Help Us Decide On A Car

[Triggar]

Hi Guys.

As you well know, Martyr and I are shopping for a new car.

Our first researched car was a Mini Cooper S. Lovely little car, great engine, not-so-good gas mileage and not-so-much cargo space.

Then we researched the Toyota Prius. Amazing car - powerful variable transmission, awesome HUD, extremely amazing gas mileage, and the base MSRP is affordable. But good luck getting it at base MSRP. Toyota produces about a 10th of what the market demands, and so dealers mark up the price accordingly. The dealer here quoted us a base model at $26k, and a dealer in Illinios quoted us a fully-loaded one for the same. But still not affordable.

Then Martyr's parents asked us if we'd looked into Volkswagen's. Martyr's dad just sold the 1984 Corvette that he's been driving since Martyr was a wee sprout. He then bought a Volkswagen Jetta. Now, Martyr's dad is what we'd like to call a "motorhead". He knows a lot about cars and rarely ever takes them to be fixed professionally - he does all the work himself. Now, I think if the VW Jetta is good enough for my father-in-law, it's good enough for us.

So we go to the VW dealership and test-drive one. It's a fun little car to drive - great performance, stability, responsiveness, handling. Powerful little engine in there. Lots of cargo space and is right in our budget. Martyr and I talk things over and decide that the Jetta is everything we're looking for in a car (good gas mileage, cargo space, affordability, and "the coolness factor") without us having to compromise on anything like we would have to with the Cooper or the Prius.

BUT

In the name of knowing everything about any other car that might be in the running to become Our New Car, I started looking at the VW Beetle. Same deal as the Jetta - affordable, good gas mileage, cargo space, etc. But it has a little bit more "cool factor". Now, I know a lot of coffee-shop wannabe hippies who drive the Beetle, but I know just as many cool normal people who drive them too.

So, what do you think? We buy the car sometime this coming week :)

Beetle, or Jetta?

[NightWalker XI]

Get the Jetta, over here in the UK that model is called "Bora" and we have one, its my dads car, it is an awesome car, I dunno what engine version you will be getting but we own the 2.0 TDI model and it hasn;t given us a single problem for the 2 years we have owned it for.

Good car, good value for money and VW provide good customer service if you ever need it, you have my vote on the Jetta

[ObnoxiousFrog]

Shaggin' Wagon would be preferable, but Jetta.

[Triggar]

Btw, we'd get the Diesel engine on either model :p

[Infernus]

The Jetta... its a nice car, my aunt has one. I like it a lot.

[DaShiznit]

The Jetta is a great car, and it's in the best interest of Martyr retaining his dignity.

[Triggar]

Yeah, that was another reason why I'd prefer the Jetta over the Beetle. I don't want a car that's going to make John feel like his ween0r has been cut off!

[Sputty]

Beetle = nazimobile

[ObnoxiousFrog]

http://www.madmaxmovies.com/cars/madmax2/Sidecar/Sidecar.jpg

Rehosting is for pussies.

[Triggar]

Beetle = nazimobile

All Volkswagen's are "nazi-mobile's", if you want to get all technical about it :lol:

[ObnoxiousFrog]

BMW are the ultimate nazimobiles, which is ironic because so many **** drive them.

[starbum]

Jetta > Bettle

Mazda > *

Mercedes > Mazda, however. If you want to spend as much as a house on a car.

[Triggar]

Conversation, held about 30 seconds ago:

ME: "Looks like they want us to get the Jetta."
MARTYR: "I do too. I voted for it."
ME: "Okay!"

So, we're getting the Jetta.

What color should we get now? Black, dark grey, or silver?

I like the dary grey. Thoughts?

[starbum]

Dark Grey

[ObnoxiousFrog]

buy a white one, then throw water balloons full of house paint at it.

add a pair of bull horns to the grill and get ready for classy.

[Kyonye]

choices.....

dark grey probably

[Hamma]

Mini, what tainted your mind to go for a VW? :lol:

[Smaug]

Well, whatever you do, don't get a VW Cabrio. My mom had one of those, what a piece of shit.

[Infernus]

Black! Get Black it looks nice... silver is ok too...

[MrPaul]

Dark Grey
Whut 'e sed.

[Corrosion]

Black shows every piece of dirt, so no.
I would go with silver.

[JetRaiden]

Beetles suck. Jettas for the win. Especially in aftermarket parts.

[OfaLoaf]

I voted for Beetle before I read everything... :(



Get a Teal-and-Purple Jetta, and get +100 PS points.

[Squeeky]

Why the fuck would you get a VW? If you get a VW you are banned from my house.

[UncleDynamite]

Don't get a car, have Martyr carry you around everywhere.

[NightWalker XI]

Silver for sure is what u want, trust me, its sexy

Why the fuck would you get a VW? If you get a VW you are banned from my house.

die.

[MrPaul]

Silver for sure is what u want, trust me, its sexy
I think silver only really works on Mercedes' and Porches.
Dark Grey is the new black. My dad's buying a Honda Civic Type-R in Slate Grey (or whatever the colour equivalent is of Dark Grey). It looks teh 1337.

[Rbstr]

Good choice, go for silver, it hides dirt ect. preaty well. and it blinds people that tailgate you on sunny day's.

[starbum]

Hmmmmmm, also gotta remember that darker colors absorb more heat.

It'll be a sleek dutch oven, though!

[Triggar]

Okay, this just in.

The guy I worked with tonight had HORROR stories about VW's. He said after one year, his Jetta's clutch was shot, two tires were shot (and couldn't be replaced with just any ole' tire, they had to be replaced with expensive ones), the electrical system went to shit, and the motors controlling the power windows went to hell.

Yeah, so back to the drawing board.

The guy who was telling me about Jetta's recommended the Toyota Scion brand, so we'll look at those tonight.

Bleedin' hell it's hard to buy a car!

[OfaLoaf]

Meh, my nextdoor neighbor has two VW Beetles which do just fine.

[Triggar]

Keeerap.

We'll have to talk it over with my dad-in-law.

The guy I talked to said he was close to having to use the Lemon Law. I don't know if he got a fluke or what. But we'll certainly have to take a bit more time and do our homework.

[starbum]

Might've been a fluke, sounds like either he's just a rough driver or the car was faulty.

[Smaug]

Okay, this just in.

The guy I worked with tonight had HORROR stories about VW's. He said after one year, his Jetta's clutch was shot, two tires were shot (and couldn't be replaced with just any ole' tire, they had to be replaced with expensive ones), the electrical system went to shit, and the motors controlling the power windows went to hell.

Yeah, so back to the drawing board.

The guy who was telling me about Jetta's recommended the Toyota Scion brand, so we'll look at those tonight.

Bleedin' hell it's hard to buy a car!

My mom's VW was a piece of crap. We had tons of transmissions problems with it. Good choice to not get one.

[OfaLoaf]

Saturns are nice. Ours worked fine, except for the one hit by lightning... but the people at the dealership were nice about it, at least. We got to trade it in for a VUE. The L-series, if it's still around, is a nice station wagon in my opinion.

[AztecWarrior]

80s Pontiac Firebird. That talks.

http://www.memerunner.com/images/knight.rider.friend.jpg

[Triggar]

Saturns are nice.

The current whip I'm pushin' is a 2000 Saturn SL-1. Realistically, it is a great little car. It served it's purpose well as My First Car. I have to say that the problems it's having now have less to do with it's engineering and more to do with the fact that not only can my older sister drive like an idiot, but she's also incapable of taking it to a decent repair shop.

The Scion tC is looking good to us right now, with a no-haggle base MSRP at $16,4k. I'm trying to build one and price it out with the options we want, but either the website or my browser is knackered.

The only gripe I have about the Scion is the fact that we probably have to deal with the smarmy Toyota salesmen we dealt with when trying to get the Prius. Bloody hell, now I know where all those massive stereotypes about car salesmen come from :rolleyes:

[AztecWarrior]

80s Pontiac Firebird. That talks.

http://www.memerunner.com/images/knight.rider.friend.jpg
Even Gary Coleman and David Hasselhoff approve of it. Scrap plans for one of those Japanese or European tinboxes. Besides, it TALKS.

[Triggar]

For an extra $2000, the Prius could talk to us too :lol:

[oddfish]

get a 2005 mustang.

[ObnoxiousFrog]

http://www.shaftagents.com/baracus.jpg

First name Mister, middle name Period, last name T.

Nickname AWESOME.

[AztecWarrior]

1982 GMC Van > all

In all seriousness, I'd go for the Mini. There are but 2 of you, so use the rear seats as cargo space for VS gunrunning grocery shopping.

[StrikerTek]

I've had really good luck with Honda cars. Currently driving an 03 Accord LX and I love it. Honda has the best 4 cylinder engine going, and this thing has got great acceleration and power, yet also has great gas mileage. It drives silky smooth and has tons of room in the trunk and back seat.

I'd go with a Civic or Accord over the tC. Or an Acura RSX if you want something more sporty. It's hard to go wrong with Honda/Acura. They're reliable cars that will go forever. My friend's dad has a 1990 Accord with 210,000 miles on it. And he still drives it to work everyday.

[GeneralRazor]

I'd go with a voltswagen, in a color that compliments your daily attire.

;)

Edit: ^ Not me, but you seem to be run-of-the mill consumers.

[BUGGER]

Well, whatever you do, don't get a VW Cabrio. My mom had one of those, what a piece of shit.
Same, i'd stick with our old mazda truck rather than the vw, pay'ed more for the cabrio than the truck. Jetta's are also ok, but same thing, trannsmistion dont last, clutch is shit, electical, my dad had that problem, and it all started from the light inside the car which sent everything to the dealership.


I'd reconsider the both those Vw's....Jetta's are kool, but your paying just as much as you would for a Navigator in 3 years.

[OneManArmy]

I love my bird, but I wouldn't recommend them. already had to have the transmission worked on. not to mention the electrical problems these cars have. however. those new grand ams (or are they grand prix?) whatever are nice as hell, and fast too!

[AztecWarrior]

I love my bird, but I wouldn't recommend them. already had to have the transmission worked on. not to mention the electrical problems these cars have. however. those new grand ams (or are they grand prix?) whatever are nice as hell, and fast too!
Gary Coleman and David Hasselhoff will spit on your grave.

[martyr]

from frag:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/survey_2003/01/

[NightWalker XI]

Okay, this just in.

The guy I worked with tonight had HORROR stories about VW's. He said after one year, his Jetta's clutch was shot, two tires were shot (and couldn't be replaced with just any ole' tire, they had to be replaced with expensive ones), the electrical system went to shit, and the motors controlling the power windows went to hell.

Yeah, so back to the drawing board.

The guy who was telling me about Jetta's recommended the Toyota Scion brand, so we'll look at those tonight.

Bleedin' hell it's hard to buy a car!

Thanks for listening to me who also owns that model car for two years and never had one problem..oh well Jetta is the American version...heh

oh ya and martyr this is from the Top Gear site:

16. Volkswagen Bora - 79.5 - 79

thats a good score in case u didn't know, highest is 100 in score, then on the right voerall rankins of the top 100 best family cars.

Triggar your making WAAAYY too much of this, your going with what everyone says etc, everyone has their opinions and when u ask so many people its obvious the opinions will conflic,. your making it harder on yourself, just test drive any cars you can afford and buy the one you enjoy most driving/gives you nice value for money petrol wise, etc and that U know won;t fall apart, brand histories are easy to find out in quality and stuff on the new anyway, places like Top Gear always mention them, dunno about American brand cars.

But ya, when my dad went to buy his he test drove everything, like Mazdas and Fords and Peugeut and all of thtat and he liked what the VW had to offer, after all a car is really about what U like about it, not what others think of the company that makes it.

[Fragmatic]

If you want reliability as a main factor, may I suggest -

...

...

VOLVO!

[oddfish]

If you want reliability as a main factor, may I suggest -

...

...

VOLVO!


"Volvo. Ugly as fuck, but it's safe."
"Volvo. Ugly as fuck, but it'll get ya there."
"Volvo. Looks like shit, but drives like... shit. Did we mention it's safe?"
"Volvo. It's okay that you drive one, since it's your mom's"
"Volvo. If you get in a wreck, you'll only be maimed, not killed."
"Volvo. HEY SAFE!"
"Volvo. No, you can't pimp them out."

[Fragmatic]

"Volvo. Ugly as fuck, but it's safe."
"Volvo. Ugly as fuck, but it'll get ya there."
"Volvo. Looks like shit, but drives like... shit. Did we mention it's safe?"
"Volvo. It's okay that you drive one, since it's your mom's"
"Volvo. If you get in a wreck, you'll only be maimed, not killed."
"Volvo. HEY SAFE!"
"Volvo. No, you can't pimp them out."

Newer Volvos are nice looking, have decent handling, are powerful (mmmm, Garrett T5 turbochargers), pimpable and safe.

Pwned.

[AztecWarrior]

Swedish engines = lawnmower engines with turbo the size of a Shop-Vac

[Indecisive]

Much hate for diesel.

[Jennyboo]

Jetta is the only way to go...My parents just bought a New one and love it :D

[Hamma]

If you buy a Scion I am going to have to revoke your mod privs.

:lol:

:love:

[Squeeky]

If you buy a Scion I am going to have to revoke your mod privs.

:lol:

:love:

Seriously. First a Jetta, now a Scion? :lol: :lol:

God damn, i'd literally, without hesitation, SLAP any family member or friend thinking of buying either or. Hell I feel like going to the VW dealership and kicking everyone in the teeth thinking of buying one of those junkers.

Dont throw you hard earned money Trig/Mart. Get a Mini :mad:.

[Ivan]

I'll sell you guys my car if you want. It's a high performance car.

http://www.tridot.net/images/stuff/MyCar.jpg

[Fragmatic]

With all those stickers, you got at least 500hp extra

[Ivan]

And I took the two back doors off to reduce weight and drag.

[martyr]

haha, i'm not sure any of you understand how totally sweet the scion is.
planetary continuously variable transmission, and .. all those computers & LCDs... it's mad fun.

anyway, trig picked up some jetta horror stories, so we're thinking about forgetting the VW options. we're revisiting the coooper (yeah, full circle).

[Triggar]

Alright, so this just in.

We're thisclose to scrapping the Jetta idea altogether, and thisclose to signing the papers to acquire a Mini-Cooper. I'll deal with the lack of cargo space. High resale value on the Mini and none of the maintenence bullshit we've heard about the other models we've looked at. We're still going to look at the different Scion models just so we've covered all the bases, but for now we've got another recon mission planned to Orlando for this weekend to "seal the deal" if that's what we decide.

EDIT: Damn, he beat me to it :p

[JetRaiden]

:clap: :thumbsup:

Just buy the luggage set build for the Mini's trunk.

[Triggar]

Or just buy a bigger cat carrier so The Beasts can take up only one car seat instead of two, and then fold down the other seat and use that for cargo space :)

[MattxMosh]

trig picked up some jetta horror stories


Damnit, I told you Triggar.

I am all knowing, and you should listen to me.

ALL OF YOU SHOULD.

[Ivan]

Damnit, I told you Triggar.

I am all knowing, and you should listen to me.

ALL OF YOU SHOULD.
I listen to you master! What is your bidding?

[Triggar]

Damnit, I told you Triggar.

I am all knowing, and you should listen to me.

ALL OF YOU SHOULD.

:lol:

Never again, Master, will I make the same mistake!

[AztecWarrior]

haha, i'm not sure any of you understand how totally sweet the scion is.
planetary continuously variable transmission, and .. all those computers & LCDs... it's mad fun.

anyway, trig picked up some jetta horror stories, so we're thinking about forgetting the VW options. we're revisiting the coooper (yeah, full circle).
If you buy Scion, I will track you down and kill you.

[DaShiznit]

Scions are leet. But I think you guys should consider an old Ford Pinto. For the same amount that it would cost you to buy 1 new car. You can get several dozen (I'm dead serious) Pintos. That way, when one explodes, you can just use the next one and so on and so forth.

[AztecWarrior]

Scions are leet. But I think you guys should consider an old Ford Pinto. For the same amount that it would cost you to buy 1 new car. You can get several dozen (I'm dead serious) Pintos. That way, when one explodes, you can just use the next one and so on and so forth.
:lol:

[Triggar]

Okay so will all you people who said not to buy a Scion, tell me why?

[MattxMosh]

Okay so will all you people who said not to buy a Scion, tell me why?

they ar eugly and poorly wired, like 99% of all imports.

1 electrical problem costs a fortune.

[AztecWarrior]

It's a Scion.

By buying one, you succumb to evil CEOs who insist on making "EXTREME" and "hip" cars for the generation-Y youth that "doesn't want the car their parents drive."

If you want one, get a Toyota. Or a Saturn.

[martyr]

it _is_ a toyota...

however, these switches might be a deal-breaker for me:
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MiniCooper/Images/Switches.jpg
big image (http://feralboy.com/photoalbum/photos/20030219_autoshow/PIC00004.JPG)

[Triggar]

It's a Scion.

If you want one, get a Toyota. Or a Saturn.

Shhhh :lol:

Anddd you've renounced the right to ever tell anyone what sort of car to get, ever again, ever :rofl:

[Everay]

why dont you get a car made in America? you know, buy American things to keep the economy going?

[martyr]

because they suck.

edit:
http://img36.exs.cx/img36/387/u3imini.png

[JetRaiden]

:eek: jesus christ I just had a mild orgasm.

[martyr]

one of my better shops lately, i think. i'm pleased. also, the car is sweet, even without PPA

[Triggar]

why dont you get a car made in America?

'Cause if I'm gonna spend $24,000 on a car, I want it to not cost a mortgage to repair every month and then have it crap out on me in three years?

[NightWalker XI]

because they suck.

edit:
http://img36.exs.cx/img36/387/u3imini.png

If I actually saw that in the field I would run....very fast...

[Infernus]

because they suck.

edit:
http://img36.exs.cx/img36/387/u3imini.png

A very good shopping... holy nice-ness

*joygasm*