Used VW TDIs a good buy now?

[NetWareHead]

I have a 2009 VW Jetta TDI and we are considering a new car for my fiance. She has always admired my car and wondering if a used TDI would be a good choice considering the emissions scandal.

We are not really concerned with the lower resale value of the car; we buy cars and drive them into the ground so that point is moot.

We see the scandal as perhaps a buying opportunity where TDI owners have a harder time selling these vehicles.

We are a little apprehensive since we dont know how VW will fix this emissions issue. Im hoping I can keep my performance and MPG. Last resort, I'll turn to a tuner and chip my engine if need be.

I dont have any plans on getting rid of the car and any plans VW has may affect my car anyway... so doubling down and getting a second TDI might not be much worse.

 

[Jimzz]

The biggest issue outside of resale is what the fix will do to the car. How much lose of performance/mileage will it take? Let alone will it require more maintaince and/or make it more unreliable.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wouldn't touch one. Not sure what state you live in but you won't be able to register here in California until VW fixes the emissions issue.

 

[desy]

Yep prices have plummeted at auction so if you like the car you should be able to find a deal

 

[DeviousTrap]

I agree, I wouldn't be that scared of them either. They're currently reliable and can be registered in any state except CA. Even if the fix ruins MPG or is invasive in some way, it's a used car. Just reflash it.

Or if a lease is an option, there's screaming deals on Passats for current owners. http://leasehackr.com/blog/2015/10/...-vw-right-now-hint-passat-for-124month-0-down

 

[KeithP]

I would be curious what owner would sell their car at this stage?

Without knowing what the fix will entail and without knowing what, if any, compensation VW will offer I would think it would be extremely foolish to dump one of the affected vehicles now.

-KeithP

 

[thedarkwolf]

Are the non-affected cars also taking a big hit in depreciation? You could always just go with a 2008 or older jetta/golf or a 2013 or older Passat and avoid the problem. I'm hoping my old 2004 tdi isn't getting hit but even if it is I paid way under what it was worth when I bought it and I'm not planning on selling anyway.

 

[desura]

Besides being socially irresponsible and nihilistic, I would bet that they wouldn't be able to pass annual emissions tests.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I would be curious what owner would sell their car at this stage?

-KeithP

The eco nuts that couldn't in good conscience drive the car ever again.

 

[cbrsurfr]

Besides being socially irresponsible and nihilistic, I would bet that they wouldn't be able to pass annual emissions tests.

Not all states/counties have emissions testing. I live in Kane county IL and the county next to me (Dekalb) doesn't do emissions testing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The eco nuts that couldn't in good conscience drive the car ever again.

I've talked to a number of owners of this car. Quite a few of them are eco nuts.

The fix will most certainly affect performance and fuel economy in a negative way which will pretty much negate the advantage of buying this car in the first place.

 

[skyking]

I disagree. I think the impact of the final fix will be far less severe than people imagine. If only VAG had used the same energies to make it right to begin with .....F'n tools!

 

[NutBucket]

Besides being socially irresponsible and nihilistic, I would bet that they wouldn't be able to pass annual emissions tests.

The government isn't going to penalize owners when it is completely out of their control. Not even socialist CA would do that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I disagree. I think the impact of the final fix will be far less severe than people imagine. If only VAG had used the same energies to make it right to begin with .....F'n tools!

Everything I've read seems to come to the same conclusion, that it will be pretty severe.

Arguably the quickest and cheapest fix here would be for the automaker to simply re-flash the cars’ onboard computers to operate full-time in what is now their “test mode,” which allows them to pass emissions exams, but would probably degrade the four-cylinder turbodiesel engines’ quick V6-like acceleration and frugal fuel economy (as much as 46 mpg on the highway for the Passat TDI) in the process.

You sure about that?

The government isn't going to penalize owners when it is completely out of their control. Not even socialist CA would do that.

While the federal government can force automakers to recall cars for safety-related and other defects, owners are not required to actually have such problems corrected. Federal law prohibits auto dealers from selling new (but not used) cars that are subject to an unresolved recall, but that’s it.


That burden could fall into the hands of individual states. California – where around 14 percent of the 482,000 affected compact VW and Audi diesel-powered cars are registered – would be most likely to force owners to get their TDIs fixed as a prerequisite for registration. California already has the strictest emissions laws in the nation, not to mention a predilection for smog, so the notion that nearly 67,500 vehicles are running loose on the state’s freeways spewing 10-40 times more pollutants into the atmosphere than is otherwise allowed probably won’t sit well with regulators.


We’d guess TDI owners in California would be required to show proof that their cars were brought to standards before allowing them to be re-registered to a subsequent buyer within the state. It’s also possible the state could withhold license plate renewal under condition the cars are repaired, but that could require additional legislation and become a bureaucratic nightmare.

 

[tweakmonkey]

The government isn't going to penalize owners when it is completely out of their control. Not even socialist CA would do that.

Of course most states are going to make people update the software and emissions. You really think they'll allow these cars to be driven like this forever? They'll either be forced to update them or buy them back. And the EPA, every state DMV, CARB etc. can be easily block registration on these vehicles until this recall is made.

 

[NutBucket]

My point being you'd be able to register the car provided the recall is performed....then reflash to your heart's content. But until a recall is issued you'll still be able to register the car.

 

[desura]

My point being you'd be able to register the car provided the recall is performed....then reflash to your heart's content. But until a recall is issued you'll still be able to register the car.

That's a shitty thing to do though. And not really necessary...there are plenty of cars out there that have good power and meet emissions standards.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Ehh, I would avoid it because its a VW. But I am generally biased against German cars.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My point being you'd be able to register the car provided the recall is performed....then reflash to your heart's content. But until a recall is issued you'll still be able to register the car.

You'd still have to smog it every 2 years.

 

[NutBucket]

Then flash it back. Besides, current smog tests in CA cannot detect a reflash (assuming it's done properly)

 

[tweakmonkey]

Yeah hopefully everyone cheats on their emissions and we all die of lung cancer. That would be awesome.

 

[MtnMan]

Besides being socially irresponsible and nihilistic, I would bet that they wouldn't be able to pass annual emissions tests.

My gas powered vehicles must pass safety and emissions test every year. My diesel, only safety.

 

[NutBucket]

In CA diesels are subject to emissions testing.

 

[jlee]

In CA diesels are subject to emissions testing.

They are in AZ as well.

 

[Dice144]

Yeah hopefully everyone cheats on their emissions and we all die of lung cancer. That would be awesome.

Farming produces more harmful "emissions" than cars. So do multiple other sources. Granted I love food!