car shopping

[netmouse]

A couple months ago we narrowed my car search down to Volkswagon. I really like the german engineering and the look and feel of the cars along with various features. I've test-driven the Jetta, the Golf, and the Beetle.

Tonight I finally got a solid sense that the golf is not the car for me.

If I buy one of the cars currently at the local dealer, I'm deciding between a Galaxy Blue 2004 Beetle GLS and a Spice Red 2004 Jetta. Both are discounted for having been a service loaner or show car. Neither has more than 3000 miles on it and both would carry full new-car warranty.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

I had a long string of expensive repairs that masqueraded as a mode of transport: it was a 1993 VW Jetta (purchased used in 2001), and a nightmare.

I'm now driving a 2002 Hyundai Accent (used also, but purchased in 2003 from a Hyundai dealer) and blessing it every time I write out my (small, fixed, predictable, affordable) car payment check.

Since you're looking at basically new cars, you may not run into the string of undiagnosable problems and cascading repairs I hit.

[yix.livejournal.com]

I really like the Jetta's actually...though I have not driven a Beetle, so I'm not sure I can compare. I have heard the repair cost nightmares that batwrangler mentioned, but like them, I'm guessing the newness will make that less of an issue for you.

And on the plus side, learning how to repair some of the things in the Jetta isn't too difficult...and sort of fun.

[mgaiman.livejournal.com]

I've always loved Jettas. (So that's my vote.)

[stardustgirl.livejournal.com]

Blue Beetle. But then you know my taste for car design so I'm betting this isn't a shock. :-)

I had Batwranglers experience with a string of undiagnosable problems and cascading repairs with a purchased-brand-new Buick once upon a time. It was truly the Demon Seed of vehicles. Even the mechanic was impressed with how horrible it was despite meticulous maintenance... and he advised me to dump it. It's pretty bad when your mechanic urges you to get rid of what is, for him, a cash cow. :-D My Beetle-owning friends love their cars. So far I know three... all three happy campers.

[fredcritter.livejournal.com]

Since you've already narrowed it down to Volkswagon I won't say another word.

[brendand.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the beetles are kinda cute, but I really think the Jetta's a better car. I didn't realize you were looking into a new car. VW makes a few nice cars.

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

We have two Jettas -- one a 1997 manual with 110,000 miles on it that still runs entirely reliably (and is the car I generally drive), and a new turbo station wagon. My, the turbo really enhances the acceleration... I'd recommend either a manual transmission or if you go automatic get the turbo.

But... Jetta.

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

I always want the red car.

(Of course, there usually isn't one available when I'm looking, which is why the blue car is blue and the van is silver.)

[dreadpiratesiri.livejournal.com]

go for the jetta, my boyfriend's mom has one that she's had for five or ten years and it still runs beautifully. Plus, you'd look far more striking in a spice red car. ;-)

[foms.livejournal.com]

In the mid- to late-1980s, Jetta was the car of choice for taxi drivers in Montreal. They ran some of them only when a single driver was working and some nearly all the time, turning them off only to refuel. They put hundreds of miles per day on them.

These cars didn't give much trouble. I rarely heard of one dying. Maybe VW has changed them since. Maybe they go for a certain amount of time and them give up the ghost.

That's all I know. It ain't much.

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

Jetta's are more flexible in terms of interior space and practicality and they go like stink!

Beetle's are an impractical personal style statement unless you are very tall and then the head room comes in handy.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

yeah, see, well, Bill is quite tall. The Beetle has enough head room he could comfotably wear a hat.. the jetta has very little space above his head.

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

So there is just enough space?

Also is the Jetta a 2 door or 4 door?

Four doors are more practical if you plan on children or taking alot of people on trips.

[foms.livejournal.com]

He has to be ok with not only the room for his head but with his field of vision when sitting upright. I find that I have to hunch to see out the top of the front windows of many cars.

[matt-arnold.livejournal.com]

Jettas are great cars. It's true that a Beetle is an impractical personal style statement, but so? It's a GOOD statement and it is the car I would buy if money were no object.

[yuggoth.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure whether this is actually true, but I'm often told that red cars result in more speeding tickets because the cops watch them more closely.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I suspect that if this is true it is more true for cherry red or racecar red than it is for dark red.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Beetles are very much "personal statement" cars. Make sure it's a personal statement you don't mind making.

B

[sraun]

Ooohhhh! Blue!

Not necessarily the best way to make a decision, but that's the way I'd go!

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I'm not constituted to care about my own car all that much, let alone anybody else's.

K.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I'm not constituted to care about my own car all that much, let alone anybody else's.

yeah, my neither. Part of why I've had a hard time shopping. It requires having an opinion.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Then buy the less expensive. If the price is the same, flip a coin.

K.