What's a good cheap commuter car? Update: the search is over

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

PsychoAndy

Lifer
Dec 31, 2000
10,735
0
0
Originally posted by: Stark
short update:

the dealer is trying to locate another car. All the paperwork is signed, but since we didn't drive it off the lot we can walk away if we want.

the price was 18k (less than invoice). it was a good deal, but not the color (black) I would have normally picked.

If they can't find another car, we'll wait and get a 2003.

I have an idea. See if they can find you a color that you do want.

In the meantime, demand a 2001 passat as a loaner :) until they find one that suits your tastes or wait until the 2003's come in and demand the same price.

-PAB
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
7,735
0
0
well, the dealership claims the gas never got to the engine. they drained the fuel tank today and say it's fine. Of course, it took them two hours last night from the time they took the car "down the street to get diesel" to the time they finally admitted that the moron in the back filled her up with gasoline at the onsite pump behind the showroom. Since they lied last night, we're not trusting them for squat.

However, from looking at some TDI enthusiast sites on the web, it doesn't look like too much damage can be done by adding gas. if the mixture of gas has is too high, the engine simply will not run.

They are still looking around for replacements, but they claim they have no responsiblility to get us a replacement and offered us some free accessories if we just take the car we were going to take last night. Maybe if they throw in a 100k mi extended warranty we'll have a deal.

 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
The TDI is great, and it looks nice in black. Good choice. I think it will be OK if it was filled up with unleaded and then siphoned out.
 

Ultima

Platinum Member
Oct 16, 1999
2,893
0
0
Cheapest? Public transportation... or if that's not your thing, maybe a scooter? haha.. what about a cheap used car? Or a new Kia or Hyundai? You just want to get to work? Why spend 15K for that? There's cheaper solutions.
 

d33pt

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2001
5,654
1
81
They are still looking around for replacements, but they claim they have no responsiblility to get us a replacement and offered us some free accessories if we just take the car we were going to take last night. Maybe if they throw in a 100k mi extended warranty we'll have a deal.

no responsibility for a replacement??? if this is the kind of crap they give you i'd just walk away from the deal and get a better deal at another dealership.. screw that..
 

abaez

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
7,155
1
81
Originally posted by: ObiDon
Originally posted by: Jfrag
Mini! :D

At least that is going to be my next commuter car.

They start out around 16k and if you get a decent trade you could get around the price tag you're looking to spend.
I don't know what it's like where you're from but last time I looked around here, it would be a hot deal to find a stripped Mini for under $22,000. I saw the Cooper S versions going for $28k+.

I think they're cool cars but I don't think they're $20k+ cool. Also, as much as I like them now (and have always liked the original) I think they're going to end up like the Mazda Miata. When the Miata first came out everyone wanted one and there was a several-month waiting list to get one. Now, everyone is sick of seeing them and you almost can't even give the mofos away!

It saddens me to think that this will ultimately happen to the Mini. :(

That's because the dealers are gouging. The MINI dealer in long beach charges sticker price (yes 16k for the regular and the s 19k) but you have to wait in line something like 6 months. They don't gouge
which is why I'm buying one there even though there's a little wait.
 

ObiDon

Diamond Member
May 8, 2000
3,435
0
0
Originally posted by: abaez
Originally posted by: ObiDon
Originally posted by: Jfrag
Mini! :D

At least that is going to be my next commuter car.

They start out around 16k and if you get a decent trade you could get around the price tag you're looking to spend.
I don't know what it's like where you're from but last time I looked around here, it would be a hot deal to find a stripped Mini for under $22,000. I saw the Cooper S versions going for $28k+.

I think they're cool cars but I don't think they're $20k+ cool. Also, as much as I like them now (and have always liked the original) I think they're going to end up like the Mazda Miata. When the Miata first came out everyone wanted one and there was a several-month waiting list to get one. Now, everyone is sick of seeing them and you almost can't even give the mofos away!

It saddens me to think that this will ultimately happen to the Mini. :(

That's because the dealers are gouging. The MINI dealer in long beach charges sticker price (yes 16k for the regular and the s 19k) but you have to wait in line something like 6 months. They don't gouge
which is why I'm buying one there even though there's a little wait.
I think it was brokers or people who got theirs first that were gouging. I don't remeber seeing any dealer ads for them. I wasn't really looking that hard though. ;)

Damn greedy people. Oh, and damn impatient people that make it possible for the greedy people to gouge! :|
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
When we looked at a TDi about 2 years ago, some shmuck at the dealership put regular unleaded in there too. Saleswoman said that they'd have to yank out some filters and it would probably end up costing the dealership upwards of $150 to fix the error. The saleswoman actually drove the car about two blocks with it sputtering and kicking before she figured out what was wrong with it.

I NEVER would have accepted the keys to that car(or the one you bought). I want the thing to be cherry when I buy it, not tainted ;)
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
7,735
0
0
Well, after thinking long and hard and calling around to several VW service places, I'm deciding to take the car.

1. it's less than invoice and interest rates are low. They may not be next year when they're clearing out the 2003's
2. if they did drive the car with gas in the tank (they may not have), it was not more than the length of a parking lot
3. according to all service centers called the engine is not ruined
4. i will get a 100,000 mi warranty regardless, so i'm covered on the engine
5. the dealership is thowing in a $400 hatch-mounted bike rack and changing the oil and filter (recommended by one service place)

I'll post pics when I pick it up after the bike rack is delivered and installed.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
The service manual of my 81(?) Rabbit diesel suggested using gasoline to get to a diesel fuel pump was an option, I did it once, ran pretty good, considering....

Welcome to the TDI family, my wife loves her Golf TDI, told me the other day that she couldn't imagine buying a car that got less MPG than she gets now.

There's an ABS recall on 02' Golfs, you might want to make sure they fix it promptly.

& you know about

TDI Club, right?