Author Topic: The Garage (Read 118692 times)

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #600 on:** January 28, 2011, 01:58:57 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on January 28, 2011, 01:55:30 pm

before consideration of any extended warranty,

That's what I'm more curious about - what their extended warranty offers are like. I'm trying to weight out the pros and cons of buying a new Golf and getting the extended warranty or buying a slightly used Golf with just the remainder of the 60K warranty.

tomterp · « **Reply #601 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:02:09 pm »

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 01:58:57 pm

That's what I'm more curious about - what their extended warranty offers are like. I'm trying to weight out the pros and cons of buying a new Golf and getting the extended warranty or buying a slightly used Golf with just the remainder of the 60K warranty.

From reading various boards, one can negotiate on the warranty. So if they offer it for say $2,500, you may well be able to get it for say $1,500. Still, what is the coverage? If it just bridges the gap between 60k to say 100k for drivetrain, not sure there's a lot of value there.

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #602 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:05:26 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on January 28, 2011, 02:02:09 pm

From reading various boards, one can negotiate on the warranty. So if they offer it for say $2,500, you may well be able to get it for say $1,500. Still, what is the coverage? If it just bridges the gap between 60k to say 100k for drivetrain, not sure there's a lot of value there.

The automatic transmission in VWs don't usually start causing problems until the hit the 120-150K mark, at least in my experience. For a manual transmission it's probably not worth buying it all. Why the manual? Are you getting a V6? Short commute? Glutton for punishment?

GburgNatsFan · « **Reply #603 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:19:46 pm »

We have a VW TDI (turbo diesel). Unbelievable mileage, as many as 50 on the highway. I once calculated that I could have paid for the fuel for a Ford F150 V8 and spent less than I did for fuel and cleaning the turbo intake system for $450+ every 30K miles...

Sigh. That damn car is so damned over-engineered.

Quote from: tomterp on January 27, 2011, 09:22:55 pm

Not actually mine, but the same color/model. Mine has 171k on it. It HAS been taken well care of, but that means a LOT of repair bills over the 110k I've put on it. My cost (used with 61k on it)- $18k. Cost to repair/maintain? $20k.

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #604 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:22:56 pm »

Quote from: GburgNatsFan on January 28, 2011, 02:19:46 pm

We have a VW TDI (turbo diesel). Unbelievable mileage, as many as 50 on the highway. I once calculated that I could have paid for the fuel for a Ford F150 V8 and spent less than I did for fuel and cleaning the turbo intake system for $450+ every 30K miles...

Any reason to consider the TDI instead of the GLI?

Nathan · « **Reply #605 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:24:24 pm »

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 02:05:26 pm

The automatic transmission in VWs don't usually start causing problems until the hit the 120-150K mark, at least in my experience. For a manual transmission it's probably not worth buying it all. Why the manual? Are you getting a V6? Short commute? Glutton for punishment?

He's a man?

GburgNatsFan · « **Reply #606 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:27:39 pm »

First, they fixed a lot of the problems with the turbo diesel since 2002.

Drive a TDI. The grunt is incredible. The mileage is too. A turbo diesel begs for a manual transmission, though (just the driving dynamics - they can certainly be used with an auto). VW diesels require very special oil. Desel is more expensive and harder to find at the corner gas station.

It's hard to justify here because they cost so much more and diesel fuel costs more than gasoline. Not so in Europe (where both are atrocious).

Diesels last forever, but the car will fall apart around them, and most people don't want a car forever.

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 02:22:56 pm

Any reason to consider the TDI instead of the GLI?

GburgNatsFan · « **Reply #607 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:30:49 pm »

I would always buy a manual if I didn't have a congested highway commute.

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 02:05:26 pm

The automatic transmission in VWs don't usually start causing problems until the hit the 120-150K mark, at least in my experience. For a manual transmission it's probably not worth buying it all. Why the manual? Are you getting a V6? Short commute? Glutton for punishment?

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #608 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:42:49 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 02:24:24 pm

He's a man?

You know I do have a 1966 Chevy Malibu SS 396 Big Block, right?

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #609 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:43:26 pm »

Quote from: GburgNatsFan on January 28, 2011, 02:30:49 pm

I would always buy a manual if I didn't have a congested highway commute.

I had a manual when I lived in NYC and Chicago. Never again, unless I'm living in the country.

GburgNatsFan · « **Reply #610 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:53:32 pm »

Agreed. But on the open road... and I can't tell you how many times I've pressed the accelerator on my automatic and thought "why the heck did you think I wanted 1st gear and 6K RPMs?" My next auto will have paddle shifters.

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 02:43:26 pm

I had a manual when I lived in NYC and Chicago. Never again, unless I'm living in the country.

The Chief · « **Reply #611 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:55:52 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 02:24:24 pm

He's a man?

tomterp · « **Reply #612 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:25:09 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 02:24:24 pm

He's a man?

You put it more diplomatically than my original draft response, which was interrupted by work.

tomterp · « **Reply #613 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:25:35 pm »

Quote from: GburgNatsFan on January 28, 2011, 02:30:49 pm

I would always buy a manual if I didn't have a congested highway commute.

My left calf is quite a rock.

tomterp · « **Reply #614 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:26:42 pm »

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 02:42:49 pm

You know I do have a 1966 Chevy Malibu SS 396 Big Block, right?

3-speed automatic?

tomterp · « **Reply #615 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:28:41 pm »

Quote from: GburgNatsFan on January 28, 2011, 02:53:32 pm

Agreed. But on the open road... and I can't tell you how many times I've pressed the accelerator on my automatic and thought "why the heck did you think I wanted 1st gear and 6K RPMs?" My next auto will have paddle shifters.

I hate the way cruise control works with automatics. They'll drop you to third gear if necessary as gallons of gas suck into the carb trying to maintain the exact speed you set it for. I love being in 5th gear, the car just eases smoothly up and down the hills, no hunting around for a better gear.

The Chief · « **Reply #616 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:37:27 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on January 28, 2011, 03:28:41 pm

I hate the way cruise control works with automatics. They'll drop you to third gear if necessary as gallons of gas suck into the carb trying to maintain the exact speed you set it for. I love being in 5th gear, the car just eases smoothly up and down the hills, no hunting around for a better gear.

Quote from: tomterp on January 28, 2011, 03:28:41 pm

I hate the way cruise control works with automatics. They'll drop you to third gear if necessary as gallons of gas suck into the carb trying to maintain the exact speed you set it for. I love being in 5th gear, the car just eases smoothly up and down the hills, no hunting around for a better gear.

Amen to ALL of this. It's not that there aren't times an auto would be nice, but I just don't like NOT being in full control of the machine.

Nathan · « **Reply #617 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:02:26 pm »

I mean there are some vehicles where I would prefer an automatic, like an SUV. But if I buy a car, I want it to be sporty, and if I want the best sportiness I can get from it, it's got to be a manual.

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #618 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:15:38 pm »

Quote from: tomterp on January 28, 2011, 03:26:42 pm

3-speed automatic?

Originally yes, but my dad (who currently has it) put in a Hurst on the floor.

1995hoo · « **Reply #619 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:18:42 pm »

Quote from: GburgNatsFan on January 28, 2011, 02:30:49 pm

I would always buy a manual if I didn't have a congested highway commute.

I've lived in the DC area since 1974 and every car I've ever owned has been a manual. My right leg gets way more tired from being on the brake all the time in DC-area traffic than my left leg does from working the clutch, but having to brake all the time is something you have to do regardless of which type of transmission you have.

MarquisDeSade · « **Reply #620 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:19:46 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 04:02:26 pm

I mean there are some vehicles where I would prefer an automatic, like an SUV. But if I buy a car, I want it to be sporty, and if I want the best sportiness I can get from it, it's got to be a manual.

I don't know, maybe you guys have better commutes than me but I just don't see the purpose in having a "sporty" car if you're going to be stuck in traffic all the time.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #621 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:20:42 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 04:02:26 pm

I mean there are some vehicles where I would prefer an automatic, like an SUV. But if I buy a car, I want it to be sporty, and if I want the best sportiness I can get from it, it's got to be a manual.

I'd prefer flappy paddle if I had the option, all the benefits of manuel, the ability to use the car as an automatic (at least from most companies) and no clutch peddle

Nathan · « **Reply #622 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:34:50 pm »

Quote from: HalfSmokes on January 28, 2011, 04:20:42 pm

I'd prefer flappy paddle if I had the option, all the benefits of manuel, the ability to use the car as an automatic (at least from most companies) and no clutch peddle

Except it's not. There's still the torque converter in between the flywheel and transmission instead of the direct connection of clutch plate and flywheel. Unless you get one of those fancy ones like VW's DSG or Ford's new PowerShift gearbox.

Quote from: MarquisDeSade on January 28, 2011, 04:19:46 pm

I don't know, maybe you guys have better commutes than me but I just don't see the purpose in having a "sporty" car if you're going to be stuck in traffic all the time.

I've got winding mountain roads a mile away. Admittedly, I don't drive in DC traffic.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #623 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:40:34 pm »

Quote from: Nathan on January 28, 2011, 04:34:50 pm

Except it's not. There's still the torque converter in between the flywheel and transmission instead of the direct connection of clutch plate and flywheel. Unless you get one of those fancy ones like VW's DSG or Ford's new PowerShift

Porshe licenses triptronic pretty liberally, so more companies are adopting it, even without the direct conection, you get most of the benefits- the ability to cruise in one gear, the ability to downshift, pure standard on anything but the cheapest economy cars will be gone soon, already most high performance cars use flappy paddle

Nathan · « **Reply #624 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:47:18 pm »

The high performance flappy paddle gearboxes are really automated manuals. They have a clutch like a manual, it's just controlled by computer. That's different than what you get in say the Mazda 5 where it's a regular old torque converter automatic where you can select the gear yourself if you choose.