Hmm, all good ideas. I know there are boring cars that make the most sense, but they are boring. As for a used 944, 2002, classic SUV I guess if the right condition and price comes along? I really have no problem with the golf this but I'm getting $24k for a 4 year old car that cost me $28k. I think it would be foolish not to take it.

If you enjoyed the Golf, why not just get a Golf tsi?
As for the Miata, I am 6'2" and have done 200 mile day trips in my '90.
Best
Les

Why not drive it for another couple years, practically free?

I would also not have it fixed - even if there was a fix available. The buy back is the better deal. One can always see how the fixed cars fare and if it is good, buy another later.

When i is time to replace mine in 2 years, It likely will be something very different, but if I had to get something similar, it would be a Mazda3 or another Golf, either GTI or TSI.

G

*Because if you drive more than 1040ish miles a month you are loosing money
*If the hpfp or DPF go and they have anyway to deny the warranty they will (my DPF has died twice in under 90K miles) and both have to be replaced at considerable expense before you can turn it back in (running car)
*If you total the car you are out the majority of the money.

Mine has been a money pit and it goes back on 1/4 and I won't be sad. I loved my '00 TDI

Compared to buying another car? This is not sound math. Another car will depreciate every mile, from zero / month. Even if you lose a few hundred bucks by going over your 12k/year it still is cheaper than buying something else.

There is a 120k warranty on this now.

You have a piece of paper stating how much you will receive from VW .I doubt your insurance will be able to low ball you much towards this buy back price. Maybe you lose a few grand, but that's no different than driving a beater that has no full coverage ...

Now that is a real reason to let it go. If it has been a POS you need to move it!

But sounds like the OP has a brand new car - why not drive it for 2 years for free, or even at 15k / year, pay a grand to drive it that much!?

Mine is so nice and I have had zero issues up to 85k now, I dread the day I have to drop it off ...

G

TJ...
Owned a few of them. Lots of fun. Easy to work on, great for running around town or the back country. Find one with a hard top, full doors, auto tranny and a 6 cyl.

Once bought cheap to own. Except for the mods :)

Could you keep the car and take the cash. Not sure if you'd have to use the money to pass smog. But, we don't have inspections where I live.

There is the fix it price too, like I have said, they will give us $7.7k and promise to fix it for smog. When they figure out what they have to do. sometime. Ours is a 2015. I want to keep it, but, it is my wifes car, she's the one that drives it.

so, if i keep it my concern is that the maintenance will feel more like a waste of money and if it got totaled or stolen i would only get the value as of then, not what VW is offering now. I know i still get the cash penalty but the book value offer they are offering is more than i would ever get as trade in or insured value. it would be the cheapest way to go if it stays together for a couple years. honestly, it is mostly an excuse to switch cars. as functional as a golf is, it's on the boring side. Thats why a honda fit or volvo is not that exciting to me even though they are the logical choice. I'm leaning toward the jeep mostly because i don't drive much and it would be fun and cheap. i fear a 944 might turn into a money pit.

Yes, there you go! :) Most people are tired of the TDI after all this and ready to move on. I would be too, but financially can't justify handing back a car with 80k miles that drives great. I mentioned in the VW thread - I just put new brakes and tires on mine - ready for the next 25k before drop off!

I will continue the maintenance per schedule. I do it myself, so no big deal.

G

Is a GTI out of the question? Same looks and practicality as your TDI but actually fun to drive ;-) (sorry, I had both) It's the universal answer answer to "what car do I need". The GTI does it all...

That said I like your idea of a 70s 2002. I have one and it's my semi-daily driver, kids love it, huge trunk, very visible (orange), probably unsafe as hell but tons of fun to drive.

I test drove a new GTI (2015 IIRC) and found the ride a bit harsh compared to the TDI. It made the right noises and was fun to drive, but I don't see the upside of the low profile tires and stiff suspension for everyday use as long as I have a 993 in the garage. I am now thinking if it will be another Golf for me, it will be the base gas with 6 speed ... really inexpensive 2-3 years old.

Thanks,

Georg

I like the GTI however VW does not deal on GTIs like they do on golfs and the price difference is greater when you factor that in. I also have to be honest and i am quite negative against VW because of how they handled this. They could have made the process so much more efficient and offered a 3rd option for trading in on a new VW for a good price. they really gave up on trying to keep there fan base. I know the settlement precluded them from offering special incentives but i think they could have made that happen.

what about a 996? prices are low on nice cars. even if i factor in the intermediate bearing i might find a good car that know one wants?

Also had one of those. Fast cars, handle great. Not super pretty inside and out, the interior has aged a lot IMO... Once you fix the IMS and the peeling dash controls, you may start getting into 15y old car problems, which will nickel and dime you to death... maybe, maybe not... IMO buy very new or buy classic, in between is a bigger risk... How about a 2y old GTI then? ;-) OK, no VW... Since you don't commute, I still like the idea of a classic... They can also be finicky but at least value goes up every year, and you can fix a lot yourself! Buy a nice Tii ;-) I'm convinced those 02s are going to go the way of early 911s, so much fun to drive and harder to find....

Autoweek just put out a good video on the 996
http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/heres-when-you-should-walk-away-used-porsche-911

I like the new or classic and nothing in between advice. My sister has a jaguar s-type R and what a money pit. it's not unreliable - but the dumbest things cost thousands. like self leveling headlight computer, plastic coolent overflow tank, etc. A 2002 may need more maintenance but i can do it in my garage and parts are cheap.

Cool, my work here is done ;-)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1483482133.jpg

Joking aside (obviously you buy what works for you), like you I owned a 912, an early 911, & I will say that "for the money" the 2002 is more fun than both. No it does not have the 911 history and myth, but a nice 2002 can be had for sub 15K still and it's a load of fun, and very easy to maintain. And tweak !!! And just like porsches, you can find all the parts still... I once had a crack in the head and replaced it with a used head for $75 ;-) Bolt on, boom... Best part is you become a smile generator, people just point at it and smile... How cool is that ?

I also think it is sound advice to stay away from a 10 year old luxury car. I'd aim at a 20+ years old classic, a 1-5 year old luxury car or a more basic car of any vintage, i.e. a Mazda 3. If you are talking 911, I'd go back to a 993 or 964 or get something newer than a 996 ...

G

i so glad this thread has resulted in some good points. just remember - i live in chicago, not california. if i lived in CA it would be only classics. It's amazing how crappy weather makes you desire cars that just work, like a honda.

Chicago! Ouch! Anything you drive through the winter will rust into the ground within a few years. With that in mind, I'd just buy an appliance you can live with and save your money and throw it into the R project!

G