Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I had a Focus rental a couple weeks ago and had the same thing. I assume it was due to the auto Start-Stop-- engine was "stopped" when at a standstill, then "started" when I got going again.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

This one kept running when stopped, just stumbled when it got going again. May have just been that car, but I think I've read reviews with the same complaints. just my .02

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

The focus I drove was a newer one, 2012, didn't have any issues I noticed except being really dirty, like close to unacceptably dirty for a car on a lot.

Otherwise, fun to drive, good gas mileage and great interior and features. No weird stumbling issues at all.

Im going to stop at a ford dealer to check a few out and see a fusion or two.

Subaru is also still on the list.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Yeah... Honda's been making our lot a fucking disaster! They're building a new service department, which has left a giant dirt patch next to us. Detail comes out every morning and sprays the cars down. When this gets covered again by dust and turns in to mud. So they basically go from dirty, to clean for about 10 minutes, to muddy.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I am am interested to see what you end up going with, Dave. I am in about the exact same boat... want to replace my old POS with a 1-2 year old car in that 16-20k mark.

So far my short list is:

New Focus hatch
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
Mk VI Golf 2.5 (am a sucker for the Lamborghini engine)

Let me know if you run across anything that surprises you (in a good way) while out test driving cars.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Will do!

I meant the inside more than the outside, you could tell plenty of employees drive it and never clean it...get it detailed up for next time I come back, hard to tell if I would want that particular one with how dirty it was.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I know I have asked this before, but I will ask again since it relates to this thread.

I need to get approved for my loan now so I can seriously look for a car.

Was planning on doing a credit union or at least talking with one, so I can get setup for the amount etc. Then go buy a car.

I am leaning towards the Hyundai sonata, half way decent looking car, drove nice, decent features and roomy and still 35mpg. Seems like a win win.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^Did you try the kia version? I think its a lot more badass looking and from what car & driver said comes with a lot more features standard.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

If you're still interested in the one we have, we work with about 50 different lenders, banks and credit unions. Typically speaking* when you work with a dealer who uses multiple lenders you get a better rate than you would as a private person. We can beat or beat just about any rate.

*I've seen someones personal credit union beat our rate about 4 times in the 9 months I've been here. One was a bank employee, another was a loan against her 401k.

If you'd like, Dave, I can get some basic info from you and I can see what kind of financing I can find you.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

PM me, if you want to try and get some basic info :)

Aaron, I have not yet, haven't had time with all the other shit going on lately. Last weekend was track weekend and this weekend is the cruise, been busy.I will though before I buy.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Have you driven a TDi yet?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Nope. Haven't had a chance to test anything else

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

PM sent

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

You might like that TDI and if you don't drive that much the maintenance costs might be easier to swallow!

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember him saying he does do quite a bit of driving? I think that's part of why gas mileage us a factor.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

What maintenance is higher than a gas car? oil is every 10k per factory. there is a timing belt at 100k. The jetta, golf don't have uera (sp?) tanks.

If you get the DSG trans, it has a fluid and filter change, like anyother twinclutch trans.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^My best friend I lived with for the last 8 months had one, but he drove 50k miles in 2 yrs, hence why I said if you don't drive that much.

You can't just go to fleet farm and get the oil and filter you need and he would show me the costs of the maintenance they did and it was rediculous.

How is your TDI?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Take a deep breath....

I don't have one, but have been looking into them for my wifes next car. I'm not claiming to be an expert, I'm just going off the research I've done to better inform myself before diving into a car I am not familiar with, partly from edmunds.com, which is a pretty creditable resource. And other TDI webpages, with DIY how-to's and so on.

Looks like an oil change is about $50-$60 for oil and filter. BUT thats every 10k. So that seems about on part with a normal car, which is usually every 5k or less. You can buy oil at Auto parts stores.... those are hard to find! Trans fluid for the DSG, as said before is expensive yes, but it is that expensive on all cars with DSG type transmissions, but they also dont perform like a normal auto.

And its going to be ridiculous costing if you take anything to the dealer to have it done! Also just thought I'd say I'm coming from maintaining an Evo ($30-$35 every 5k for oil), which isn't a Ferrari, but is definitely more costly than a normal car. VW is a german car, you have to know its not going to be as cheap to maintain as a 15 year old honda or domestic. Also new VW's come with 3 years 36k mi maintenance free, so that saves some money if you buy one less than 3 years old.

Murlo, sorry for thread jacking. Please carry on with your DD purchase.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^No worries, as long as we talk about possible purchases, a little back and forth works for me :)

Carry on...

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

BTW, the last focus sold tonight. That might help make your decision a little easier.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Damn it! I actually was leaning towards that:(

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I too have been looking at new to me dailys but i want something more luxo. I thought an 05+ RL would fit the bill because its a way nice car overall with standard awd. I test drove one yesterday and then drove a lexus LS460 afterward....such a bad idea. The lexus made the acura feel so docile and slow in comparison. Different levels of car for sure.

I want to try a hyundai genesis sedan v8 next.

The search continues!

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Buy my Evo 9 for just a bit more :)

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Those are no $15k cars sir.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

05 RL is totally a 15k car!

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

true, what about the lexus?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

As a VW tech I'll mention a few things about the TDI. 09+ have the 2.0l TDi engine. The prior 1.9L was a much cruder stinky old diesel engine. That said, they got great millage. The 1.9l is the engine that has made many VW diesel nuts fall in love with VW's. Its a pretty stout engine, its only common problems are intakes clogging with carbon, and egr coolers burning up. A few have problems with the injector seats in the heads, requiring new heads.

The 2.0l has a lot more power and runs much cleaner. However it is more complex and therefore has more opportunities for problems. All the 2.0l's have either a DSG or a manual. The DSG is a nice sporty auto. They do have a couple weaknesses, the dual mass flywheels occasionally go bad at a cost of about a grand. The other issue has been mechatronics units (basically the DSG's valve body) going bad, which are covered under extended warranty until 100k. All the 2.0l's have particulate filters which are going to be a upcoming high cost issue. Vw claims they are only good for something like 115K miles and cost a couple grand to replace.

Overall I think TDI's are great for people doing a lot of driving where 40+ mpg's offsets the maintenance costs. If you are doing little driving or making short trips stay away. Diesels take a much longer time to reach operating temps, and the particulate filters need extended hwy driving to regenerate. The new Passats and all diesel Touregs use diesel fluid, which isn't really too big a deal, its cheap and doesn't need to be filled to often.

With any car 10k on a oil change is a bad idea, VW says to do it every 10K because it helps sell cars and they pay for the first 3. I highly recommend doing it at 5k.

If you like VW's but not the idea of diesel, the 2.5l 5cyl is a very nice reliable engine that will easily get over 30mpg hwy.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

^Any resources to educate oneself about the 1.9 motors?

I found tdiforums and tdiblog

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

what do you want to know?

If your looking at one drain the fuel filter. If the fuel is dark colored theres oil getting in it from the cyl head. The injectors sit in the middle of the head and are driven by the cam, on high milage engine they wear out the machined hole they sit in. This allows oil to get in the fuel, and more importantly lowers cylinder compression. Eventually needing a new head or engine.

If it sound like it has a exhaust leak just behind the engine the egr cooler is probably burnt up. This allows exhaust to blow out on the backside of the engine.

If it feels really slow and there's alu shavings in all the intercooler pipes someone may have dropped a screw in the turbo inlet:shocked:. I just put a new turbo on one after a simple machine screw precisely machine all the fins off the turbo.

If it stinks and blows black smoke all over its a normal running high millage 1.9l.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

im in the same boat murlo, something decent that you dont get laughed in while driving lol

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Would you recommend one? You make them sound like potential money pits and I mean in a real bad way, not just a modding cars way.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

ya if you put a lot of miles on. the cost of german parts and maintenance isn't near as big a deal for some one who's into cars and can work on them. For the average person on the street who pays someone to fix their car when ever something is wrong I would be a bit more reluctant to recommend one.

If I lived 20+ miles from work I would lease a new TDI, or buy a old 1.9l for a beater. I would not want to own a newer TDi out of warranty. I drove a new Jetta sportwagon from kato to Chicago and back. I loved they car. I averaged just under 50mpg, and did not drive it lightly. They have a lot of torque so they are fun cars to drive. However I live 2mi from work so I drive a 6.0l v8 Chevy, mileage be dammed I like my 400hp SUV:evil:

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I just ask I found some older 1.9s with low miles and maintenance done for a good price.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Almost walked out of Tousley ford with a new 2012 fusion lol. They have like 60 2012's left that were supposed to be rental cars for Hertz or something. They took them because they can sell them fast as they are a volume dealer. Well they were giving like 4-5k in rebates and it was a very good deal for a new car.

However, the car is just too much money, more than I care to spend on a car. I'd rather save up for a nice new car, something I really want.

That being said it wasn't too much better than a 1 or 2 year old hyundai.

I got approved for financing and the car at Bobby's dealer for the Hyundai sonata, its a 2011. Its a 1 owner and you still get the good warranty from Hyundai as a second owner. Like 95% just going to buy that one.

It's roomy, great gas mileage and everyone I have talked to said its very reliable. It also has bluetooth for phone and a usb port. Good enough for me :) Also its priced reasonable at 16,700.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Don't you lose 4 years and 40k miles as a second owner? Unless you are getting a really sweet deal, it makes more sense to buy new on those. When I was looking, the used ones were like 1500-2000 less than new is all.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

16,700 vs like 20ish new, decent amount difference I believe. I haven't even checked on what new ones go for. I am pretty sure they are over 20 though.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

have you gone and test drove anything else?

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

I've drove camry's, malibu's, fusion, hyundai, mazda 3, sonata, focus, corolla and a few others for work like an HHR.

Honestly, nothing stands out to me. I have never bought a normal car before, I am always performance oriented so they are all just whatever to me.

Several were not as good but the sonota was plenty of room for me and fits the bill for gas mileage and price.

I just don't have a ton of time to go drive everything known to man. I know I'd like the subaru's, but don't want to drive them as they just don't get the gas mileage I want. I'd mod it too so I'll avoid them.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

Good deal. I'll have to tell the wife about the Fusion deal, thanks for the heads up.

I'll be out of town for the next week unfortunately so no more test drives for me for the next week. But a new 2012 Fusion at a good discount might end up being perfect for us.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

They only have like 15-20 left though and they are going fast. PM me if you want the details on what they gave me.

Keep in mind the one I will forward is with them keeping part of the rebate to get my finance rate very low so my monthly's would be where I want. But that is why i didn't like the deal. Great car though, if I had 5-10k saved up I would consider one. They have one with Sync to, just one, the white one in the paper I can forward.

So PM me with an email if you want :)