Posted on 07/01/2016 1:13:39 PM PDT by Chickensoup
Is there a Moterhead ping list?
So, the Soup owns one of those baaaad TDi's that the EPA want off the road.
The choice is for the Soup to give it back, pay off TDI loan and have about 11K to buy another vehicle.
Or wait until they announce a fix within 2 years have it fixed and walk away with 5100 probably taxable dollars.
The TDI gets 50 to the gallon and is in good shape, 2013 golf standard transmission.
Another factor is it has the famous Tadaka Airbag.
I like the diesel and I like the power and mileage.
The mileage will be killed by the EPA.
Ethanol is going to 15%
Nothing out there looks good.
So tired of cars that are nothing but electronics surrounded by upholstery.
Sounds odd, but I would like a manly car. but small and affordable.
Help!
Subaru can crow about their safety. Your Ford 150 will crush their Subaru.
I have heard about tuners. But wont know whether it is just a software fix for a while.
“The EPA can do anything it wants.”
Tell me about it! I ran a water company for 30 years, and had to deal with them a few times a month!
The value of a TDI has taken a big hit due to this. Your options appear to me to be:
- take the settlement including their taking the car back, and go find a well-kept, low mile older model TDI not subject to the problem
- take the settlement and keep the car with the “fix” but reprogram the ECU (extra-legal if not illegal but easily done)
- take the settlement and keep the car with the “fix” as is with reduced mileage and performance
- take the settlement including their taking the car back and go find another, non-TDI vehicle that suits your needs.
Since you appear to like the TDI, I’d suggest looking for an older model not subject to the problem. Tempting as it is, I don’t doubt that there will be severe penalties for people who try to game the ECU programming.
VW will pay up to 130% of your third-party loan or will forgive your direct loan:
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2016/06/Volkswagen_Settlement_and_You/
I’d get away from it. Honda’s recall states that the same airbag you have can explode from slamming the door with the key in the ignition. They have advised all Honda owners to immediately park and do not drive under any circumstances.
I’d suggest a Mercedes:
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2013/09/2014_Mercedes-Benz_Diesel_E250_Rated_at_45_MPG_Highway/
The G8 looks very manly.
Since my driving style is known as “faster than a speeding bullet” I would probably kill myself in it.
I got rid of my SUVs because I didn’t need them any more. Boy do I miss them.
I had hoped to put a tiny camp trailer on my tiny car and travel the big wide world. The diesel had the pull.
Jeep makes CRAP. Had a cherokee and a liberty. Never another jeep in my life.
Daughter just got a new Nissan Versa S+. When I’m done with it, it will get at least 40mpg. It already gets 37 on the highway. Great car. 1.6L with CVT. Peppy and very roomy inside. And I’m 5’18”
If you really like the car, have it fixed and keep driving it.
If you are getting tired of it anyway, then sell it back to them.
From your post, I think you like this car and it’s probably less hassle to keep it.
But I think the major issue is whether you like this car or not. Once you can answer/decide based on that, the rest falls in place.
But do keep looking around a bit, in case you find another car you may like, that will help your decision too.
Good luck!
Give the vehicle to your son, legally.
Have him loan it back to you.
That boils it down.
had to deal with them a few times a month!
__________________
poor you.
is there story behind that name?
If I had a chance to free up $11k I would take it.
Buy an old, $3000 vehicle and put the rest in any kind of hedge you prefer - Gold, Silver, Bullets, food supplies, radios, etc.
But in line with the topic, I’m a big fan of BMW these days. They are strong cars (They run after being hit or rammed) but if you DO get into a highway tussle with one, it’s un-repairable.
For that, my wife has turned me around to the Ford SN-95 Mustang. That car is a tank. And with it’s Canadian Essex V6, automatic and factory status it’s got 250k miles on the original everything. And it still goes faster than my BMW.
If anything should happen to where I need to trade out of the Bimmer I seriously think I would switch to an SN-95.. Maybe a GT or something with a manual. But the car is balanced, strong, reasonable and reliable (As long as it hasn’t been futzed with, I suppose). It can also take a dirt road or a surprise pothole.
That or I would get an 05-09 Mustang V6 manual. I know that these aren’t the mechanic favorites but I really like the looks of them versus the 2010+. The 2010+ is rated as a much better car though.
I just couldnt’ deal with the current stickers on them. I can get an 04 GT for $6000 in the shape I want, or I can get a 2009 GT in the shape I want for close to $16k. That’s a BIG frikkin difference. Even the 05 V6s are over $8000k.
Mercedes:
_______________
Wish I could...
If you like your car, you can keep your car.
Keep it and drive in in good conscience. The dirty secret about what drove VW to do what they did is the totally nonsensical rules of the EPA. They measure pollutants on a per-gallon burned, rather than per-mile driven. VW had tried and fought for years against this stupidity, and had several of their ultra-efficient diesels banned from sale in the US because of the per-gallon vs. per-mile driven issue. Engines that were among the most popular, affordable and reliable in Europe.
So your “tainted” diesel likely has less environmental impact than a Prius (if you include manufacturing processes and removal/disposal requirements of the battery packs).
Drive on and enjoy!
I too have a TDI 2.0L engine.
First query is whether Maine has emissions testing. If it does, you will probably have to get it ‘fixed’ or sold-back or move to a non-emission state. The airbag is not part of the same recall so its fix will be separate.
Next, the actual options for us owners is still murky and until we get the letters, we are still getting excellent fuel mileage with a ‘floor’ under the sale value of our cars. So until then just drive and be happy.
Great idea. I will have to talk to him about that.
If you OWN it, keep it and tell them to go F___OFF
If you lease it, take it back and demand a refund.
Drive it until the doors fall off.
You have a good car.
The dealer will screw you blind on trade-in anyways.
The EPA can go pound sand.
You bought it for it’s great mileage and you still have it.
The recall or fix will lower your mileage so why even consider it?
Just my opinion..........................
Oh, and her V6 250k mile Mustang averages 20mpg and never sees a highway.
I know that 20 isn’t great when moving from 50 but you can pick up a 2000 Mustang V6 like hers for $2500 in great shape. That’s a huge cost difference. And it doesn’t care what fuel it runs.
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