Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

rayainsw

Sharp looking wagon - congrats!
- Ray
And good luck !

Michaell

I like the size of the Alltrack compared to the Outback. Not that I dislike our Outback - it's a great road warrior and the amount of interior space is pretty amazing.

Just, that since I usually only have only myself in the car, the Outback seems a bit wasteful.

sda

andres3 said:

Here it is during sunlight pre-sale pre-detailing, and one after sale after detailing picture:

Congrats and enjoy! Just reading about the negotiations that took place made me tired. whew

xwesx

@sda - agreed! Congrats, though, @andres3.

I don't know if I could seriously consider VW sans diesel.

28firefighter

Congrats, @Andres3!

sda

henryn and Andres3 went thru the TDI process and decided to stay with VW with a new purchase. Both very nice cars, I would be delighted to having either one in my driveway. I wonder what percentage of TDI owners will do the same?

stickguy

Michaell said:

@andres3 - congrats on the Alltrack. Sharp looking ride. Sucks that you had to go through so much pain to make a deal.

well, reading this, he did not have to go through nearly this much pain. Just to get the last $300 or so out of it. Sounds like he was getting a tremendous deal already even at the dealers all in point. Yeah, always nice to shave some more off, but not like he wasn't already probably getting a 95th percentile deal here!

stickguy

it is a nice looking car. I sat in one at the car show. Roomy enough. But yeah, it has the typical VW half powered seats. I don't get enough front cushion tilt out of them I don;t think.

probably too small inside to be a travel car for my wife. she travels "heavy", The outback carries a lot of stuff, and is probably a lot more comfy road car.

roadburner

rayainsw said:

Sharp looking wagon - congrats!
- Ray
And good luck !

Ditto!!!

graphicguy

andres3 said:

Here it is during sunlight pre-sale pre-detailing, and one after sale after detailing picture:

Very nice! Congrats!

Michaell

stickguy said:

probably too small inside to be a travel car for my wife. she travels "heavy", The outback carries a lot of stuff, and is probably a lot more comfy road car.

The one road trip we've taken with the Outback swallowed all our clothes, and my golf bag, with plenty of room to spare.

However, I've read your stories about how your wife packs for a 3 day weekend. I don't think the Outback would be large enough for a weeks vacation.

stickguy

the RDX going to a week at the beach is interesting. We need 2 cars for that really. And we don;t take 4 people along.

My masterpiece was putting 3 people in that and all the stuff for my daughter when we took her to college the first time. Still not sure how I pulled that off. Needless to say no visibility out the back window. And somewhat surprised she did not get buried under an avalanche.

would be easier if it had roof rails. but they were an expensive accessory so I never bothered.

corvette

Congrats, andres3! Sharp looking car. I think that's the 9th punch of 2017. Off to a good start! 

houdini1

roadburner said:

rayainsw said:

Sharp looking wagon - congrats!
- Ray
And good luck !

Ditto!!!

Great color combo. Congrats

andres3

xwesx said:

@sda - agreed! Congrats, though, @andres3.

I don't know if I could seriously consider VW sans diesel.

I like it. It's more fun to drive, and will still I think eek out 30+ MPG on the highway (EPA says 30). While the TDI wasn't fun, I look forward to driving this one! I think the AWD helps it feel sportier even though right now the tires are taller and skinnier, along with a "lifted" suspension vs. the Sportwagen. The TDI was all about MPG's, and it could handle well.

stickguy

that is a big mileage knock for the AWD. Our Jetta with the same engine (though normal AT) can easily get 38-39 on straight highway runs (and not babying it!) Heck, if I don't hit traffic, I can push and sometimes top 30 in the RDX (which still amazes me!)

andres3

stickguy said:

it is a nice looking car. I sat in one at the car show. Roomy enough. But yeah, it has the typical VW half powered seats. I don't get enough front cushion tilt out of them I don;t think.

probably too small inside to be a travel car for my wife. she travels "heavy", The outback carries a lot of stuff, and is probably a lot more comfy road car.

The SEL has different "sport" seats, that are at least 3/4 all powered. You should try those if you don't mind being held by the bolsters more snugly. I managed to get a treadmill in the Sportwagen; lots of cargo space.

stickguy

unless I just go for the "cheapest possible least on a car I will actually consider driving" and a VW wins, I don't see us getting another one for me. My wife is not really a fan.

though I did love the new Golf Wolfsburg. Stick, about $22-23K sticker (pre discounts) and all the stuff on it I want. Good value. Should would hate it.

tjc78

@andres3 Congrats! I usually don't like black interior but on a white car I don't mind it as much.

Last year for a week at the shore we filled an Enclave and a Venza (Moms). This year we need to pack lighter somehow. Not easy with young ones.

fintail

Nice Allroad err Alltrack

Are they really made in MX? I remember the Jetta "Sportwagen" (which was a Golf, IIRC) was made in Germany.

henryn

Very nice car, Andres. I sat in one but didn't drive it.

breld

@andres3 - congrats! Seems like a great fit for you and your wife!

tbirdmarco

@tjc78 congrads on the wate lause for you and your wife.

tbirdmarco

@andres3 congrads on the new outback good luck with it.

tbirdmarco

@andres3 woops my bad did not read the hole thing was trying to katch up quickly have to ario down threw all to read. conggrads on the new all Tracks .

nyccarguy

@andres3 - how awesome would that alltrack be with the GTI motor?

stickguy

this seems like it might be an OK deal. unless the miles are too high. But what do I know? Like the colors.

http://www.landrovercherryhill.com/used/BMW/2014-BMW-3+Series-6dfc96bf0a0e0a171812578acad1cb98.htm

corvette

stickguy said:

this seems like it might be an OK deal. unless the miles are too high. But what do I know? Like the colors.

http://www.landrovercherryhill.com/used/BMW/2014-BMW-3+Series-6dfc96bf0a0e0a171812578acad1cb98.htm

Seems to be fairly priced (probably less than half its original MSRP), other than it looks like it's missing a backup camera.

Mr_Shiftright

Carfax looks ok.

andres3

nyccarguy said:

@andres3 - how awesome would that alltrack be with the GTI motor?

Or an All-Track R? Which is basically a souped up, fortified, and forged GTI engine (with a bigger turbo). I think they erred in not using the 2.0T motor, but then I guess that would step on the All-Road's toes. Then again, if there goal was to make it possible to undercut Subaru prices, they succeeded.

I catch all the cost cuts, and here they are listed:

1) Thinner wheels and smaller tires (205 vs. 225)
2) 1.8T vs. 2.0T-Diesel (at least if you go by no replacement for displacement theory)
3) Falken tires vs. Bridgestone (though they didn't squeal at all during a rather sharp u-turn at the end of a cul-dis-sac.
4) No free first Oil Change

Improvements:

1) Larger center stack display screen (significantly larger).
2) More HP
3) Apple Car Play?
4) A few little details, trim pieces, and badges here and there.
5) I'm getting older and my back doesn't mind the higher ride height which helps for ease of entry/exit.
6) Dual shiny exhausts with no metal slag splatter.
7) Gas motor is quieter than Diesel motor.

This one didn't come with the "monster" floor mats, the cargo blocks, the cargo nets, first aid kit, and roadside assistance kit, but those things somehow managed to not go back with the Sportwagen buyback, and stayed in the garage, and will fit in the All-Track; I'm sure of it

And yes, I"m fairly certain both were assembled in Mexico with German Transmissions and about 35% German components. Old one had VIN starting with 3, this one starts with 4, but I think both came from Puebla, Mexico. The only Golf still made/assembled in Germany is the Golf R I think.

henryn

You didn't get "Monster mats"? They were included with my 2017 Passat R-Line, and the first aid kit. Maybe you should ask the dealer about that?

andres3

henryn said:

You didn't get "Monster mats"? They were included with my 2017 Passat R-Line, and the first aid kit. Maybe you should ask the dealer about that?

You paid for them, look at the sticker on your vehicle; it's all listed! Our Sportwagen from '15 had all of the extras included on the sticker (which is why it cost more 17 months ago than we paid yesterday!), so in essence, we have them (or very similar mats). The last thing I wanted was more stuff we never use.

nyccarguy

Has anybody driven a 4cyl TLX with the AWS?  impressions?

coldinohio

drifting back in after being away; lots of posts.... congrats to all on new cars, jobs, ...

no longer cold in Ohio-- move ~200 miles north of Mike- abacomike- and 100 East of Driver to east Florida

like the VW alltrak; wife wants new wagon to replace old Subaru Tribeca-- looking at Acura TSX wagon from 2014, but few wagon out there now --BMW and AUdi are ~$50K; will see how the BMW X1 looks since FF got one..

tom

Michaell

coldinohio said:

drifting back in after being away; lots of posts.... congrats to all on new cars, jobs, ...

no longer cold in Ohio-- move ~200 miles north of Mike- abacomike- and 100 East of Driver to east Florida

like the VW alltrak; wife wants new wagon to replace old Subaru Tribeca-- looking at Acura TSX wagon from 2014, but few wagon out there now --BMW and AUdi are ~$50K; will see how the BMW X1 looks since FF got one..

tom

Will you be changing your handle to "warminflorida"?

Sandman6472

Sat in a red/beige Alltrack at the VW store yesterday. Nice vehicle but a bit too long for my purposes. Also, no flat bottom steering wheel like the Golf has, a nice feature.
On the way out of my development yesterday, that "EPC" light comes on again so called my service advisor and brought it in later in the afternoon. They saw the code and hooked up with corporate, according to my receipt, but could not find a cause. Cleared the code and sent me on my way though documented. Said if it came on again, come right back. A bit annoyed but I knew what I was getting into way back when, so not sweating it quite yet. My thinking right now is to get at least another couple of years out of it, and once retired again, make a decision. Still enjoying the vehicle and nothing really floats my boat right now that I have to have. And personally, not in the mood to even look right now which is strange because, I'm usually always looking!
Hit 27K today, still liking it, so staying the course. Now, if it comes on again, going to want a resolution because this ain't normal...or is it?

The Sandman

suydam

i had a Nissan Maxima that pretty much always had the Check Engine Light on. They would clear it at every service interval and within a hundred miles it would be back. Never did figure it out. I drove it 12 years and it's still going strong in someone else's garage today.

qbrozen

For a VW product to have electrical faults? No, totally unheard of! ;b

henryn

I had to look that one up. I own a Volkswagen and had never heard of "EPC". So, for those of you who also don't know that one:

The EPC light on a Volkswagen stands for Electronic Power Control, and it is used to indicate problems in the engine. Ideally, it refers to the drive-by-wire system that prevents a car from skidding and spinning on slick surfaces.

Sandman6472

Exactly!!! I skidded on the way to work Wednesday and it came right on. Now I get it. Dumb thing to happen and wonder why it does? Funny, forgot about it until just reading the post.

The Sandman

suydam

Is that like Traction Control? TCS light will come on in slick conditions.

imidazol97

Sounds like VW doesn't really know what it means. These are listed by Santa Monica dealership.
http://www.volkswagensantamonica.com/blog/what-is-the-vw-epc-warning-light/

Engine speed sensor: Some drivers have reported that the solution to getting the EPC light to go away was as simple as replacing an engine speed sensor. If the engine dies off while driving, you may want to look into this.

Mass air flow sensor: Another potential part needing replacement is a faulty mass air flow sensor.

Brake light switch: The brake light switch is another reported issue that some say has caused their EPC warning light to come on.

Throttle body: Others have reported a problem with the throttle body that, once fixed, solved the EPC warning light issue.

stickguy

I think I am staying away from VW in the future. And Cadillac. Unless on a killer lease deal!

Mr_Shiftright

imidazol97 said:

Sounds like VW doesn't really know what it means. These are listed by Santa Monica dealership.
http://www.volkswagensantamonica.com/blog/what-is-the-vw-epc-warning-light/

Engine speed sensor: Some drivers have reported that the solution to getting the EPC light to go away was as simple as replacing an engine speed sensor. If the engine dies off while driving, you may want to look into this.

Mass air flow sensor: Another potential part needing replacement is a faulty mass air flow sensor.

Brake light switch: The brake light switch is another reported issue that some say has caused their EPC warning light to come on.

Throttle body: Others have reported a problem with the throttle body that, once fixed, solved the EPC warning light issue.

-------------------------------

Well that's a fair enough assessment from the dealer. It's kind of spooky to think about but there is really no such "thing" as traction control in a car. TC and SC are systems, not some unit that you can unbolt. So you have all these different systems talking to each other, any one of which can trigger the TC. So saying "it could be this or it could be that" is about as close as you can get without actually digging down into it.

Ever notice there are no German electronics in big box stores? I think there's a reason for that. It seems to be the bane of German cars, but I have no idea why.

German light bulbs go on when you hit the wall switch, don't they? I don't see notice of German cities blacking out on a regular basis.

fintail

VW has their own set of electrical issues that seems to dwarf even the most irritating MB and BMW quirks. It's usually not bulbs on the latter two, but it can be a fun game to see how many VWs have a burnt out light. Maybe outsourced material of dubious quality.

I think the German electronics industry tends to be industrial, although the Loewe company is still a big player in Europe.

andres3

fintail said:

VW has their own set of electrical issues that seems to dwarf even the most irritating MB and BMW quirks. It's usually not bulbs on the latter two, but it can be a fun game to see how many VWs have a burnt out light. Maybe outsourced material of dubious quality.

I think the German electronics industry tends to be industrial, although the Loewe company is still a big player in Europe.

The Mexican built Sportwagen TDI in 17 months and 19.779 miles didn't have any electrical issues or gremlins.

Unless you consider the KEY FOB eating up both original batteries in 16.5 months an issue or gremlin. Maybe.

Probably has to do with the key-less entry sensors draining power, or some Korean Chinese batteries in the remote.

suydam

Korean Chinese???

sda

My '06 Passat had its share of electrical gremlins. Constant CELs which required unscheduled trips to the dealer every 6 weeks or so, some type of steering workshop idiot light which required doing something with the steering column and replacement of an electrical part, right headlamp burned out twice, and the sunroof motor failed. This was in a period of 24 months. It had the 2.0T FSI which gained the reputation as an oil burner. It was, about a quart every 750-800 miles. grrr. Don't get me wrong, I liked that car and VW. It was quick, drove extremely well and workmanship was top notch. Made in Germany. But it still gives me pause and am hesitant to buy another. But notice I didn't say never!

ab348

suydam said:

Korean Chinese???

Those are rare and highly sought-after.

andres3

sda said:

My '06 Passat had its share of electrical gremlins. Constant CELs which required unscheduled trips to the dealer every 6 weeks or so, some type of steering workshop idiot light which required doing something with the steering column and replacement of an electrical part, right headlamp burned out twice, and the sunroof motor failed. This was in a period of 24 months. It had the 2.0T FSI which gained the reputation as an oil burner. It was, about a quart every 750-800 miles. grrr. Don't get me wrong, I liked that car and VW. It was quick, drove extremely well and workmanship was top notch. Made in Germany. But it still gives me pause and am hesitant to buy another. But notice I didn't say never!

VW has never tried to, or caught up to Audi for making top notch durable reliable cars in this 21st Century. I don't think I'd have bought a VW in '06, but I did an Audi in '06.

Took me/us until '15 to give VW a shot. Even then, I was a bit worried. Still am with the '17 model, but only a bit now after a good short-term experience. I would give my VW's more leeway to have problems, since they cost a lot less than my Audi's. I'd be less forgiving to Audi. So I buy the VW's knowing there might be a few problems, but that I'm getting a better price up front.