Can you help my dad and I buy a car?

[Danoff]

I don't think I'd call a TDI Jetta unreliable. Around here it is uncommon to see them with less than 200K miles and from all the research I've done on them the only real problems on them are the automatic transmissions. If you get one with a manual and you maintain it they will last a long, long time.

I'm basing that on only two things - a family member had a recent Golf and complained bitterly about it, and VW has been lumped in with Audi as just an overall unreliable manufacturer (Porsche notwithstanding).

 

[Parker]

I'm basing that on only two things - a family member had a recent Golf and complained bitterly about it, and VW has been lumped in with Audi as just an overall unreliable manufacturer (Porsche notwithstanding).

The gasoline Volkswagen may have some problems but apart from a few electrical problems (which I admit can be very annoying) I've always found the diesel Volkswagens to be very reliable vehicles. My soon to be sister in law bought one brand new in '12 and she loves hers. With over 100K miles on it all she has done is basic maintenance. I also know quite a few people with late '90s diesel Jettas and they get over 50mpg and have well over 300K miles on them.

Like I said, I don't have experience with the gasoline VW's but I do with the diesels and I'd be perfectly comfortable purchasing one with over 200K miles on it, provided it has been maintained and passes my initial inspection.

 

[Danoff]

The gasoline Volkswagen may have some problems but apart from a few electrical problems (which I admit can be very annoying) I've always found the diesel Volkswagens to be very reliable vehicles. My soon to be sister in law bought one brand new in '12 and she loves hers. With over 100K miles on it all she has done is basic maintenance. I also know quite a few people with late '90s diesel Jettas and they get over 50mpg and have well over 300K miles on them.

Like I said, I don't have experience with the gasoline VW's but I do with the diesels and I'd be perfectly comfortable purchasing one with over 200K miles on it, provided it has been maintained and passes my initial inspection.

JD power gives the Jetta very poor reliability marks... the lowest score they give, that's for all of the recent model years. I didn't go back deep into the history.

 

[Pako]

E46 330i, you don't need the xi unless you think you'll actually have so much snow that you'll get stuck and need AWD to pull you out. Mine does just fine in colorado winters as RWD with snow tires. There are no cars on your list that compare well:


Saab 9 - It's fine, but comeon.
Audi A6 2.7-Unreliable
Audi A4 2.0-Unreliable
BMW 325Xi- Get the 330
BMW 330Xi-Unnecessary X will cost gas mileage and a little extra maintenance
BMW 325i-Get the 330
BMW 330i-This one
Honda CRX-Oh jeez.
Honda Civic Si-RSX would be a better choice
VW Jetta TDI-Unreliable
VW Passat-Unreliable
Ford Focus Estate-I don't like the fords. I don't think I've driven the latest focus, but I have driven the latest fusion (which I believe is much more reliable) and no.
Acura Legend coupe-Interesting, but it's not the 330
Subaru Legacy GT-Ugly
MazdaSpeed6-I can't see a good reason to choose this over the 330
Mitsubishi 3000GT-I've always hated these cars

So what are you trying to say?

 

[Beeblebrox237]

E46 330i, you don't need the xi unless you think you'll actually have so much snow that you'll get stuck and need AWD to pull you out. Mine does just fine in colorado winters as RWD with snow tires. There are no cars on your list that compare well:


Audi A6 2.7-Unreliable
Audi A4 2.0-Unreliable
VW Jetta TDI-Unreliable
VW Passat-Unreliable

I hear mixed things about VW/Audi, from what I can tell they're alright if maintained perfectly but they'll still have little issues.

BMW 325Xi- Get the 330
BMW 330Xi-Unnecessary X will cost gas mileage and a little extra maintenance
BMW 325i-Get the 330
BMW 330i-This one

I see. To be honest the 325 is actually a better option for us since my dad doesn't need/want that much power and the 325 is marginally cheaper to run.

Ford Focus Estate-I don't like the fords. I don't think I've driven the latest focus, but I have driven the latest fusion (which I believe is much more reliable) and no.

FYI, it's a first generation model.

Subaru Legacy GT-Ugly

I love the looks of that generation of legacy, but that's just me.

Mitsubishi 3000GT-I've always hated these cars

I've never been a big fan either, to be honest, but I'm open to it.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Xilor]

I hear mixed things about VW/Audi, from what I can tell they're alright if maintained perfectly but they'll still have little issues.

The problem with that gen. of Jetta and Passat is that they were assembled in Mexico to extremely low standards. The TDI versions were marginally better because the engine itself was assembled in Germany and shipped to Mexico in a box, IIRC. However I'd still be vary of one, unless you manage to find a really basic model with a manual gearbox, crank windows, manual locks, etc. But either way, a Diesel VW is going to be VERY slow, at least compared to the other cars you're considering.

The Audis on the other hand are fine. I know a lot of people who have, or have had an A4/A6 of what vintage, and all of them were very happy with the reliability. I think most of the bad talk about Audi reliability comes from the vocal minority who don't take care of their cars properly and then blame it on the manufacturer, as always. They're solid cars.

FYI, it's a first generation model.

They're ok cars but they're a bit slow. That Impreza RS I posted on the first page would be a more interesting option, IMO.

 

[et_]

I have no idea what car prices are like in the US so I dont have much to say here. but: it sounds like he is looking for a cheap reliable commuter, for quite long trips, at highway speed, and that excludes almost all car below 1300kg and truth is the germans ar far, far, far ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to sound isolation and ride comfort. go with mercedes, BMW, audi or VW. If you where is sweden I'd reccomend a VW passat year model '05 and newer.

If it also needs to be a bit of fun you should go for BMW 3 or 5 series. But none of the ones you linked seems any good to me...

 

[Beeblebrox237]

So, uh, quick update. It turns out my dad is even more insane than I thought. He's now decided he wants to go buy a new car instead of worry about the awful used market in the US. So he's looking at the Mazda3, and I suggested the Fiesta ST to him (I haven't heard back yet). We'll see what happens, but odds are that I'll be able to test drive some myself when I get back . I love car shopping.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

So my dad looked at some cars and gave me a surprisngly good write up.

First, the Mazda3.

Mazda 3, reasonable. Your mother and I both test drove, and both felt it lacked zip. Not bad, but less responsive than the Fit. Quite affordable, about $19k. Trunk space is ok, but not as large as the Elantra. Attractive car. Softish suspension. Not as squishy as the Elantra, but not as firm as the Fit.

So you can tell he wants a firm, sporty car with good power and throttle response...

So he test drove a Civic Si.

Honda Civic Si (used). Not an option, as the car smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. Its hard to get rid of that. However, I test drove it. Very nice. Very responsive, good power, good handling. Larger trunk that the Mazda. Very nice size. Ample legroom in back seats. Your mother did not drive, but could tell how it felt and really liked it. The dealership had 2 new ones listed on their web site, but both had been sold.

This would be a 2013 model, I believe.

He also likes the CR-Z, or did...

Honda CRZ EX. Used. At an independent used car dealer. Dirty, sticky and grimy (amazing that they didn't clean it). Slight cigarette smoke smell. I test drove it, surprisingly even in sport mode seemed lacking in power. We weren't serious about it given the condition, but according to your mother it also made odd noises (she had her window open and could hear something). Not a lot of miles, about 40k.

I think those odd noises were probably the hybrid system, but I'm not sure, sounds like it was a rough example.

So he's very keen on the Si.

Tomorrow, going to check on Civic Si's in the area, to see if any actually exist. 2 used and 1 new listed on dealer web sites. Unfortunately, they take premium fuel. I think you'd be vastly more impressed with the Si than the Mazda 3. Its an apples to oranges comparison though.

Re: Fiesta ST:

Fiesta? Why not the sporty version of the Focus (ST?) I think they aren't much cheaper than the Civic Si though if I remember correctly.

Hmm. I'm going to urge him to look at the Focus ST and Golf GTi.

 

[Parker]

He should test drive a Mazdaspeed 3. I think he'd like it.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I think so too, but...

He bought a car today! He went for a brand new 2014 Honda Civic Si. He really is a Honda fan, but at his age he's not a fanboy, just someone who likes the way they drive. I look forward to driving it this summer, I'm sure it'll be fun.

 

[Mikeybc]

I think your dad made a smart buy. You can't really go wrong with a Honda, plus when it's time to sell it he'll l appreciate the lower than average rate of depreciation.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I was looking on the Honda website, it's really well kitted out! Apparently it's got satnav, full infotainment system, a few performance toys, and of course the lovely Honda 6 speed manual.