Need opinion on which car to buy my wife.

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
I'm looking at something 1-2 years old. Passat 4motion 5 speed. I cant seem to find one that meats all the criteria. I noticed a few W8 waggons and sedans, but I'm sceptical of reliability and gas mileage. It seems most 4motion versions cost 7-10 thousand more then the 2 wheel. I want space for my wife to get in and out of the back with the baby seat, and easy access to the trunk for the stroller. I like the AWD and the drive is very firm. However, the price tag is so high, I question the value. In general, is a 1-2 year old passat going to be reliable, and is the value there. Also, i tried to find 2L diesel, but very few. I frown on the diesel as it takes so long to heat up. The baby needs heat right away.

Paul.
 

OhMagoo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 11, 2005
Location
Barrie ON
TDI
'05 Jetta, '05 Passat
My Passat diesel warms up faster than the Jetta or Golf. Heat very quickly.

35K and it's yours
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
hehehehe, 35k. I can get a w8 for 27....Im more power then mileage. All jokes aside, does your passat diesel warm up with idle only?
 

Toronto_Vento

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Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Location
Richmond Hill, ON
TDI
01 Baltic Green Bora
How long is her drive? Short? Typically city driver? If so, get a gasser. Don't get me wrong, you'll see better fuel mileage with a diesel, no matter the situation, but diesels are highway kings.

How long do you plan on keeping the car? Obviously, you are going for luxury and size here. In my opinion, best bang for the buck these days are minivans. They can't seem to sell them, so the price is low. They are designed to drive kids around, and make access to them easier. Maybe a Mazda 5? Basically an ugly Mazda 3, with sliding rear doors (easy access to baby seat, etc). If you are going for a more luxurious car, then your options become limited. I was going to sugest an Audi A3, but too new, so the price is still really high.
 

Keiller

Veteran Member
Joined
May 19, 2004
Location
Tennessee
TDI
2004Jetta GL Spice Red
Have you looked closely at the diesel pumps? They are generally oily and the ground around them, too. I know my wife wouldn't care to get her hads oily to fill up the car.
 

Radman

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Joined
May 13, 2001
Location
Montreal
TDI
2014 Audi A6 TDI, 2014 Touareg TDI
The W8 Wagon is one sweet vehicle though:D However you probably dont need that much power or the lack of fuel economy that comes with it:rolleyes: . Especially if city driving. Have you thought of a Subaru Outback or other 4WD wagon? Toyota Matrix / Ponitac Vibe, Volvo or Audi? Depending on your Budget of course;)
 

OhMagoo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 11, 2005
Location
Barrie ON
TDI
'05 Jetta, '05 Passat
TDIMAXIMA said:
hehehehe, 35k. I can get a w8 for 27....Im more power then mileage. All jokes aside, does your passat diesel warm up with idle only?

I don't know too many diesels that warm up well on idle only. Having said that, heat comes on within a few klics of driving. Far different than my Jetta, which on a really cold day won't see heat for 20 klics...just about the time I get home. I drive 3/4 of a klic and I'm on the highway, then 25 klics till I get off, and 2 klics into the house. The engine temp gets up after 20 klics, but the interior never really warms up on that drive in the winter.

The Passat does a far better job, by 400 % of warming up.
 

OhMagoo

Veteran Member
Joined
May 11, 2005
Location
Barrie ON
TDI
'05 Jetta, '05 Passat
Radman said:
The W8 Wagon is one sweet vehicle though:D However you probably dont need that much power or the lack of fuel economy that comes with it:rolleyes: . Especially if city driving. Have you thought of a Subaru Outback or other 4WD wagon? Toyota Matrix / Ponitac Vibe, Volvo or Audi? Depending on your Budget of course;)
I would tend to agree with Radman on the Subaru. Tried and true technology, and reputation for winter stability. (My driver has one that he used to commute from Innisfil to the city. He was on the highway before the snow removal equipment was out, and he has said that he never had issues.) I also believe, that the Outback, new, can be had for reasonable money, and they certainly appear to hold their value. (My driver is selling his and estimates that he'll profit a little bit from what he owes to the sale price based on a normally structured finance plan)
 

Wingnut

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Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Location
Toronto & Whitby
TDI
Silver 2003 Jetta Wagon
If you are interested in a Subaru, let me know. My best friend is a business manager at a Subaru dealer. I can get you a great deal.
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
Minivan is out of the question. Subaru is not bad, however, I find their styling as of late a little, well, ugly. The diesel is 99% out of the question. My other problem is I tend to want everything LOADED.
 

CmdrData

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Sep 2, 2000
Location
North of 401, where the snow double/triple up!
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2001 Golf - used to
My parents bought a Suzuki Aerio SX hatch a year go, I'm telling you if I don't drive a TDI, this would be the gas car that I want. It is roomy, plenty of power and loaded with standard options (AWD available as extra). I did the research then and offered the dealer $500 above dealer price. This car has been solid since day one, I think Susuki is one of those hidden jewel in this satuated market.
 

Jetta_Pilot

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Apr 14, 2005
Location
West Hill, Ont.
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2015 Passat Highline TDI Candy White (SEL Premium) long gone 2002 Jetta TDI
The most important question would be, "What does SHE want"?
 

Rickstah

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Feb 5, 2002
Location
Yukon, Oklahoma
TDI
NB, 2002, green, Eurotek STG1
yep, what he said (points up)...if she doesn't like it from the first, you will pay long and hard for getting it :)
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
the cars i have listed are what she wants. ideally, she wants a toureg. Unfortunately, even if i had the money, she wouldnt get it. My wife has been the driver of our 6 speed maxima. In a nutshell, she doesnt wasnt to move down, however she would settle for a lateral move.
 

atifvw

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Joined
May 2, 2004
Location
Mississauga,ON, Canada
TDI
2015 Jetta TDI, 2015 Golf Wagon TDI. 2008 Grand Cherokee Diesel
TDIMAXIMA said:
In a nutshell, she doesnt wasnt to move down, however she would settle for a lateral move.
In that case be willing to spend some money, the value of such cars would be 25 grand and up, unlike some Golf TDI thats worth nothing...

Atif
 

Wingnut

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Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Location
Toronto & Whitby
TDI
Silver 2003 Jetta Wagon
If Subaru makes the short list let me know, but hurry. My friend just resigned as the business manager and will be leaving in 2 weeks. He will be able to give you a smoking deal. Afterall, what are they going to do if he sells it for too cheap, fire him???
 

CountryGuy

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Mar 20, 2003
Location
Barrie, ON, Canada
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2008 E320 Bluetec
TDIMAXIMA said:
A smoking deal on which car?
Any Subaru car his friend can get his hands on :) I'd fall for this offer if I was shopping for a new car for my wife :D Subaru is an excellent choice as AWD luxury car.
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
the models i want start at 35-40. plus, i think 1500 for pdi and freight is a complete rip off. the admin fee. Please, when i go grocery shopping, they dont ding you for hidden fee's.
 

CountryGuy

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Joined
Mar 20, 2003
Location
Barrie, ON, Canada
TDI
2008 E320 Bluetec
TDIMAXIMA said:
the models i want start at 35-40. plus, i think 1500 for pdi and freight is a complete rip off. the admin fee. Please, when i go grocery shopping, they dont ding you for hidden fee's.
Welcome to the club :D
 

CmdrData

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2000
Location
North of 401, where the snow double/triple up!
TDI
2001 Golf - used to
TDIMAXIMA said:
the models i want start at 35-40. plus, i think 1500 for pdi and freight is a complete rip off. the admin fee. Please, when i go grocery shopping, they dont ding you for hidden fee's.
That's why you give dealer your final "on the road" price which include PDI and all the ++ fees. If they won't give you the car, walk away.
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
ofcourse mr data, we werent born yesterday. Its still a rip off that it even has to be part of the discussion. Anyhow, the value isent teh same.
 

Wingnut

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Location
Toronto & Whitby
TDI
Silver 2003 Jetta Wagon
TDIMAXIMA said:
the models i want start at 35-40. plus, i think 1500 for pdi and freight is a complete rip off. the admin fee. Please, when i go grocery shopping, they dont ding you for hidden fee's.
You mentioned in your original post that you wanted AWD. Subaru was one option suggested to you. I offered you a chance to get a new or USED one for a great deal and you want to complain about it.....

Your welcome :rolleyes:
 

TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
Complaining is what we do best! I think I mentioned in a earlier post that I dislike the subaru route. Even a good deal would equate to a car that wouldnt fit my budget, and get me what I want. Im trying to accomplish both. hey, did you decide on whether or not you could examine my injectors?
 

Wingnut

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Location
Toronto & Whitby
TDI
Silver 2003 Jetta Wagon
TDIMAXIMA said:
Complaining is what we do best! I think I mentioned in a earlier post that I dislike the subaru route. Even a good deal would equate to a car that wouldnt fit my budget, and get me what I want. Im trying to accomplish both.
tdimaxima said:
Minivan is out of the question. Subaru is not bad, however, I find their styling as of late a little, well, ugly. The diesel is 99% out of the question. My other problem is I tend to want everything LOADED.
Not exactly what I would call a total rejection of the Subaru. Besides, he is the business manager....not a new car salesman. He can get you a great deal on a used one too. Which means no PDI & Freight. And also satisfies your taste for the older models. Anyway. he is only going to be there for one more week, so no point in discussing it further as I'm sure you would like more than one week to decide on dropping 20-25 grand.

tdimaxima said:
hey, did you decide on whether or not you could examine my injectors?
I thought you were going to get Gerry aka Diesel Dazzler to look at them? He has the tools necessary. I read the procedure & it looks very simple, but would have to buy a dial guage to set them properly.
 
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TDIMAXIMA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Location
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA
TDI
2004 4motion Passat 5 speed 1.8t
Nobody confirmed. He said last week, and had to cancel, and just heard from him now, and we still cant confirm the a time. he is very busy. However, his experience is great. I didnt hear back from you, so I got discouraged. Ask yoru buddy if he has any legacy GT wagons. The kind with the turbo!
 
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