Prius VS. TDI (which to buy)

[BrianAbington]

My car will have about 100,000 miles by about this time next year. So we are begining to save up to buy something newer.

So Toyota vs VW which would you prefer?

I like the prius because you can go all elctric around town...if you drive slow enough.

I like the thought of converting the TDI to run off of vegtable oil.

Both would be used and probably '05-'07 models to keep the price down.

What are your opinions?

[budomove]

The TDI is an awesome car that I have always wanted, but there seem to be so many lemons when it comes to VWs. Diesel is so artificially high right now, yet VWs hold their high value due to the fact that they are rare and sought after. If cost of ownership and maintainence is high on your list, say higher than fun, then i would go with the prius. Hybrids are dirt cheap now due to low gas prices, yet used TDIs are still way expensive. When a turbo on a TDI goes, expect to pay out 2k, same with the injection pump. Not to mention annoying little things like the same headlight burning out time and time again, headlight harness needing replacement, window motors and regulators needing replacement (several times), and just basic electric items that seem engineered to fail in order to bring in more revenue...that or the fact that they can't build VWs well in the Mexican plant which is where the TDIs are produced if i am not mistaken.

[dremd]

I like my TDI; but I wouldn't buy a PD(04-06); I'm just not a fan of motors that wear cams that quickly . . . . they also do not perform as well on SVO.

If you want 05-07 I say go Prius. 99-03 Go TDI . . .

However we should also consider how you drive, in town Highway? How serious are you about eco-driving . . . . Are emissions very important to you? willing to go grather up oil? etc etc. . . . .

[Ryland]

i would buy a TDI if I only did long distance highway driving and was good about keeping strict to the matenice of the vehicle, from talking to TDI owners it sounds like they last a little longer then older VW's but not much, expect to spend money getting timing belts changed before it brakes and destroys your engine, electrical problems up the wazoo, suspension, cv joints, they are kind of like owning a Harley, people who own Harley's like to fix them, people seem to buy VW's because the are like how they feel, but they either turn in to a hobby or a money pit.
people I know who own Toyota's just drive them, and drive them forever, Toyotas are the car that seems good for the person who forgets to take it in to get things fixed.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Binger

My car will have about 100,000 miles by about this time next year. So we are begining to save up to buy something newer.

Err... why? For most Japanese cars, the first 100K miles is the break-in period :-)

[cfg83]

Binger -

Since you're still saving, why not wait to see if the new Honda Insight is as "low cost hybrid" as it claims to be?

CarloSW2

[BrianAbington]

to answer both of those...my wife and I want to get a larger car, because we (especially she) do not feel that the mirage is a safe car to take our son around in.

I've considered the new insight...and I think that we would like to stay around $15,000ish...this would be just over our price range...yet its a good option. However in nebraska you really bend over and take it on taxes when you buy a "brand new" car.

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by Binger

to answer both of those...my wife and I want to get a larger car, because we (especially she) do not feel that the mirage is a safe car to take our son around in.

I've considered the new insight...and I think that we would like to stay around $15,000ish...this would be just over our price range...yet its a good option. However in nebraska you really bend over and take it on taxes when you buy a "brand new" car.

correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't the stimulus package have a provision to remove sales tax on brand new vehicles?

[Vwbeamer]

The turbo is "only" $750.00. I replaced mine all ready. I agree, the build quality on a VW is not as good as a Toyota. BTW, I expect mine to 400K miles.

The TDi will out run the toyota, especially on the highway and up hills.

Originally Posted by budomove

The TDI is an awesome car that I have always wanted, but there seem to be so many lemons when it comes to VWs. Diesel is so artificially high right now, yet VWs hold their high value due to the fact that they are rare and sought after. If cost of ownership and maintainence is high on your list, say higher than fun, then i would go with the prius. Hybrids are dirt cheap now due to low gas prices, yet used TDIs are still way expensive. When a turbo on a TDI goes, expect to pay out 2k, same with the injection pump. Not to mention annoying little things like the same headlight burning out time and time again, headlight harness needing replacement, window motors and regulators needing replacement (several times), and just basic electric items that seem engineered to fail in order to bring in more revenue...that or the fact that they can't build VWs well in the Mexican plant which is where the TDIs are produced if i am not mistaken.

[budomove]

Originally Posted by Vwbeamer

The turbo is "only" $750.00. I replaced mine all ready.

Wow, 750 is not bad at all, at what mileage did this occur? What other repairs and at what mileage have you done? ...$750 is for a rebuilt turbo not including labor though, correct? How much labor is it? Not saying it's the case with the 1.9l TDI, but I know on the Audi R4 you need to actually remove the engine to get to both the turbos that are mounted underneath.

Originally Posted by mhmitszach

correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't the stimulus package have a provision to remove sales tax on brand new vehicles?

THis is true!

"CAR BUYER TAX DEDUCTION For the rest of 2009, you’ll be able to deduct the state and local sales and excise taxes you pay on the purchase of a new (not used) car, light truck, recreational vehicle or motorcycle.

This will be an “above-the-line deduction,” according to Clint Stretch, the managing principal of tax policy at Deloitte L.L.C. in Washington. That means that you can take it regardless of whether you itemize other deductions on your tax return.

Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst for CCH, a tax information service, notes that state sales taxes alone can run 6 to 7 percent, before any county or local tax kicks in. That said, if you trade in a vehicle, your taxable purchase price may be lower.

Eligibility for this tax break begins to phase out for single people with adjusted gross income over $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. And the deduction does not apply on spending above $49,500."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/yo...3money.html?em