Buying a used car ...
Mar 12th 2006, 5:59 pm
#46
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by gruffbrown
Try this for a 2D car, although 3D may get you further.....
Mar 12th 2006, 6:37 pm
#47
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Crispyuk88
Can't go wrong with a Volkswagen 
Mar 12th 2006, 6:37 pm
#48
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Big D
even the shite ones they make in Mexico - or is that just the Audis that got the bad reputation?
Mar 12th 2006, 6:41 pm
#49
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
* Diesel engined VW cars - bad idea to buy in the USofA?
* What is the minimum recommended height for a front seat passenger in a car fitted with a passenger side air-bag?
*Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - all views welcome.
*Volkswagen Passat GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - is this vehicle on sale in the USA?
* What is the minimum recommended height for a front seat passenger in a car fitted with a passenger side air-bag?
*Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - all views welcome.
*Volkswagen Passat GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - is this vehicle on sale in the USA?
Mar 12th 2006, 6:43 pm
#50
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Bob
the shite ones made in mexico aren't as good, no..
The Passats are built in Germany, and I would think that they would tend to be better (although they aren't always up to snuff, either.) On the whole, VW reliability is a bit of a crap shoot, and I'd be careful.
And I wouldn't particularly want a diesel-engined car in the US -- there is no demand in the resale market, the fuel is relatively expensive and difficult to find, and few mechanics understand how to work on them. It's a fair alternative in Europe, where the fuel is available everywhere, many consumers want them, and the fuel taxes are more favorable, but in the US, I would advise limiting yourself to gas-powered cars unless you are a dieselphile and must have one, despite the many disadvantages.
Mar 12th 2006, 7:01 pm
#51
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
Sorry, I have a lot of questions. I have made my mind up to replace my current tank with a lighter but strong/durable manual shift car with better mpg. Some questions on my mind ... any feedback most welcome, and thank you guys for the very useful thoughts and tips passed to me so far in this thread ... my questions seem to have narrowed to:
* Diesel engined VW cars - bad idea to buy in the USofA?
* What is the minimum recommended height for a front seat passenger in a car fitted with a passenger side air-bag?
*Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - all views welcome.
*Volkswagen Passat GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - is this vehicle on sale in the USA?
*Carmax seem to have a no haggle price sticker - is this for real?
I've been looking closely at Carmax and their offers on VW cars. A 2002 Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback has caught my eye. Comes with a fantastic EPA Mileage rating of 42/49. I want a car that will be easy for a senior with bad arthritis to get into/out of and will give the senior a good ride. "My senior" is just just 5 foot tall (might be slightly less with wear) ... so my only beef with the Beetle is that it seems to come with just 2 doors, I worry (I am a worrywart at times) that should I end up inadvertently in a car wreck (only ever been involved in one car on car crash, a rear ending, and I was just a passenger). But with the crazy way folks drive around here and despite my conservative driving style (plenty of space between me and the vehicle in front (and behind for that matter), it is a distinct possibility. So what about the passenger size air bag ... if I could put the senior on the back seat the passenger side air bag becomes moot. I just wonder about the passenger side air bag going off in the face of a short senior - its supposed to hit the chest of a average height person. Someone of less than average height should be in the rear seat, but with a 2D car, this would be problematic for my senior passenger (mum). So maybe I should keep my eyes peeled for a TDi 2D Hatchback manual shift Jetta. The Passat has caught my eye, and it is a heavy car (good for driving around DC), but it seems to be built around an automatic transmission system. I am pleased though, to see that the VW Beetle is heavier than I thought it would be, so should cope well on snow and G-d forbid, should it ever be involved in a car wreck - I am beginning to talk like I am a G-d forbid true blue true grit G-d dam American, but I still have my British accent! The other worry I have with a diesel engined auto, is that diesel isn't exactly popular over here - probably because many parts of the USA are so stinking cold in winter. Anyone have thoughts on this? Finally, Carmax seem to have a no haggle price sticker - is this for real?
* Diesel engined VW cars - bad idea to buy in the USofA?
* What is the minimum recommended height for a front seat passenger in a car fitted with a passenger side air-bag?
*Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - all views welcome.
*Volkswagen Passat GLS TDi 2D Hatchback - is this vehicle on sale in the USA?
*Carmax seem to have a no haggle price sticker - is this for real?
I've been looking closely at Carmax and their offers on VW cars. A 2002 Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDi 2D Hatchback has caught my eye. Comes with a fantastic EPA Mileage rating of 42/49. I want a car that will be easy for a senior with bad arthritis to get into/out of and will give the senior a good ride. "My senior" is just just 5 foot tall (might be slightly less with wear) ... so my only beef with the Beetle is that it seems to come with just 2 doors, I worry (I am a worrywart at times) that should I end up inadvertently in a car wreck (only ever been involved in one car on car crash, a rear ending, and I was just a passenger). But with the crazy way folks drive around here and despite my conservative driving style (plenty of space between me and the vehicle in front (and behind for that matter), it is a distinct possibility. So what about the passenger size air bag ... if I could put the senior on the back seat the passenger side air bag becomes moot. I just wonder about the passenger side air bag going off in the face of a short senior - its supposed to hit the chest of a average height person. Someone of less than average height should be in the rear seat, but with a 2D car, this would be problematic for my senior passenger (mum). So maybe I should keep my eyes peeled for a TDi 2D Hatchback manual shift Jetta. The Passat has caught my eye, and it is a heavy car (good for driving around DC), but it seems to be built around an automatic transmission system. I am pleased though, to see that the VW Beetle is heavier than I thought it would be, so should cope well on snow and G-d forbid, should it ever be involved in a car wreck - I am beginning to talk like I am a G-d forbid true blue true grit G-d dam American, but I still have my British accent! The other worry I have with a diesel engined auto, is that diesel isn't exactly popular over here - probably because many parts of the USA are so stinking cold in winter. Anyone have thoughts on this? Finally, Carmax seem to have a no haggle price sticker - is this for real?
Contrary to popular belief, VWs are quiet good for space. I have a friend whose 6,2 and 300lbs that got in my old car easily. My old car was a 1997 Mk3 GTI VR6)
Beetles one of the cars that I don't really have much experience with. As the beetle is a GLS I’m going to say it has height adjustable seats like the Mk4 Golf/jettas, that allow the seat to be cranked up/down a fair bit. Sounds more like a sales person question and actually try to see if an airbag would.
Jetta & Golf on the same platform, you might have a better chance getting a GTI in manual. They are built more towards "drivers" and I think you probably have a better chance finding one in manual. GTI's come in the 1.8turbo and Vr6 form. Looks like your drawn more towards mpg. A 1.8t will get better mileage than the 2.0, which is in a lot of the base model golf/jetta/beetles. It also has a lot more horsepower/torque because of the turbo.
Originally Posted by Big D
even the shite ones they make in Mexico - or is that just the Audis that got the bad reputation?
It’s a small downfall in quality? I’m not sure really, my family owns 2 Volkswagens; neither of them has given us any problems over the years. Reliability of car usually comes down to how well you take care of it, if you don’t take care of it; it’s your fault it breaks. I wouldn’t use the fact that its built in Mexico as a reason not to buy one.
Originally Posted by Bob
you seen those new adverts about de-pimping your moto?
VWOA MKV GTI Ads
Last edited by Crispyuk88; Mar 12th 2006 at 7:17 pm.
Mar 12th 2006, 7:22 pm
#52
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Again, thanks for the info ...
One other question ... this might sound like a daft question, but here goes:
When I did my driving test here in the USA, I did it in an automatic car. Does this mean I have to do another driving test if I want to drive a manual/stick-shift car here in the USA? Will I have to sit another driving test, this time in a stick shift car?
"This" might be a state-specific issue ... I will check with my local DMV to find out. Maybe a quick peek at my driving license will answer my question!
One other question ... this might sound like a daft question, but here goes:
When I did my driving test here in the USA, I did it in an automatic car. Does this mean I have to do another driving test if I want to drive a manual/stick-shift car here in the USA? Will I have to sit another driving test, this time in a stick shift car?
"This" might be a state-specific issue ... I will check with my local DMV to find out. Maybe a quick peek at my driving license will answer my question!
Last edited by User Name; Mar 12th 2006 at 7:41 pm. Reason: Fix sentence construction.
Mar 12th 2006, 7:35 pm
#53
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
Again, thanks for the info ...
One other question ... this might sound like a daft question, but here goes:
When I did my driving test here in the USA, I did it in an automatic car. Does this mean I have to do another driving test if I want to drive a manual/stick-shift car here in the USA? If I have to do another driving test in a manual gear shift car?
"This" might be a state-specific issue ... I will check with my local DMV to find out. Maybe a quick peek at my driving license will answer my question!
One other question ... this might sound like a daft question, but here goes:
When I did my driving test here in the USA, I did it in an automatic car. Does this mean I have to do another driving test if I want to drive a manual/stick-shift car here in the USA? If I have to do another driving test in a manual gear shift car?
"This" might be a state-specific issue ... I will check with my local DMV to find out. Maybe a quick peek at my driving license will answer my question!
No - thats a UK/European rule - you can drive anything out here!
Mar 12th 2006, 7:36 pm
#54
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Crispyuk88
... Looks like your drawn more towards mpg. A 1.8t will get better mileage than the 2.0, which is in a lot of the base model golf/jetta/beetles. It also has a lot more horsepower/torque because of the turbo.
Last edited by User Name; Mar 12th 2006 at 7:47 pm. Reason: breaking changed to "braking"
Mar 12th 2006, 7:38 pm
#55
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
Yes, I noticed that the 1.8T Volkswagens seem to get mpg than the 2.0L VW car. But I worry if the car insurance will be steeper on a 1.8T over a 2.0L thus negating the extra mpg with the turbo engined VW. Also, I am not sure if I had the turbo engined version that it would kick in that much as I drive conservatively, in part, to get better mpg and anticipate a lot to avoid unnecessary breaking (and hence increased fuel consumption). Also, with all things equal, would someone in a turbo car in a collision with a standard compact car with a standard engine be perceived as the greater risk taker and hence be perceived to be more at fault, all else being equal?
you are thinking UK wise again - it works differently, size of the engine isnt as relevant as you'd think!
Mar 12th 2006, 7:45 pm
#56
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Big D
you are thinking UK wise again - it works differently, size of the engine isnt as relevant as you'd think!
Mar 12th 2006, 8:13 pm
#57
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
Yes, I noticed that the 1.8T Volkswagens seem to get mpg than the 2.0L VW car.
The 1.8 turbo also had some problems with sludging. You have to be careful with turbos -- make sure that they've been run only with synthetic oil, and that oil changes were frequent. (If buying a VW, make sure that the oil also matched to VW's specific oil standard, i.e. VW 502 00.)
Also, it would help to know whether the prior owner took precautions in shutting down the car. Particularly after hard driving, turbos should be idled for a couple of minutes prior to being turned off, to allow the coolant to circulate through the motor, which should help to cool the oil and to prevent coking.
Unfortunately, most turbo owners don't take proper care of their motors. Turbo cars do require extra attention, otherwise you can expect longevity to be problematic, and a broken turbo is a very expensive part to replace.
Last edited by RoadWarriorFromLP; Mar 12th 2006 at 8:16 pm.
Mar 12th 2006, 8:15 pm
#58
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Crispyuk88
Mar 12th 2006, 8:17 pm
#59
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by Big D
No - thats a UK/European rule - you can drive anything out here!
Mar 12th 2006, 8:19 pm
#60
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Re: Buying a used car ...
Originally Posted by User Name
... Also, with all things equal, would someone in a turbo car in a collision with a standard compact car with a standard engine be perceived as the greater risk taker and hence be perceived to be more at fault, all else being equal?