New Car for girlfriend time

[Eye of the Tiger]

or...



40k for around 11.5 thousand.  I figure I could haggle something like that down a bit.

+1

You need a W8, but it's too bad they only come with horrible automatics that suck at life.

[The Pirate]

+1

You need a W8, but it's too bad they only come with horrible automatics that suck at life.

They were available with a 6-speed manual.  Rare though.

[the Teuton]

Nick, I smell a V8 Quattro replacement for yourself in that VDub.

[Eye of the Tiger]

They were available with a 6-speed manual.  Rare though.

I must have one.

[Raza]

The only three letters you need to know:  GTI

You can get a perfect 2002-03 MK IV model for around $10K.




Cheers,
Madman of the People

Too much of a risk, I say.  Great when they work, but if VW's poor QC strategy affected the car they get, it will be in and out of the shop.  I'd be more comfortable with a 2.5L I5 car from the fifth generation.

[Raza]

+1

You need a W8, but it's too bad they only come with horrible automatics that suck at life.

Wrong.  They had plenty six speed manuals in the mix, even in the wagon form, but the entry price is going to be closer to 20K than 10.

EDIT:  I just saw the price on that one you posted.  That's uncharacteristically low.  I was searching for them just a few months ago and they were bottoming around 18K.

[68_427]

I just searched and they maxed out at about 14K.

[Raza]

I just searched and they maxed out at about 14K.

Wow.  I was looking at 2004 Passat 1.8Ts 5MTs and they were about that cost, if not higher.

What years are these cars you're seeing?

[68_427]

2001-2003, but also most had upwards of 70K miles.

I's say this one is a damn good deal.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/volkswagen-passat-cars136376863

[Raza]

It's an automatic. 

I think I might have restricted my search to cars with in-mirror turn signals (like mine), meaning 2004.5; that could account for the high price. 

If you come across any cheap stick W8 wagons give me a holler. 

[68_427]

Sure, after I buy it.   

EDIT:  Damn, I see what you're talking about.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/volkswagen-passat-cars136377899

[Raza]

Try and find me one without a front license plate bracket, eh?

[68_427]

Wrong.  They had plenty six speed manuals in the mix, even in the wagon form, but the entry price is going to be closer to 20K than 10.

I was replying to this, and manuals quite a few extra pennies.

[Raza]

I was replying to this, and manuals quite a few extra pennies.

Demand > Supply, it seems.

[Submariner]

Well...an update of sorts

We drove a saab 9-2x (if my memory serves me correct, it uses the engine from the WRX) and loved it.  Plenty of power, handled like a dream (relatively speaking) had more than enough room for all of her stuff.  Im going to get her to drive a B5 passat, and an S80, but I think she has the hots for this Subie.

Quick question.  She has poor eyesight, and a fear of driving at night.  I already installed Silverstars in her Camry (the clear ones, not ricer blues) but she says they aren't enough.  Are grill mounted aux. lamps possible on this sort of car, or would I be better off simply getting brighter bulbs for the headlights?

[the Teuton]

Well...an update of sorts

We drove a saab 9-2x (if my memory serves me correct, it uses the engine from the WRX) and loved it.  Plenty of power, handled like a dream (relatively speaking) had more than enough room for all of her stuff.  Im going to get her to drive a B5 passat, and an S80, but I think she has the hots for this Subie.

Quick question.  She has poor eyesight, and a fear of driving at night.  I already installed Silverstars in her Camry (the clear ones, not ricer blues) but she says they aren't enough.  Are grill mounted aux. lamps possible on this sort of car, or would I be better off simply getting brighter bulbs for the headlights?

The wiring harness should be ready for more lights.  The WRX has them, so it should be more than possible.

PS Arc or Aero?  Aero has the hood scoop (it's a WRX).

[Submariner]

It had the scoop

[the Teuton]

It had the scoop

She's looking at a WRX with more refinement.  It's a solid buy, but it's a premium gas kinda car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ALySsPXt0

[Submariner]

She's looking at a WRX with more refinement.  It's a solid buy, but it's a premium gas kinda car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ALySsPXt0

She doesn't mind, and for the chance to drive this car to Costco, id be more than happy to pay the difference in gas.

One thing, though.

She wants nav, and she is dead set in an integrated unit.  I think the integrated looks better, but I'm willing to bet it would cost more.  the stock radio should be the same size as an after market unit, but any idea on the wallet damage?

[Laconian]

OMG don't. Nav goes obsolete way faster than the car does. She will be cursing the nav for being a piece of shit in a year's time, because the $200 Garmin will be much snazzier than her junky integrated unit by then.

Honda wants $1.5k for their navs, I can't see Saab's being any cheaper.

[Submariner]

OMG don't. Nav goes obsolete way faster than the car does. She will be cursing the nav for being a piece of shit in a year's time, because the $200 Garmin will be much snazzier than her junky integrated unit by then.

Honda wants $1.5k for their navs, I can't see Saab's being any cheaper.

Well, the (used) car she is looking at I don't think even had it as an option.  I'm talking about the cost of an after market unit. 

[the Teuton]

An aftermarket double DIN unit will probably be around $800.  It should be able to work as a head unit and a DVD player as well.

[93JC]

I keep reading the title as "New girlfriend time".

[Madman]

Quick question.  She has poor eyesight, and a fear of driving at night.  I already installed Silverstars in her Camry (the clear ones, not ricer blues) but she says they aren't enough.  Are grill mounted aux. lamps possible on this sort of car, or would I be better off simply getting brighter bulbs for the headlights?

This should do the trick...........




Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Rich]

Quick question.  She has poor eyesight, and a fear of driving at night.  I already installed Silverstars in her Camry (the clear ones, not ricer blues) but she says they aren't enough.  Are grill mounted aux. lamps possible on this sort of car, or would I be better off simply getting brighter bulbs for the headlights?

How about a pair of glasses?

I had the same issue when I got back from my deployment last year, and would imagine trying to fix that problem with anything but a new prescription as homicide/suicide.

[Northlands]

How about a pair of glasses?

I had the same issue when I got back from my deployment last year, and would imagine trying to fix that problem with anything but a new prescription as homicide/suicide.

+1 . My lady complained about her night driving experiences for a little while. One pair of glasses later, she's fine.

Also to Sub, careful with some of those Silverstars lights. They had an unusually short lifespan. I've talked to at least a dozen people with the same complaint.  Phillips produces some bulbs with at least the same intensity as Silverstars I believe. I've been running Eurolite bulbs in my car for the past three years and so far so good. My silverstars lasted me four months. I had people echo similar longevity.

[93JC]

Getting more powerful headlights would be a good solution if the car was underlit to begin with, but if not it's one of the most prick-ish things you could possibly do.

If she can't see properly she needs glasses, not brighter headlights. And if she can't see well enough with new glasses she shouldn't be on the road.

[Cookie Monster]

Getting more powerful headlights would be a good solution if the car was underlit to begin with, but if not it's one of the most prick-ish things you could possibly do.

If she can't see properly she needs glasses, not brighter headlights. And if she can't see well enough with new glasses she shouldn't be on the road.

Srsly.

What a scary thought, people not being able to see properly but driving anyways...

[Submariner]

Guys, she has glasses.  Again, it's her being overkill and wanting something brighter for the long stretches of back road she travels.  I can't say that the lighting is good or bad, because I haven't driven he car at night.  I'm just wondering if it is at all possible.  If the lighting is good she very well may not want it, but for now, its a added measure of security...no matter how irrational it may be (she is a woman, afterall) 

[Submariner]

+1 . My lady complained about her night driving experiences for a little while. One pair of glasses later, she's fine.

Also to Sub, careful with some of those Silverstars lights. They had an unusually short lifespan. I've talked to at least a dozen people with the same complaint.  Phillips produces some bulbs with at least the same intensity as Silverstars I believe. I've been running Eurolite bulbs in my car for the past three years and so far so good. My silverstars lasted me four months. I had people echo similar longevity.

That's why I went with the uncoated ones.  I've heard numerous horror stories stemming from the ricer blue coating found on some silverstars, but not on the clear.