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Questions about buying a used VW from a Dealer

G

gordita

Golden Member
My wife is hell bent on buying either a used beetle or a Jetta as her replacement for her '91 Civic.
We checked out a couple of dealers in the vicinity and here are some of the sticker prices on them:

2001 manual, silver Beetle GLS 2.0 with sunroof and 18000 miles : $14000

2000 manual, silver Beetle GLS 2.0 with sunroof and 25000 miles : $12000

2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS, silver, manual with 31000 miles: $14000

now, where do I research for the *right* prices and value on these cars assuming we want to buy one of them.
These are all VW CPO vehicles with the dealer 2yr/24000 warranty [whatever that means].
What is the process I should follow to get these prices down to my level......$10k-$11k [cash down]

any help would be appreciated and please let me know if there are known problems/issues with the 2000 and 2001 VW cars.

Thanks
 
I would try for a private sale, although warranty will not be as good. A good compromise is a place like carmax. Still higher prices than private, but cheaper than a dealer. Search autotrader a lot to give you an idea of what these should cost.

In regards to known problems/issues, VW of that vintage are significantly below average in terms of reliability and dependability. That's a known fact that even many VW fanboys will not argue too much (although I'm sure somebody will take issue with my statement, it's backed up in consumer reports, jd power, and ample anecdotal evidence I've seen here).

If you don't want this VW show your wife this and she may sing a different song.
 
Boy did you ask the wrong bunch o nerds...

The VW fanboys are all bruised & bleeding on the side of the road in OT from the frequent beatings.

As far as negotiating, Kelly blue Book will give you some prices.
 
My wife was hell bent on buying a fvcking minivan. Guess what? She didn't get her first choice, because I do as many of the repairs on our cars as possible, and I didn't want to have to deal with a frail-fvcking-FWD-minivan!

I assume you're buying a CPO in hopes of having the dealer do repairs for you under some kind of warranty. From what I've read here about experiences with VW dealers... GOOD LUCK! From what I've read about VW dependability... GOOD LUCK!

Put all your effort into changing her mind, and if you can't, just step back and let her handle ALL aspects of this purchase, including the research, financing and haggling. When the car fvcks up, one thing after another, she'll have no one else to blame.
 
If you do get one with a warranty, you MUST make sure that it's a MANUFACTURER Warranty and not a DEALER Warranty. Otherwise VW has nothing to do with it and only that specific dealership can do anything so you have no recourse if you think you are being treated unfairly or anything like that...
 
Thats alot for that jetta, i got my 2k jetta used with 39k miles for $8100 including taxes.
 
Phocas: That was my reaction too.....$13-$14k for the problematic jettas is too much.

I'm really trying to change my wife's mind about buying a VW but she won't budge.
I drive a 2002 Honda CRV LX and that car is everything that I had hoped for and have already put about 42k miles on it and I love it to death.

our budget is around $12k (though I would like to stay around $10k) and she is struggling with her choices.

we considered a 2004 focus ZX5 or ZX3, mazda3 (this car is nice but I can't buy them used just yet), matrix (overpriced and don't see many used), jetta, beetle.

she hates the usual civic, corolla,sentra and elantra models and finds them too *boring* and I can't seem to change her mind at all, so I've given up hope.

I've never owned a focus and find its value for $$$ appealing but people balk when I mention the word 'ford' and it seems that the quality control issues still haven't been worked out in the 2004 models.A brand new ZX5/ZX3 can be had for under $12k and that is extremely appealing but I guess it dosen't make sense if the car is at the garage most of the time.

anymore suggestions are welcome....
 
I'd do a CPO Audi, but I wouldn't do a CPO VW. Now, this is coming from an Audi owner, but VW dealers suck compared to Audi dealers. VW's do have some problems, so if you do get one make sure all recall work is done first(including coilpacks) and ask people you know if the dealer is worth a damn. German cars are expensive and if VW hassles you about covering a problem then you could be in for much more than the 12 you want to pay. I'd certainly buy CPO if you can however. One other thing to add: Take your time and look around. Not only that but both of you need to drive the car. Just be careful. I love my Audi and German interiors and the feel of it, but they are expensive to maintain and VW has had some problems over the past few years. Good luck.
 
would the NADA book be a good place to start to determine the true value of a used car?
I know my credit union keeps the book.
I think its a well known fact that the KBB is pretty useless for the buyers and heavily favors the seller.

I'm just trying to get an idea as to how low would a dealer go if he's selling a $13-$14k car...........10%, 15%,20%.....and what research would make him reduce his prices...

gracias
 
I went from a fully loaded Focus to my Jetta, I must say that i really love my car now. I have put close to 3-4k on it since i got it without any issues. Some do have problems but I am happy with the money that i spent on mine. The only gripe i have is that i got one with beige interior, which i have to keep clean.
 
Originally posted by: gordita
would the NADA book be a good place to start to determine the true value of a used car?
I know my credit union keeps the book.
I think its a well known fact that the KBB is pretty useless for the buyers and heavily favors the seller.

I'm just trying to get an idea as to how low would a dealer go if he's selling a $13-$14k car...........10%, 15%,20%.....and what research would make him reduce his prices...

gracias
Click to expand...

Try out Edmund's TMV. It seems to be pretty good and it will tell you the value of a CPO too.
 
Mitsubishi 339
Hyundai 342
Isuzu 368
Volkswagen 378
Suzuki 403
Daewoo 421
Kia 509

Ouch!

Worse than Mitsubishi, Hyundai, & Isuz8, & barely better than Suzuki & Daewoo.

At least they beat Kia by a significant margin.

😀

Viper GTS
 
well, i just bought a 2000 audi a4 with 40k miles for $13,200. total with a little paint/body (bumper) work it needed and tax i spent about $14000
 
Originally posted by: Blieb
this is grounds for divorce.
Click to expand...

hehe...good one.
but sometimes, it just pays to sit quite and let the problematic car teach her a lesson.....rather than me take a beating for not agreeing with her choices.....
I even asked her gf's to talk her out of it, didn't work....
 
Although I wouldn't recommend a Jetta my advice would be to get a preapproved loan from your bank. Then buy from a private party. First off the "dealer" warranty offered is useless and is only a selling strategy. This warranty overlaps the Volkswagen bumper to bumper warranty of 4 years / 50000 miles which is transferrable. Meaning there actually is no "dealer" warranty because all claims would be made under the Volkswagen warranty. Secondly your bank is most likely to have the lower interest rate and will not "hold points". In general the F&I manager is given a "call" from" the bank. In this call sheet there is the base percentage rate. Depending on your credit the F&I manager is allowed to "hold" points meaning he adds points to your interest rates and the dealership gets to keep all or some of the extra money made. Lastly most cars being sold by private parties are being sold because they were not offered enough in trade at a dealership. These cars are just as good as used cars on the dealer lot and carry the same warranty but will usually have less miles andin a lot of cases will be in better condition. Most used cars on dealer lots come from auctions and trade ins and you will know nothing of their history. Most private sellers will be the original owners and will be more likely to give you insight into the car. They usually are more willing to come off the price also. Dealers will lower the price on new cars quicker because of incentives, rebates, and hold back. Most dealers make money on the used cars and practically give the new ones away.Do your research with nada, kelley, and carfax, get a good rate from your bank, and shop until you find the perfect car.
 
Originally posted by: gordita
Originally posted by: Blieb
this is grounds for divorce.
Click to expand...

hehe...good one.
but sometimes, it just pays to sit quite and let the problematic car teach her a lesson.....rather than me take a beating for not agreeing with her choices.....
I even asked her gf's to talk her out of it, didn't work....
Click to expand...

It pays as long as the $$ is coming out of her pocket

 
Originally posted by: fredtam
Although I wouldn't recommend a Jetta my advice would be to get a preapproved loan from your bank. Then buy from a private party. First off the "dealer" warranty offered is useless and is only a selling strategy. This warranty overlaps the Volkswagen bumper to bumper warranty of 4 years / 50000 miles which is transferrable. Meaning there actually is no "dealer" warranty because all claims would be made under the Volkswagen warranty. Secondly your bank is most likely to have the lower interest rate and will not "hold points". In general the F&I manager is given a "call" from" the bank. In this call sheet there is the base percentage rate. Depending on your credit the F&I manager is allowed to "hold" points meaning he adds points to your interest rates and the dealership gets to keep all or some of the extra money made. Lastly most cars being sold by private parties are being sold because they were not offered enough in trade at a dealership. These cars are just as good as used cars on the dealer lot and carry the same warranty but will usually have less miles andin a lot of cases will be in better condition. Most used cars on dealer lots come from auctions and trade ins and you will know nothing of their history. Most private sellers will be the original owners and will be more likely to give you insight into the car. They usually are more willing to come off the price also. Dealers will lower the price on new cars quicker because of incentives, rebates, and hold back. Most dealers make money on the used cars and practically give the new ones away.Do your research with nada, kelley, and carfax, get a good rate from your bank, and shop until you find the perfect car.
Click to expand...


where can I get my hands on a nada book....maybe the local credit union?
 
can I do this deal over the phone/email or do I have to go in person to negotiate lower prices...
I hate going into car dealerships........they are like spiderwebs....

 
I don't know if you put much stock in Consumer Reports, but if you do, they specifically list the Jetta and Beetle as two of the least reliable small cars in the entire auto industry. Link
I would SERIOUSLY consider convincing her to get something (anything) else before either of those two cars.

If she HAS to have a used VW, I'd definitely get a Passat before anything else, even if I had to go older.
 
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