Best used Car $5,000......Go!

[veloceracer]

I disagree with the negative light shed onto VW's, possibly the reason for questionable quality could be the igh number of Jettas and Golfs produced in Mexico causing this. 1996 & 1997 Passat TDI's have the price point you're looking for as well as a nice increase in interior space. The TDI when properly maintained should last well over 300, 000 miles. The fuel efficiency of such a large car is also amazing with 45mpg on either normal diesel or even bio diesel or WVO (waste oil of many different types, too). That figure is not even trying to get the most out of every drop, either, with many drivers reporting 50-60mpg. This is out of a car that is larger and arguably a better car the Toyota. Handling will be predictably European, which in my opinion is better than both Asian and American choices (stock suspension, not modified or excessively worn).

I also agree with others saying that perhaps the best option is to keep on keeping on with the Toyota as there has to be many more miles left in her.

[War_Wagon]

^^ this may apply, but only if it's a manual transmission in the VW. A TDI with an automatic is probably one of the most feared combos in the car industry, almost as bad as a Cadillac with a Northstar engine (headgaskets), or a Chrysler minivan (transmission). It may not need a transmission - today. But it will. And if it's a car you plan to keep for a while, then start saving for a trans rebuild, because you will end up having to do it. A TDI with a 5 speed though is a stout combo.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by veloceracer

I disagree with the negative light shed onto VW's, possibly the reason for questionable quality could be the igh number of Jettas and Golfs produced in Mexico causing this.

Or it could be from the best reliability data that consumers are able to get their hands on. For instance, Consumer Reports consistently rate VW as among the worst brands for reliability.

Then there is the nearly worthless anecdotal evidience, that, while still worthless, is nonetheless influential. Stories such as my friend getting an old VW only to have it die a few months later. Then he buys a decent running NA diesel VW only to have the engine overheat and die. He then buys a rebuilt engine and it too overheats and dies a short time later. Or there is my other friend that had a new TDI needing $4,000 in repairs shortly out of warranty.

I drove a '69 Beetle, and it constantly needed adjustment and work. It was easy to work on, which was probably the engineers solution to a vehicle that sucks. The good fuel economy and handling characteristics you mention are the very reason the company hasn't gone out of business yet.

[veloceracer]

I should add that that particular year range of the Passat is only available (North America at least) in a manual car.

I'm sure we could sit and argue many different "reliable" marques vs many different "unreliable" marques and be able to pull up numerous examples proving both ideas to be sound. If I mention Alfa Romeo and how many people consider that marque to be so unreliable, but myself have witnessed one particular car running and driving very nicely until it was deemed just a bit dated and put on the back burner. I bough the car with 200,000 miles and put another HARD 100,000+ on the clock before moving to my A4 for daily duty. The only major work done during my ownership was a transmission rebuild but not because it needed it but instead to modify the internals for better shifting (lightened the gears to prevent the usual Alfa grunch when shifting into second).

I'm currently working on a '82 VW truck conversion with a TDI engine installed, working out the minor details the shop couldn't. Also have a couple Jettas both are Mk2's that are racking up some miles. The '85 was picked up without an engine and we opted for a AAZ 1.9 from Europe to give it a slight performance increase. The '91 we picked up not running with a head gasket failure and with nothing more than installing a new head gasket we're able to drive that around as well. Oh yea, odometer on that was 750,000 if at all accurate. The early VW Mk2's and I would venture to guess Mk3's had spotty odometers. Not a huge deal in my eyes.

[veloceracer]

It wouldn't surprise me any that a small car from 1969 would require a bit more care than anything even just a decade newer. The Bug was designed before or possibly during WWII, after all. I've known people who needed to rebuild their engines after only 20-30,000 miles with other similar vintage cars (namely British).

[Shortie771]

Another vote for the Civic. Get any civic, HX/VX would get you the best mpg, DX/LX is the in between and EX/Si are the worst on gas but will still get you 30+ mpg. Toyota Camry is a decent car but I would still go for a Civic any day of the week.

[Varn]

I don't think you can start with a toyota and spend your way to economy.

My vw has over 250,000 miles. still gets over 50 mpg. I plan on keeping it for years more.

[Shortie771]

Get a Sol, man. Get a Sol. Lol, well unless you need back seats

"Drive home, 66F, Dry, 8 mph headwind, 65.84 MPG, top on."
That is from... You guessed it, krousdb.

[darcane]

It may only be anecdotal, but of all the people I know, only two have had to make claims using Lemon Laws, both had VWs. One Passat ('08? '09?) with a series of electrical failures that prevented it from starting (much of the electrical system was replaced, sensors, control modules, and even wiring harnesses, never did fix it) and a Jetta ('05 IIRC) that lost it's fuel pump, coil pack,and finally transmission. Both of these were new vehicles that had less than about 20,000 miles.

In my opinion, the poor reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and JD Power are well deserved. I won't buy a VW for myself, and as you can see from my earlier posts on my Civic, I am probably less concerned about reliability issues than most.

[JacobStrobel]

As you are looking for a used car, so I will suggest you to look in to various online sources where you can find a wide range of options to choose from. 4 Door Sedan is an ultimate choice, I also own one and I am highly satisfied by its comfort and performance. Last year, I bought this car and you will be amaze to know that until now, I dint faced any problem with my Sedan.