Oppo, Talk Me Down...

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
10/01/2015 at 11:06 • Filed to: None

I wonder if I could go to CarMax, sell them my BRZ, and pick up a Jetta Sportwagen TDI for a fraction of its original price? Then get the MaxCare extended service plan, Doug DeMuro style, for the inevitable repairs.

Am I insane?

DISCUSSION (27)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:10

Yes.

Don’t get rid of the BURZZ!

Ash78, voting early and often > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:13

Do you need a wagon or are you just wildly opportunistic? Has Carmax actually changed their pricing on these drastically? Does your state have emissions testing?

All signs point to no, IMHO.

GTI Sprinks > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:16

Except they can’t even sell used tdi’s off their lots currently (pretty sure).

Justin Hughes > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2015 at 11:18

I love wagons. And I’m opportunistic. And such a car would be a much better fit for most of my driving. And I could actually drive my fiancee and both of her boys around in it. I see a couple for around $15k, a bit less than my BRZ is worth right now. We have emissions testing in MA, but it’s not throwing any codes...

Yeah, I probably won’t do it. But it’s fun to think about.

Justin Hughes > GTI Sprinks
10/01/2015 at 11:22

VW dealers are prohibited from selling new TDIs off their lots at the moment. But other dealers and private sales on used TDIs are still OK.

qbeezy > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:23

1. The brz “currently” passes inspections and can be sold

2. You don’t know exactly how the fix from VW will affect the vehicle. It will more then likely get worse gas millage and performance.

3. You could buy it cheap now, then it may become even less valuable later.

Sam > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:24

Do you have another car to drive while it’s doing recalls? Because with the sheer number of cars being recalled, I don’t think you could realistically expect a loaner.

Captain of the Enterprise > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:26

I love that BRZs are already worth about 15K, just a few more years now and I might be able to get one.

Justin Hughes > Captain of the Enterprise
10/01/2015 at 11:27

My 2014 is worth around $20k, so it’s getting there.

Ash78, voting early and often > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:28

I think odds are good the emissions authorities in the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts are going to have this thing blacklisted ASAP — one of the five states that kept most diesels out of the US in the mid-2000s. However, if you plan on getting a chip tune (many of which can be swapped undetected back to the factory mapping with a few clicks), then maybe.

Sounds like the BRZ isn’t working for you anymore, anyway, so might be a good move. If you’re already shopping around, you could do a lot worse...

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:32

I'm contemplating this, too, but only if they're offering screaming deals on the VW. I found out that my state (PA) doesn't emission test diesels, which made me think harder..

Justin Hughes > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2015 at 11:39

Nah, it’s working fine. I like it. I just get automotive ADD sometimes. And soon I’ll be channeling that through helping my fiancee buy a new car. I may end up with her ‘02 Focus as a winter beater, too.

GTI Sprinks > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 11:43

Ah, yes. The fine print. Thanks!

bob and john > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 12:00

‘repairs’

ok, look. VWs and audi are actually reliable now. get your ass out of the early-mid 2000s.

our A3 (TDI) has 110k miles on it now. in its entire life, its had 3 CELs, none of which ever affected driving. 2 EGR cleaning solved the first 2, and the 3rd one was a sensor. that took me 2 minutes to change.

yes, go for it. our is one of the best cras. it cheap to run, it well built, it looks good, an it gets 45 mpg on the freeway. slap a tune on it and it will be even more fun.

and its got a bitchin sound system too.

wiffleballtony > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 12:13

Why trade something fun for something not fun?

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 12:17

Depends what fraction it is. 7/8? 3/4? 1/2? ;)

M54B30 > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 12:32

Last i looked on their app (few days ago) the prices havent changed and they dont negotiate sooooooooo.....

BobintheMtns > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 12:36

If you’re planning on going from a BRZ to a TDI station wagon you should prepare yourself for quite a difference in performance... one of them has some nice torque, the other’s a brz...

Svend > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 13:05

There is a lot of chaos at the moment with no one actually knowing what will happen or indeed what is happening and people are running scared. Car dealerships have stop sales on new VW TDi vehicles and resellers don’t know how to react and low balling offers or refusing to accept them and trying to sell current stock at low prices. So even though selling a VW TDi isn’t a great time, buying one is a great idea.

Justin Hughes > deekster_caddy
10/01/2015 at 13:38

3/4 to 1/2.

Justin Hughes > BobintheMtns
10/01/2015 at 13:49

Truth!

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 14:59

Have they already started dropping by that much? I figured it would take a few weeks before the news actually affected the pricing.

Justin Hughes > deekster_caddy
10/01/2015 at 15:08

This one caught my eye for just under $15k. Sure, it has 71k miles on it, but that’s what MaxCare ESP is for, right?

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 16:28

Not bad for a ‘10, but that doesn’t seem like a huge bargain either. 71K miles should be nothing for that car, barely broken in.

deekster_caddy > Justin Hughes
10/01/2015 at 16:30

I’m surprised the reviews haven’t been peppered with VW dieselgate comments yet!

Forrest > Justin Hughes
10/03/2015 at 16:19

You could sell me your BRZ...

-former TDI driver

jkm7680 > bob and john
10/03/2015 at 21:53

^That exactly.

Signed, 2000 A6 owner.