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Author Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat)  (Read 158892 times)

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Anaxilus.

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #70 on: June 14, 2012, 05:54:19 AM »
Wait for the next GTI and a BRZ/FRS to drive.  No hurry.  Plus if you decide you want the last gen GTI you'll be able to find a discount by then.
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If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading - Lao Tzu

Maxvla

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #71 on: June 14, 2012, 04:19:12 PM »
This is sounding more and more likely:

Quote (selected)
MK6 production ends this summer in Wolfsburg. VW could stock pile a year's worth of Golfs for the North American market but that's about it. So, I expect the Golf 7 here next September and the GTI a little after that.

So in that case... I have a year and a half til MKVII GTIs are available. Don't want to wait that long, probably.
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Maxvla

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #72 on: June 15, 2012, 04:00:49 AM »
Didn't have a lot of time after work today, but went by VW dealer to look at the Golf TDI. Interior is just as nice as the GTI, but with less racey bits. Didn't drive it since I didn't have time, but did start her up and play around a bit. The diesel engine is really quiet, and rev is smooth. The stereo in this one was a touch screen flat panel and the sound was acceptable compared to the GTI's stereo. Mileage is significantly better, and premium gas (GTI) around here is only about a dime cheaper than diesel per gallon. Power and torque is rated very well. I'll go back and drive it, and perhaps the regular Golf also (cheaper option).
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DaveBSC

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #73 on: June 15, 2012, 01:43:05 PM »
Have you considered the Mazdaspeed3?
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Maxvla

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #74 on: June 15, 2012, 03:11:45 PM »
Can't take the front fascia seriously.
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DaveBSC

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #75 on: June 15, 2012, 10:35:01 PM »
How about something CPO? I bought a certified Audi A6 a few years back for $21K, which included a 2yr/50K warranty. You can get an '09 Infiniti G coupe for around $26K or so.
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melomaniac

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #76 on: June 16, 2012, 12:05:12 AM »
Quote from: Maxvla on June 15, 2012, 04:00:49 AM
Didn't have a lot of time after work today, but went by VW dealer to look at the Golf TDI. Interior is just as nice as the GTI, but with less racey bits. Didn't drive it since I didn't have time, but did start her up and play around a bit. The diesel engine is really quiet, and rev is smooth. The stereo in this one was a touch screen flat panel and the sound was acceptable compared to the GTI's stereo. Mileage is significantly better, and premium gas (GTI) around here is only about a dime cheaper than diesel per gallon. Power and torque is rated very well. I'll go back and drive it, and perhaps the regular Golf also (cheaper option).

fwiw I think the TDI is great but the regular Golf doesn't cut it. once you've sent 10 minutes in a GTI or TDI, you'll easily see why
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Maxvla

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #77 on: June 16, 2012, 01:35:59 AM »
I spent about 10 minutes in the TDI tonight, and about 5 in the standard Golf, and the difference was quite apparent. The Golf itself is fine, but the TDI package brings it to another level. I actually preferred the TDI over the GTI. Slightly smoother ride but similar handling and smoother accelerating engine while still feeling very sporty. The Golf is a weird setup, fairly powerful engine in the 5 cyl, but when you first press the gas you wonder if the engine is dead, then once you get to about 2k rpm it's 'whoa nelly' all at once power like it's got some ridiculous turbo lag, but it doesn't have a turbo. The interior is still nice, but little things here and there are not as nice (or missing such as the armrest) as the TDI or GTI. How the TDI gets that kind of mileage out of a car that feels that sporty is beyond me. People report normal cruising mileage in town of 40-45 and highway 45-55. A mileage test on youtube with the Prius and Ford Focus Eco and the TDI yielded the Focus Eco at 35mpg mixed driving, the Prius at about 40mpg (didn't pay too much attention since I'm not interested in a Prius) and the TDI winning with 42mpg. 42mpg in mixed driving is damn nice.

I'll save CPO for another time. Right now I want new, and while I know it's a mistake, it's a mistake everyone should make once, I think. It's nice to have a brand new car where you didn't inherit any problems from a previous owner.

I think I've tossed the CR-Z since I'm not a fan of the rubber band effect, and the TDI gets as good or better mileage, though it is still more expensive. The TDI looks nicer. I always thought the CR-Z looked a bit off, but it was not bad.

I think right now I'm settled on the TDI, I just need to figure out when to buy. Now or wait for next model that is probably at least a year and at most 2 years away. The TDI matches all my criteria: smaller, sporty, efficient, semi-luxurious interior, quiet at highway speeds, firm but not punishing ride.

Went by my bank this morning to get loan pre-approval so that's all taken care of. Gonna conference with the parents this weekend then show them the car early next week.
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DaveBSC

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #78 on: June 16, 2012, 03:33:00 PM »
Understood. The "certified" process is supposed to minimize the chances of major problems appearing but they can still happen. I had a couple of fairly minor issues early on that were all covered under warranty. Since then it's just been maintenance and wear items (brakes, torn CV boot).

Of course new cars can also be major headaches. Probably the most common issue I see with brand new cars is oil consumption. Sometimes you just get unlucky and there's really nothing you can do about it, as most manufacturers consider a quart per thousand miles or even less to be "within spec", and will refuse to do anything.
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Maxvla

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Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.
« Reply #79 on: June 17, 2012, 04:54:41 PM »
Last night I damn near talked myself out of buying anything at all. It doesn't make any rational sense, I just want something new, but the cost is stretching just a bit too far. The TDI Golf is $27k + tag/title/tax. I can't find any of these cars in this body style (2010+) for sale anywhere with a 4 door and auto, so buying it used isn't even an option. I might look at a few other options out there (Honda Fit, etc), but so far nothing I've found really even begins to compare with the Golf TDI.

I should just keep what I have, I like it, and there's no real problems with it, and it's paid off. It has some blemishes I don't like, which sucks, but again it's paid off.

Arg....
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