What is the most cost-effective European car to own long term?

"WhiskeyGolf" (whiskeygolf) 12/13/2013 at 10:24 • Filed to: None

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Lot of great posts on Oppo about fantastically Jalop vehicles coming down in price (M6 V10s going to $20k triggered my thought) but the common theme is "wait until they come down further so you can afford to fix it when stuff inevitably breaks". So what is the best modern European car to own for a long time that either won't break the bank when it needs repairs or doesn't need many fixes at all?

My dad has a 2009 328i that he's put about 1000km / week on for the last 2-3 years and even over 230k+ km he's only needed regular oil changes, so that's probably a good option.

Tom McParland > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 10:26

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The TDI VW's seem to do fairly well

505Turbeaux > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 10:26

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Always has been, always will be in my eyes. Especially if you do your own work. Keep your JC Whitney catalog close

MooseKnuckles > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 10:28

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Yugo > Miata

davedave1111 > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 10:28

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The answer is always Panda.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 10:29

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Saab 9-2X.

It's a Japanese car with a European badge because of an American company. Best of all worlds, right?

505Turbeaux > Tom McParland 12/13/2013 at 10:41

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I have had the displeasure to work on many of these. if you want a TDI to last, go pre 2003. The newer ones have had so much material stripped out of the black and IP I dont trust them over 150K. Seen multiple failures of the pumps well before that, for a $2-3K fix. They do get awesome fuel economy though, and are still fun to drive!

505Turbeaux > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 12/13/2013 at 10:41

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love those cars

Tom McParland > 505Turbeaux 12/13/2013 at 10:43

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So under 150k they are probably ok?

505Turbeaux > Tom McParland 12/13/2013 at 10:45

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they start to worry me at somewhere like 120K, but a well maintained one using the correct oil and not thrashed I would vet up to 150K, maybe 200K. It just isnt like they used to be, good for the super long 300K+ haul

Tom McParland > 505Turbeaux 12/13/2013 at 10:47

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Good to know as the MK7 TDI Sportwagen is on my shopping list for a next car. But I don't drive much (only 26k on my '10 Mazda) so I should be fine for several years until I want something ele.

505Turbeaux > Tom McParland 12/13/2013 at 10:49

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how often do you drive and what distances? Then I can advise you a bit better

Tom McParland > 505Turbeaux 12/13/2013 at 10:52

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For long distances and weekends we take my wife's Sienna. I pretty much just take my car to work about 10 miles each way...and drive around town. Sometimes I'll drive far if I have to go to a workshop or something but that doesn't come up often. I like the TDI but really I don't drive enough to have the diesel premium be really "worth" it just want it for the torque and the fact I can get a wagon with 3-pedals.

505Turbeaux > Tom McParland 12/13/2013 at 10:56

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then I say go for it as long as it gets use fairly often. If it sat and only got used for long trips I would advise against it with ULSD

Tom McParland > 505Turbeaux 12/13/2013 at 10:59

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Thanks good to know...however, if a V60 R is in the budget that would be tempting as well

/jalopproblems

m2m, apex detective > WhiskeyGolf 12/13/2013 at 11:29

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W140 S320?

:dicaprio: