Indeed. This car routinely gets well over 40mpg overall. If we drive the speed limit on the highway, it goes up to 45mpg. I haven't tried driving below the speed limit.

If the price of gasoline exceeds diesel in the near future, the value of that car will be quite high on the secondhand market. Cost per mile for what I've put on it may be astounding, considering that I bought it at the dealer with 40 miles on the odometer.

It has been 100% trouble-free so far. Not a single thing had to be adjusted or fixed, other than routine maintenance. However, it is a VW and I don't know how long I can expect such behavior.

I could sell the car and take 10% of the proceeds to buy something older. The rest will buy gasoline for years at today's prices.

Why not keep it for 100k-150k miles or 10 years, whichever comes first? Than the lifetime cost is lower.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I am worried about the longevity of the drivetrain, due to its construction. With the low miles that it has, other buyers probably won't be as worried as myself.

Several years ago Suginami posted a great argument to some thread about the cost comparison between buying a new vehicle an buying an old one. I think it was maybe 2 years ago. I had a 'come-to-Jesus' moment when I read it and have been a believer ever since.

B

How old is it? Any modern car will last that long with ease, its the electrical crap that gets you.

I know on the Toyota we just bought the dealer offered a bumper to bumper warranty for 100k miles or five years.

Besides its always cheaper to fix a car than to buy a new one.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I've read all sorts of news stories about people trading in their SUVs because all of a sudden they realize they get crappy gas mileage. People are going nuts selling their gas guzzlers (which they don't get crap for because nobody wants them now) to buy new cars that get good gas mileage, all because they are spending an extra 15 bucks at the pump.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

My friend missed the boat on this one. He was going to trade his Chevy 2500 in for a Lexus IS350 last fall. Dealer made him a sweet deal since it was the end of the year, but he didn't pull the trigger. Now its just not worth it.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

take that jetta and sell it outright now.if it's an 03 wagon with a stick you could probably get 15-18000 for it with that low miles.and as for longevity my 2000 jetta has 335,000 miles and still has the original clutch.they are tough cars but you have to maintain em,correct oil and t-belts.the new jettas should be showing up at dealers shortly and they are claiming high 50'-low 60's for mpg's.

I'm gonna hijack my own thread.

Mrs B & I have decided to buy a canoe to round-out our camping gear. We're think we might want to look into a stationwagon or an SUV with an eye toward a diesel. It has to be able to carry all of our supplies for 3-4 days & a canoe on the roof and not get too blown over the highway or lose too much view.

Oh yeah, used -- I just cannot justify buying a new car (thanks, Paul).

Mid-20's or lower.

Suggestions?

B

How old of a vehicle do you want?




You can get a clean W124 TD for less than like 8 grand now.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Gawd, I'd love one of those. Can't believe I didn't think of it! Thanks for the knock in the head.

B

(Ted, whatcha got for me in say, August?)

I'd look at Subarus too.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

This is a tough one with the criteria you've presented. It would seem a fairly heavy, low CG, car-based wagon would be a more sensible choice to prevent the canoe acting like the dynamic/aerodynamic tail wagging the dog when you pass an oncoming semi on the highway. Conversely, a mondo broad-shouldered SUV should tolerate the canoe well, but 15 MPG @ $4 per gallon isn't sexy. The w124 is nice, but not a spring chicken. The Subaru might be a decent choice, particulary if AWD is preferable. A Passat wagon might also be considered, but is probably not quite as economical/reliable as a good Subaru model.

I have two Kayaks, and they both fit at the same time in the back of my wagon.



I have yet to try and fit a canoe.


I do have a set of Yakima racks for the top of the wagon for one kayak that I can probably put the canoe on. Its easy to get stuff on and off the top of the W124 wagon, as it sits at just the right height.



Bot, if you shop around, I bet you can find a TD for a quarter of your budget.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

The sheep run to get sheared.

The price of the gas at the pump is only one thing.

The correct caluculator should be the OVERALL COST PER MILE.

This includes insurance, cost of repairs, tax, license fees, purchase price of the new car, depreciation and many other things.

A sober flinty eyed car buyer could make a very cogent case for buying a 15 year old Ford Crown Victoria and running it for cheaper than a brand new Chevy Aveo, for example using the above approach

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)