Shall I be joyous, or shall I be damned...

[Wayne]

Good morning ladies and gents.

A lot of this is just me trying to type out my current mental boggle, so forgive me for rambling.

As a lot of you know, I drove a Dodge RAM 1500 pickup up until about 3 days ago. When I was in Chesapeake driving 20 miles each way on the interstate, I was getting 17 - 19 miles per gallon, which is fine considering the commute and the big HEMI engine.

I moved to the DC area, about a mile from work (1.2 actually) and ever since then, I've been getting about 10 - 12 mpg because the trip takes longer to warm up the truck than to actually drive it.

Accordingly, I've been having to spend about $75 - $90 per week to fill up a 26 gallon gas tank.

This -- as you might imagine -- kept me up at night as finances are already extremely tight.

Also, while owning a 390 horsepower beast was a lot of manly macho gruntish fun, it was sorely tempered by the fact that 99% of the time, I was just "idling along" trying to eek out every mile from the tank.

In fact, and in sum total the only thing the Dodge really had going for it was looks, roomy comfort, and the fact that I only owed about $10,000 on it ($200/month payments).

Flash forward to Thursday of last week and -- since I was already feeling under the weather -- I took 1/2 day off and tried to rest. Failing that -- because of the overwhelming thoughts about the truck -- I went car shopping.

My idea setting out was to locate a used Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, or other 4-door gas sipping sedan that I could effectively "swap keys" for (meaning walk away still owing the same amount with the same payment).

I drove 3 Accords, 2 Altimas, a Kia Optima, and even a Mustang (which was surprisingly ok but the car was not)...

I had settled on a 2010 2-door Accord coupe and was about to start negotiating but something about the car bothered me. Curb rash on the rims (normal but still) and a bit of rust on some items under the hood. It drove very well, and it was really comfy for what it was, even though I'd be giving up the back seat. It had the "macho guy thing" going for it.

As such, I was literally getting up and getting ready to walk away when the manager said "let me show you something I think you might like.

He then had the salesman pull around a "Certified", white 2012 Volkswagen Passat. A 4-door, 5-cylinder (?) mid-size sedan which gets 22-31 mpg (avg is supposed to be 25). Actually won Motor Trend's car of the year this year by 2 single points in the closest vote ever.

I don't know much about VW's. I don't, but this car was absolutely what I was looking for. Sporty, good gas mileage, decent power (hey, it's not a HEMI) along with plenty of options like bluetooth (though I'm sorely missing my built-in NAV unit as I got lost on the way home) and everything else.



So... Why then Wayne, are you whining?

In a nutshell, I'm whining because I violated my own rule about swapping keys and ended up spending a whole lot of money I didn't have to try and solve a problem which might be imaginary to begin with.

My Dodge RAM truck would have sold to an individual for probably $19000. I ended up settling with the dealer for $17000, which is fair trade-in value for it, and keeps me from having to figure out how to sell it, THEN run around town looking for a car to buy...

That put me (in my mind) -- $2000 in the hole.

Then, consider the cost of the VW Passat, which we agreed on at $19988 (20k), which -- in my head (even if wrong) -- means I'm $5000 in the hole. Toss in taxes, tags, extended warranty (a good idea on a VW) and registration, and I'm at $7,000 in the hole.

All this stuff mystifies me, and I *know* in my head that it's ok, but I went from owing $10k to owing $17k (effectively $200/month to $265/month) when my money is already tight because of still owning the house in Huntsville -- mortgage plus EXTREMELY overpriced rent here == bad)...

Also, according to the VW people, I *should* be able to go back to the Dodge dealership and get a refund on my extended warranty for the Dodge, which is a couple of grand I can put towards either other bills, or the new VW's bottom line. I'm *not* counting on that, because the Dodge Dealership was the most shady place I've ever dealt with, bar none...

The only savior really is that -- while not perfect -- I like the quirkly little VW. It also alleviates my perceived gasoline bill (if I can coax 25mpg out of it)...

Lemme ramble, see if I can figure this out in my head;

Dodge RAM (HEMI V8)
Average of 300 miles per week (groceries, commute, lunch, other running)
Average gas cost $3.50
Tank size = 26 gallons.
Average mileage = 12mpg (312 miles per tank)
Cost to fill up = $91
Assuming 1200 miles per month / 300 miles per tank = 4 fillups * $91 = $364.00/month for gas

VW Passat (5-cylinder)
Average of 300 miles per week, assume 1200 miles/month
Average gas cost $3.50
Tank size = 18 gallons
Average mileage = 25mpg (?) (450 miles per tank)
Cost to fill up = $63.00
Assuming 1200 miles per month / 450 miles per tank = 3 fillups * $63 = $189.00/month for gas

So... Assuming a lot of things which is all I can do, It looks like the VW will save me (in theory) $175 per month in gas. Subtracting the $65/month raise in my payment, and we're looking at $110/month savings for buying the VW on gas alone (insurance is also cheaper).

Advantages

• Free maintenance from VW for another 20000 miles
• 100k "bumper to bumper" extended warranty ($100 deductible)
• Lower insurance rates.
• $110/month lower cost to operate (mostly gas)
• It's a beautiful, very practical car

Disadvantages

• Not nearly as comfy as the big Dodge truck. It's a LOT smaller as you'd expect, which is fine, but harder to get into and out of for my big ol' butt.
• No Navigation (have to buy a new Garmin unit @$150 or so)
• Lower on the "macho manly" quotient, meaning not as fun to drive for a guy who loves to step on it.
• Potentially (I have no idea, just going on reputation) not as reliable as the Dodge.

So... If you've read this far, what are your thoughts? Was I stupid or sane?

I'm mentally and emotionally conflicted over it. Not sure what I'm asking or even why I'm posting this here except perhaps to hear my thoughts on digital paper. I'd love to get your input, either positive or negative while I'm still in the three-day grace period.

Wayne

 

[faethor]

Car buying is always so emotional. All this sounds, well fairly normal.

As for Navigation, I don't get why people don't use their smartphone app instead. Yeah there's Apple's fiasco on maps. But the Android and Window alternatives are good.

If you're second guessing I'd say bring it back. I'm sure the dealer would do the same swap with you next week. They probably won't give a 2nd 3 day trial.

 

[Wayne]

As for Navigation, I don't get why people don't use their smartphone app instead. Yeah there's Apple's fiasco on maps. But the Android and Window alternatives are good.

It's a matter of data plan. I would happily use google maps on the iPhone but only have a 200mb data plan and no way to expand it...

Wayne

 

[the_leander]

It's a matter of data plan. I would happily use google maps on the iPhone but only have a 200mb data plan and no way to expand it...

Wayne

The latest versions of Google maps for android allows for offline usage - you hook up to wifi, set the route, it then downloads and saves a local copy for use offline whilst travelling.

And at least over here it worked fine.

 

[Wayne]

The latest versions of Google maps for android allows for offline usage - you hook up to wifi, set the route, it then downloads and saves a local copy for use offline whilst travelling.

And at least over here it worked fine.

That is true here as well, except

1) When you're traveling long distances, say between several states or
2) When you go off course and it can't get the data to reroute you.

I'm still testing though..

Wayne

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

1.2 miles to work? I'd ride a bike if that was my only travel - but that's me.
All in all it sounds like a reasonable trade - even more reasonable if gas goes up.
As for maps, crack open google maps at home, look at the route, remember it and drive it. Streetview is great for picking up the land marks at the corners you need. I can do the maps thing on my tablet but it's the road you should be looking at when you drive, not your nav system.

 

[Robert]

1.2 miles to work? I'd ride a bike if that was my only travel - but that's me.

Likewise, or walk if it's raining.

 

[Glaucus]

It's a matter of data plan. I would happily use google maps on the iPhone but only have a 200mb data plan and no way to expand it...

Don't know much about the new Maps app that google released for the iPhone, but on Android, you can cache maps on your phone so that you don't need to use data. Of course the trade off is that you'll be using up your phone's storage. But once cached, it works great. Haven't tried turn-by-turn navigation with cached maps, not sure if it requires a live connection to work or can work with the data cached on your phone, but worth looking into.

EDIT: I see someone beet me to this. But I combining Leander's suggestion along with Fluffy's (look at the map and commit it YOUR memory) should be fine. Between cities it's easier to remember the highway numbers and you don't REALLY need to cache those. Plus highways tend to have good signage. It's when you get into the cities that you need the turn-by-turn sometimes.

 

[Glaucus]

1.2 miles to work? I'd ride a bike if that was my only travel - but that's me.
All in all it sounds like a reasonable trade - even more reasonable if gas goes up.
As for maps, crack open google maps at home, look at the route, remember it and drive it. Streetview is great for picking up the land marks at the corners you need. I can do the maps thing on my tablet but it's the road you should be looking at when you drive, not your nav system.

I have a 5Gb data plan so data isn't an issue with me. And I know the city fairly well so I rarely need navigation. But we were going to someone's house in a new development, and new developments are designed by ex-rate-maze builders it seems, so I googled the address and hit navigation. You don't need to look at your device, it tells you when to turn with surprisingly clear instructions. I was impressed with the instructions at the round-abouts, it would tell you to turn off at the first or second exit, etc, about 300 meters before the round-about, and while you're in it, it tells you just at the right moment when to turn off again. Pretty slick I have to say. And it was a new development as I said, my sister's one year old Infiniti with built-in Nav doesn't know about those streets and never will.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

I was impressed with the instructions at the round-abouts, it would tell you to turn off at the first or second exit, etc, about 300 meters before the round-about, and while you're in it, it tells you just at the right moment when to turn off again.

All well and good if you have a good fix. A built in device will at least have inertial information to fill in the gaps but I've been in the situation when you pass through interference or satellite shadow near that crucial turnoff only to miss it and have to put up with - "recalculating route" sometimes multiple times. It's always nice when stuff works but it's a royal pain if you rely on it and it fails.

 

[Wayne]

The plan is, and always was to walk, but now it's just too cold. Also keep in mind that people around here don't really respect walkers and there are too many regulations to make bicycling safe.

For example, you have to wear helmets, which is good, but you CANNOT ride on the sidewalk and are required to ride in the street, which is insanely dangerous around here -- even for a mile's ride.

Still looking at other options.. -- Just wish Segways weren't so expensive.

 

[ltstanfo]

Wayne,

As the (mostly) satisfied owner of a 2004 / 98,978 miles driven VW Passat (TDI) I can tell you that you made a good choice. Yes, VWs are quirky cars but that seems to be the case with most German vehicles and you and I are both quirky people so it should be a good match once you get past your usual "Wayne drama".

Notice the above "mostly" satisfied disclaimer. I would have said completely satisfied were it not for the fact that VW very cleverly engineered their vehicles to require VW (not generic / aftermarket) parts. Said parts are unique (as in dimension or power rating to your VW vehicle). With that in mind, your maintenance bill will become expensive as the warranty expires. My two favorite examples thus far... replacement VARTA car battery (long and skinny, cannot get at most aftermarket auto parts shops... cost me nearly $200 at VW dealer; only use original brand and rating tires - I swapped from Michelin to Goodyear and MPG went down and car became less effective in sharp turns even though both tires had same ratings.. except for material softness).

I'll paraphrase an analogy from one of the senior mechanics over at TDIForum... "think of your VW as an expensive mistress... as long as you give her what she expects, she will never disappoint. Try to get by with cheap stuff and you WILL pay in the long run.

For everyone else here... don't shoot the messenger. I didn't make that quote up. It is however oddly appropriate and accurate as I will agree (and presumably Red).

Regards,
Ltstanfo

 

[Wayne]

Thanks Lee (and everyone else).

I think in retrospect my biggest drama is that I planned, scheduled, and went out to find and secure a "sensible" Accord, Optima, 200, or even an Altima which would have lowered my payment costs as well.

Instead -- as usual and like Lee in a gun shop -- I bought the "new shiny", damn the costs. It's not really the car I'm second guessing. It's just the "went out to spend 10, spent 17" mental anguish that -- as Lee likes to point out -- seems to be my status quo.

It could be more comfy, but all similar cars are similarly proportioned. Liking the 26mpg so far on what -- for DC -- are "mid-range" trips (15-20 miles) but we'll see.

 

[JoBBo]

Yes, VWs are quirky cars but that seems to be the case with most German vehicles

In Germany, it is usually the Italian cars that are considered to be quirky (albeit charming). I suppose the degree of perceived quirkiness directly correlates to a car manufacturer's market share and German cars are certainly a rare sight in Northern America compared to Europe and Latin America.

Notice the above "mostly" satisfied disclaimer. I would have said completely satisfied were it not for the fact that VW very cleverly engineered their vehicles to require VW (not generic / aftermarket) parts. Said parts are unique (as in dimension or power rating to your VW vehicle). With that in mind, your maintenance bill will become expensive as the warranty expires.

Again, I think the very low market share in Northern America plays a role here. Many (even third-party) parts have to be imported from outside the US which adds cost. Plus, lower demand and supply also mean that price competition among vendors is not as aggressive as it is in markets where Volkswagen has a 20% - 40% market share.

For any car that is neither from an American nor Asian manufacturer, I would expect to have to pay higher maintenance costs in the US for this very reason.

My two favorite examples thus far... replacement VARTA car battery (long and skinny, cannot get at most aftermarket auto parts shops... cost me nearly $200 at VW dealer; only use original brand and rating tires

Case in point. You could have bought this for 40% - 50% less in Germany (from an independent vendor - official dealerships tend to overcharge).

I swapped from Michelin to Goodyear and MPG went down and car became less effective in sharp turns even though both tires had same ratings.. except for material softnes

Is that really Volkswagen's fault? What you describe sounds exactly like the type of differences you would expect after changing to softer tires.

I'll paraphrase an analogy from one of the senior mechanics over at TDIForum... "think of your VW as an expensive mistress... as long as you give her what she expects, she will never disappoint. Try to get by with cheap stuff and you WILL pay in the long run.

You can find similar statements about many car brands. In general, I think most professional mechanics prefer customers that are willing to pay for expensive high-margin parts and services and their rhetoric tends to reflect this

 

[ltstanfo]

JoBBo,

Let me state up front, I like my Passat and intend to keep it until it falls apart. Being a TDI, I am looking for at least another 100k miles before real issues appear.

With regards to the battery, good point. With regards to the tires, it's actually the opposite... unless I misunderstood you. Factory tires were softer. Specified by VW for ride comfort and road handling. Lasted just over 30k miles. I went for Goodyear, harder tires, disappointing results. Yes, they last much longer but everything else was a disappointment. My lesson learned was stick to factory tires by brand and model.

Again, I like my Passat and I have learned to accept its quirks. All cars have them.

As long as we're on car axioms, my personal favorite is:

If the problem is electrical, it's German.
If the problem is mechanical, it's British (the early 70s Jaguar being the prime example)
If the problem is metallurgical, it's Japanese.
If the car is American it can be all of the above.

 

[redrumloa]

For everyone else here... don't shoot the messenger. I didn't make that quote up. It is however oddly appropriate and accurate as I will agree (and presumably Red).

Yup, I agree. I too (mostly) love my VW TDI. The only problem is the post warranty repair and maintenance bills are eye watering at times.

 

[Wayne]

I finally got the image to post...

View attachment 298

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

1.2 miles to work? I'd ride a bike if that was my only travel - but that's me.

*COUGH* *COUGH*
Man unlocking my bike would take longer than walking that.