Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

View Poll Results: Car choices
New TDI 5 20.00%
Used TDI 10 40.00%
NEW VW GAS 3 12.00%
USED Japanese 7 28.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-07-2013, 01:31 PM
buffa98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Amish Country, PA
Posts: 296
Diesel VS Gas. New Purchase

Ok all here is my problem. I sold my 300SDL, and have someone very interested in my suburban. Do I:


1. Get a new jetta tdi($23k)
2. Buy the used tdi ($15k) 70 k miles 2006 model
3. Find a used Japanese something(Accord,Avalon,Maxima) for around $18K

Please post reasons why for your choice. Right now I am leaning towards New vw either gas or tdi. Depending on Commute of course

__________________
86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-07-2013, 01:39 PM
Posting since Jan 2000
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,166
I voted for your last choice. I'm sorry, but I've just seen too much under the hood of the modern Volkswagens to be able to fall in love with them in diesel or gas either one.

My $0.02,
__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-07-2013, 01:48 PM
anghrist's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lancaster, CA
Posts: 558
I'm a bit biased.

I just bought a new Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium $34k out-the-door.

First tank has me at about 40MPG without driving like a Prius owner. I've been driving the car more like my old '01 GTI and loving it.

If you are stuck on diesel, I would recommend a Jetta Sportwagen stickshift with a minimal trim package. The JSW comes with the trim that you would get on the Jetta SE (gas) version and gives you more cargo space to boot.

The things you will need to watch out for are:

HPFP (high-pressure-fuel-pump) issues - safeguards include an extra fuel filter on the return lines and regular additives, Failures are only at 2% on the HPFP.

DPF (diesel particulate filter) replacement - the VW TDIs have a "regen" cycle where a bit of diesel fuel is injected into the exhaust just before the DPF. This is done to increase EGT (exhaust gas temperature) in order to superheat and burn off the diesel soot. Eventually the DPF does get clogged up and must be replaced.

DSG transmissions seem to have matured somewhat. The mid-2000s (especially 03-06) had some nasty failure modes which would leave you on the side of the road for a moment. Ususally the problems go away after turning the car off and then back on. The mechatronics unit (a $2.4k plate with all the servos and pressure sensors and modulators) can go into a divergent feedback control cycle. In otherwords, the system gets really confused and can not 'reset' itself.

I recommend looking through the myturbodiesel.com website and reading the buyer's guides there before you buy either a new or used VW tdi.
__________________
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png


It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-07-2013, 01:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,030
Fiat 500 -- ok, only makes about 35-37 mpg (or did when I rented one), but it's a fun little uncouth scootabout.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-07-2013, 03:12 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Air&Road View Post
I voted for your last choice. I'm sorry, but I've just seen too much under the hood of the modern Volkswagens to be able to fall in love with them in diesel or gas either one.

My $0.02,
That, (to me as well) is just the beginning of why not to own one. I'm with Larry 100% on this.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-07-2013, 03:53 PM
Simpler=Better's Avatar
Ham Shanker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 2,544
Don't buy a gas VW-I've had to work on one and it was just one thing after another.


If you get a TDI be wary of the EGR issues. All the regular junky VW stuff applies.

If you don't care what you look like, get an older Ford with the Lima 2.3-it's slow cheap and reliable.
__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-07-2013, 03:59 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Voted for NONE of the above

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simpler=Better View Post
Don't buy a gas VW-I've had to work on one and it was just one thing after another.

If you get a TDI be wary of the EGR issues. All the regular junky VW stuff applies.
This ^^^ (IN BOLD) is what it gets reduced to for me too.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:04 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,850
I voted used tdi. Manual transmission only, with as few options as possible, and only if you find one whose seller doesn't think it's made of gold.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:07 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,030
I'd take a 1998-2005 Passat over the transverse-engined, modified for the American market, front-heavy, understeering, Tennessee-made piece of canine excrement that they sell today.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:10 PM
buffa98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Amish Country, PA
Posts: 296
Quote:
Originally Posted by spdrun View Post
Fiat 500 -- ok, only makes about 35-37 mpg (or did when I rented one), but it's a fun little uncouth scootabout.
Sat in one, the lawn tractor I drive feels more sturdy.
__________________
86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:12 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,030
Hence "uncouth" -- it's an affront to all that Ralph Nader finds holy.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:13 PM
buffa98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Amish Country, PA
Posts: 296
Let me clarify a bit. Any NEW purchase will be a manual trans. My kids will all learn to drive a stick.

The used TDI I found is a stick as well
__________________
86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:16 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,030
A man after my own heart. I'd go autotragic if I lost an arm or leg, though.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:34 PM
Home appliance genius
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: cleveland
Posts: 1,160
I was in the same predicament 2 years ago. I searched endlessly for the cheapest, most reliable new car. I ended up buying the Ford Fiesta. Hatchback, 4 banger, stick, heated seats, Sync system, premium sound. With tax and title it was $20,000.

The thing is large enough to fit a lawnmower, and a weedwacker + misc tools.

My first oil change and tire rotation at the dealer was $32. I have had absolutley no issues at all with the car. It does not ride like a crappy small car. Solid 35 mpg, mostly city.

Tires new are 68 bucks each.

Most any new car will give you 100k with practically no maintenance, and will likely give you 200k+ if you actually take care of it.

Think of all the spare time you will have instead of having to work on an old car. Because of my fiesta, I can work on my car because I WANT to.
__________________
Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:36 PM
Graplr's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 1,649
I'll add another option-

Buy a 2005-2007 Mercedes E320 CDI. That is the same price range. Not quite as good mileage but not far off on the highway.

__________________
2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD


Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:06 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page