Sorry, it isn't a Benz because I can't afford a new one.

So here's the next best thing:

2005 Volkwagon GTI

I test drove one today and it was a BLAST!

Opinions???

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

How about an R32? Do they cost more than an MB?

Sixto
87 300SDL

Get the manual if you're getting the 1.8T. The next models will have 2.0T engines like the Jetta and Passat. I don't know when they're gonna be out though.

VW dealer service is terrible IMO. Even though my car is under warranty I don't take it to the dealer for service. They don't do walk in oil changes and the policy is to treat Phaeton owners different. What a way to build loyalty! Your mileage may vary, but VW USA doesn't seem to have strict guidelines regarding service.

Anyway service intervals are OK at 5k and synthetic. It's a turbo so anyone who puts dino oil in there is just asking for trouble. The wiper blades stink and cost $100/pr. Other than that, it's a pretty cool car.

How about the Audi A3? Seen that one yet?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

My wife's cabrio costs more to upkeep than my 300CE.

Not sure about VW quality these days. I think the European manufacturers are experiencing what US companies went through 20 years ago - cost cutting due to competition, combined with high labor & pension costs. It takes a while to get it right. In the mean time they may be turning out stuff thats not as good as it should be.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Everybody I know that has a VW has problems. One after the other.

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

I've heard the same thing a friend bought a '05 Diesel Jetta and he said he loves it when it works and thats not often although they are minor issues like not starting, the windshied molding popping off while going down the highway.

But shoot I think you can find a C36 in that price range, when it comes to fun it would be hard to beat in that price range. Put a color matched rocket box on the roof and your on your way.

Dealer service is horrible. My mom had a 2001 Jetta and they charged her 70 dollars to replace a tail light bulb, claimed it was only "dealer serviceable". I took a quick look at the light, maybe a 5 second job involving a flat head screwdriver. In addition, my mom babied her jetta, all service intervels done on time, and at 40k it was going through a quart and a half of oil between oil changes. no leaks, didn't smoke, mystery oil leak i suppose. Interior is also crap , theres no reason for the interior of a mother driven car to fall apart in a couple years. Cupholders broke, glovebox latch broke, interior trim started to peal etc etc. On the plus, they are definately way fun to drive, and apparently incredibly easy to get up to 260hp with a simple "Vw sponsered" chip that is engaged via the cruise control. Quick fun little cars, wouldn't expect too much from a reliability/fit/finish/quality standpoint though.
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

20g's can buy you a helluva good benz...

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

I drove my cousins 04 Jetta 1.8T when she first got it. It has leather ect, all the options it must have cost close to $20k. My impression was it is a decent car although kind of cheap. It already had a rattle with only 40 or so miles on the odo. The engine pulled well but was weak on the bottom end, you need top rev it to go anywhere. The brakes and handling were pretty good. Overall it was a nice car I just never would pay $20k for one.

Considering that $20k will get you a very nice C class right off a MB dealers lot. $20k will also get you a very nice W210 and a late 90's W140.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I don't go to the dealer often but last time I was there:

1996 E300D, 40k, one owner miles, $20k came with a 2 year warranty. Probably could get a longer one.

1999 C280, mileage about 70k, price was $17k or so.

2000 C230 mileage unknown $19k.

Salesman was more then happy to talk warranty.

I know a guy who owns a high end used car lot:

1998 S500 Dealer maintained, one owner, 60k miles, perfect, $21k. Warranty if you want too.
1999 E430 sport 70k miles again perfect, $18k again warranty.

I can understand the want for a new car but $20k is more then enough to get a real cherry MB with a warranty.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I would still go with the CRV.

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Jim

WOW! Thanks for all the opinions and input. Pretty much everyone has been warning me of the reliablitly and cost issues of owning a VW. But BOY are they fun to drive!!

BTW, I did find a new 2005 GTI manual with all the options at a local dealership for $19740.00 plus tax and tags, including the 17" wheels which are an option. The price is a "no haggle" price.

I did drive the CRV last week. Problem with that was that it just didn't have the fun factor.

What about a used Acura?

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

The minimal seat time I had in an 00 Jetta AT was generally favorable. Certainly a competent car. The chrome trim on the shift gate served no purpose other than to blind me in mid-day driving. This car had continuous AC issues from new 'til it was sold with 70K miles. VW managed to twist the complaint and finding descriptions of each of the dozen or so unscheduled visits to skirt California lemon laws.

I'd go with a VW if the driving experience mattered, a C to sit in and not think about the trip. You can get a C36 for under $20K now so maybe there's less of a choice to make

A third party warranty on a W140 would probably only cover things that never break. It won't cover things like seat belt retractors that lose tension, closing assist pumps, random SRS warning lights, etc. Make sure it explicitly covers the evaporator and effects of oil sludge build-up in the upper cylinder head.

Sixto
87 300SDL

I like GTI's too, but my friends have had VWs and it was a maintenance nightmare, and ditto on bad dealer service. Also, parts are crazy expensive! Its not really a "people's car" anymore. Now, if you can find a 92 GTI in really good shape, that would be the year to buy IMO.