Looking for a family car, maybe a Jetta Wagon TDI?

[BuickMike]

I'm on a tight budget but am looking for a new car like a wagon or a small SUV.

Any thoughts on the Jetta TDI Wagon? I looked at a Passat, but it's about 6 grand more, isn't that much bigger, and gets 7-8 less mpg.

I'm trying to get something around or under $25k. Most other wagons and SUV's are in the $32 - $35k range. If I'm going to blow that kinda money, I might as well get a Magnum RT.

 

[DKREDT]

How about the new 250 horse Subaru Legacy's?

 

[Jbenn911]

My boss at work had a Jetta TDi..Great mileage and not too terribly slow for an oil burner..Big problem was, they recommend changing the timing belt at 40,000 and it's allegedly a 700+ dollar job..

 

[UNGN]

The best tight Budget Family cars is a late 90's chrysler mini van.

Why do people on tight budgets buy new cars?

We used to get 20 city/28 highway with our '97 Grand Caravan with the big 3.8L and you could haul anything.

The best thing is you can buy them all day for less than $5000 for ones with 60K miles.

You can buy a lot of gas with the $20K you save.

 

[BuickMike]

I will not buy anything with more than 5k miles on it at the most. You never know what the last person did to the car. I'd rather have a new car for the peace of mind. Right now I am working 50-60 hours a week and have a wife and my 4 month old son at home. I really want to spend time with them instead of in the garage.

 

[scottyb]

"Tight budget" and "new car" don't belong together in the same breath. I'll never buy a new car unless I have nothing else to spend the money on.

 

[BandAid]

bought a Chevy Uplander 2005 for $21,000 from the dealer,had 3,000 miles ,do a search on ebay to see what they look like,...Very roomy,Buick has the Terraza ,which is the same...Pontiac has one that is also the same ,dont know the name of it

 

[ACME RACING]

Originally posted by BuickMike
I'm on a tight budget but am looking for a new car like a wagon or a small SUV.

Any thoughts on the Jetta TDI Wagon? I looked at a Passat, but it's about 6 grand more, isn't that much bigger, and gets 7-8 less mpg.

I'm trying to get something around or under $25k. Most other wagons and SUV's are in the $32 - $35k range. If I'm going to blow that kinda money, I might as well get a Magnum RT.

Two neighbors here have Forester's for several years and love them.
Great gas mileage , dependable like Toyota , all-wheel drive, rate high in insurance crash test..You can get it in a turbo version for $25,845.00 ,so your Buick can be friends with it..


http://www.subaru.com/shop/model_consideration.jsp?model=FORESTER

http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=FORESTER&trim=25_XT


http://www.subaru.com/shop/model_consideration.jsp?model=LEGACY


http://www.subaru.com/tools/reviews/index.jsp?model=FORESTER&file=ind_rev_forester_index.xml

 

[BuickMike]

BandAid and Acme, those are great ideas. I was thinking of buying GM since they have the good sale going on now. I also like the Sub's. Looks like I have more test driving to do.

 

[Kingsford]

Avoid VW like the plague!!!

VW makes junk! It's as simple as that. They don't hold up well and are a maintenance nightmare. Be prepared to part with some paychecks when it comes time service or repair them. I had a `97 GTI with the old school 2.0L I4. It was plagued by sensor and electrical problems. The garage that worked on it (frequently) actually started to feel sorry for me! A brake job (new rotors and pads all around) cost me $250 and I did the work myself! My brother has a 2001 Jetta with the VR6 and they can't wait to get rid of it. Along with the usual sensor and electrical problems interior pieces/panels are coming loose and falling apart. My co-worker bought a new 2001 Passat and traded it for a BMW after six months! Take other members advice and get a GM or Chrysler minivan or better yet get the Subaru. I will say one nice thing about VW; they provide a lot of jobs to people

 

[krom]

Saab 92x same as the Subaru WRX wagon for under 20k.

 

[BEATAV8]

Forrester 2.5XT Turbo. I bought one for the wife and love it. Price was $23,400 + tax, title, lic...

It has the STi 2.5 liter engine with a WRX 2.0 liter turbo. Pulls great in the low and mid range, plus there is some aftermarket stuff available. Lots of fun, even surprised the hell out of a turbo PT cruiser and loved every second of it.

www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6854

www.cobbtuning.com

 

[UNGN]

Originally posted by krom
Saab 92x same as the Subaru WRX wagon for under 20k.

The Saab's sticker is actually $3K MORE than a WRX. With discounts it may be about the same, but they are NOT under $20K new. Sticker is closer to $24K stripped.

They are a lot of fun to drive, but it's still a $25K sh!tbox (with a nice motor/drivetrain). If you are looking for a "family car" and not a "performance car", an Altima or a Ford 500 are both way more car for the same money.

 

[BLACK6PACK]

Be ready to spend money on repairs for any european car. They have the worst reliability ratings. A friend of mine bought a brand new bmw 330 and within 2 years had been in the shop a total of 30 times. 5 times it left her stranded on the road.

I will never buy a new car either. I'll always buy one a year or two old and let the 1st owner take a hit on the depriciation. I bought my Eagle talon TSI with 20k miles on it for $9700, sticker was over $23k. I'm still driving it 5 years later.

I spend $5-10k less than sticker, and buy the extended warrenty for $1000 and its just like having a new car.

 

[cwelk87gn]

I think I would lean towards a Jap car or domestic. I've owned BMW's, Saab's, Jag's and such and from my experience, they require alot of costly maintenance. Hell, GM is practically giving away new cars right now, and if I were in the market I would look at an Uplander like bandaid said.

 

[BuickMike]

Thanks for all the advise! I've been reading up and it seems like lately VW's have been prone to a lot of sensor and misc electronics failures. I should know better. I used to own a Porsche 924S. Fun to drive, but what a P.O.S.

What kind of gas mileage do the Sub's get? I take it the turbo models require 91 octane?

I'll check out the Uplander too. Not too sure the wife would go for it though. She's hoping we find something that handles decent.

 

[ACME RACING]

Originally posted by BuickMike
Thanks for all the advise! I've been reading up and it seems like lately VW's have been prone to a lot of sensor and misc electronics failures. I should know better. I used to own a Porsche 924S. Fun to drive, but what a P.O.S.

What kind of gas mileage do the Sub's get? I take it the turbo models require 91 octane?

I'll check out the Uplander too. Not too sure the wife would go for it though. She's hoping we find something that handles decent.

The non-turbo gets 28-30mpg , turbo is 20-25 mpg, depending on foot weight.....



The Forester turbo is quicker than a stock GN

===
Subaru Forester 2.5XT
1 2 3 4

(continued)

C/D TEST RESULTS

ACCELERATION (Seconds)
Zero to 30 mph: 1.3
40 mph: 2.6
50 mph: 3.6
60 mph: 5.3
70 mph: 6.9
80 mph: 9.2
90 mph: 11.8
100 mph: 15.0
110 mph: 19.5
120 mph: 26.7

Standing 1/4-mile: 13.8 sec @ 97 mph
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.3
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph: 8.4
50-70 mph: 8.1
Top speed (governor limited): 129 mph

 

[krom]

Originally posted by UNGN
The Saab's sticker is actually $3K MORE than a WRX. With discounts it may be about the same, but they are NOT under $20K new. Sticker is closer to $24K stripped.

They are a lot of fun to drive, but it's still a $25K sh!tbox (with a nice motor/drivetrain). If you are looking for a "family car" and not a "performance car", an Altima or a Ford 500 are both way more car for the same money.

Saab Employee Discount Price for 2005 Saab 9-2X
(Select a different vehicle)


Selected Style: Aero
Saab Employee Discount Price: (approx.) $19,425.00 (Details)
(after applicable incentives)

 

[UNGN]

Originally posted by krom
Saab Employee Discount Price for 2005 Saab 9-2X
(Select a different vehicle)


Selected Style: Aero
Saab Employee Discount Price: (approx.) $19,425.00 (Details)
(after applicable incentives)

That's almost $8,000 off MSRP so that would be a smoking deal if you could actually get one at that price. The Sticker on a Aero is $27K+. It's a good $19K car (but a pretty cheap feeling $25K car)

If you are serious about a new car, Krom is 100% right, go to the Saab dealer and take advantage of their desparation. They will pay you to drive the car for a year at that price.

I'd feel like a dumbass if I bought one two months ago.

 

[RoseyT]

Originally posted by UNGN
That's almost $8,000 off MSRP so that would be a smoking deal if you could actually get one at that price. The Sticker on a Aero is $27K+. It's a good $19K car (but a pretty cheap feeling $25K car)

Last month before the GM employee discount thing, they had at least $7,000 rebates on them (6000 rebate + 1000 hot button). Like you said, i think its a great car for just under 20k, but i dont think worth 27k (about 30k with cold, premium and sport packages ) I personally like the saab front end better than the wrx, its less of a 'boy racer' look...at least for me, just my opinion.

There's talk on their forums that 5spd's are hard to come by right now. And there was some talk that this might be the only year for the 9-2x.

www.saab92x.com

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?start=0&catid=18&threadid=463298 << This thread is 128 pages.

Good luck with your car search.