I'm one of the few...

[Humanaquarian]

... holding for the FIX. I am starting to think that is not going to happen. In the long run, it seems to be the best choice. No fix in 2 years? Welp, same value as I would get today.
So I wonder, how many are waiting for the FIX?

 

[PFCoppinger]

Also waiting.

 

[ccbsecu]

Time value of $$ for me.

I'm taking the $$ and moving on...

 

[TDI WNY]

Waiting

 

[newbeetleman]

The only way the value won't change is if you drive within the allotted mileage of 1042 a month, anything over that and the value will change.

 

[jdyno718]

I am waiting too. I love this car too much and think that the fix won't hurt performance too dramatically.

Financially, if a fix doesn't happen on my car until late 2018 than my offer is reduced by at most around $700. I calculate this based on the difference of my current offer's mileage bracket and the future offer assuming actually driving of 30,000 miles per year for two more years and back calculating mileage from then.

To me $700 over two years or $29 a month is not much to worry about.

 

[brian_e]

Like many I too am waiting for the fix--love my TDI's. Have driven many other autos looking for something as good or better. I hate stopping at the pump, I hate no balls, low torque gas engines...TDI is fun, TDI is practical, TDI is life.

Drove a WRX the other day...wasn't for me.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

While we aren't specifically waiting for a fix, we will entertain the idea if a fix is presented and approved.

 

[TDI Pete]

I am also playing the waiting game, but I honestly don't think it will come as VW is done with the TDI power plant in this country so there is really no over reaching demand that they come up with a fix that will work.

 

[atomicfront]

Time value of $$ for me.

I'm taking the $$ and moving on...

With inflation as low as it is you aren't losing much on the time value of money. Financially it makes most sense to keep your car the full two years if it is functioning. Justifying a bad financial decision with time value of money is pretty weak argument.

 

[sohccammer427]

Waiting on a fix too. 2015 Passat Gen 3 with the EA288 engine. I'd like to think that if any generation was fixable, Gen 3's would be the one.
.
There is nothing else out there that can replace the car in terms of the economy performance ratio.
.
Looks like I may be averaging around 1,200 miles a month so the $$$ hit I may take IF it comes to having to take the buyback will be peanuts.
.
Site moderator, I believe it was GoFaster, explained that the fix has to go through a series of tests simulating over 100,000 (or more?) miles of real world driving conditions. If something is not right, it's back to square one.
.
I hoping they can pull a workable fix off for Gen 3's. But at this point, I'm just driving my car and enjoying it as much as I always have.

 

[jbright]

I'm waiting on the fix as well. This is the best car I've ever owned and it's the ideal mix of fuel economy, performance, driving finesse and comfort for my long commute. From my reading here there may or may not be a gen 1 fix made available (it may be implemented first, meeting a lowered set of standards, or it may not be feasible and a moot point). If there is not fix then I will sell the car back at some later date. I hope there is a fix, however, and I will use some of the money to get a CP3 HPFP installed and possible a tune.

 

[pdq import repair]

I am waiting for the payout for the fix, not necessarily the fix itself. In any case I will keep my car as I like it and can't think of any other car I would rather have instead. I will keep it even if I get no reimbursement. I can't find a better car for the buyout amount either, especially when you figure fuel economy.

I think in the long run, those that keep their cars will find the value increasing as the supply of them decreases, especially if VW comes up with a fix to remove the fear of owning one.

 

[d2freeman]

Waiting as well, I drive ~ 4000 miles per month so the buyback value is not an incentive to me. For me it is the perfect car.

 

[gulfcoastguy]

I'm waiting till the new Cruze diesel has been out 3 months and has been reviewed or until the fix has been approved and been out a month or 2 and has been reviewed. Definitely agreeing to a pig in a poke isn't very sharp. Ideally I would pick the fix but the buyback is far better than I could manage as a trade in. I guess I'll know within 6 months.

 

[S2000_guy]

I am also playing the waiting game, but I honestly don't think it will come as VW is done with the TDI power plant in this country so there is really no over reaching demand that they come up with a fix that will work.

Without a fix, VW must recycle the cars for parts, scrap, etc. With a fix, they will be allowed to sell (either in the US or in another country) the fixed vehicles to recoup some of their money. The potential resale value of an '09 with 150k miles on it would likely preclude any attempt to fix for it resale, but later model units with relatively low miles would have resale value.

Also note that they don't have to fix the cars to comply with the letter of the law; the settlement stipulates a negotiated NOx value just over 3 times the standard they were certified to.

But having said that they do indeed have an incentive to develop an acceptable fix, there still may not be one. I really don't expect one that would be acceptable to me, but time will tell

 

[rc74racer]

I am just waiting in general. I was all fired up to turn mine in ASAP and get 3k more than I paid, but finding a suitable replacement isn't working very well and the hit I will take for mileage will be no more 1k. The cars and trucks I like are either a lot more expensive or don't get anywhere near the mileage. I will still most likely turn mine in, just not in a rush anymore. I will likely replace it with a used 2015+ GC ecodiesel or 2013+ BMW X5d as I could use a little more utility with the arrival of my son. I just really like this little wagon. I find it hard to believe there will ever be a fix for any of them. If the EA288 was so easy to fix with just a simple tweak of the ECU it would have been done before they were released. If they do come up with a fix and I can get my hands on that 7k+ I may just do that and then have it tuned. I am just in no hurry at this point to get rid of a car that has given me 30k trouble free miles and is a joy to drive. This TDI is everything I thought it would be short of the scandal, and I am already 1k ahead from that (Gift cards).

 

[Yankinwaoz]

I can't see VW bothering with a fix at this point. Think about it. (a) They have withdrawn the TDi's from the US market. (b) The vast majority of the TDi's owners have voted for buy back.

So why would they spend the money and bother with the hassle of creating a fix for a handful of owners?

Now that being said. Perhaps in mid 2018 they will give incentives to the remaining TDi holdouts in order coax them in to the buyback. But they only need to do this to get VW over the threshold required by the agreement. Anyone still holding their TDi after that is SOL and going to own a car that they can't drive in the US.

Keep in mind that while you wait for a fix that never comes, or a possible incentive in 2018, you are betting your buyback option against the risk of a disabled car. You loose your option if the drive train fails, theft, or a major collision. And your insurance isn't going to cover your option price.

Of course the pros of holding out is that you get to drive a great car for free until they day you can't drive it. It is simply a matter of betting on which day will arrive first.

 

[Colville]

Definitely Keeping…

I absolutely love this car, there is nothing out there for my family personally that works better. All my other cars are from the 1950's, this is the only modern car I actually like, the Golf Sportwagen is just the way to go. With the TDI, its even more unique and fun to drive.

Not worried about the "fix" or any of that, I had my Sportwagen tuned by KermaTDI and haven't looked back, its amazing the power these engines can make. Then if VW's "fix" decides to try and rob any power Kerma is there to remedy that and make the car efficient, clean, and powerful again. Its a no brainer for me, but I'm not your normal car person.

 

[AmandaSch]

Looks like Australia has given the go on the fixes there.

 

[scooperhsd]

I can't see VW bothering with a fix at this point. Think about it. (a) They have withdrawn the TDi's from the US market. (b) The vast majority of the TDi's owners have voted for buy back.

So why would they spend the money and bother with the hassle of creating a fix for a handful of owners?

Now that being said. Perhaps in mid 2018 they will give incentives to the remaining TDi holdouts in order coax them in to the buyback. But they only need to do this to get VW over the threshold required by the agreement. Anyone still holding their TDi after that is SOL and going to own a car that they can't drive in the US.

Keep in mind that while you wait for a fix that never comes, or a possible incentive in 2018, you are betting your buyback option against the risk of a disabled car. You loose your option if the drive train fails, theft, or a major collision. And your insurance isn't going to cover your option price.

Of course the pros of holding out is that you get to drive a great car for free until they day you can't drive it. It is simply a matter of betting on which day will arrive first.

Yet another ignorant "car will be illegal to drive" comment - GO READ the settlement documents before you make any pronouncements in the future.

I'll be driving this car when it is 15+ model years old - fix released or not...

 

[Colville]

I'll be driving this car when it is 15+ model years old - fix released or not...

Me too! The diesel is here to stay with me, since now after tuning it, its became even that much more fun!

Long live the TDI!

 

[pebjr]

I'm planning on keeping mine for the long haul.....

 

[nutfinn]

Why in the world would anybody want to keep one of these after reading these posts?

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Possible 2018 buy back

Possible 2018 "FIX" if it comes.

Love driving it

Confused as what to do ~~ for sure

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Why in the world would anybody want to keep one of these after reading these posts?

There are a lot of differing personal situations to account for here. Just because you had a bad experience or unhappy with the car doesn't mean the next guy feels the same way. While I'm generally dissatisfied with Volkswagen, I'm in no hurry to give up this car, although it will happen at some point. Fortunately, there is plenty of time.

 

[gcodori]

Yet another ignorant "car will be illegal to drive" comment - GO READ the settlement documents before you make any pronouncements in the future.

I'll be driving this car when it is 15+ model years old - fix released or not...

To expand on this - any states that accepts the EPA settlement (I think most have) are not allowed to deny registration of TDI in the future based on Dieselgate.

Not saying they could make life hard for you (like a polluter fee for all diesels or banning diesels entirely like Paris will) or some other thing, but take the tin foil hats off guys - they will not be going around and taking cars from you or denying registration. And without the fix, of course the car passes smog LOL.

 

[lawnarjax]

Also waiting, but it is tempting to do it now, could use the dough. I have two 2010 JSW's one at about 127k one at 156k. I drive one for work, 500+ miles a week recently, company pays me 54 cents a mile. I get 1k+ a month in mileage, $500 goes for car payments, the rest covers fuel/maintenance and insurance/registration with some going to other budget items.
Basically at worst I drive for free, at best I make a tidy profit.
Best scenario for me is to wait till the last possible moment in 2018 and buyback both at which point I clear about 19k combined on both cars, pay cash for a replacement for one and finance another, used of course, never buy a new car, NEVER...
I also think that the fix will never happen, the economics don't make VW come out ahead.

 

[lifeminimalized]

With inflation as low as it is you aren't losing much on the time value of money. Financially it makes most sense to keep your car the full two years if it is functioning. Justifying a bad financial decision with time value of money is pretty weak argument.

You do realize inflation is ~1.6% right? In historical terms, yes it has been MUCH higher back when Banks also had Savings yield 13% APR.

In monetary terms it is still a higher % TODAY than any return you can receive without investing. For example, Ally and Synchrony earn a 1.00% and 1.05% respectively, which are the higher % yields available without hunting for a credit union that could possibly yield higher.

I do agree, financially holding onto the car and having the positive equity (in most cases) is a wise decision. You have options with this route, if you sell the car back RIGHT NOW and jump into another loan....you just put yourself back into negative equity...unless you bought it with cash strictly from the buyback and did not eat into any of your $$. Chances are however, a lot of people are getting back into a loan.

 

[meerschm]

Why in the world would anybody want to keep one of these after reading these posts?

I worry for the future of the country, when folks think everything posted on the internet is the "truth", and do not apply reasonable effort to verify and place into context.

I am not saying anyone is lying, but individual samples do not tell the whole story.

but to answer the thread and your question,

I have registered for the fix, and would be happy to go early.

my dpf is a little cracked, and the fix we have hints of includes a new NOX cat. for my 2009, the existing cat is welded to the DPF. so they would reasonably have to include an intact DPF as part of the fix for my car.

I like the car, and it seems to be working well otherwise. There are a few items that need repair and replacement, but that is not unexpected at 184,000 miles. It runs well, and I still want to get my full value out of the lifetime Sat radio plan I signed up for, and that they no longer offer.

I still want to put another couple years of camping in with the car, using the roof top tent which fits well attached to the roof rack. it also does well filled with ski equipment driving all over in the winter.

Truth be told, with 184,000 miles on the car, it does not owe me anything, as far as it goes, every additional mile is a bonus.

if it died tomorrow, and I got nothing out of it, I would not feel that i was cheated.

I do not support the way VW cheated the emissions control checks, but even with that, the car emits a lot less than earlier TDIs and quite a few other vehicles on the road. It is a great outcome of the enforcement to slap the company hard enough to make automakers think twice about cheating, apply an improvement to the emissions treatment system, make compensating investments, and move on. Including us vehicle owners in the settlement also is great. The damage to vehicle value and reputation is real, and the compensation seems reasonable to me.

from an economic and environmental point of view, it does not make sense to me that these cars will not be "fixed" the sunk cost of making the vehicle (in environmental impact and $$) would be wasted if the vehicles are not maintained on the road.

the average age of a car in the US is 11 and a half years.

out of almost half a million vehicles, my guess is that well over half will get a fix one way or the other, and remain on the road for the next ten years.

for the buy backs, and for each of us that own one, it is an individual cost-benefit decision. half a million of them.

why would anyone think the same answer would apply to all of them?