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Car buying advice
- Thread starter waloshin
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They weren't 10 years old when I had those problems!
And if as of 2000 the big 3 still couldn't build a car correctly, I am not going to be eager to jump right back into one a few years later. Like I said in my first post - once I start hearing on a regular basis that 2005-2009 American cars are still on the road problem free in 2015-2019 then I would consider another. My mistake on the exact location of the X5 build site - my point is the same though...
Not only that, but these reviews and ratings are based of new cars. Who cares if a 2009 got great reliability ratings? I would hope a 2009 wasn't having issues yet!
I must admit - if I could have only one car, It would be a Subaru Legacy 3.0 R B-spec. Fast, great handling, all the room you could ever need, and damn reliable.
Either the Prius or the Jetta TDI will give the best mileage. According to most tests, the Prius will give the best mileage. According to the EPA, the Prius is listed as 48/45 City/Highway mileage, while the Jetta TDI (Automatic) is rated at 29/40. In real world conditions, I have heard of the TDI averaging 30+ MPG. Also, I don't know if they have changed their testing procedures, but the old EPA tests tended to over-estimate hybrid mileage. In general, if you are going to be driving lots of highway miles, the TDI will be a lot closer, since diesels tend to be much better on the highway than around town.
As far as maintenance, the Prius will probably be the best all-around. I have seen hit or miss reports on the Caliber. The powertrain in the Jetta is very solid, but VW has had issues in the past with other aspects, such as electrical, trim pieces, etc. As far as the maintenance costs with the diesel, it shouldn't be much more. Diesel engines are known for being able to run for a long time with no problems (100-200k+) with no problems. As I said earlier, the rest of the car may fall apart around the engine, but that diesel will probably still be running.
As far as maintenance, the Prius will probably be the best all-around. I have seen hit or miss reports on the Caliber. The powertrain in the Jetta is very solid, but VW has had issues in the past with other aspects, such as electrical, trim pieces, etc. As far as the maintenance costs with the diesel, it shouldn't be much more. Diesel engines are known for being able to run for a long time with no problems (100-200k+) with no problems. As I said earlier, the rest of the car may fall apart around the engine, but that diesel will probably still be running.
my old man owns a prius and averages 52mpg in the summer and 48mpg in the winter. also other than the back windshield wiper falling off he has had no maintenance costs on the car. it's approaching 100,000 miles so i would say that is pretty good. he said once it hits 120K he is going to get another one.
I tend to say the maintainance cost are a bit high on my TDI, but they tend to be offset by the fact that the cycles are every 10,000 miles......
For all of the American auto maker bashers..
Ford has recently passed Toyota for #1 in quality and sales in the world.
Have you checked out the Ford Fusion/Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Better mpg, cheap maintenance, and a much more stable company than Dodge.
Ford has recently passed Toyota for #1 in quality and sales in the world.
Have you checked out the Ford Fusion/Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Better mpg, cheap maintenance, and a much more stable company than Dodge.
Why, in God's name, would anyone ever get a Jetta TDI with an automatic transmission? That's like buying a Macbook Pro and running Windows ME on it.
I'm pretty sure the Jetta TDI's auto is the DSG, so I'll say it's more like Windows 2000. A regular automatic is ME
I'm pretty sure the Jetta TDI's auto is the DSG, so I'll say it's more like Windows 2000. A regular automatic is ME
Yeah, I guess DSGs are not so bad. But the clutch is half the fun.
Yeah, I guess DSGs are not so bad. But the clutch is half the fun.
Yeah, they're not bad. I test drove a DSG GTI and it does shift quicker than I can, but it's still not as fun. If I lost the use of a leg or arm, I would buy a DSG, but as long as I have 4 working limbs, only real manuals for me.
With exceptions, of course, I won't turn down a Veyron even if it is a DSG
I guess the MT is only worth 1 MPG more each for city and highway. But I'd guess that, particularly with the MT, one would do quite a bit better than the EPA numbers... apparently many people have reported averaging in the 40s with the MT:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencarad...tdis-mediocre-epa-rating-not-whole-story.html
On the other hand, if fuel efficiency is really the goal, the 3rd gen Prius is probably a better pick. Diesel is more renewable, but it's harder to avoid the conclusion that the Prius doesn't do better on consumption and emissions.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencarad...tdis-mediocre-epa-rating-not-whole-story.html
On the other hand, if fuel efficiency is really the goal, the 3rd gen Prius is probably a better pick. Diesel is more renewable, but it's harder to avoid the conclusion that the Prius doesn't do better on consumption and emissions.
I've been noticing that a lot lately. And not just with VWs, but with all makes and models. Autos are becoming more fuel efficient and have the same, if not higher EPA estimates than their manual counterparts.
This is becoming the norm. My 2004 Mazda 6 was like that. I had the V6/5 speed manual combo, and it was actually rate at worse MPG than the auto. To rub it in even more, the auto was a 6 speed, whereas the manual was a 5 speed. And believe me, it really needed a 6th gear. Heck, all the Mazdas I have owned could use another gear or two. The 6 was hitting 3k+ RPM at 70 MPH. My current Protege is hitting 3500.
As for getting the TDI with an auto: I dunno. The TDI isn't a speed demon to start, and I would think a traditional auto would make things even worse. The DSG wouldn't be bad, since having a clutch in major traffic can be a pain, literally. I have had my hip and back complain on more than one occasion after going through heavy traffic. I guess I am getting old.
My general rule, though, is I can handle an auto on a V8 or strong V6, but anything else needs a manual. I know the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that I drove in college was a blast. The 350 plus auto tranny was a good combo. With a Bocephus sticker on my 442, I'd light 'em up just for fun. (OK, it was technically a 3-4-2, since it was a three speed transmission, but it was still fun!
) I love the Legacy line, too. I was deciding between the 2.5GT spec.B and the Forester 2.5 XT. While my foot ached for the spec.B, my brain got in the way and said it cost too much. Plus, I don't mind taking my XT on trails/off-road, while I wouldn't dare do that with the spec.B. The best thing about the XT is that it is the definition of a sleeper car.
The best thing about the XT is that it is the definition of a sleeper car.
Yeah, I remember reading some road tests of the first Forester XT with the WRX engine in it. They either slipped some ringers in the test fleet, or they were seriously underrating the HP rating on that engine. They seem to have tamed it a bit on the current gen, but that first gen was great.
Caliber vs Jeta Tdi
2008 /2009 Used Dodge Caliber Sxt 1.8L 5 speed
OR
- 2005/2004 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 5 speed
* Which one would give real world better mpg?
* Which one would cost more to maintain every year?
* Yes, the VW is German, but isn't the Dodge Caliber American/German(mercedes)engineering?
* When parts start to break which car would cost more, for things such as starters, alternators, clutches, water pump, alternator, cv axels?
* Which car would be safer in a car accident?
* Would need to keep car for at least 5 years!
- I just need a cheap, but newer reliable car, that would be cheap to maintain in the long run and also get good fuel mileage. Especially, when gas rises up again.
Thanks for your help, mostly appreciated!
__________________
2008 /2009 Used Dodge Caliber Sxt 1.8L 5 speed
OR
- 2005/2004 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 5 speed
* Which one would give real world better mpg?
* Which one would cost more to maintain every year?
* Yes, the VW is German, but isn't the Dodge Caliber American/German(mercedes)engineering?
* When parts start to break which car would cost more, for things such as starters, alternators, clutches, water pump, alternator, cv axels?
* Which car would be safer in a car accident?
* Would need to keep car for at least 5 years!
- I just need a cheap, but newer reliable car, that would be cheap to maintain in the long run and also get good fuel mileage. Especially, when gas rises up again.
Thanks for your help, mostly appreciated!
__________________
Sort of pointless, since all the Mercedes parts did in the Chryslers did was show that even Mercedes can be unreliable.
If they would simply have used the Hyundai motor relatively unchanged and simply reprogrammed/rebadged the unit, it might have improved confidence -- but they monkeyed with it, a lot.
If you said you live far from most auto dealerships (excluding American), I'd say your best bet is the Dodge. In most all circumstances, I'd say go for the V-dub, but parts will be hard to come by in your area. So will service...
You started off liking the Dodge. Go for the Dodge if you like it. Don't let anyone else sway your likes. It will be *your* car. Buy what *you* want.
* Which one would give real world better mpg?
Most likely the Jetta
* Which one would cost more to maintain every year?
Not sure about Canada, but in the US, all new 2009 VWs come with 3 free years of maintenance, so at $0 for the first 3 years, the Jetta wins
* Yes, the VW is German, but isn't the Dodge Caliber American/German(mercedes)engineering?
No idea
* When parts start to break which car would cost more, for things such as starters, alternators, clutches, water pump, alternator, cv axels?
Probably the Jetta, but if Chrsyler goes under and parts become rare, prices for those will skyrocket as supply dwindles down. It's hard to predict that far out
* Which car would be safer in a car accident?
I'll let pictures do the talking. This is my 2008 GTI (very similar body and same safety features as a Jetta) after an accident. Everyone walked away with absolutely no injuries whatsoever:
Who knows what injuries I'd have if I was in a Caliber
* Would need to keep car for at least 5 years!
VW will be around in 5 years. Chrysler...well, who knows. I want my car's manufacturer to be around in 5 years.
- I just need a cheap, but newer reliable car, that would be cheap to maintain in the long run and also get good fuel mileage. Especially, when gas rises up again.
I think the Jetta is cheap and gets the best fuel mileage. Some say reliability is questionable, but I bet it's better than Chrysler's reliability.
Most likely the Jetta
* Which one would cost more to maintain every year?
Not sure about Canada, but in the US, all new 2009 VWs come with 3 free years of maintenance, so at $0 for the first 3 years, the Jetta wins
* Yes, the VW is German, but isn't the Dodge Caliber American/German(mercedes)engineering?
No idea
* When parts start to break which car would cost more, for things such as starters, alternators, clutches, water pump, alternator, cv axels?
Probably the Jetta, but if Chrsyler goes under and parts become rare, prices for those will skyrocket as supply dwindles down. It's hard to predict that far out
* Which car would be safer in a car accident?
I'll let pictures do the talking. This is my 2008 GTI (very similar body and same safety features as a Jetta) after an accident. Everyone walked away with absolutely no injuries whatsoever:
Who knows what injuries I'd have if I was in a Caliber
* Would need to keep car for at least 5 years!
VW will be around in 5 years. Chrysler...well, who knows. I want my car's manufacturer to be around in 5 years.
- I just need a cheap, but newer reliable car, that would be cheap to maintain in the long run and also get good fuel mileage. Especially, when gas rises up again.
I think the Jetta is cheap and gets the best fuel mileage. Some say reliability is questionable, but I bet it's better than Chrysler's reliability.
American cars last about 50K miles before needing new engines and transmissions. Japanese cars last around 300K miles before needing new engines or transmissions.
So basically you can buy 6 American cars or 1 Japanese car to get to 300K miles. What would you choose
I am looking to buy my first car (I'm 20). I'm already sold on a Honda, so it's not a question of what to buy, but where.
Many of my friends have spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on huge sound systems and garish paint jobs...all I want is a reliable car. If anybody has a like-new Honda with low mileage laying around that they don't want, send it to me please. I've been driving my parents' Chevy Malibu (with 200,000 miles on it) for about a year and it's definitely the Toshiba Satellite of cars. Ugh.
