Convince me that I don't want a Golf GTI

[zinfamous]

Even if you are driving X car into the ground, why wouldn't you avoid the new car's first 2 years depreciation hit if you could? Even as an AT forums baller, that's still money saved in your pocket.

I don't find Edmunds TCO numbers very accurate at all, but they are indexed to 15k annual miles (double what I drive). Ignoring actual miles that you drive, if we just accept the Edmunds numbers as linked by JCH13, you're losing $9k or 29% of the initial cash price over the first two years.

(At varying rates of depreciation,) This is pretty much true for all new cars. SUVs/light trucks are in high consumer demand and don't depreciate as rapidly as "passenger cars." A few cars like the Honda Accord also depreciate slowly compared to average, in which case I would consider buying brand new.

Frankly I'm a bit surprised Edmunds projects you lose only 54% over 5 years. You'll lose that much over 39 months in many German luxury sedans. What's ironic is those who say well that's why you lease a German luxury car, to avoid depreciation.

Oh, I definitely would. That's why a patiently wait for one of those 1.5-2 year old "used" vehicles that shows up with sub-30k miles on it. problem is...these local dealerships have prices all over the place right now. Some are showing SE-Autobahn Trim, new 2018 or 2019, at similar prices to used vehicles at the same age. I don't know what to think about that. (for example--the mileage comparison between those wouldn't matter for me, because I would never match the mileage limit on that warranty, with the same amount of years left. ....the warranty would effectively be the same for me on a 2 year car with 30k miles and a 2 year car with 100 miles.

 

[zinfamous]

Most interesting cars are expensive to maintain or service ....
I really like the GTI. I don't want to row through the gears during my hour+ sitting in stop and go traffic, so a Dual Clutch seems like the best choice instead of a medicre torque converter or a garbage CVT for when I get to the open road. I think the GTI has a decent power to weight ratio, and acceptable fuel economy too. It's very reasonable, and yet has a fun playful soul.

Not helping, brodawg.

because see that all sounds reasonable when I see these prices:

car

car

The 2nd one ticks every box for me except the color. But I could maybe live with that. Wait, no I can't

 

[zinfamous]

Oh I get it: you guys are hoping this turns into a "I man-whored myself for 6 months so that I could purchase a car with terrible reliability" thread.

 

[manly]

Oh, I definitely would. That's why a patiently wait for one of those 1.5-2 year old "used" vehicles that shows up with sub-30k miles on it. problem is...these local dealerships have prices all over the place right now. Some are showing SE-Autobahn Trim, new 2018 or 2019, at similar prices to used vehicles at the same age. I don't know what to think about that. (for example--the mileage comparison between those wouldn't matter for me, because I would never match the mileage limit on that warranty, with the same amount of years left. ....the warranty would effectively be the same for me on a 2 year car with 30k miles and a 2 year car with 100 miles.

Well, not to encourage your pursuit of something you don't need, but you can wait until the stealerships price those lightly used cars to reality.

I'll disagree a little bit about mileage. Two years ago, I bought a higher mileage CPO car: 43k miles at 38 months. That was pretty much at the upper limit of my comfort zone, and I did it only because everything else made sense and I still had 34 months of warranty to fall back on. You're right that for warranty purposes, 30k or 300 miles won't make a difference to you. But what does matter (and unfortunately is unknowable) is how those 30k miles were driven? If the lessor beat the shit out of the drivetrain, you and I certainly would avoid it if we knew.

I later determined that the 43k miles on my car were probably heavily weighted towards highway cruising. The onboard computer showed avg fuel mileage of 30 mpg (EPA rating 23/33/27) so I lucked out a bit. The balance of the CPO warranty ends in 8 months, and as of now I'm leaning against getting an extended warranty.

Oh I get it: you guys are hoping this turns into a "I man-whored myself for 6 months so that I could purchase a car with terrible reliability" thread.

You've got the order reversed. First you buy the car, then it turns into a money pit a few years later, then the man whoring begins.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Not helping, brodawg.

because see that all sounds reasonable when I see these prices:

car

car

The 2nd one ticks every box for me except the color. But I could maybe live with that. Wait, no I can't

I'm not sure you can live without color.

A friend at work used to have a 2004 WRX which was World Rally Blue. His 2017 WRX that he recently got is nice, faster, gets like 25-30mpg, 6 speed vs his old 5 speed, blablabla ... but, it's WHITE ... just looks so boring

Now, every day, he cries himself to sleep at night because he misses his blue car.

 

[BurnItDwn]

The sun is far away
It goes in circles

Someone dies
Someone lives

In Pain

It is burning
Into the thin air

Of the nature

Of a culture

On the dark side
Under the moon
The wolves gather



Listen to Ulver, let the meloncholy take over, and then you won't feel like you need to buy a new car, what you have is what you will keep forever and ever and ever.

 

[pauldun170]

Oh I get it: you guys are hoping this turns into a "I man-whored myself for 6 months so that I could purchase a car with terrible reliability" thread.

Reminds me of a certain thread


https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/yaddt-miata-cooper-s-cr-z-prius.2511353/
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/yaddt-miata-cooper-s-cr-z-prius.2511353/page-7#post-39714637

 

[pauldun170]

It's like Subaru owners.
"Those issues only happen on years (pick random year) through (current year minus 5 years).
You can put on a calendar when they mention wheel bearings and head gaskets...mumble mumble oil consumption mumble mumble.
In their defense, they usually wait until the 100K mark until the big bills hit.

Wheel bearings $0 under warranty
Head Gasket ... $3000ish at around 125K (2008 forester)

Car never left me stranded

Close enough

 

[BurnItDwn]

Close enough

There was also distributor problems around 90K, so when doing them also had them do the timing belt a bit "early" ...
That was another $500 or so of unexpected/unplanned repairs.
Also, compressor failed and needed to replace the seals for the AC, and had the starter replaced and had them replace the shifter assembly and cable due to rust ....

It's on it's 2nd set of tires since I bought it used, my mechanic thinks the tires I put on at 90K still have another 10-20k miles on them yet.
Brakes get a good 30-40k miles on pads in front, and the rear drum brakes had around 115k on them before I replaced them.

I'm not claiming it's a cheap car, I'm simply stating the fact that it got me to the shop or a gas station under it's own power every/any time it had trouble.

The Head gasket pissed me off.
I don't like the "slow response" laggy 4 speed auto in it. (but it works)
No oil consumption
Steering rack leaks though

 

[IronWing]

Not helping, brodawg.

because see that all sounds reasonable when I see these prices:

car

car

The 2nd one ticks every box for me except the color. But I could maybe live with that. Wait, no I can't

Isn't that price a bit high for a used four door Rabbit?

Edit: My 1979 Rabbit got better mileage.

 

[pauldun170]

There was also distributor problems around 90K, so when doing them also had them do the timing belt a bit "early" ...
That was another $500 or so of unexpected/unplanned repairs.
Also, compressor failed and needed to replace the seals for the AC, and had the starter replaced and had them replace the shifter assembly and cable due to rust ....

It's on it's 2nd set of tires since I bought it used, my mechanic thinks the tires I put on at 90K still have another 10-20k miles on them yet.
Brakes get a good 30-40k miles on pads in front, and the rear drum brakes had around 115k on them before I replaced them.

I'm not claiming it's a cheap car, I'm simply stating the fact that it got me to the shop or a gas station under it's own power every/any time it had trouble.

The Head gasket pissed me off.
I don't like the "slow response" laggy 4 speed auto in it. (but it works)
No oil consumption
Steering rack leaks though

I believe they refer to that as "character".
Makes them loveable.

20 years from now, long after you sell it.
You are going to tell someone...

"Great car...wish I never sold it."

 

[BurnItDwn]

I believe they refer to that as "character".
Makes them loveable.

20 years from now, long after you sell it.
You are going to tell someone...

"Great car...wish I never sold it."

I don't plan to sell it, but, I will give it to a family member at some point if they are in need, otherwise, I will hang on to it for the foreseeable future. I have an 18 year old cousin who will be graduating from High school in June, he has takens some auto shop classes, and would probably be able to take care of it on his own for a long time. I've already told my Aunt that cousin can take the car if/when he is ready and has a stable income to cover insurance, gas, etc ...

 

[zinfamous]

I'm not sure you can live without color.

A friend at work used to have a 2004 WRX which was World Rally Blue. His 2017 WRX that he recently got is nice, faster, gets like 25-30mpg, 6 speed vs his old 5 speed, blablabla ... but, it's WHITE ... just looks so boring

Now, every day, he cries himself to sleep at night because he misses his blue car.

I agree, white and red are the last colors I would want. I'm trying to find a proper iron blue.

Isn't that price a bit high for a used four door Rabbit?

Edit: My 1979 Rabbit got better mileage.

heh, well today's Rabbit exists as a new limited trim ...only on the 2019 models I think. It sits between S and SE (basically has special wheels and a rabbit badge on the back, 2 special colors, but the rest is kinda stock...which isn't a bad thing for this car, performance wise).

SE and Autobahn are the top two trims. Those prices are really low for slightly-used Autobahns of that age--so I'm wondering what is missing in the trim package or what happened to those cars.

 

[zinfamous]

Reminds me of a certain thread


https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/yaddt-miata-cooper-s-cr-z-prius.2511353/
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/yaddt-miata-cooper-s-cr-z-prius.2511353/page-7#post-39714637

Yeah, but I'm not a true masochist. @Ns1 is a great guy and all, but he's also the type of guy that can't decide between whether owning a Mini Cooper or consuming bulk bull penis is going to make him happiest in life.

 

[thilanliyan]

Only if you know that it's worth a shit, ie. they'll honour the warranty in good faith.

My brother bought a used Audi. It has a problem whereby every approx. 6 months it has guzzled all the engine oil. It's a known problem with that model. Audi refuse to honour the warranty because it doesn't have a full service history. I could understand it if the lack of full service history became relevant by Audi finding that at least part of the reason for the problem in that particular Audi is because it hasn't been properly maintained, but nope, they started out with the refusal.

About 5 yrs ago I bought a used Lexus GS350 directly from a Lexus dealer, but with a warranty from a 3rd party (sold by the dealer). 1st issue that popped up (sticking rear brake caliper) and they refused to fix it for the same reason (no record of prior service). At least the dealer picked up half the tab. Needless to say I have been very careful about warranties since then.

As for VW, they're not known for reliability so I wouldn't keep it passed the warranty. My mom's 2008 Jetta had several major issues...thankfully she traded it in recently.

 

[Insomniator]

For 3K miles a year who cares about maintenance costs. You can get aftermarket warranties when the existing one runs out if you are that afraid. GTI's are awesome, get out of your nerd-mobile.

 

[zinfamous]

For 3K miles a year who cares about maintenance costs. You can get aftermarket warranties when the existing one runs out if you are that afraid. GTI's are awesome, get out of your nerd-mobile.

You just might be the worst offender in this thread.

 

[Midwayman]

FWIW when I start thinking about a new car I ask myself if I'd rather retire a year or two earlier or have that car. Old car works fine. New ones don't bring substantial new functionality or reduce running costs enough to justify depreciation.

 

[IronWing]

FWIW when I start thinking about a new car I ask myself if I'd rather retire a year or two earlier or have that car. Old car works fine. New ones don't bring substantial new functionality or reduce running costs enough to justify depreciation.

But the new cars will read the speed limit signs for you. This should eliminate speeding because the signs were the issue.

 

[Midwayman]

But the new cars will read the speed limit signs for you. This should eliminate speeding because the signs were the issue.

Heh. I'm waiting until we have at least level 3 self driving. All that autostop/lane holding stuff doesn't interest me if I can't let the car drive and watch some porn educational videos on the way to work.

 

[IronWing]

I agree, white and red are the last colors I would want. I'm trying to find a proper iron blue.




heh, well today's Rabbit exists as a new limited trim ...only on the 2019 models I think. It sits between S and SE (basically has special wheels and a rabbit badge on the back, 2 special colors, but the rest is kinda stock...which isn't a bad thing for this car, performance wise).

SE and Autobahn are the top two trims. Those prices are really low for slightly-used Autobahns of that age--so I'm wondering what is missing in the trim package or what happened to those cars.

My Rabbit cost me $300. You're getting taken.

 

[zinfamous]

Crap, things are getting cheaper, and damn it this one is also a new model. I don't want a new model...but this is cheaper than a lot of 1-2 yr old used models, with this trim. ...and I'm kinda coming back around to manual again. Because eff it.

One more week folks...just one more week and I'll stop thinking about it. maybe. ...a friend of my neighbors across the street dropped by for a visit briefly, parking their ~2017 mk7 GTI in front of the house. They are somewhat rare around here, and seeing the damn thing had me biting my knuckles.

Just one more week. Say, can someone call my electrician to get them to come out and consult on my kitchen? I seem to have lost the will to do it.

 

[zinfamous]

My Rabbit cost me $300. You're getting taken.

No one has taken me, yet!

 

[JCH13]

They are somewhat rare around here, and seeing the damn thing had me biting my knuckles.

... what else have you driven in the hot-hatch segment?

 

[NutBucket]

I have a lead on 2018 for sale. Blue, DSG, 500 miles on it. This one, actually: