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Sedans Volkswagen Jetta 2008 GLI vs 2008 328xi ...
12 messages, Last post on Jan 07, 2008 at 6:07 PM
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Guys, I'm considering a few cars and need some input. First, I will be leasing this vehicle - yeah, I know the horror stories but for me it makes sense. Who wants to spend anywhere from 25000-40000 on a car and have to pay on it for 7 years??? Why not wait for year-end lease deals where you can lease a vehicle for a little more than the car is depreciating and you only have to keep it a few years. Anyhow, I am negotiating on a 2008 BMW 328xi for $389 per month for 39 months with around 2500 down. It seemed fairly reasonable to me, but then I happened across VW's site with the drive and buy lease deals and I can get a GLI for around 340 per month with no money down accept taxes, license, etc. Also, the VW affords 13000 miles per year as opposed to BMW's 10000. My question is whether there is a significant difference in the two vehicles - other than the name of course - to justify the extra 2500 down and 50 per month for the Beamer??? It seems both are nearly equal in terms of performance and and the VW has some standard features like Xenon the Beamer doesn't, but the Beamer is AWD. I'm a real practical guy and sure I like to be noticed (why else would people purchase luxury vehicles) as much as the next person, but for me it all has to jive in terms of making financial sense. You know how tight I am? I've had a Ford Focus ZX3 for coming up on 6 years now. I've always said I would purchase another because you can still get a brand new one for 13k, but I received a nice Xmas bonus and I wanna keep my ZX3, but I also wanna look into a second new vehicle for peace of mind in terms of commuting in bad weather, etc. So, leasing really seems to make the most sense to me because if I end up not liking the car, I won't have to keep it for 7 or 8 years until it's paid off. At this point I am leaning towards the GLI - how can you beat the lease deal, really? I mean even if I end up getting more options and my monthly payments are 400 bucks, it's still far cheaper, I believe, than my payment were I to purchase, and then I'm pretty much into that vehicle for at least 6 or 7 years. What do you guys think??? Again, I tend to err on the side of pragmatism when it comes to vehicles because you're basically blowing money on something that depreciates fairly rapidly - but I've also worked hard the past 10 years and feel I'm getting to the point of deserving a nice vehicle, especially when the opportunity for a good deal arises. Please, hammer away because I've gotta make a decision within the next few days. Thanks guys. |
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Replying to: hauschild (Dec 25, 2007 11:13 am) Some of the questions I'd ask: 1. Do I want the highest trim and features this model has to offer (GLI), vs. the [albeit outstanding] bare-bones of the brand (328), 2. What is the most common demographic for this model & trim and I do fit into that (GLI = sporty & youthful, 328 = more mature but didn't step up to the venerable 300hp 335), 3. And in terms of being noticed, as you mention above, who is it that will notice me - the BMW enthusiast (who isn't impressed by the 328), or the VW fans (who know a discerning driver when they see one). All wheel drive is an excellent feature, but through several snow covered roads thus far my GLI has performed admirably (traction control + Michelin Pilot all-seasons). In my world 10,000mi/year would come very quickly but this may not be a concern for you. If you are going auto over straight manual, the GLI also offers paddle shifters with the slick DSG transmission. 328 will certainly have the more refined interior, but the GLI's is of nothing to be ashamed. BMW has a slight edge in handling. Last but certainly not least, if you have yet to put your hands on the GLI steering wheel, this piece alone nearly sold me on the car first time I stepped inside. The 3 is certainly the world class of compact sports sedans. Given the feedback I see here though, GLI just may be the fit. Good luck.
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Replying to: hauschild (Dec 25, 2007 11:13 am) it will give you a great mix of the two cars. You can get the GLI's engine and Audi's AWD and a sweet lease deal from Audi since the current A4 is on its way out. with that being said the GLI is a great car, I drive its little brother the GTI and it is a blast to drive. I considered a BMW as well but for what you get for the money the GLI is a great value, plus the 115V outlet in the GLI comes handy at times. the bi-Xenons are great too
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Replying to: rwklippel (Dec 26, 2007 8:32 pm) Actually, I was at the VW dealer for 3 hours last night test driving the GTI and standard Jetts. I love the GTI's power, but there is something in the setup of the seating that gives me some neck strain - not sure if the GLI's setup is any different, but I will be test driving the GLI tomorrow. The Beamer is pretty much off my list - it will cost at least 6k down because in Illinois we have to pay sales tax on the entire vehicle price - it's a sham. However, I think I have added the Passat to the mix, and will drive that tomorrow. I'm torn between performance and comfort. I'm a young 39, but I have come to appreciate a comfortable car. At any rate, can you guys give me some pointers on lease rates? Again, there is no down payment on VW's, or security deposit of first month's payment and I have been quoted at $349 for the GLI stickered around 26500, $289 for a Jetta SE and $359 for a Passat standard model - mileage allowance at 15k per year and a 39 month lease term. I think the Jetta SE is not an option for me - the engine I do not like at all. So, that leaves me the GLI or Passat. Are the above prices fair? I haven't started to pressure the salesman yet, as that will come tomorrow - but he's really a nice kid who doesn't pressure and he even owns one of those souped-up 2004 Golfs or whatever with the 250 horsepower. Anyhow, I'm not crazy about VW's, but really with no money down and these prices, there seems to be nothing that comes close. If anybody knows of any equivalents for the price, plese let me know. |
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Replying to: jpics (Dec 26, 2007 8:56 pm)
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Replying to: hauschild (Dec 27, 2007 9:49 am) That assumption is incorrect. The previous generation Passat used the previous generation Audi A6 platform - in this case your argument would be valid. The current Passat is based on the current Jetta/Rabbit platform. The only similarity the Passat has with Audi is the 2.0T engine used in the Audi A4. That's where the similarities end: Passat - Transverse (side) - mounted 2.0T Audi A4 - Longitudinal (front-to-rear) - mounted 2.0T As a result, the transmissions used on each car is different - as well as other major components. Therefore: Passat != Audi.
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Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Dec 27, 2007 11:30 am) I guess for me I'm not quite at the point of justifying a lot more money for a nominal gain in comfort and/or performance. And basically leasing an Audi is really cost-prohibitive for me. Maybe in three or four years I'll feel differently, but for right now I just can't justify it.
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Replying to: hauschild (Dec 27, 2007 1:49 pm)  My wife has a 2003 Passat that she loves. We did a comparison with the new Passat while her car was getting an oil change. The new Passat was bigger, with slightly more room than her 2003. The interior, although nice, definitely looked like it was a victim of VW's bean-counters, as the materials didn't seem as upscale as her 2003 (she has the GLS with the full leather interior). The new Passat definitely has more power (200 bhp vs. 170 bhp), and better acceleration, but the 2003 seems to have the sharper, well-connected-to-the-road handling edge over the new Passat. As we keep our cars at least 10 years, and I have owned and maintained VWs for over 25 years (we currently have three VWs - the other two being my 2003 Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 1.8T and a 1997 Jetta Trek), we may revisit the Passat a few years down the road.... As far as the choice between the 2008 GLI and 2008 328xi, I would go with the GLI. The 328xi may have the BMW panache and the all-wheel drive, but IMHO, it seems that (in my area, at least) everybody and their brother owns a BMW. Sure, the free maintenance warranty is enticing, but after that warranty expires and you have to foot the bill for repairs (assuming you keep the car for more than 5 years) - you will know the true meaning of the BMW acronym - "Break My Wallet"... 
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Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Dec 27, 2007 3:42 pm) Tomorrow I will drive the Passat and the GLI. Both lease deals mirror each other so I guess it'll probably come down to which one I enjoy driving more. I loved the zip on the GTI, but again I was disappointed there was no power seating - for 27k you'd think they'd figure something out. I am hoping the seating in the GLI is different than the GTI - there is something about the way I was sitting in the seat where I could feel strain towards the back of my neck - it's almost as if the seating position forces your neck out further and creating fatigue - strange but we'll give it another shot. Also, the Passat is really a sharp car especially in the white and it is definitely more comfortable than the GTI was and I'm sure it'll be quiter and smoother. Wow, I can't believe I'm turning into an old fart right before my eyes. Anyhow, thanks for the input guys.
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Replying to: hauschild (Dec 27, 2007 7:07 pm) Not a problem. Good luck, and please let us know how you made out with the test drives and your final decision....
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