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New Car Advice

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Face76, Oct 22, 2014.

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  1. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    #1 Face76, Oct 22, 2014
    Need to replace my wife's car. Need something that can be comfortable in town and the occasional trip to Texas From Kansas City so gas mileage is important.

    The choices so far are a Prius V or a Jetta TDI. Don't want to spend over $30k since she wrecks or abuses cars terribly. The Jetta gets my nod since I could keep it forever if she doesn't wreck it first. Not a big fan of the Prius V but a neighbor just got one and my wife likes it.

    Open to other ideas but nothing sporty. I have already looked at a Focus ST but the mileage isn't up to snuff.

    Have I said my wife wrecks cars a lot?
     
  2. PureEuroM3

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    #2 PureEuroM3, Oct 22, 2014
    Regular Prius?
     
  3. Devilsolsi

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    #3 Devilsolsi, Oct 22, 2014
    I just bought a 2011 Jetta TDI manual. I certainly wouldn't call the car fun, but it is comfortable and 45mpg is great.
     
  4. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    #4 Face76, Oct 22, 2014
    Neighbor's car is a V which I believe is the biggest version of the Prius. I have not sat in it yet but my wife did get to drive the neighbor's car and really liked it. We have farm equipment so my wife knows the difference between gas and diesel so not scared of her mis-filling the Jetta TDI. Not sure about my kids though.
     
  5. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 TexasF355F1, Oct 22, 2014
    If she likes the prius....happy wife happy life?

    My uncle just bought a Jetta wagon tdi yesterday. Sort of funny, since I bought my tdi, two of my uncles have now bought one. Sounds like that's what you would prefer?
     
  6. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    #6 Face76, Oct 22, 2014
    Not familiar with the longevity of the Prius V but would expect that the TDI could last a long time with a responsible owner.
     
  7. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 TexasF355F1, Oct 22, 2014
    I love mine more than I ever thought I would.
     
  8. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #8 parkerfe, Oct 22, 2014
    Passat TDI, Jetta TDI or Golf TDI all are great, depending on her needs.
     
  9. Whisky

    Whisky Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 Whisky, Oct 23, 2014
    How long do batteries last in a Prius? 7 years? Then you have to pay how much for new ones, and how much to discard the old ones? Isn't it quite a bit, like 3K total?
     
  10. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 GuyIncognito, Oct 23, 2014
    agree.

    Jetta if you want cheap sedan.

    Golf if you need a hatchback.

    Passat if you need space/comfort. (I had a Passat rental car last month in Austin, put 600+ miles on it, very comfortable car)
     
  11. Face76

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    #11 Face76, Oct 23, 2014
    I prefer the Passat myself and the battery life of the Prius worries me a little. Test driving this weekend and then make a decision as it is end of the month.
     
  12. PureEuroM3

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    #12 PureEuroM3, Oct 23, 2014
    Batteries are designed to last the life of the car. In my 3 years at Toyota we didn't change a single battery. This is not new technology and has been in North America for 15 or so years.

    Toyota Prius Hybrid Taxi Clocks 1 Million Kilometers in Vienna
    DailyTech - Cab Driver Passes 400,000km Mark in Prius

    The engine in the Prius v should be the same as the regular, 1.8 with hybrid synergy drive. I'm not trying to be biased but I know the Prius very well so figured I would share.

    You can't go wrong with vw as they make great cars but we have had two auto trannies blow on our golf and jetta. My brothers tdi ended up being a money pit.

    Fuel wise Prius will win in city tdi on highway.
     
  13. Face76

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    #13 Face76, Oct 24, 2014
    Our current Jetta was a great car until my eldest daughter took it to college for 2 years where it sat outside. Changing a thermostat on a gas Jetta is nuts and expensive. Overall though, the car has been a tank. I worry about how VW has de-contented their cars though because we would be buying one of the lower models in the line-up and we currently refer to the Jetta seats as vinyl-covered cement blocks.

    I have ridden in older Prius' and liked them so we shall see this weekend.
     
  14. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 TexasF355F1, Oct 24, 2014
    Harsh winters?
     
  15. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    #15 Face76, Oct 24, 2014
    Yes. Northern Missouri can be pretty hard on these cars, especially when they are only driven periodically.
     
  16. Bullfighter

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    #16 Bullfighter, Oct 24, 2014
    At risk of suggesting something a little more stylish and borderline fun, maybe a base MINI Cooper?

    Nice mpg, not all that fast but they are nice to drive...
     
  17. bounty

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    #17 bounty, Oct 24, 2014
    Camry Hybrid? Just throwing something else out there.
     
  18. zygomatic

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    #18 zygomatic, Oct 24, 2014
    Maybe a Ford Fusion hybrid?
     
  19. PureEuroM3

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    #19 PureEuroM3, Oct 24, 2014
    The Prius is not something I would call a luxury interior either. My favourite interior is actually the regular Prius with no leather. No chance against a tdi passat for example.
     
  20. PureEuroM3

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    #20 PureEuroM3, Oct 24, 2014
    Clever mix of bOth but the hybrid Camry trunk will be smaller and lacks some reclining seat features which always was a negative for me. Can't speak for the new model Camry though which is coming out soon (2015).
     
  21. The Kook Abides

    The Kook Abides F1 Rookie

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    #21 The Kook Abides, Oct 24, 2014
    Teach her how to drive. Crashing cars is not cool...
     
  22. PureEuroM3

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    #22 PureEuroM3, Oct 25, 2014
    So yes I am finally on a computer so I want to chime in a bit.

    Prius and Prius V are very similar the main difference is the space. If you are comparing sizes the Prius is closer vs. the Jetta and will get better mileage.

    LOTS of cars out there, feel free to pm me as I am very active in the auto industry.

    Mazda makes some cool cars and they have SkyActiv to help fuel economy. Subaru is great for safety, especially if your wife destroys cars, and they have the PZEV. Honda has lots (Fit is a cool little compact).

    If fuel mileage is a big deal I have an excel spread sheet that will help you compare vehicle prices / fuel economy.
     
  23. Face76

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    #23 Face76, Oct 25, 2014
    Bought a leftover 2014 Prius (not the V). Got almost 20% off sticker and they weren't really dealing on the V's. Looked at the Jettas but just wasn't impressed with the interiors which, for some reason, I expected to be nicer.
     
  24. bounty

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    #24 bounty, Oct 26, 2014
    Congrats, I think you made a great choice. I have a few friends who have had Jetta TDIs over the years. It seems like they either have tons of issues or run forever with little in between - at least in the limited cases that I have gotten feedback on. Prius is a much more solid choice IMO.
     
  25. PureEuroM3

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    #25 PureEuroM3, Oct 26, 2014
    You will be vey happy with that purchase. depending on how you drive you may even get better mileage vs the fuel rating .
     

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