficulty deciding what to purchase. My wife asks every couple of days what my current choice would be. The ETron is my current choice. Like the idea of the year end discounts helping to defray the sticker shock. I am facing up to the fact that whatever choice I make it is going to cost something in the high 30s. I wished that VW would bring the GTE to NA but it doesn't seem to be in the plan. Also surprised there isn't some loyalty bonus from Audi for VW owners.

Yeah, similar to Chadbag, I was seeing 15% or more off. It seemed the higher spec'd models had more discount. Between the deals and seeing only one red one in Texas, I decided to jump before it was sold. Would have preferred to wait a little closer to the buy back date, but figured I'll just put up with two cars for now.

I was quoted (without even prompting) $39k for a Premium plus with tech and sport packages (near Prestige level). MSRP was $47.5. I'm sure there's a little locality discount in this as these don't seem to sell well in Texas where SUVs and trucks are king.

 

[DieselMann99]

Picking up a 2016 Passat SEL today! Got a great price on it!!!

Would you like to tell us the price?

 

[chadbag]

Yeah, similar to Chadbag, I was seeing 15% or more off. It seemed the higher spec'd models had more discount. Between the deals and seeing only one red one in Texas, I decided to jump before it was sold. Would have preferred to wait a little closer to the buy back date, but figured I'll just put up with two cars for now.
I was quoted (without even prompting) $39k for a Premium plus with tech and sport packages (near Prestige level). MSRP was $47.5. I'm sure there's a little locality discount in this as these don't seem to sell well in Texas where SUVs and trucks are king.

Yeah, that is what I was quoted more or less on the two that wanted to quote me. I had to prompt a little but not too hard. Just let him know what I was looking for and it came. The second one, the local guy, I told what I had been quoted from the other guy and he came right out with it.

I still wish I had found a true Prestige as it has the cross traffic, ACC, and collision warning stuff. That is the basic difference for about the same price as a packaged out Premium Plus.

 

[jjk58]

I'm looking at a Volt real hard too. Drove a couple of them and think they're pretty cool. If not a Volt, perhaps a GTI.

took delivery of my volt (w/ spare tire kit!) last night. since this is my daily drive, less space is now ok with kids gone. Was skeptical about it for a long time but after a few test drives, it drives well and is expected it to do well on my commute. Decided to go for it after reading details about the gen2 tech updates.
Today I did my normal commute 25x2 plus some extra and after 60+ miles, I still have 20 miles of range on EV mode.

 

[Salsaman06]

I dunno. I have been back and forth on whether to sell back to VW so many times that I am just exasperated. I am leaning toward selling it back and if I do, I am probably going back to a Lexus LS.

 

[sabbotage]

I'm looking at selling back my 2010 TDI Jetta and then taking the cash and trading my older Silverado in on a new Colorado Diesel. So I'm combining both of my likenesses into one.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[rfortson]

Yeah, that is what I was quoted more or less on the two that wanted to quote me. I had to prompt a little but not too hard. Just let him know what I was looking for and it came. The second one, the local guy, I told what I had been quoted from the other guy and he came right out with it.
I still wish I had found a true Prestige as it has the cross traffic, ACC, and collision warning stuff. That is the basic difference for about the same price as a packaged out Premium Plus.

Yep, I'd like that, too. I've seen just 1 or 2 true Prestige models.

What stinks is that VW puts ACC (not sure about lane assist) in their mid-tier GSWs. In fact, I really like the extras that VW gives you, where Audi makes you pay for them. Seems like it should be the other way around.

 

[bennybmn]

My 2015 Mazda 6 had a good sized trunk that could take a full jogging stroller turned sideways with no issues, so I think you'll likely be okay. Curious to hear the results anyway! If you're considering one with an automatic, make sure it has the sport button for the transmission shifting (I think all the newer ones have it, but only the Grand Touring models had it on the 2015s). Without it, transmission is decent, but a little lazy. With it engaged, shifting is crisp and much sportier while holding RPMs a little higher to stay in the torque curve a little better. Better yet, get a manual...

Oh, I'm going manual all the way... No worries

It was fun having 5 or 6 sales guys and an awkward customer watch me bring my sax into the show room, but it fit! Diagonally, but it fit. If it didn't have the molded carpet around the trunk-lid arms, I bet it would have fit side to side like in the Jetta. The simple fact that it fits without folding seats is huge in my book. (I still find much irony in "large" cars that have small openings).

Test drove the only stick they had, a sport model with no extras. I liked how it rode on the choppy pavement. I think the longer wheelbase helped, plus it had 17's with 55 series tires, so I'm sure that makes a difference. I'd like to get into a Touring trim with 19s to feel the difference and try out a touch screen. Overall, I was impressed with the comfort and feel of the car. I think it fits me well.

 

[GyroRon]

I can't remember if I posted in this thread already or not.... But I guess I was able to make up my mind much faster than alot of you folks...

I knew when I crunched the numbers the day the buyback numbers became public, that I was selling my car back. Only a fool would keep the car, at least if you had the same numbers as I did. 2013 Jetta TDI, bought used in 2014 for 18,500$ with about 8000 miles on it. Car now has a little less than 54,000 miles on it and VW buyback number is just under 22 grand. Its going back!

I decided a few things...

1. I wanted a car that got at least 30-35 mpg in normal mixed driving.

2. I didn't want a payment

3. I didn't want a brand new car, because of the massive amount of depreciation

4. I didn't want anything older than 2013 and I didn't want anything with more than 40,000 miles already on it.

5. If possible I wanted to have change left over... In other words, sell back my jetta and buy its replacement and instead of forking over all 22 grand, or even all 22 grand and having a loan on top of that... I would buy my replacement and have money left over out of that 22 grand and the more money left over the better.

6. I have always been of the opinion that you can't go wrong with a Toyota or Honda. Sure mazda, subaru, even Kia and Hyundia, even Ford and Chevy all are making good cars ( Mazda 3 or 6.... Ford Focus or Fusion.... Kia Optima for example ) There is no doubt or argument that Honda and Toyota vehicles hold a very high resale value, and are generally more dependable, more trouble free, and Cheaper to own over most other makes.

So for me it came down to a Honda or Toyota, and Although the Civic and Corolla are both decent cars, its a big step up to a Accord or Camry. Both the Accord and Camry are much more refined, quieter, smoother, and overall better cars than the civic and corolla. So with all that said I narrowed it down to a 2013 or newer accord or Camry. I ended up with a camry, because I found that I could get a Camry for a good bit less than a similar Accord for. And I didn't feel like the accord was really any better. I ended up with a 2014 Camry SE, 39,000 miles on it, Super clean and only one owner, for 13,800$. I spent another 120$ on a trailer hitch I installed, and 200$ on having the windows tinted, and another 360$ on state sales tax and DMV fees.

I feel like the only thing I am giving up with this camry over my jetta is the MPG... The Camry will be 5-10 mpg less. The camry has more room inside, bigger trunk, cheaper fuel, WAY cheaper oil changes, No DSG services, cheaper maintenance costs overall. Its literally just as fast as the TDI, both cars have the same zero to 60 times, handling wise it feels just as " sporty " as the jetta.

Ill be getting 21,887$ back from VW when I turn in my jetta. The camry with taxes and fees, hitch and tint came out to 14,480$. Ill have a year newer car, with 14 thousand less miles, that in my opinion is superior in every way other than MPG, and ill have 7404$ in change left over.

 

[DieselMann99]

. . . handling wise [the Camry] feels just as " sporty " as the jetta.

You sure about that?

Other than that, an excellent move on your part. Camry and Accord are real solid cars. It's not an accident that their resale is so high (sometimes so high that it almost pays to buy a new one).

My teenage son, who's just a few months away from getting his license, may be getting a 2004 Camry with low mileage from my aging uncle, who doesn't drive anymore.

 

[bennybmn]

... handling wise it feels just as " sporty " as the jetta.

You sure about that?

Other than that, an excellent move on your part.

That and you can get a stick with the Accord

Everyone drives differently, and the camrys have changed over the years, so if it's sporty enough for you, then more power to ya! Everyone should get the car that's right for them.

Now if I couldn't only be more confident on the actual buy back date, I'd jump on a summer deal too....

 

[GyroRon]

Neither the camry or the jetta is going to set records on a autocross course. But both are tight, don't sway much in turns, and generally feel composed. I'm sure compared to a gti or a bmw or something truly sporting, the camry and jetta both suck. But both suit my needs in how sporty of a car I need for my needs and desires. I have several motorcycles and a polaris slingshot if I want to carve up a twisty road or drag race etc...

I think some of the people here are missing a opportunity to use their buyback money to buy a cheaper yet totally capable vehicle and be ahead of the game as far as financial side is concerned. I too used to have a car payment in my budget along with payments on 10 to 15 other things... now I have no payments and it's great. It's because I do stuff like buy a 14 thousand dOlla camry as my replacement instead of looking at 30 to 60 thousand dollar vehicles and creating debt I'll need to pay back.

 

[bizzle]

I have read in more than one place that Hyundai/Kia have surpassed Toyota/Honda in reliability and customer satisfaction but due to the relative infrequency of buying cars and how word of mouth about ownership spreads, people still prioritize the Japanese brands more than they should.

 

[newWorldTDI]

So I went a little crazy and my 2016 AMG GLA45 is on the way to my local dealer.

Been driving TDIs since 2001 or 2 . . . and here almost as long. #awkward

May have to do a goodbye cruel world post, I dunno. This place has been an internet home away from home for TDI enthusiasts like me for a long time.

Anyway, the GLA45 is . . . well . . . sick . Got to wait for the car to get here, get prepped, then an agonizing min 1000 mile break-in period where I can't go over 85 - which is very difficult to avoid in these cars.

The tech is just insane. 375 BHP from a Turbocharged 2.0L Inline 4 that gets 29 MPG highway? Are you kidding me? Add a good (not perfect) AWD system and the Dynamics package from AMG for more trackable goodness and I'm giddy.

Could have bought a 2016 GTI Autobahn w/ Performance Package AND their 2013 Golf R from my local VW dealer for the same price though. That part is shocking.

Speaking of those cars - both awesomely fun and still available at VW of South Charlotte, NC. Good discounts being offered.

 

[pparks1]

I have read in more than one place that Hyundai/Kia have surpassed Toyota/Honda in reliability and customer satisfaction but due to the relative infrequency of buying cars and how word of mouth about ownership spreads, people still prioritize the Japanese brands more than they should.

Couple of things. Kia and Hyundai owners love the 10yr/100,000 mile warranty. That brings quite a bit of customer satisfaction right there. Then there is residual value or what you can sell it for down the road, Hyundai and Kia certainly don't excel yet in this area, but they are improving.

Historically both Honda and Toyota have had a good track record for reliability. So much so that many people are repeat buyers or trade up to newer models. With a lot of cars, the infotainment systems are some of the biggest problem areas as well as government standards on emissions or mileage that bring along trade-offs in some of the tried and true methods of the past.

For me, I just went out and test drove a lot of them and found the one which felt right to me. Choice #1 was the Honda Accord. Choice #2 was a Chevy Malibu. Between the 2, I felt the Honda would end up being more reliable, a little more simplistic to fix (no turbos, etc), and it had more features that I liked that simply couldn't be had on the Malibu.

 

[DieselMann99]

Sadly, my 2013 Passat TDI was hit while parked by a driver who fell asleep and it was declared a total loss by insurance. This happened on 8/10/2016, so I didn't see a dollar from VW for either a fix or a buyback, as I was excluded from the settlement.

Did you already sign the title over to the insurance company? If you did, you're right, you're excluded. But if you didn't, keep the car, let the insurance company give you a check and hand the car over as a buyback. I'm assuming the engine still works and the car will propel itself on its own power.

What part of the car was hit?

 

[GyroRon]

If I was willing to spend more than my buyback amount and still wanted tdi mpg figures, the newest generation accord hybrids would be hard to pass up

 

[Jeta Life]

I'm still debating on which cars or SUVs to test drive. The Toyota RAV4's tall hatchback and available AWD is a very versatile vehicle with all that interior space. The reclining second row is roomy and the overall look is nice.

Not a fan of the styling of CeRVex, CX5 or Forester Gump. Gump would have my second vote. Tiguan is way due for an update. Touareg and Audi Q5 break the bank. The look of these small SUVs used to be bland but now the sheet metal is getting more stylish.

Really tough to beat a RAV4 Hybrid with that 34 MPG, that's what I call a unicorn.

 

[yehaman]

I'm still waiting to hear back from Spike Ferreston as to what my next ride w/be....J/K...it's going to be an A6.

 

[Jeta Life]

Feresten aka Forrest Gump ? The Germans have very little sense of humor. An A6 is nice but the Q5 is more versatile with the tall hatch/hunchback. Fits better in cramped city parking spots.

 

[yehaman]

Feresten aka Forrest Gump ? The Germans have very little sense of humor. An A6 is nice but the Q5 is more versatile with the tall hatch/hunchback. Fits better in cramped city parking spots.

Q5 is very nice. I have a 3yr old and a 10 week old so need the backseat room of the A6. Wife has a 2013 MDX Tech w/only 23k on it that she is hinting that she wants to trade in for a new Q7. No need for us to have two SUV's. Would love an S6 (complete other direction from my current ride) but too steep for my budget.

 

[WolfsburgGolfTDI]

Going with a VW Phaeton with the W12 since I do so little driving now.