Looking for a new Vehicle

[Craftsman86]

I have roughly $7000 to spend on a new(er) car. I had a 2000 Silverado that was totaled, and a 2000 Nissan Maxima. I was looking at selling the Maxima as well and going for say a Jetta TDI. This is appealing as I could run in on bio-diesel in the summer and save some money on fuel.

I have asked around a little bit and some people have high opinions of the Jetts, others say they are too costly to repair and they go to hell after 100K I am looking for opinions on the TDI, and what you would buy in that price range. I am looking for a minimal operating costs.

I have found locally a 2005 with 108 K on it that has new timing belt and pulleys and new glow plugs otherwise no major repairs. It comes with a folder of maintenance receipts showing it was taken care of for 7,000.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Even though my experience is limited, VW has been making those little diesels for EVER and I understand they are quite bullet proof.

 

[Subyroo651]

I believe certain TDi s had issues with their HPFP(High-Pressure Fuel Pump) going south and that is not a cheap repair at all. I know we have plenty more guys here that can elaborate on VWs more.

 

[MattPersman]

Used civic, accord, Camry, Prius, corolla, take your pick.

 

[General Geoff]

VW TDIs are awesome. Wish I could afford a Touregg V10 TDI, those things are monsters. Too bad they stopped selling them in the states.

 

[W650Mike]

Pick up a copy of the latest Consumer Reports with the automotive repair/history survey. Study up on which models and years are the best used car values.

 

[tarbellb]

I currently own a 2000 VW Golf Tdi with the ALH 1.9l diesel. I have had it for over 6yrs now and 75k. It has been a very fun car, but it does come with some issues.

VWs of that era, early 90's to mid 00's are more reliable then their predecessors but thats not saying a lot. The diesel engine is great, the rest of the car is about average for reliability and maintenance.

I believe the model you are looking at has the newer TDI engine, 2.0 with improved efficiency and performance. I think they also improved the reliability of the engine and the rest of the car.

What you have to ask yourself is:
1) Is this that much more efficient then a Civic, Accord, Altima, Corolla, etc....
2) Do I mind doing simple to semi complex work on the car that would otherwise cost money at a dealer/auto repair.
3) Do you enjoy a better driving experience better then all the other cars in the same category and listed above.

I love my car, but it hasnt been without issues and sometimes wish I had a more reliable and accessible car. I say go for it, somebody already paid the premium of driving it off the lot. And you get to talk smack to every Prius driver about how your car is just as good on MPG and doesnt drive like a shoe.

Oh best forum on the web for these is www.tdiclub.com, lots of good info.

 

[oldtools]

I don't know about Jetta TDI, but my ex used to drive a 1999 VW Passat (non TDI 4 cyl). That car start to have alot of problem at 70,000 miles (fuel gauge, window, oil leak, major oil consumption, brake, electrical). Parts are expensive.

 

[Craftsman86]

oldtools That is what I am starting to understand is that they start to go t ohell around 100K if they were not meticulously maintained.

I love the nissan maxima that I have, but I don't like the 20-25mpg that I get with it. I don't drive very far for work but would like to have a car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to travel across the state. The other idea is that if I buy a small highly efficient car, I will be able to save and buy a truck when I cant stand not having one anymore. And the 05 TDI's are prime for running bio-diesel which I have been exploring for fuel oil and as fuel for my next vehicle.

 

[Danglerb]

MN don't you need two cars, a snow beater car and something nice for the summer? Unless you put on a LOT of miles I don't see the attraction of diesel.

 

[oldtools]

oldtools That is what I am starting to understand is that they start to go t ohell around 100K if they were not meticulously maintained.

I love the nissan maxima that I have, but I don't like the 20-25mpg that I get with it. I don't drive very far for work but would like to have a car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to travel across the state. The other idea is that if I buy a small highly efficient car, I will be able to save and buy a truck when I cant stand not having one anymore. And the 05 TDI's are prime for running bio-diesel which I have been exploring for fuel oil and as fuel for my next vehicle.

I am not sure if you save that much money because diesel cost more than gasoline. Things I like about VW is the driving dynamic and the high quality material in the interior. VW is not known for reliability.

 

[Outlawmws]

I currently own a 2000 VW Golf Tdi with the ALH 1.9l diesel. I have had it for over 6yrs now and 75k. It has been a very fun car, but it does come with some issues.

VWs of that era, early 90's to mid 00's are more reliable then their predecessors but thats not saying a lot. The diesel engine is great, the rest of the car is about average for reliability and maintenance.

I believe the model you are looking at has the newer TDI engine, 2.0 with improved efficiency and performance. I think they also improved the reliability of the engine and the rest of the car.

What you have to ask yourself is:
1) Is this that much more efficient then a Civic, Accord, Altima, Corolla, etc....
2) Do I mind doing simple to semi complex work on the car that would otherwise cost money at a dealer/auto repair.
3) Do you enjoy a better driving experience better then all the other cars in the same category and listed above.

I love my car, but it hasnt been without issues and sometimes wish I had a more reliable and accessible car. I say go for it, somebody already paid the premium of driving it off the lot. And you get to talk smack to every Prius driver about how your car is just as good on MPG and doesnt drive like a shoe.

Oh best forum on the web for these is www.tdiclub.com, lots of good info.

This is probably the best overall response to the OP.

My feedback is this:

I wanted a VW diesel as a transplant into a Samurai. In CA you cannot find a "wrecking yard" engine to save your soul that isn't trash. Why? Because they run them until the engine dies, and the bodies are often in decent shape, or both engine and body are wasted from age.

In the rust belt, you can find low mileage vehicles where the engine is great, but the rest is rusting/rotting away...

YMMV

so where do you live, and how hard is the environment on cars generally?

 

[RKA]

I've been buying turbo Audi's for the past 14 years. Same heritage as VW for better and worse. For a period of two years I absolutely needed a reliable car, and the Audi's were ditched for something Japanese. Still, I found my way back when the commute shortened and I had more time on my hands to fix the silly things that break. DIYing makes it more affordable, but if I was paying a shop, forget it.

That TDI motor should be bulletproof, but everything bolted to it or the body will nickel and dime you to death. As to weather the car was maintained well or not, IME, it's nice to find one that's been we'll maintained, but it is no indication it won't be a money pit. Research the year you're considering and find all the weak points, then find a seller that knows about the issues and proactively replaced parts to avoid unnecessary break downs and other catastrophic failures. That's the best you can do. But don't buy this car thinking about how much you'll save.

 

[CNGsaves]

Trying to get nice used car for $7K that also gets good fuel mileage will be somewhat tough. Curious how many miles you plan on driving a year?? How far is daily commute and does it take you through Minneapolis??

With diesel at $4/gallon and premium on VW diesel car prices, I'd worry your $7K won't buy you much.

Might need to consider typical gas engines with good mpg like Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Dodge Neon, Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, etc.

If only purpose of vehicle is commuting locally, you might consider a used Honda Civic GX (ie natural gas) as you can fill in Minneapolis, MN for $1.99/ gge - - see: http://www.cngprices.com/station_map.php This works out to 6.6 cents a mile if you get 30 mpg city or say 5 cents a mile if you get 40 mpg highway (both do-able). To get comparable cost per mile, you'd have to get 75 mpg highway with $3.75/galllon gasoline. With $4/diesel you would have to get 80 mpg highway!!

Here's an example 2005 Honda Civic GX for $10,500 w/ 59K miles
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3661830170.html
These are highly reliable and well maintained easily go 250K miles or more.

Good luck with your decision. If you opt for Civic GX, you might need to keep old Maxima for long-distance trips outside Minneapolis since cng stations are not throughout MN.

 

[Craftsman86]

I do not drive more than 30 miles round trip to and from work, but I am also a student and drive a good 200 miles every weekend. I also have a motorcycle that I try and drive all summer. I recently totaled my Silverado and am only getting about 20 mpg in my maxima with winter driving. It also has 230 thousand on it and I need something more reliable. Part of me wants to get another truck, but when I had the car truck and bike I hardly ever drove the truck. It is nice when you have a boat and other toys but its time to be the guy that rides with someone else rather than everyones first call to move things. I live in the burnsville area and work in Eden Prairie for those of you that know the citys. I plan to move into a lake house near Buffalo for the summer but hopefully I can ride the bike most days.

I have a friend with the TDI, and have been asking around about them. I work for a fleet car company and they are the only VW's that we lease, but we also turn them before the 80 K point. I have always driven a truck so it seems odd not to have one sitting outside. I could also get a nice truck for that money but then I am back to 18 mpg in my price range, and spending all my money on fuel.

I have also looked at a 4 runner and sequoia but I would like to have a nice commuter car before I buy another gas hog to haul toys. Ideally I will sell the boat this summer and downsize the toys until I finish my MBA.

 

[MattPersman]

Should be able to find a same year prius for that same money would get better fuel economy and more reliable

 

[CNGsaves]

Should be able to find a same year prius for that same money would get better fuel economy and more reliable

Here's what the CNG guys think about Prius . . . . aka "Pee On Us" !!

 

[CNGsaves]

I do not drive more than 30 miles round trip daily to and from work, but I am also a student and drive a good 200 miles every weekend. I also have a motorcycle that I try and drive all summer. I recently totaled my Silverado and am only getting about 20 mpg in my maxima with winter driving. It also has 230 thousand on it and I need something more reliable. Part of me wants to get another truck, but when I had the car truck and bike I hardly ever drove the truck. It is nice when you have a boat and other toys but its time to be the guy that rides with someone else rather than everyones first call to move things. I live in the burnsville area and work in Eden Prairie for those of you that know the citys. I plan to move into a lake house near Buffalo for the summer but hopefully I can ride the bike most days.

I have a friend with the TDI, and have been asking around about them. I work for a fleet car company and they are the only VW's that we lease, but we also turn them before the 80 K point. I have always driven a truck so it seems odd not to have one sitting outside. I could also get a nice truck for that money but then I am back to 18 mpg in my price range, and spending all my money on fuel.

I have also looked at a 4 runner and sequoia but I would like to have a nice commuter car before I buy another gas hog to haul toys. Ideally I will sell the boat this summer and downsize the toys until I finish my MBA.

That kind of driving adds up to 18K miles a year if consistently driven. Switching out from pickup at 18 mpg ($3.75/gal gasoline) to Civic GX at 40 mpg ($1.99/gge cng) would equate to $2,044 annual savings!! You'd have to swing by the CenterPoint Energy public cng at 501 W 61st St approx twice a week. Yes, it's a hassle but $2K per year savings put into your pocket!!

 

[basspro]

Im a Ford truck guy, but TDI's are sick. How about a Subaru WRX STI? Not the most fuel efficient, but fast, fun, reliable, fairly basic. Just pound on it all year, rain or shine. My buddy slams on his and it just takes everything he throws at it even at the track, car still looks and runs like new. You can convert to E85 and gain a ton of power doing it. Just a thought.

 

[tarbellb]

Again, for $7,000 you really are limited. I just played this game with my girlfriend who had a great running Corolla but got into a accident. We looked in the $5-7k range for a while. What I found is your best options at this price are:

Most reliable, basic, boring:
Any Civic with less then 150k (timing belt done)
Any Corolla w less then 150k (timing belt done)
Maybe some newer Hyundai, Kia.

More fun, still reliable:
Mazada 3/Protege series
VW jetta/golf- 2.0 gas is basic but not great, 1.8L Turbo = expensive, 1.9 TDI
Subaru Impreza or Forester- awesome cars but a bit more expensive to maintain (read 4wd)

Other then that you are in either in a more expensive category or likely looking at something that is not great.

Stay far far away from anything Dodge, Chrysler, Chevy, and probably Ford.

Now saying that, my girlfriend and I also got to play the game again but with her new job paying for a new car. We ended up looking at Subaru Impreza, Mazda 3, and the Ford Focus.

Ended up buying the 2012 Ford Focus (so dont tell me im not open minded to American models) Ford's quality has gone up substantially in the last decade.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

Odds are you are not going to find a new TDI Jetta/golf for $7000. If you do, it will have a billion miles on it. They are highly valued right now.

I have been working on VWs for about 10 years now. The ALH engine was the best TDI VW has put out in my opinion. That would be a Golf/Beetle/Jetta from 1999(ish) until 2003. From 2004-2007 you have the Pump Duse engine. That is a really great engine with tons of power. There are some issues with cam lobes wearing out. From 2009 until now you have the common rail(CR) engine. TONS of power, but very very finicky about fuel. That is the engine that everyone says has tons of HPFP issues. I have replaced my fair share, but most were due to improper or poor quality fuel.

If you have any VW or TDI questions give me a shout. I will be more than happy to help. I subscribed to this thread, but if you email me, I can get back to you faster. Charles(at) humblemechanic(dot)com

hope that helps
Charles

 

[Gotmayhem]

Im a Ford truck guy, but TDI's are sick. How about a Subaru WRX STI? Not the most fuel efficient, but fast, fun, reliable, fairly basic. Just pound on it all year, rain or shine. My buddy slams on his and it just takes everything he throws at it even at the track, car still looks and runs like new. You can convert to E85 and gain a ton of power doing it. Just a thought.

This must be some not-so-subtle trolling.

 

[PT Doc]

7k will not get you low mileage. An acquaintance bought an 05 Subaru legacy gt with 132k for about 9k. Blue was about 12k.

I'd go 4cylinder Japanese. Be prepared to be buying someone's issues though.

 

[MattPersman]

CNG guy I think it's funny you think a civic will get 40 mpg overall running average. Cause it won't. On CNG, pure 87-93, e85, q16 or whatever it just won't. So you can't make you will save this much $ argument. You maybe be able to swing 30 overall but not 40.

It is as bad as the car companies saying 40 mpg this and that it's friggin optimistic highway mileage at slower than average drivers speeds. Then the buyer thinks there car gets 40 mpg cause that's the only number they remember from the commercial

TDIS, Prius, and civic hybrids and insight hybrids, fusion hybrids are the only ones that will get you 40 average or more

 

[wafrederick]

Consumer Reports is wrong most of the time.For example,they say Jeep Grand Cherokees have engine problems and they don't.Subarus are expensive to fix when they break,replace the timing belt on time to prevent the $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 fix replacing bent valves when the timing belt breaks.VW and Audi's reliability has gone down the toilet.The 1.8T is a pile of junk,there are 4 differant ones.With VWs,need the 3 letter code on the valve cover to get parts.Just went through this on Thursday just for an oil filter for a 2003 Passat with the 1.8T.Book showed two differant oil filters out of a parts plus oil filter catalog.

 

[basspro]

Not trolling at all. Maybe I shouldnt have recommended an STI, little much sorry. A WRX would be nice, maybe even the older forester with truck bed. I like universal vehicles you can drive anywhere, year round. Everyone is different.You are right wfrederick, Subarus are expensive to fix, and there isnt alot of room under the hood, even considering the smaller engine, again, sorry. I will say this, and I agree with Humble Mechanic, you can get a "nice" car in your price range, but you will be doing a bit of fixing here and there. Personally, I dont mind vehicles in this price point used, there is a trade off to everything, and a car to meet everyones needs, good day.

 

[Mavawreck]

With 2009 and newer (May have the date wrong) VW TDIs, it is debatable how much they like biodiesel. I don't know the answer but I've heard other people say it is a bad idea in the latest generation diesels.

 

[CNGsaves]

CNG guy I think it's funny you think a Civic will get 40 mpg overall running average. Cause it won't. On CNG, pure 87-93, e85, q16 or whatever it just won't. So you can't make you will save this much $ argument. You maybe be able to swing 30 overall but not 40.

It is as bad as the car companies saying 40 mpg this and that it's friggin optimistic highway mileage at slower than average drivers speeds. Then the buyer thinks there car gets 40 mpg cause that's the only number they remember from the commercial

TDIS, Prius, and civic hybrids and insight hybrids, fusion hybrids are the only ones that will get you 40 average or more

Sorry but highlight above reveals the Hybrid brainwash Kool-Aid that keeps people from buying cng vehicles. Every day of the week, you could be driving Honda Civic GX (now called Civic natural gas) and get 35 mpg in mixed driving, and highway driving get 40 mpg. Take a look at cross-country trip that California couple made from LA to Atlantic City, NJ in fall 2012 where they drove 2012 Honda Civic NG for 8K miles using 197.7 gge's for overall average of 40.5 mpg!!! Average fuel cost was $2/gge with $0.82/gge lowest and $4.49/gge highest for total $395 which works out to 4.95 CENTS per mile average (mixed / mostly highway) covering 8K mile cross-country round trip!!! I met them on their trip in Tulsa, OK as this was historic trip cross-country all on cng only!! Great couple from California who are true cng believers.

See details of this incredible road trip known as Clean Across America and Back CNG 2012 at:
http://www.greenacrossamerica.com

Another cng believer in Oregon has accomplished 300 mile range in Civic GX (ie low resistance tires, etc) and recent round-trip from Salem, OR to Chico, CA plus some run-a-round miles for 1,022 miles total at 47 mpg/gge and only $25 in cng fuel - - - INCREDIBLE as only average 2.5 CENTS per mile!!

No "Pee-on-Us" ever made that can drive for 2.5 cents per mile, with current fuel prices for liquid petrol. At $3.70/gal petrol price, the Prius would have to get 148 mpg to match the cng trip by Oregon guy above!! Plus, the Civic GX is cheaper to purchase up front than a Pee-on-Us!!

I've got bi-fuel Chevy Cavalier and get 33 mpg highway with larger 2.2 ltr engine. While in Oklahoma driving $0.90/gge cng that works out to 2.7 CENTS per mile. Price here in KS is only $1.19/gge but only have 2 cng public refueling sites. By comparision there are now around 70 public cng refueling sites in Oklahoma.

Toyota now refuses to produce a cng vehicle (formerly had great Camry CNG from 1999 to 2001) yet churns out Pee-On-Us in great quantity at great profit. What a waste!

Anywhere that there are public cng pumps, it only makes sense to pursue cng vehicles. They are rare but quickly growing on percentage basis as Honda has doubled their Civic NG production, and Ford is rapidly offering many vehicles as bi-fuel or cng dedicated.

 

[MattPersman]

So what cng vehicle do you own? How many fueling stations are in your area and the OPs area? How is a over 7000 dollar car gonna benefit the OP when he said that was his budget?

So one person hypermiled a CNG civic from the east to west coast with potentially massive route planning due to low availability of public use filling stations.

I am all about alternative energy I really am, but CNG is cheap now cause no wide spread availabilty in stations or vehicle, no road tax, etc. e85 used to be cheap till it became popular too the stations realized they could charge just a little less than 87 and people would still buy into it.

I don't see what a 50 mpg average car you want to bash (Prius) makes you mad and have to push CNG propaganda? The cars are reliable, good mpg, affordable. Sure pretty damn boring to drive but really is a practical car with no black magic this is gonna fail and cost this much technology. They have been made for over 10 years, you can get parts cheap and any city has someone that can work on it.

 

[pipsters]

We had a 98 VW Jetta 2.8 now we have a Prius that should tell you something

VW's have the odd problem of being well engineered (German) but cheaply made. I would only buy one if it was new with warranty and get rid of it before the warranty expires.

The diesel engines are great, if you get a 5 speed manual (only way I would buy a VW, autos have tons of problems) the drivetrain should be fine. It's the rest of the car that is a POS.

 

[CNGsaves]

So what cng vehicle do you own? How many fueling stations are in your area and the OPs area? How is a over 7000 dollar car gonna benefit the OP when he said that was his budget?

So one person hypermiled a CNG civic from the east to west coast with potentially massive route planning due to low availability of public use filling stations.

I am all about alternative energy I really am, but CNG is cheap now cause no wide spread availabilty in stations or vehicle, no road tax, etc. e85 used to be cheap till it became popular too the stations realized they could charge just a little less than 87 and people would still buy into it.

I don't see what a 50 mpg average car you want to bash (Prius) makes you mad and have to push CNG propaganda? The cars are reliable, good mpg, affordable. Sure pretty damn boring to drive but really is a practical car with no black magic this is gonna fail and cost this much technology. They have been made for over 10 years, you can get parts cheap and any city has someone that can work on it.

Keep drinking the hybrid Kool-Aid if you want to keep your head in the sand. You didn't even spend a few minutes reading the info I provided ; historic cross-country trip in Civic NG was in normal driving conditions (ie AC on, loaded with luggage, etc with elderly couple driving no less!!). Further, even with some price gouging cng stations charging $2.90/gge (Los Angeles) or $4.49/gge (Colorado Springs), the average fuel cost was $2/gge and resulted in Cost Per Mile of 4.9 cents average over 8K miles!! See how far the Prius would get in cross-country trip on $395 in fuel . . . Ha, Ha! The Civic NG went 8,000 miles from Los Angeles, CA to New Jersey, and back to Los Angeles, CA all on $395 in fuel round-trip . . . coast-to-coast AND back coast-to-coast!!!

When you're ready to see the light, drive by Kyler Brothers Heating & Air company in Indianapolis, IN that built their own public cng pump to service their company fleet of 25 to 30 vehicles running on cng. Their address is 4355 LaFayette Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46254.

Similarly, AT&T has committed to 8,000 cng vehicles within their fleet. UPS and Waste Mgmt are quickly expanding their LNG and CNG fleets. These are just a miniscule portion of USA's 10 to 14 million annual vehicle sales. By comparison, countries ready to shed oil addiction are producing up to 25% in cng vehicle sales (ie Argentina, Brazil, Italy, etc).

Exxon, BP, Chevron, etc. are just loving guys like you who believe that marginal improvement in mpg with hybrids is helping wean USA from foreign crude oil ambilical cord.

Both hybrids and E85 are just prolonging the gouging profit that Big Oil and automakers are extracting from America. Toyota could re-introduce possibly the best mid-size cng car ever made in past 15 years (ie 1999-2001 Camry cng) yet it refuses. Toyota could produce a CNG powered Prius that would get 100 mpg on $1/gge fuel . . . but Toyota refuses. Bottom line is COST PER MILE of current "Pee-On-Us" will never touch in comparison to Civic NG, plus Civic NG is cleanest ICE (internal combustion engine) with SULEV designation (super ultra low emission vehicle). No comparison at any criteria.

 

[kythri]

E85 used to be cheap?! Where, Wonderland? Oz?

 

[Craftsman86]

I appreciate all of the input. The main reason I am looking at the TDI, is because I have a friend that is looking to sell his. I thought that 7,000 for an 05 Jetta with 108,000 was a great deal especially when Craigslist only has them with over 200K in that price range. I would be more into CNG if my work installed the "CNG in a box" unit that we have on display out front making it convenient. We also have a solar charging grid for Electric Vehicles, but there is nothing in my price range EV wise. I think my area is still a little too far behind for CNG.

I appreciate all of the input, and I feel that No matter what you buy at the 100K point, your going to get the last owners problems. I do not mind working on a vehicle as long as it is not a consistent thing. Working for a fleet company we are ordering a variety of new cars for our leases's making the turn in units purchasable. This route I could get a 1-3 year old malibu, focus, or impala in my price range.

Older TDI or newer impala,malibu or focus with roughly the same mileage, or sit and wait for my Nissan to blow up. thats the decision I face at this point.

 

[pfctblu]

You are not going to like that Buffalo-Eden Prairie commute. If your connections can get a 1-2yr old latest-gen Focus in your price range, do it.

 

[oldtools]

I appreciate all of the input. The main reason I am looking at the TDI, is because I have a friend that is looking to sell his. I thought that 7,000 for an 05 Jetta with 108,000 was a great deal especially when Craigslist only has them with over 200K in that price range. I would be more into CNG if my work installed the "CNG in a box" unit that we have on display out front making it convenient. We also have a solar charging grid for Electric Vehicles, but there is nothing in my price range EV wise. I think my area is still a little too far behind for CNG.

I appreciate all of the input, and I feel that No matter what you buy at the 100K point, your going to get the last owners problems. I do not mind working on a vehicle as long as it is not a consistent thing. Working for a fleet company we are ordering a variety of new cars for our leases's making the turn in units purchasable. This route I could get a 1-3 year old malibu, focus, or impala in my price range.

Older TDI or newer impala,malibu or focus with roughly the same mileage, or sit and wait for my Nissan to blow up. thats the decision I face at this point.

Ask your friend why he is selling it and ask him whether the car has problem lately or the car is problematic in the past.

 

[CNGsaves]

I appreciate all of the input. The main reason I am looking at the TDI, is because I have a friend that is looking to sell his. I thought that 7,000 for an 05 Jetta with 108,000 was a great deal especially when Craigslist only has them with over 200K in that price range. I would be more into CNG if my work installed the "CNG in a box" unit that we have on display out front making it convenient. We also have a solar charging grid for Electric Vehicles, but there is nothing in my price range EV wise. I think my area is still a little too far behind for CNG.

I appreciate all of the input, and I feel that No matter what you buy at the 100K point, your going to get the last owners problems. I do not mind working on a vehicle as long as it is not a consistent thing. Working for a fleet company we are ordering a variety of new cars for our leases's making the turn in units purchasable. This route I could get a 1-3 year old malibu, focus, or impala in my price range.

Older TDI or newer impala,malibu or focus with roughly the same mileage, or sit and wait for my Nissan to blow up. thats the decision I face at this point.

Sounds like your friend is offering you good bargain at $7K on VW diesel. For your situation now, that might be good choice to reduce your commuting cost. With diesel at $4/gal and you get 50 mpg diesel, that works out to 8 CENTS a mile that is hard to beat with conventional car, assuming car is reliable with low maintenance.

However, GOT AN IDEA for you . . . . . bring up idea of CNG cars within your fleet at work!! If those are locally driven cars all coming back to home base, then CNG is perfect solution. All of the cars you mention are available as cng (either bi-fuel or dedicated) . . ie Malibu, Impala, or Focus. A slow-fill solution would work to fuel with cng overnight. A Fuelmaker FMQ8-36 is common for small fleets that fills at 4 gge/hr and could fill multiple vehicles overnight. If you become a certified CNG technician, that would be very valuable with upcoming rapid growth of cng vehicles.

Contact Oscar at American Fueling in LaCrosse, WI who is nearest Fuelmaker dealer. He's a great guy who drives 40K+ miles a year on cng servicing his customers over multiple state area.
http://www.brc-fuelmaker.biz/eng/flotte/ricerca.asp?nazione=U.S.A.&regione=Minnesota&provincia=Tutte

Options would be convert existing Impala or Malibu with company called Natural Drive/Impco. Other companies could do Focus conversion. New Impala/Malibu conversions could be done by Tulsa Gas Technology (Tulsa) or OEM Systems Inc (OKC). However, lowest cost cng car right now is Honda Civic NG with the $3K promotion.

The FMQ8-36 Fuelmaker setup would be nice for your workplace fleet as you'd have public cng refueling site in Minneapolis, MN, that could serve as backup.

Good luck with your VW decision . . . and research CNG for your work!!

 

[tarbellb]

Stay away from the Malibu and Impala, both those have been recently replaced by GM meaning they are dated models. I would only go for a Focus if its the most current generation. But I doubt you can get a current gen Focus for 7k unless it has huge miles.

Jump on the Tdi, specially if you getting a deal on it. Diesel is a proven technology, with parts, service, and community help. I love my Tdi golf. But it really is a joy to drive and my other car currently is a E46 BMW M3 to gauge my opinion.

Again, if you havent had a chance, check out www.tdiclub.com

 

[kythri]

Stay away from the Malibu and Impala, both those have been recently replaced by GM meaning they are dated models.

Why does this matter?

 

[MattPersman]

So like I asked what CNG car do you own. None

What CNG company are you working for? Must be some to push this so hard

So I gotta drive to the ghetto to a heating and air conditioning shop the one place in Indianapolis to get CNG for a car that I would have to pay way more for and be obscure to find a repair facility to work on it? So where are the NICE stations in nice parts of town I would not have to make a special trip to fill my obscure car?

So you are telling me driving a 220 mile range civic cNG (Honda estimate) I am NOT gonna have to plan my route? I can just jump in drive on ANY route I want and have no problem finding a 24/7 fueling station open to the public with CNG? If that is true then sure it's a realistic idea.

I don't know why you need to make this into a ******* match. I have asked questions and all you are doing is quoting Stuff from CNG websites where 1 person in the US has driven on a likely very calculate and planned route from coast to coast.

You won't tell us about your CNG fleet, or personal vehicle or where all this availability is. Just looking up fueling stations on the CNG station website and copying and pasting about a couple that drove there car across the country.

Then you just have to bash hybrids saying they are just prolonging the gouging. Not really people that buy them are trying to do something. Very few people need a giant escalade that actually own one and could easily fit there family in a normal car like familys did years ago.

 

[MattPersman]

Come to think about it a BEV in my area is way more logical than CNG there are charging stations all over the place. So electric infrastructure sure is beating the pants off of CNG infrastructure at this point let me guess the oil companies are putting them in to fight the CNG movement lol.