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Jetta TDI vs. Civic Hybrid - READ ONLY

457 messages,  Last post on Jan 20, 2005 at 10:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, Wagon

Messages Page 45 of 46

#438 of 457 No, Im just stating the truth by larsb

Jan 20, 2005 (8:53 am)

No, I'm not ignoring depreciation - that the VERY REASON why cars are short term consumables and not investments. They lose value quickly.
 
Back in 1991 I traded my 323,000 mile Nissan because it was about to lose the drive shaft and that would have cost me around $600 to repair it. I found a $4000 car to buy and got $300 for my trade. So I gained $900 from the trade (saved $600 on a repair and got $300 credit for trade value) and fact is, old cars reach a point where it is just not financially smart to repair them.

#439 of 457 Re: Keeping cars that long is just NOT the NORM. [larsb] by gagrice

Jan 20, 2005 (8:54 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 20, 2005 8:29 am)
No car built before 1978 is going to be pleasant to own and drive as a commuter car, and it is not going to stay out of disrepair.
 
You missed the point entirely. Not everyone needs a commuter car. I have said on this forum many times that those that have long commutes should look at the 3 hybrids that get great mileage. If you put 20k plus miles on a car per year you are not planning to keep it a real long time. First you want a car that will not let you down on your commute. That is where reliability is important. Not everyone commutes to work. There are millions of cars that get less than 10k miles per year. If they cannot be dependable after 10 years that is not a good car. In your area there are many retired people that don't wear out a car every 8.5 years. If you saw our Lexus sitting on the street and did not know from the body it was a 1990 you would not be able to tell it from a new car. Some people keep cars in perfect condition for a very long time. I believe reliability and longevity are related. Some people take care of their cars others don't. I think we agree that which of these two cars you buy should be based on need, that you laid out pretty well a while back.

#440 of 457 Re: No, Im just stating the truth [larsb] by ruking1

Jan 20, 2005 (8:59 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 20, 2005 8:53 am)
So you are just stating the truth by referring to youself as overly stubborn?
 
It is true that there is a point when any car might be considered financialy untenable, I also agree that a car can be considered "consume able" However, I can only go by what you said. You did say that it was mechanically sound.

#441 of 457 Yes, I was overly stubborn then, but not about that car by larsb

Jan 20, 2005 (9:02 am)

I did keep that Nissan too long, but not because I was too stubborn - I was just BROKE and could not afford something newer.

#442 of 457 Re: No, Im just stating the truth [larsb] by gagrice

Jan 20, 2005 (9:04 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 20, 2005 8:53 am)
fact is, old cars reach a point where it is just not financially smart to repair them.
 
I agree with you there also. I had a 1974 Dodge van that the transmission went out at 107k miles. The engine used a lot of oil so I had both rebuilt for $1700 around 1984. I was thinking it would be easier to sell if it was running. Bottom line I was lucky to get my $1700 in trade. I probably could have sold it for $300 sitting in the driveway and come out ahead.

#443 of 457 Re: Yes, I was overly stubborn then, but not about that car [larsb] by ruking1

Jan 20, 2005 (9:16 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 20, 2005 9:02 am)
Well I think in the car market the dictum BUYER BEWARE was custom made!?
 
This might be off topic, but when I sold my 1987 TLC with app 250,000 miles, in my estimation it had another (easily) 20 years left on the frame and sheet metal. (34 years total) It was actually pristine, but even I would admit that is in the eyes of the beholder. But, the beholder that bought the vehicle gave me 9,000 dollars for a vehicle costing 16,000 new. Clearly I sold too cheaply!
 
The other shocker was, not long after he called me up, (when he identified who he was) the thought "OH BOY" crossed my mind. Then he started to emphatically say that in the future if I ever wanted to get rid of ANY of my cars, to give him the first call.
 
The other thing is that some of the unscheduled and scheduled maintenance items become very predictable and cost contained. I also knew what stuff I could extended and what I HAD to do as preventative maintenance. Parts prices became almost commoditized.

#444 of 457 Short commute person by cablack

Jan 20, 2005 (9:22 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 19, 2005 2:37 pm)
quote: "Do you know anyone with an HCH that has a very short 3-4 mile commute."
 
I'm not exactly that, but close. My commute is 5 miles. It includes elevation changes, two stop signs, and 10 traffic lights (which naturally always conspire against me ).
 
I've had my HCH since November. For tanks which are almost entirely commute trips, my mileage is on the order of 42-44 MPG. On highway trips that I've taken (two), my mileage was 49 and 52. After about six fill-ups, my lifetime mileage is 45.
 
My driving style is not excessively mileage-conscious, although I tend to avoid racing to the next red light these days. I live in CA, but not the really nice temperature parts, which means 30-50 degrees, but also oxygenated fuel which decreases mileage.
 
Don't know if that helps the debate at all, but I thought I'd chime in with my experience.

#445 of 457 Re: Yes, I was overly stubborn then, but not about that car [ruking1] by gagrice

Jan 20, 2005 (9:25 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 20, 2005 9:16 am)
I sold my 1987 TLC with app 250,000 miles
 
I know how you feel. I wish I still had my 1964 Toyota Land Cruiser. I just saw one in the trader for $34k in beautiful condition. I sold mine because the engine was a real piece of trash. I should have put a 283 Chevy into it as many others did. I bought mine new for $2400.
 
I guess we are off topic. Maybe all is said until the diesel is cleaned up in 2006 or the new Jetta hits our shores.

#446 of 457 Re: Short commute person [cablack] by ruking1

Jan 20, 2005 (9:31 am)

Replying to: cablack (Jan 20, 2005 9:22 am)
I think both of your data points are a realistic representation of what you can expect from the Civic Hybrid.
 
Not that I do not believe the hybrid is not capable of getting 93 mpg, it is just that metric probably puts it in the ranks in the upper ranges of the standard deviations on the bell shaped curve!

#447 of 457 Re: Short commute person [cablack] by gagrice

Jan 20, 2005 (9:33 am)

Replying to: cablack (Jan 20, 2005 9:22 am)
Don't know if that helps the debate at all, but I thought I'd chime in with my experience.
 
Welcome to the forum. And yes we absolutely want to hear your experience with the HCH. We may get rowdy but we try to respect the other persons opinion. I would say 45 mpg average is real good, especially with your type commute. Hopefully we get some more people with Jetta TDIs to even out the debate. Right now I would say the HCH group is in the lead.

Messages Page 45 of 46

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