Sounds like you got car fever and justified the purchase. One never HAS to buy new. I always invoke the "am I willing and able to write a check for the entire purchase price" test.

If I can't write a check, that means I can't afford it. If I won't write a check, that means I don't want it bad enough. Another way to say it is it isn't worth the price to me.

Blown coolant hose is a sign of deferred maintenance.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I'm a used car dealer and I'm buying new.... I can get a 2010 with 10-20k on it dealer wholesale for 18-19k, but its hard to justify when a new one is only a few thousand more. 2006 (first year of the MKV) with less than 40k is still 13-14k wholesale. These things don't depreciate like Mercedes do. Most recently I got a 2009 ML350 with 18,000 miles for 31k. New it was 50k.

1.9% financing might as well be free. I'm writing a check for mine, but the finance incentive is tempting.

He can make a payment and not have to worry about his car. Warranty and maintenance all paid for for years.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Of course I didn't HAVE to. I don't HAVE to have any car. Some people do not consider their time and aggravation/stress a cost - I used to be in this group before starting grad school, but as someone who works full time and also goes to school full time, I cannot even give my cars a second thought at this point. Price is different than cost, I've been through hell and back this summer with so many extenuating circumstances. Not "fever"...

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Pics! I cannot believe how refined this car is, definitely does NOT feel like a budget car. That being said, I did spring for a warantee after having somewhat inevitable door seal and rear nozzle issues, plus the track record of VWs is not exactly...good... I hate spending the extra but at least it gives peace of mind for a bunch of years

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I test drove them 2 times, one very recently, the other shortly after the MKV came out in late 2005. The only thing I can compare it to is like driving an old 911 Turbo. I know it sounds insane since we're talking front engine, water cooled, front wheel drive vs. rear engine, air cooled, rear wheel drive, but that's what it feels like. Simple, refined, fast, and you can toss it around with little effort. It looks and drives like a small car, but feels so spacious inside. The seats don't feel like cardboard like every other car less than 25k as well. Its increible the amount of car I'm getting, brand new, for less than $23,000.

The biggest improvement for the MKVI is the electronic diff. Torque steer is down to a bare minimum. I remember my old Cadillac STS with 300HP going to the front wheels could rip the steering wheel from your hands if you weren't gripping tight. Jimmy's Acura TL had a similar sensation though not as extreme.

I can't imagine what the AWD VR6 MKVI feels like. Too bad we don't get it here.

The new beetle is also kind of tempting, but I like the style and space of the GTI more.

The Brits sum the car up much better than I can.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/volkswagen/golf-gti/road-test/mk-6

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Congrats, nice car, good color.

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible