O God. Am I going to buy a Prius????

[Northlands]

Is this the current version (2010+)?

Either way, Jetta wagen TDI sounds like the better overall choice.

Just make sure she's on board with a diesel. While it makes sense to us, she might really want the hybrid aspect of it.

[Laconian]

Is this the current version (2010+)?

Either way, Jetta wagen TDI sounds like the better overall choice.

You can see my impressions in the TSX successor thread. IMO the TDI wagon is fantastic.

[CJ]

Is this the current version (2010+)?

Either way, Jetta wagen TDI sounds like the better overall choice.

My mother doesn't like cars.  He Accord was merely adequate when new in 2007, but she liked the V6 power and taught suspension.  Her Jetta blows her mind.  Any time we have a guest over, she goes on about her TDI.  She extols the virtues of the car to no end.  She is head over heals in love with this car, and rightfully so.  While it may have leatherette, the interior is really very good quality.  The audio quality is pretty decent for a $25,000 car, and the seats are extremely comfortable.  It drives like an Audi.

[12,000 RPM]

Anyone know anything about Volts? Wifey has a charging station right at her job's front door...

[AutobahnSHO]

You can see my impressions in the TSX successor thread. IMO the TDI wagon is fantastic.

sigh, still want.

[AutobahnSHO]

Anyone know anything about Volts? Wifey has a charging station right at her job's front door...

what's his nuts has one and has a whole thread about it.

[AutobahnSHO]

http://www.carspin.net/index.php?topic=30252.msg1993733#msg1993733

[MrH]

Anyone know anything about Volts? Wifey has a charging station right at her job's front door...

I like it a lot more than the prius, if that counts for anything.

The new one coming out is going to have some serious range. How soon are you looking to buy?

[Raza]

Anyone know anything about Volts? Wifey has a charging station right at her job's front door...

ChrisV and Nomis both have a Volt.

[12,000 RPM]

I like it a lot more than the prius, if that counts for anything.

The new one coming out is going to have some serious range. How soon are you looking to buy?

Like 2 or 3 years. We're far away. I just noticed that used ones are starting to get down under 20K, so I figure they will be down where I'd be willing to pay ($15Kish) when we're ready.

I'm not crazy about the interior, but for wifey and her commute, it kind of works. Better performance/economy than the Prius, and the same performance as the JSW TDI with way more economy. Unless it drives like total ass, it's kind of a no brainer, especially if I can get one for $15K used with less than like 70K miles.

[AutobahnSHO]

Some of the "commuter cars" i see in parking lots really kill me. One co-worker drives a Lincoln Navigator or 3er hardtop convertible.
Her husband also commutes to the base here. So any given day one of them is driving the Navigator.

The big pickups, the d00d with the minivan every day, it really boggles the mind how our low gas prices are so different than the driving world everywhere else on the planet.

[GoCougs]

Like 2 or 3 years. We're far away. I just noticed that used ones are starting to get down under 20K, so I figure they will be down where I'd be willing to pay ($15Kish) when we're ready.

I'm not crazy about the interior, but for wifey and her commute, it kind of works. Better performance/economy than the Prius, and the same performance as the JSW TDI with way more economy. Unless it drives like total ass, it's kind of a no brainer, especially if I can get one for $15K used with less than like 70K miles.

Look at that statement though - $15k for a used compact with 70k miles? Just as with hybrids the economics of diesels don't wash. Buy an equivalent used Civic or Corolla for 50-60% of that cost...

[GoCougs]

Some of the "commuter cars" i see in parking lots really kill me. One co-worker drives a Lincoln Navigator or 3er hardtop convertible.
Her husband also commutes to the base here. So any given day one of them is driving the Navigator.

The big pickups, the d00d with the minivan every day, it really boggles the mind how our low gas prices are so different than the driving world everywhere else on the planet.

That's good though - it's called "liberty" which much the rest of the world doesn't have in anything close to what we have here.

[SVT666]

It's cheaper to pay the gas for a Navigator than it is to own different vehicles for every occasion. I drive an Explorer every day that averages 18 mpg.  The only reason I have it is because I have a boat and occasionally the kids bring their friends with us.  I would love to own a Volt for commuting, a truck to tow the boat, a minivan for when the kids bring their friends, and a two seat sports car for fun times.  Instead I have an Explorer (and a utility trailer) and an Infiniti G37 to cover all those things in just two vehicles.

[68_427]

Like 2 or 3 years. We're far away. I just noticed that used ones are starting to get down under 20K, so I figure they will be down where I'd be willing to pay ($15Kish) when we're ready.

I'm not crazy about the interior, but for wifey and her commute, it kind of works. Better performance/economy than the Prius, and the same performance as the JSW TDI with way more economy. Unless it drives like total ass, it's kind of a no brainer, especially if I can get one for $15K used with less than like 70K miles.

I don't know how much you care about miles but...

http://insideevs.com/perfect-storm-used-chevy-volts/

[MrH]

Wait, you're talking 2-3 years out?  The whole used car market could be different by then, your needs will be different, etc.

[Raza]

Some of the "commuter cars" i see in parking lots really kill me. One co-worker drives a Lincoln Navigator or 3er hardtop convertible.
Her husband also commutes to the base here. So any given day one of them is driving the Navigator.

The big pickups, the d00d with the minivan every day, it really boggles the mind how our low gas prices are so different than the driving world everywhere else on the planet.

Some of the cars I saw at work were not great choices for a commute either. 760li (owned by a chick who was the same rank as I was, current generation), Nissan Pathfinder with roofbox on all the time, enormous Dodge Ram 2500 or something like that, and occasionally an H1. And a weirdo who drove a Z4 top down in freezing temperatures and in the rain.

[AutobahnSHO]

And a weirdo d00d who drove a Z4 top down in freezing temperatures and in the rain.

Fixed.

[AutobahnSHO]

It's cheaper to pay the gas for a Navigator than it is to own different vehicles for every occasion. I drive an Explorer every day that averages 18 mpg.  The only reason I have it is because I have a boat and occasionally the kids bring their friends with us.  I would love to own a Volt for commuting, a truck to tow the boat, a minivan for when the kids bring their friends, and a two seat sports car for fun times.  Instead I have an Explorer (and a utility trailer) and an Infiniti G37 to cover all those things in just two vehicles.

Agreed. It just cracks me up sometimes.

[veeman]

That's good though - it's called "liberty" which much the rest of the world doesn't have in anything close to what we have here.

In addition for a daily short commute, gas price is inconsequential so it makes sense to take the Navigator.  Both a Navigator and a Fiat will take up one parking spot. 

[12,000 RPM]

Buy an equivalent used Civic or Corolla for 50-60% of that cost...

No.....

[SVT666]

Agreed. It just cracks me up sometimes.

One of the dumbest arguments I hear about pickup trucks is, "I rarely see trucks hauling or pulling anything during my commute".  Well, no shit.  I don't know about you. but I have never towed a 5th wheel or taken a load of firewood to work with me.

[12,000 RPM]

I don't know how much you care about miles but...

http://insideevs.com/perfect-storm-used-chevy-volts/

I'm not scared of miles at all, my Z is about to turn over 180K and it runs great

Plus with more miles = less depreciation, and a modern car is not much less reliable at 50K miles than it is at 100K miles. I.e. if its crap its crap from day one, if its good it's good for the long haul. Wifey can charge up for free at her job so we are talking 4 digit annual savings on fuel over a conventional Civrolla. So from a cost of ownership POV it's not something I would dismiss

[GoCougs]

One of the dumbest arguments I hear about pickup trucks is, "I rarely see trucks hauling or pulling anything during my commute".  Well, no shit.  I don't know about you. but I have never towed a 5th wheel or taken a load of firewood to work with me.

Actually, it's a pretty good argument. The vast majority of pickup buyers don't need in any way, shape or form a 300+ hp, 5,500+ lb battle wagon to get through life.

[AutobahnSHO]

Or they could rent the truck the 3times per year they actually use it like a truck.
The gas moneys saved the rest of the year would totally bankroll it.

[AutobahnSHO]

.....  and a modern car is not much less reliable at 50K miles than it is at 100K miles. I.e. if its crap its crap from day one, if its good it's good for the long haul.

Very excellent point that most people never think about. If the car was a lemon it would have been sold several times instead of hitting 120k with only 1-2 owners.

[hotrodalex]

Relatives drove from SC to Cincy in their new Camry hybrid, only used like 10 gallons (maybe a bit less). :shocked:

Edit: okay did the math and that's not too crazy. V8 powarrrr has affected my expectations a lot.

[SVT666]

Actually, it's a pretty good argument. The vast majority of pickup buyers don't need in any way, shape or form a 300+ hp, 5,500+ lb battle wagon to get through life.

No, it's a pretty terrible argument.  I drove a Ram for 3 years.  Not once did I tow or haul a load to work, but on the weekends I almost always had stuff in the box.  I agree most people who own trucks don't need them, but that's not argument for people not owning them either.  #Freedom

[Northlands]

No.....

No kidding. 2-3 year old Civics around here are selling for $15k.

[GoCougs]

No, it's a pretty terrible argument.  I drove a Ram for 3 years.  Not once did I tow or haul a load to work, but on the weekends I almost always had stuff in the box.  I agree most people who own trucks don't need them, but that's not argument for people not owning them either.  #Freedom

Sure; if people want a truck by all means - naturally I wouldn't ever argue restricting someone's choice on what to drive (I wouldn't mind me a Sierra with the new 420 hp 6.2L) but most people simply don't need them, and considering how much they cost to buy and fuel, it's a discussion point as it concerns personal finance and American indebtedness...