VW TDI Settlement - buying a TDI now

qbrozen

http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/filelibrary/2867/Order-Granting-Final-Approval-of-Consumer-Sett.pdf

henryn

Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan said the automaker expects to begin buying back vehicles in mid-November. The automaker has hired 900 people, including one to be stationed at each dealership, to handle buybacks.

28firefighter

Outstanding. Just waiting for VW to review my paperwork!

qbrozen

mid Nov? ugh. I want to go TOMORROW! ;b

qbrozen

I'm considering whether I should buy my replacement vehicle now only because I feel I found a really good deal on one that I want and it won't be around much longer. dammit.

henryn

qbrozen said:

I'm considering whether I should buy my replacement vehicle now only because I feel I found a really good deal on one that I want and it won't be around much longer. dammit.

You have been looking at so many, which one finally caught your interest enough to pull the switch?

I have not done any serious looking up until now. I'm perfectly fine with the Passat for the moment, but I do think I will take the earliest offered opportunity for the buyback. I stand to make $4,500 (or more) over what I paid (including tax, title, and license, but not including insurance). And if I had to sell on the open market, I would probably get around $7k less than what the buyback will bring.

Life is uncertain, too many ways this could go south, take the money while it's offered.

I was watching political coverage the other night on CNN, and one of the analysts said:

I'm Irish, the famine could start tomorrow!

I laughed at the line, but there is an element of truth in that.

qbrozen

A 2013 EX37 with 25k miles for $24k. Its a helluva deal at about $2k under FMV.

henryn

I have never driven one, ridden in one, or even taken a real look. Perhaps I should. Lots of cars out there, most of which I don't fit in!

qbrozen

I thought it would be too small, but turned out I fit perfectly. I wanted the higher seating position but hated the idea of giving up sporty car handling. I think the EX is just about the right compromise for someone like me.

kyfdx

3566 owners opted out of the settlement. What are they thinking?

henryn

https://vwcourtsettlement.com/en/

henryn

The timing of your receipt of benefits depends on when you file a complete and valid claim with Volkswagen. Once your claim has been reviewed and approved and you return a signed offer letter package, including a release signed in the presence of a Notary Public, you will receive payment or be able to schedule a closing appointment, depending on the remedy that you selected.

"signed offer letter" ??

"release signed in the presence of a Notary Public" ??

I don't think anyone is getting their money anytime soon.

qbrozen

i guess it depends. I submitted all paperwork a month ago and the website still states "document received and under review." Next step is: how will we received the offer letter package? Electronically or through snail mail? Honestly, if they send it electronically, I can go to the bank and sign in front of a notary the same day. But then can I return it electronically? If all of this is going through the mail, then, yes, it could take a while.

kyfdx

One thing I noticed that affects most of us. While it says the "eligible sellers" had to register in 45 days, they also have until 09/2018 to make their actual claim. I was hoping that our buyback amount might include the money from the seller pool, right away. But, am wondering now, if that might be something that gets paid out much later.

stickguy

Q, what color EX? You linked to a bunch. I liked the red one I saw.

If it is "the one" - and a killer deal - just get it and be done. At least get the deposit diwn and deal going. Just see how long you can stall on the closing!

qbrozen

yes, the one you checked out, Stick. I still have no seen it in person myself, but it is the best deal I have seen by far.

28firefighter

I'm not worried about when the eligible seller money comes - I did this deal figuring I would never get it. I just want to get the car turned in and a big fat check!

mjfloyd1

CEL was caused by a faulty "reductant tank heater" (ad blue fluid tank heater) which should be here tomorrow.   Also replacing fuel door actuator and fuel door itself...  I wonder how much that would have cost without the warranty? I wonder if the heater would have been covered by emissions warranty anyway?

28firefighter

I believe I remember seeing that the part alone is $200-$300 to replace. My guess is with parts and labor you'd be at $750-$1000.

mjfloyd1

VW forums show the part not covered by emissions warranty. That seems odd to me.

28firefighter

So apparently, part of the problem with the AdBlue system is that if the car is not driven "enough" (definition seems to vary), the AdBlue crystallizes on the heating element and gums up the sensor. If that is what caused your problem, I could see it not being covered...kind of.

I've also heard that for some, the error resolves if you just take an extended drive and let it get really warmed up.

stickguy

An Italian tune up, to blow the carbon off the valves?

stickguy

qbrozen said:

yes, the one you checked out, Stick. I still have no seen it in person myself, but it is the best deal I have seen by far.

Still on the website FWIW.

qbrozen

Just conversed with the wife. She says no dice on the new car till the VW is safely paid off and I have a check in hand.

28firefighter

What about putting a deposit down? I guess that assumes it'll be a few weeks and not a few months...

qbrozen

I doubt they'd even hold it for a few weeks.

stickguy

I liked it.. maybe I should buy it. though I need it less then you do.

xwesx

stickguy said:

I liked it.. maybe I should buy it. though I need it less then you do.

Just buy it.... and hold it for Q.

stickguy

well, I could do that, but the price would be going up.

big problem is, in NJ, a $24,000 car will cost about $300-400 to get registered and dealer doc fees, and $1,680 in sales tax. so a 24K sales price becomes 26K in the driveway. Making it a tough state to flip pricey cars!

qbrozen

the claims registration site is completely bogged down today. Guess lots of folks waited until now to submit their docs.

henryn

My paperwork still hasn't been "accepted", and it's been over a month now. There is a poll over on TDIClub, and it's running about 50-50 between "accepted" and "still waiting".

qbrozen

So what does it say under each item for you? Mine states accepted and under review, but that was pretty much immediately after upload and has not changed.

28firefighter

Same boat, @henryn

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

So what does it say under each item for you? Mine claims accepted and under review, but that was pretty much immediately after upload and has not changed.

Mine says the same.

henryn

Yes, that's what mine says as well. According to reports over on TDIClub, you get an email when your documents are "accepted", which basically seems to mean they have been reviewed and approved.

mjfloyd1

I got an email saying that vw had received all the materials to determine my eligibility and they would get back to me when they determine my eligibility.   

henryn

I received an email from VW. Specifically from "claims_noreply@vwgoa.com"

Thank you for submitting your documents in the Online Claims Portal. Next, we will begin reviewing your documents to ensure that you have provided all of the necessary documents and information to determine your eligibility. We will contact you when the documents are reviewed.

This was on September 19th, more than a month ago. And I have not been contacted since.

kyfdx

Last email received on September 22nd.

Thank you for submitting your documents in the Online Claims Portal. Next, we will begin reviewing your documents to ensure that you have provided all of the necessary documents and information to determine your eligibility. We will contact you when the documents are reviewed.

kyfdx

It bugs me that you can't go back and look at everything you entered in the claims portal. Just your Account Profile, and that last page with steps 13-15.

andres3

qbrozen said:

I have put over 5k miles on mine in these 3 mos. cutting into my profit.

If you deduct 25 Cents/mile are you still cutting into profit. Miles are not free, so you are getting at least 25 cents per mile value using the miles.

andres3

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

No loaner car for the broken GTI?

They offered me a base model Jetta. I told them that wasn't equivalent. They said it was all they had, so I figured I would rather drive the A3. 

When someone is at fault in an accident I believe the victim is fully fairly entitled to equivalent transportation, even if that means a $300/day rental Audi S4. Don't like it, don't go around causing accidents or insuring accident prone people!

However, as a loaner, I wouldn't expect "equivalent" transportation. I look at a loaner as a perk.

andres3

kyfdx said:

3566 owners opted out of the settlement. What are they thinking?

1) That their own hired lawyers could do a lot better.
2) That they don't want to alter or sell their VW, as they like them just the way they are.
3) Stay off the grid.

28firefighter

So I submitted my paperwork on 10/1. It seems like for most people the approval process prior to the judge's final order of approval was taking about 4 weeks. I figure I'll see something in the next 7-10 days.

stickguy

so if I got this straight. You could opt in but select the "fix it" option (what and when that entails TBD), but they will give you a check now (and I suppose, up to you to ever actually get it fixed) but basically, you got your money, and you own the car, as long as VW can eventually perform the approved repair, you get nothing else.

opt in, and be like all you fine folks that sell it back for an inflated price, and you are done.

Opt out people though, get bumpkis now from VW. No fix, no check, no nothing? But are free to sue VW separately if they want to? So effectively, are like the "take the fix" people, but without getting in queue for the fix, or getting a check for your troubles?

28firefighter

You almost have that right.

People who opt for the fix will not get a check until the fix is completed - in some cases that may be able to be done all at once, or in others, it may be over multiple visits which means the money would be split across those visits.

Opt out folks get nothing from VW, but as you said, they are free to try and sue them for whatever remedy you request.

stickguy

thanks. did not realize that the fix people had to wait until the fix was done.

I assume that means they are effectively deferring a buyback, hoping for a fix instead, but if it can't end up being done, they get put back in the same position (keep the car and get nothing, or sell it back). Unless at that point the EPA requires them to be turned in? Though that would also impact any opt out people.

what a mess. Been a heck of a lot simpler for the EPA to grandfather them in, fine VW, and just have them give a rebate to all owners.

andres3

stickguy said:

thanks. did not realize that the fix people had to wait until the fix was done.

I assume that means they are effectively deferring a buyback, hoping for a fix instead, but if it can't end up being done, they get put back in the same position (keep the car and get nothing, or sell it back). Unless at that point the EPA requires them to be turned in? Though that would also impact any opt out people.

what a mess. Been a heck of a lot simpler for the EPA to grandfather them in, fine VW, and just have them give a rebate to all owners.

Agree that we had better simpler solutions that of course our gov't chose not to take because common sense can't be used by unaccountable people in high positions.

As to deferring the buyback, I believe you get 1/2 of the restitution amount right away, and 1/2 when you fix it, but I might be wrong about that.

Also, opt-out people still get free warranty and fix extensions. They just don't get any checks, but VW has to cover the repairs for opt-out people too.

If a fix never materialized Opt-In people can always switch from just restitution to restitution + buyback. Just like you can change from buyback to restitution and fix only as long as you don't wait too long. Not sure at what point you cross the line in the sand.

mjfloyd1

My actual email on Oct 14:

We have reviewed the documents you submitted as part of your claim with reference number XXXXXXXX. Currently, your application contains all of the necessary documentation to determine your eligibility. We are now determining your eligibility and will inform you whether you are eligible to participate in the VW/Audi Diesel Emissions Settlement Program after the Settlement Program becomes effective.

Currently what I see on the claims site:

We have received all your documents and are reviewing them to ensure that we have the correct documents and the necessary information to determine your eligibility. You can see the status of our review of each document below.

We have reviewed all of your documents. Currently, your application contains all the necessary documentation to determine your eligibility. We are now determining your eligibility and will inform you whether you are eligible to participate in the Settlement Claims Program and, if applicable, will provide you with a final offer, within ten business days.

kyfdx

@mjfloyd1 I'm jealous.

mjfloyd1

It seems strange to get a "determine your eligibility" statement though. I called the claims line before I bought the TDI to verify that it was eligible since it was a previous buyback (blown turbo requiring replacement of turbo, long block...) and they verified that it was eligible. My title does not have any branding for mfg buyback (or anything else). I entered my VIN and it was listed as eligible...