Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2657011)

I ran a simple cost comparison between my TDI at $3.45/gallon and 37mpg vs. a gasoline car at $3.25/gallon and 24 mpg. According to the calculator, my TDI will save me $842 annually on 21,000 miles driven. I can't justify getting rid of my TDI based on this alone.

At that savings, I could simply rent a 4WD anytime I needed it and still save money!!

Here's the calculator:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtml

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2657023)

I only wonder how many miles I can put on the TDI before it begins to spend more time in the shop than it's worth. One thing I love about diesels is that they're simpler than gasoline engines. But with any car, the electronics, etc. begin to break down at a certain point at which it's no longer worth keeping. I still figure I'm in good period with my car at a bit over 90,000 miles.

Originally Posted by cscmc1 (Post 2657028)

I would think 90K is within your car's half-life for most of the systems. Have you had a poke around the forums at tdiclub.com to see what the usual issues for your chassis are? I spend a bit of time there myself, but have not looked at the forums for the newer models.

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2656587)

My wife and I are considering a small SUV to replace my Jetta TDI. There about a 50/50 chance of doing this and it would be no sooner than six months from now.

We're looking for something that is fun to drive, has decent power and torque, has four wheel drive on demand (or full-time), is dependable, has good storage space, and has decent gas mileage.

I've narrowed it down to three choices with approx prices in our area:

1. 2011 Toyota RAV4 4x4, 3.5L V6, RAV4, 5-Speed Automatic $27,500

2. 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC V6 $30,200

3. 2011 Subaru 2.5 XT Premium $27,000 (though the price would likely be a bit higher because I'd want a sunroof.)

Originally Posted by MS Fowler (Post 2657118)

Unfortunately, members of this forum seem unable to follow simple directions--which of these three was the question.

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2657023)

I only wonder how many miles I can put on the TDI before it begins to spend more time in the shop than it's worth. One thing I love about diesels is that they're simpler than gasoline engines. But with any car, the electronics, etc. begin to break down at a certain point at which it's no longer worth keeping. I still figure I'm in good period with my car at a bit over 90,000 miles.

Originally Posted by Honus (Post 2657130)

Don't go by me, but I have heard/read from more than one knowledgeable person that 100,000 miles is a good time to get rid of a VW. I'm sure the diesel engine has plenty of life left. Not so sure about the rest of the car. That is all second-hand information. The only VW I've owned was an early 60s beetle that someone gave me. That was a neat car.

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 2657145)

C'mon get a station wagon! SUV?! Boooooring. Ask me, I own a Honda CR-V. Yawnsville!!!!!

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2657151)

OMG Ted.....this is just, well, sad!!

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 2657154)

Yeah, a wagon and a small SUV. Times have changed. However, a bike and an old Landcruiser *might* replace the wagon.

Originally Posted by cscmc1 (Post 2657159)

Hey, now, wagons are cool. Our Saab with the 2.3T turbo is a hoot to drive. The Subaru WRX "wagon" (more of a hatch, really) is fun, too, but I think they feel a little cheap. At least my brother's '02 does. Fun car, though. Pricey to work on.

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2657164)

My 300CE was sold in favor of a W124 wagon, but only since our family started to grow. Needed the space/utility.

Originally Posted by cscmc1 (Post 2657019)

Ah, I forgot yours is a newer TDI. I see the 37mpg in your sig now. Still, the mpg's show you plenty ahead of the game.

last few tanks I have seen 46mpg+. Not too shabby for a car with 190K on the odometer! Need to start thinking about the timing belt, though.

Originally Posted by MS Fowler (Post 2657118)

Unfortunately, members of this forum seem unable to follow simple directions--which of these three was the question.

Originally Posted by cscmc1 (Post 2657159)

Hey, now, wagons are cool. Our Saab with the 2.3T turbo is a hoot to drive. The Subaru WRX "wagon" (more of a hatch, really) is fun, too, but I think they feel a little cheap. At least my brother's '02 does. Fun car, though. Pricey to work on.

Originally Posted by MS Fowler (Post 2657118)

Unfortunately, members of this forum seem unable to follow simple directions--which of these three was the question.

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2656967)

Yes, I love my TDI. I love the way it handles like a German car, the torque, and the fact that it's a little "different" because it's a diesel. I already have a completely different set of wheels and tires that I use for winter. The original all-seasons will have to be replaced for next season and I could put actual snow tires on them. The only thing I don't like about driving on snow tires is that you can't drive over 50mph without heating them up too much.

Maybe it'll make more sense to sell my wife's Toyota instead. 'Course that means she'd be the one with the new car!!

My TDI has been well maintained and is in excellent condition. On top of that, I had to pay a $3,000 premium when I bought it because it's a TDI. It is now in the "sweet spot" of being both paid for and already paying for that $3,000 in fuel savings. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to get rid of it now.

BUT diesel fuel in my area is about $3.50/gallon now and I expect it to keep rising. I wonder if it really saves money to pay more at the pump even though I'm not filling up as often. I drive about 21,000 miles a year.

Originally Posted by ShaggyDiesel (Post 2657353)

Mercedes Benz ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
Mercedes Benz GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 2657154)

Yeah, a wagon and a small SUV. Times have changed. However, a bike and an old Landcruiser *might* replace the wagon.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 2657420)

The trouble with a new car-like AWD is that you can't really use it in a fun way. You are more likely to bottom out, and hitting a big rock or tree limb thats hidden in the snow will tear up thin metal pretty easily. You end up driving like a granny for fear of expensive body or undercarriage damage, so even if it gets you out of a bind and feels a little more capable, its not necessarily fun.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 2657420)

The trouble with a new car-like AWD is that you can't really use it in a fun way. You are more likely to bottom out, and hitting a big rock or tree limb thats hidden in the snow will tear up thin metal pretty easily. You end up driving like a granny for fear of expensive body or undercarriage damage, so even if it gets you out of a bind and feels a little more capable, its not necessarily fun.

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 2657540)

Its AWD not real 4wd, if you want to go off road buy a truck. AWD is just to help you up hills in a bit of snow.

AWD isn't as good as 4wd and will often get stuck long before a true 4wd vehicle with proper tires, lockers and ground clearance does. Perfect example a few weeks ago when we got 16+ inch's of snow my friends dads new AWD Lexus GX460 would not get out of their driveway unploughed, his 2500HD did it in 4 wheel low without to much trouble. The Lexus doesn't have true lockers and was wearing road tires, so it quickly became overwhelmed.

If he plans on actually using it as a truck I would recommend a proper body on frame vehicle with lockers, steel skid plates, and maybe a live front axle. The G class, Range Rover, any 3/4 ton and up truck, a real Jeep, or a Toyota Land Cruiser comes to mind.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 2657582)

All true. Different kinds of fun call for different kinds of vehicles. AWD makes a car more likely to reach its destination in bad weather, but 99% of the time just uses more gas and doesn't add to the "fun" quotient at all.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 2657420)

The trouble with a new car-like AWD is that you can't really use it in a fun way. You are more likely to bottom out, and hitting a big rock or tree limb thats hidden in the snow will tear up thin metal pretty easily. You end up driving like a granny for fear of expensive body or undercarriage damage, so even if it gets you out of a bind and feels a little more capable, its not necessarily fun.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 2657582)

All true. Different kinds of fun call for different kinds of vehicles. AWD makes a car more likely to reach its destination in bad weather, but 99% of the time just uses more gas and doesn't add to the "fun" quotient at all.

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy (Post 2657586)

...I work for myself so if the weather sucks that bad I don't go out.

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2658216)

I also work for myself, but I work in television.... I don't get the option of not getting to the studio.... One reason for eventually getting a 4WD.

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2658278)

The reality of what we'll probably do is that we'll stay where we are for now. We're saving a bunch of money due to the fuel mileage of the TDI. My wife has only a 1.5 mile commute in her Corolla.

I figure if we were to change either car, we should sell her Corolla to replace it with a 4WD. We'd likely go with the Subaru. I like the simplicity of the setup vs. the complicated electronics of other makes.

But for now, and probably next winter, we'll stay with what we have. A good set of dedicated snow tires on the Jetta will get me pretty much anywhere I need, should I choose to venture out!!

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 2658282)

Good move. You might not even get snow next winter... :)

Originally Posted by sfloriII (Post 2658310)

That would only be because we finally spent the money and bought a snowblower!:D

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe (Post 2658430)

A $40K+ Mercedes SUV prolly wasn't in the cards in the firstplace. :D:P:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by anthonyb (Post 2658929)

Hey, quick question - for anyone that has a Subie, how hard is it to work on them? Looking at pics of their engine bays (with the boxer engines) it sure looks like a lot of stuff is buried deep underneath.