Jalop advice solicitation

"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
10/11/2013 at 16:18 • Filed to: Advicelopnik

The end of November will mark the end of my time as a Camry driver. I will have around $550 per month stipend plus mileage as a car allowance moving forward.

Stipulations as follows:

Original MSRP must be greater than or equal to .9 x $25,000

Car must be 4 years old or newer.

Must be 4 doors.

Automatic (drive 500-600 miles per week)

High MPG's

My thought is that I should get a 2011-2012 Passat Diesel or Jetta Diesel. They are sub 20k now but were 25k + when new. I could even get a 2012 Ford Fusion for around 15K now since there is a wealth of them available in my area with around 30k miles.

The Passat/Jetta MPG's are staggering compared to the Fusion but the added cost of ownership kind of makes that a moot point, no?

Please advise. No trolls please.

I am open to other options. I already have a manual transmission toy that I drive for pleasure so this is solely a utilitarian expense; an appliance if you will.

DISCUSSION (26)

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:21

Are you getting one of those idiotic company car plans which means you have to constantly front money for a new car, and then get shafted on the mileage?

EDIT: It's run by a company called Runzheimer.

Kinja'd!!!

Advice: RUN NOW! RUN FAR AWAY AND DON'T STOP!

William Byrd > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:21

I like the Fusion idea, to me it's one of the best looking cars on the market, and easily the best in the midsize category.

Converse > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:22

Have you considered a Cruze diesel? I know that they are freshly available in the market, so used might be difficult.

GhostZ > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:28

Why 4 years old or newer? There's a few 5-8 year old cars with low milage that are probably more reliable / comfortable for you.

I'd personally get a Crown Victoria, and then pocket all of the leftover money you have for the minor repairs and gas money. You will be about as comfortable as any other 'newer' car, (maybe more) but with tons of space, and you'll have 1/10 the repair cost of anything that isn't a body-on-frame modular V8 sedan.

If you spend 4500 on a 2000-2005 CVPI, allocate an extra 100$ of gas and repairs per month over a comparable $10000+ car ( the bare minimum for anything 4 years old) you'll come out twice as rich. It all comes down to the question: "Is 4 years old or newer, and maybe more modern conveniences, worth $4000 a year to me?"

The CVPI won't depreciate, and if something breaks, you can find accessible parts pretty much anywhere in the country.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > GhostZ
10/11/2013 at 16:36

To comply with IRS Stipulations the car has to meet the criteria set forth. If it is older than 4 years at the end of the calendar year I no longer meet the criteria to get a tax free stipend.

It is stupid I know but ya gotta do what the man says else the man will take your moneys.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/11/2013 at 16:37

yes it is the runzheimer plan and yes i am trying to run away fast. until a new yob comes along I have to play the game. it sucks balls.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > Converse
10/11/2013 at 16:37

I have an ideological hatred for Chevrolet right now.

Tom McParland > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:38

For long drives go for the Passat it rides so much nicer than the Jetta. Also you might be able to pick up a nice 2013 Accord I think they get around 38hwy and are very nice to drive a good balance between ride and handling. The Mazda 6 is too new to fit in your price range. I'd love to help you further drop me a line if you like- Automatchconsulting @ gmail.com

Converse > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:38

Copy that. No explanation necessary!

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 16:39

I will definitely solicit your expertise once the time comes nearer. Thank you.

Tom McParland > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:40

You know where to find me :D

J. Walter Weatherman > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:43

I DD 2013 Jetta TDI and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The engine, while not exactly "sporty" does has more than enough low end grunt to make your commute a little more interesting (I have the 6-speed, which is quite fun, I'm not sure how the DSG drives). The mpgs are consistently higher than EPA ratings, even with my usual spirited driving, and you can absolutely blow the EPA ratings out of the water with just the slightest of effort. The interior is well appointed (a clear step up from the cheap base model that everyone criticizes) and I absolutely love the stereo (mine has the upgraded Fender system).

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:45

I'd pick a fusion in that scenario. And you can actually get a bottom level brand new one in your MSRP price range.

J. Walter Weatherman > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 16:48

I don't know what the Passat drives like, but I have a Jetta and have no complaints whatsoever about its comfort on long drives. One of my biggest clients is about 350 miles away, and I have made that 700 mile round trip in the last year more times than I can count.

GreenN_Gold > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 16:52

$550/month should be plenty to get pretty much whatever decent car you want. Or am I missing something?

J. Walter Weatherman > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 16:58

Seconded on the Accord, though. I know it is not the most Jalop car to recommend, but the new ones really are pretty great cars. I was strongly considering one when I was in the market last year. In fact, it is probably the car that I would have bought, if it weren't for me, at the last minute, just saying "Fuck it, let's see what this diesel business is all about" and buying the TDI.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 17:02

I know that feeling.

I was fortunately entrenched well enough that when my company tried to switch me over, I told my boss that there would be consequences for doing this. (I would be a pain to replace, as I have a bunch of extra skills which are useful, and no one else on my team has)

My E300 is paid off, is in far better condition than the base car they wanted to use (one year old 4 cylinder Accord), and I am not buying a newer econobox to commute back and forth to the airport (I fly to clients, not drive), unless provided by my company.

The accounting department was then informed that I will continue to be reimbursed at IRS rates. The E300 is a money maker on that, due to $0.15/mi in diesel fuel.

Best of luck searching for a job!

Oh, and if you can get it, Jetta or Passat TDI is the way to go.

DavidHH > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 19:07

Passats are very expensive to service.

DavidHH > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 19:10

The best automatics in the world are from GM.

The best small diesels available in the US are from VW Group.

You will need to choose which is more important to you.

Tom McParland > DavidHH
10/11/2013 at 19:13

Older ones yes but new generation ones are no worse than Jettas. If you buy a new VW your service is covered for the first few years. That being said the Accord should have lower overall maintenance costs but the transmission service intervals are like 12-15k miles.

DavidHH > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 19:20

If VW honors your warranty, and they don't always.

VW Group is also going down hill, because new beetle.

Tom McParland > DavidHH
10/11/2013 at 19:32

Well it is a crap shoot. If it were me, I would get the Accord, but if he wants something a little more luxury oriented with better MPGs than the Passat is a good option. Every buyer has different priorities.

Tom McParland > J. Walter Weatherman
10/11/2013 at 19:33

The Jetta is a fine cruiser, but there is something about that Passat, maybe the longer wheelbase that just lets it eat up the miles nicely.

DavidHH > Tom McParland
10/11/2013 at 19:46

And I would avoid the Accord, since I know them to be as difficult as the Passat, and Honda charges a fortune for parts. And their automatics often suck.

But then, I understand that the best car to own is usually from your domestic makers, if any. In the US that would be GM, first in the list because of their automatics, then Ford and Chrysler.

GhostZ > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 19:57

Well... if you have to pay for repairs, the Crown Vic was still produced up until 2012, but the up front costs puts it against a few other good cars, and a 2012 model may not be the best choice anymore.

The newer Maxima and Altima are said to have amazing seats and good interiors, so if you're looking for something that gets good MPG while still being comfortable, possibly visit a Nissan dealer and sit in the New Altima's "zero g" seats and see if you like them as a commuter car.

Dunnik > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
10/11/2013 at 20:49

The Jetta is horrible.

The Passat is much nicer. Mileage is excellent, comfortable seats, decent handler, good long distance/highway commute car.

But I'd still go for a Fusion, even though I hate the center console layout.