OT: sportwagen

[fiataccompli]

That is sound based on empirical evidence...though I hope you are flat wrong! Of course as a long time Fiat enthusiast, obviously I do not value reliability over soul and driving enjoyment-ha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bcroslin]

Own a 2010 sportwagen TDI with 80k miles and no issues.

A good friend who's a VW mechanic told me that everything VW has produced since about '08 is reliable. Everything else should be avoided like the plague.

I concur since we owned an '01 Beetle GLX and we couldn't get rid of it quick enough. We actually paid our way out of the lease and let it sit on the car lot for 2 months because we were afraid it was going to go belly up before the lease was up.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

If reliability is priority #1, don't buy a VW. Buy a Honda or Toyota.

Could also consider Mazda.

[Cat3roadracer]

I have a '13 that's been perfect so far. Let's compare notes in 20 years.

[Marburg]

For further reference, we had a 99 Mazda Familia (aka Protege5) in NZed. Perfectly adequate small-ish wagon we took from 80k to 160k kms over 8 years. We don't like car shopping and don't swap cars much. I may dream big but would rather spend the money on bike parts.

Now that's we're back in the land of the interstate we want something a lee-tle bit bigger, newer, better (quieter) for moderately long trips (regular 200-mile-each-way trip to the grandparents). JSW fit the bill dimensionally but not for a long term relationship, clearly. Looked at a Prius V today. Had a knee-jerk visceral reaction but it actually ticked many of the boxes....

Mazda 3 is probably too small, and you don't get the 6 wagon...

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Cat3roadracer

I have a '13 that's been perfect so far. Let's compare notes in 20 years.

Mine too and me too..looking to be the last car I buy. I also have a 15 year old Beetle that has had zero problems..gas, not TDI.

[Netdewt]

My '09 TDI is @ 96k. No maintenance issues except a bad exhaust sensor 10k miles ago. I towed 1800lb of hardwood floor with it last week.

Thankfully diesel prices seem to be starting to follow gas prices now.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by Marburg

For further reference, we had a 99 Mazda Familia (aka Protege5) in NZed. Perfectly adequate small-ish wagon we took from 80k to 160k kms over 8 years. We don't like car shopping and don't swap cars much. I may dream big but would rather spend the money on bike parts.

Now that's we're back in the land of the interstate we want something a lee-tle bit bigger, newer, better (quieter) for moderately long trips (regular 200-mile-each-way trip to the grandparents). JSW fit the bill dimensionally but not for a long term relationship, clearly. Looked at a Prius V today. Had a knee-jerk visceral reaction but it actually ticked many of the boxes....

Mazda 3 is probably too small, and you don't get the 6 wagon...

Sportwagen TDI is perfect for the kind of driving you'll be doing. It's a comfortable car, easy to drive and get's as good if not a little better gas mileage than the Prius. I've actually seen close to 46 mpg with our Sportwagen over a distance of about 400 miles. I was convinced the gas gauge was broken on a trip from Charleston to Tampa because we filled up on our way out and arrived with nearly half-a-tank left.

[AngryScientist]

current NJ fuel prices:

Regular Unleaded: $2.03/g
ULSD: $3.25/g

[Netdewt]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

current NJ fuel prices:

Regular Unleaded: $2.03/g
ULSD: $3.25/g

Yep. I'd bet diesel sales are slow right now.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

current NJ fuel prices:

Regular Unleaded: $2.03/g
ULSD: $3.25/g

Westminster, CO

Gas-$1.94
diesel-$2.85

[batman1425]

I've got a 2011 Mazda 3 wagon that has run like a clock so far. 54k on the OD, no major issues. Decent power, rides a little stiff - but that is the sporty nature of the car. Love the dedicated thule roof system - 4 threaded inserts in the roof that you bolt the rack to. No door jam hooks. Great system. I've hauled 4x8 sheets of plywood and drywall no problem. Good space in the trunk, back seat is small for adults though.

Very well equipped for the price. My only complaint is the fuel economy isn't as good as I would hope for a car in this class.

Oh, word of caution with the Mazda - part of what creates the sporty drive in these cars is the camber setup - which eats rubber like crazy. Rotating your tires regularly is a must to avoid substantial cupping.

[gavingould]

put steelies and snow tires on the 'wagen today. Tire Rack did me right.

also filled up the tank in South Bend, IN $2.99/gal diesel.
no idea what unleaded gasoline price is.

[old fat man]

Originally Posted by gavingould

put steelies and snow tires on the 'wagen today. Tire Rack did me right.

also filled up the tank in South Bend, IN $2.99/gal diesel.
no idea what unleaded gasoline price is.

The internet tells me unleaded is as low as $1.83 in South Bend today.

[gavingould]

Originally Posted by old fat man

The internet tells me unleaded is as low as $1.83 in South Bend today.

sounds about right. both are considerably cheaper in all the border states around IL.