#Dieselgate buyback shopping ideas [Updated]

"Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
05/20/2016 at 11:15 • Filed to: None

As the 2013 JSW sitting in my driveway is likely going to be in the group that requires the expensive refit that will kill my economy I want to start looking at replacement options.

I am not completely opposed to a gas VW but it would have to be a totally amazing deal on the GSW and the fact that I would have to go from my 3 pedals to the DSG does make me sad.

1 small child under two with another small child that will be arriving in the fall so here are the requirements:

New (CPO isn’t off the table but the financing difference may push it off the table), Cost under 27k, not terrible highway mileage, and handle 2 adults and two car seats and assorted toddler/infant stuff for long road trips. I am expecting whatever I go with will be gas and likely an automatic.

Difficulty we don’t want to drop the cargo area significantly so unless someone makes an amazing case the Elantra GT, Forte5, Mazda3, etc are all out.

So far its looking like small crossover is going to the be the way to go with something like the CX-5 as outback is generally out of our price range.

[Update: This is the family roadtrip car and all financial details are dependent on how much cash VW will throw at me to walk away. 27k was a ballpark as it was the price of my JSW out the door new.]

DISCUSSION (19)

gawdzillla > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 11:28

they do make a 3 pedals CX5 right

and have test drive the Focus ST yet ?

Ilike_cougars > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 11:33

Subaru XV crosstrek? the 2.0 premium should be well below your budget, and pretty decent standard kit, and looks pretty good I think.

Also comes with a 5MT

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 11:36

Wow they really base level you with the manual in the CX5.

Not worth it to me, but to each his own.

I’d probably go CPO but I’m big on buying used cars vs new so I can buy more car for my money. I mean you can buy a ton of used car for 15-18k.

The Dummy Gummy > gawdzillla
05/20/2016 at 11:49

Focus ST would be out due to his gas mileage need.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/20/2016 at 11:52

If I go with the CX-5 i’ll be going with the auto and not base model as that is lame. I looked around for CPO options in wagons and there is not a huge availability.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Ilike_cougars
05/20/2016 at 11:53

Its on my list, I do lose some cargo room by looking at the crosstrek over the forrester but it is certainly budget friendly.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > gawdzillla
05/20/2016 at 11:55

They do make a 3 pedal cx-5 but is the base model so any cx-5 is going be the auto variety.

The focus hatch fails the two carseat and a stroller test if anything else is in play so its out like mazda3.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:03

What about a CPO Ford Flex? Get you ALL the storage space.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/20/2016 at 12:11

Not one I had really considered as those CPO around here are about as scarce as the volvo wagons. Does the V6 in it actually get decent mileage?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:14

Subaru Impreza? Outback?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:15

Well, for the record “decent” mileage is pretty vague lol.

FWD: 16 city/23 hwy/19 combined
AWD: 16 city/22 hwy/18 combined

That’s for a 2015 V6 (non eco-boost)

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:15

If you want something with a manual with the kind of space the Jetta wagon gives you for a reasonable price for under $27K, I suggest the base model Subaru Forester which starts at just under $23K. Or for less, get a Subaru Crosstrek which starts at just under $22K. But the Crosstrek will have a noticeably smaller trunk. But you get AWD with both.

The Golf wagon also starts around the $22K range and should be similar to the Jetta in terms of space.

For your price range, you could probably also get a basic Mazda CX-5.

To keep the all-in price under $27K, you’re gonna have to stick with the base trims and keep the options to a minimum.

Now having said that... why can’t you just keep driving your current car? Yeah, it’s due for the recall, but I don’t think that alone is enough reason to get rid of it.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/20/2016 at 12:15

This is true but as I’m coming from the land of 50 MPG road trips I’m trying to not go below 30 MPG if I can help it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:19

Maybe you should be looking at a 4 door sedan.

Is this your only vehicle for the family?

We have my Milan V6 FWD from 07 that gets around 28 or so when locked in on the highway (even though it’s only rated for 26) around 75 mph. But we also have the big hulking Jeep Commander to haul crap around in that gets embarrassing mileage lol. The Milan is more than enough with my son in it and should do fine with a 2nd kid back there. Even fit the rear facing big ass convertible seat fine.

But it IS nice to have another big car around for a trip or hauling.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
05/20/2016 at 12:23

This is more a brainstorming exercise as we are still a month out from the deadline VW has to announce what the options for owners are in regards to fix/buyback and other compensation.

I may keep my current TDI as its not even paid off yet but as I said in my initial post mine is the older generation that will likely require a significant refit to become emissions compliant and that is expected to impact the engine performance and economy in a noticeable way. As I live in a locality with mandatory emissions I don’t have the option of ignore the recall and continue to dump out the NOX while getting amazing economy.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/20/2016 at 12:25

Yeah this is the family roadtrip car, my wife has a corolla that was intending to be the next one on the replacement cycle until the emissions shenanigans.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 12:34

Well they’ll either have to fix it or buy the car back.

The TDIs were getting better performance/fuel economy in the real world than advertised. Whatever performance hit happens, it’s not likely to make the car undrivable and it will still probably get better fuel economy than any of the new gas powered vehicles you’re looking at.

gawdzillla > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/20/2016 at 14:00

if the mini hardtop 4 dr is too small .... mini countryman / clubman ?

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
05/21/2016 at 13:21

My wife’s car is a 2014 JSW TDI and we’ve been having the same discussion lately. Ours is a lease and would have been gone Jun2017 anyway, but apparently they’re going to terminate leases as well. Our requirements for her replacement are pretty much identical to yours

We spent a bunch of time sitting in different cars at the NYIAS, and her winner is the new RAV4 hybrid. I’m not a Toyota fan, but I am onboard with her choice on this one (haven’t driven it yet, just played around at the auto show). Plenty of room for car seats and kid stuff, plus our dogs. Comfortable, laid out well, and good mileage with only an $800 or so premium over the regular model.

Might be worth checking out, it’s the only thing that checked all the boxes to replace her TDI wagon. No manual option, but seems like a good replacement.