Used VW TDIs a good buy now?

[oiprocs]

I owe $12.7k on my 2011 Jetta
I KBB'd it to be ~$7k
103k miles
Automatic

I need a different car anyway and can't figure out what to do with this one. My mom drives an '02 Civic and I was planning on giving this to her and selling the Civic for whatever I could get.

Now I'm conflicted because I don't want to dump a vehicle on her that at the moment is in limbo. If I knew ultimately the car would be fine I have no problem leaving it with her. She only does in-city driving, doesn't care about gas mileage, and drives less than 100 miles a month.

Thoughts?

 

[bamx2]

Also, VW TDI automatics have reputation problematic and expensive to fix (not sure of that year ). I say dump it unless the car is in perfect condition and you are actually giving it to to your mother.

 

[cbrsurfr]

Also, VW TDI automatics have reputation problematic and expensive to fix (not sure of that year ). I say dump it unless the car is in perfect condition and you are actually giving it to to your mother.

TDI has used the DSG since 2009 if I remember right. There were mechatronic (valve unit) problems with 07-09 models but the issues were resolved with updated parts and trans warranty extended to 10/100,000. DSG trans is very reliable if properly serviced ($400 every 40K).

I owe $12.7k on my 2011 Jetta
I KBB'd it to be ~$7k
103k miles
Automatic

I need a different car anyway and can't figure out what to do with this one. My mom drives an '02 Civic and I was planning on giving this to her and selling the Civic for whatever I could get.

Now I'm conflicted because I don't want to dump a vehicle on her that at the moment is in limbo. If I knew ultimately the car would be fine I have no problem leaving it with her. She only does in-city driving, doesn't care about gas mileage, and drives less than 100 miles a month.

Thoughts?

How do you dump a car you are almost 6K upside down on? Have her takeover payments? Emissions are worse than legally allowed, but the law just lowered the bar for what's allowed. These things are still way cleaner than old diesels.

 

[NutBucket]

I think he meant dump in the figurative sense? Or maybe he expects his mom to pay it off? It doesn't seem like it since he said "give"..

 

[tweakmonkey]

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

You put emissions in quotes like it's some conspiracy theory that combustion engines emit harmful pollution? Ever been to Beijing or Mumbai?

It's not OK to pollute simply because there are bigger sources of pollution. By the same logic, you might as well shoplift because bank robbers steal more than you. You might as well smoke cigarettes because you're more likely to die in a car crash.

Everyone's anti-EPA and thinks 'the hippies ruined amurika' with their laws to keep the place green. LUCKILY we live in a place where MOST people abide by the law with regards to emissions of their vehicles and so we're not all dying at 40 years old... breathing grey air and forced to wear masks outside in cities. There are occasional dickbags that will remove their cats and drive around putting out the emissions of 100x other cars individually so they can get an extra 10 HP. Le Sigh

 

[slag]

You put emissions in quotes like it's some conspiracy theory that combustion engines emit harmful pollution? Ever been to Beijing or Mumbai?

It's not OK to pollute simply because there are bigger sources of pollution. By the same logic, you might as well shoplift because bank robbers steal more than you. You might as well smoke cigarettes because you're more likely to die in a car crash.

Everyone's anti-EPA and thinks 'the hippies ruined amurika' with their laws to keep the place green. LUCKILY we live in a place where MOST people abide by the law with regards to emissions of their vehicles and so we're not all dying at 40 years old... breathing grey air and forced to wear masks outside in cities. There are occasional dickbags that will remove their cats and drive around putting out the emissions of 100x other cars individually so they can get an extra 10 HP. Le Sigh

It's basically the same argument that people have when talking about stealing from walmart. I hear this so often.. It's ok to steal from walmart and the big companies because of the shit they pull and how they treat their employees, but they would never ever ever steal from a small mom and pop shop.

What's the difference? Stealing is stealing, no matter who it is from.

Same thing with emissions. It's not ok to bypass your cat converters or smog devices and reason it out because you're only a small fish in a big pond an larger corporations do it all the time. It's still wrong to do and makes you no better. I am baffled how people justify things like this.

And cupcakes.. sheesh, don't get me started on those...

 

[MtnMan]

In CA diesels are subject to emissions testing.

Is this a probe up the backside, or just via OBDII?

NC has emissions for gas, via OBDII, check engine light out, etc. Diesel just lights, tires, i.e. safety.

57 - 59 MPG on the road, in the mountains, and 44 - 46 around town, and without the carbon footprint of building and recycling just the batteries in a Prius.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Is this a probe up the backside, or just via OBDII?

NC has emissions for gas, via OBDII, check engine light out, etc. Diesel just lights, tires, i.e. safety.

57 - 59 MPG on the road, in the mountains, and 44 - 46 around town, and without the carbon footprint of building and recycling just the batteries in a Prius.

Emissions testing in CA utilizes an exhaust gas probe (inserted in the tailpipe) and tests the vehicle on a rolling dyno at various loads.

 

[NutBucket]

Not anymore Jules. I don't recall the details but most cars MY2000 and newer can do a computer only test with a visual. That's what happened last year when I took our WRX in.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Not anymore Jules. I don't recall the details but most cars MY2000 and newer can do a computer only test with a visual. That's what happened last year when I took our WRX in.

Granted, I haven't had to have a vehicle smogged in the past 4 years my 2003 Maxima was tested in that manner the last time I had it smogged.

 

[Torn Mind]

The way Europe has turned from diesel-loving to anti-diesel is something to behold, and there is a physical cause. Because, air quality also matters. The health care costs in treating people with issues stemming from poor air quality. Yes, diesel cam be economical, but just because you are saving money doesn't mean you are doing environment any favors.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I personally would never buy one until and unless I were satisfied that, after the "fix" is applied, the car would be reasonably fuel-efficient, perform reasonably well, and not emit a huge amount of emissions. I would also need to be assured (and I don't know how I could be) that the fix would not adversely affect the car's long-term longevity. Because I don't believe this combination of attributes will in fact result from the application of the fix, I would not buy a TDI. I consider the idea of re-flashing the car back to OEM tune (and thus undoing the emissions benefits of the fix) unethical and irresponsible - not to mention illegal - and it's not an option I would entertain.