Off topic : of course ,anybody advise on purchasing a vw golf, Please comment on ad Options

[thelogo]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d...6544813626.html



Im buying a new car for my grandma

Her 1996 toyota tercel cannot pass smog

And it leaks oil, shocks are blown ,interior is crap etc

So any suggestions on what is a good replacement

Car will never be driven on freeways . And see extremely little use in general

This golf seemed great , small like a tercel but i know nothing
About water pumping modern volks wagens

So thought id check here 1st

[Montreal914]

Bought a new 2002 VW Jetta w/1.8T engine and all options. Loads of problems, sold it after 2 years fed up of being stranded with young kids. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

Bought a used Toyota Corolla and just put gas year after year.
VW never again, except for air cooled of course. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Andyrew]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d...6544813626.html



Im buying a new car for my grandma

Her 1996 toyota tercel cannot pass smog

And it leaks oil, shocks are blown ,interior is crap etc

So any suggestions on what is a good replacement

Car will never be driven on freeways . And see extremely little use in general

This golf seemed great , small like a tercel but i know nothing
About water pumping modern volks wagens

So thought id check here 1st

That looks like a darn good car for the money. Thats probably a 2.0 motor which is rock solid but boring. Boring is good for grandma..

I would consider a buick lesabre though, they can be had for like price for like condition. Aside from an oil leak from the intake manifold they are stupid rock solid cars. Comfy as can be, Huge, and get good gas mileage for having such a big motor.

[thelogo]

Yeh its a 2.0 boring ass motor

But like you said boring is good . And a buick would never work
Its too huge , grandma wants something small that " turns on a dime"


And im curious about Montreal914s bad experience with the 2002
1.8 turbo,let me get this straight you got a jetta brand new ??? And it was a pos . That speaks volumes too me
im steering clear of turbos because dont need em and assume they are more trouble .

Its hard for me to ignore toyotas as she has had 3 toyotas in a row .

But it has come to my attention they redesigned the golf in 2007

So the 2006 might be the last of the simple basic transportation
Cars before ever thing is all about performance



Edit add


What is the best basic small car ?

I personally love mazda proteges
But the damn a-c is super unreliable so id never get another

[jcd914]

If she liked her Toyota get her another Toyota.
Their dependable and fairly cheap to repair and lots of places know how to work on them.

I have a 2014 Jetta TDI that I bought new with an extended warranty. When I bought it the salesman said 2005 was the year VW improved their quality. I bought it for the fuel mileage with the diesel engine (50+ on highway) and I have only done routine maintenance and 1 repair in the 4 years 50K miles I've had.

The repair was a retainer for the window to the window regulator, a plastic pin.
It was just 1400 miles out of Factory warranty and VW would even talk to me about helping since I bought an extended warranty, I didn't really need help. It was a design problem with a Service bulletin for the repair the applied all the way back to 1999 model year Jettas.
I was irritated with them but it only cost me $100 and they gave me a loaner to use.

My daughter's 2001 Beetle eats a water pump every 2 years, had radiator failed, coolant flange and expansion tank, window switches, door panels, glovebox door, auxillary fuse/relay panel and fuel flap release servo all needed repair or replacement. Key broke off the key fob, key fob has a rfid chip in it and the car wont start without it. It was $200 to get a key cut and reprogram the car to accept the new key. The car had about 135K miles on it when I gave it to her but she only drives about 7k miles a year.

Jim

[thelogo]

[quote name='jcd914' date='Mar 27 2018, 09:54 PM' post='2593375']
If she liked her Toyota get her another Toyota.
Their dependable and fairly cheap to repair and lots of places know how to work on them.




My daughter's 2001 Beetle eats a water pump every 2 years, had radiator failed, coolant flange and expansion tank, window switches, door panels, glovebox door, auxillary fuse/relay panel and fuel flap release servo all needed repair or replacement. Key broke off the key fob, key fob has a rfid chip in it and the car wont start without it. It was $200 to get a key cut and reprogram the car to accept the new key. The car had about 135K miles on it when I gave it to her but she only drives about 7k miles a year.










Yeh looks like another toyota might be the way to go

The problems you talked about above just scream to me
That the quality is shotty .


I dont mind paying a little more for that


And why in the hell ,do they think they need a 200$
Microchip key , (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)


Just give a set of keys . Where the metal key go's in the medal ignition

[porschetub]

Nah low rent model,better around,shame you don't live in my country used cars are worth peanuts,this car in my country is worth little,nothing wrong with Golfs its more about how PO's have looked after or neglected them,thats the catch.

[Chris914n6]

I've got an 06 GTI. I'd only recommend it to a mechanic and if you loved it. Everything is a PITA and parts are rarely cheap. Neighbor has an 02 Jetta TDI, a bunch of little things have broken or quit or act weird like the sunroof opening itself.

For Grandma I'd go with a Corolla as the Tercel has been dropped. Or if she doesn't mind quirky one of the Scions, like the xB that sits a little higher. My mom actually likes the Highlander as she can easily slide in and out.

The Honda Fit is a nice little car too.

Just stay away from a CVT... most self destruct by 100k.

[Andyrew]

Honda fit is a great choice! Scions are likely to be beat to crap and never maintained. Fit is likely to be owned by a old lady/middle age woman who pays people to do the little things.

[flyer86d]

Well, I guess I’m the one with the opposite luck of everybody else. We had two 2002 Golfs and a 2003 GTI 1.8T and had good luck with all three. We gave the GTI to my oldest son. We never had to do much to any of them except normal oil and belt changes. Also, the 2000 and later VWs hold up well in our saline environment in Vermont, much better than any of the Asian cars.

I worked on anything and everything when I had the garage. I totally agree with the Buick observations. Great, dependable, reliable cars where everything still works at 300,000 miles. Toyota’s and the like are good, reliable cars. They make good appliances and have the personality of one. They are cars for people who hate cars and driving.

Charlie

[Porschef]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Last three car's have been 2002 or 2003 VW's, I gave my problem free TDI to my older daughter, I've been driving. 2003 Jetta 1.8t since November. Knock on that wood, minimal issues, although it did need a rear alignment that was tricky with the shims.

TDI was a real efficient vehicle, the Jetta, not quite. Of course, it's gasoline, and feels like a rocket compared to the diesel...

[thelogo]

Is this better bang for the buck

Tdi ,


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d...6487489407.html

[rhodyguy]

For an older person ease of entry and exit is crucial. Low slung driver's seat might pose a problem now or in the future.

[thelogo]

For an older person ease of entry and exit is crucial. Low slung driver's seat might pose a problem now or in the future.

Right the tercel had this issue ,very low ingress and ergess

Is the golf low slung also ???


Rav 4 's are plentiful should i go in that direction?

[EdwardBlume]

2002-2004 Acura RL.

[EdwardBlume]

2002-2004 Acura RL.

Heck, 2002-2004 Acura anything.

[gothspeed]

I have had 3 GTI/golf and for the most part they are reliable and decent MPG. They are easy to get in and out of and spacious enough for even taller folks. I like them but I always had a manual trans, not sure how reliable auto trans are on these.

[thelogo]

2002-2004 Acura RL.

Heck, 2002-2004 Acura anything.

Is that a 6 cyclinder because
Im trying to stay with 4 bangers

[thelogo]

I have had 3 GTI/golf and for the most part they are reliable and decent MPG. They are easy to get in and out of and spacious enough for even taller folks. I like them but I always had a manual trans, not sure how reliable auto trans are on these.

It will have to be a automatic

[Justinp71]

The Jetta was re-designed in 2006 and afaik they got much more reliable. We have a 2008 Jetta in the family bought new and have only had 1 minor problem in 10 years with it. Also its the car we typically use to pick up grandma, it has the perfect seat height and they are easy to drive.

I have also heard anything in toyota/lexus or acura realm is very reliable, Honda is up there too. Hyundai Elantra is another good option.