My wife's 225,000 mile 03 BMW 325CI has been nickle and diming us here recently, so went out and looked at the new VWs (she had a Cabrio recently, daughter has a Jetta). While we liked the new ones, there was no 5 speed manual available in the lower trim levels (affordable), and the cars that even came close to the options and creature comforts of her BMW were in the $30,000 + range.

We finally decided to throw $1000 at the BMW to get everything in order, and after 2.5 months of no other expenses on the car will be ahead of the game. She plans on driving it for another 3 years

We only paid $6200 for this car 3 years ago, and it's probably still worth $4000 selling outright, but we certainly can't replace it for any amount under $10,000 in a used car, or $30,000 in a new car. Just keep it, and tell yourself every time you have to drop $400 for a repair bill, that, that is only 1 monthly car payment.

I do the alh timing belt like a 944. Saves some time not removing the cam pulley.

Like someone said before...belt it, clean intake,do what ya gotta for the EGR thing and run the bejeses out of it, It's bonus time that a lot of us never got. Congrats & enjoy !

Well the Jetta answered my question this afternoon.

I think it ran away (I have heard about but never witnessed this) and now will not start. It would still turn over when the engine was warm, but now it will not turn over. I had just filled up and was running it out a little 4K shift from 2nd to 3rd and it went past 5k when I pushed in the clutch. I put it in 4th and let the clutch out, applied brakes and it bucked to a stop. We had lots of black smoke.

I was hoping that it had just jumped time, but now it won't turn over, I think it may be its time.

It will be Thursday before I can take a look at it, but I am shopping now.


396K

Gonna get something, peppy?

There is a sweet spot in the cost per mile curve, which is between 100K and 300k miles. Beyond that, and it curves back up again.

Unfortunately, new cars start way up high on the cost per mile range. Maybe buy a used vehicle?

I'm looking at used VW TDI Golfs.

I would have thought the prices would be a bit less with the pending recall and gas being cheap.

Haha nope. They have following still. Supply is low since they aren't allowed to sell them new for the moment. Demand is high as they're a solid car. I assume you mean mk6? I would get a 13' "13 is the last year made in Germany" and under. But not too early as they had hpfp issues.
As always with vw stay away from slush box.