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AJP · 03-19-08, 09:32 PM

Been sort of going through the same question....as diesel starts to climb in cost I am beginning to lean towards gas as the best option (unless you plan to grow your own canola) ...

here's my general, and rambling, thought process to date fwiw:

For a mixed city/highway commuter

Only reasonably priced diesel seems to be VW ... ( the Smart is not a serious highway commuter)
ALL VW dealers (locally at least) have the same "attitude" like they are doing you a favour selling you a car
VW's are solid and seem to handle fine - I enjoy the ride...BUT electric problems seem very common however and repair/maintenance/parts are pricey based on several friends experience who drive them - plus all but one reports "serious" attitude over warranty work/claims and general repairs..
Diesel mtce is infrequent BUT can be very pricey ... again based on friends operating Passat diesels.
VW Diesels seem to go on to achieve high mileage
Honda Civics and Toyota Corolla's also achieve high mileage despite being driven hard and generally abused.
Civics and Corolla's are extremely reliable and start readily in very cold weather - important where I am.
Civics and Corolla's are cheap to maintain
I am beginning to believe that annual operating costs (fuel, insurance, mtce etc etc ) make the Civic/Corolla a much cheaper proposition over 300k miles.
Resale on Civics and Corollas is very good.
Resale on VW seems to be all over the map.Although Diesels seem to command high prices.

03-19-08, 09:32 PM	#10
AJP IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 297	Been sort of going through the same question....as diesel starts to climb in cost I am beginning to lean towards gas as the best option (unless you plan to grow your own canola) ... here's my general, and rambling, thought process to date fwiw: For a mixed city/highway commuter Only reasonably priced diesel seems to be VW ... ( the Smart is not a serious highway commuter) ALL VW dealers (locally at least) have the same "attitude" like they are doing you a favour selling you a car VW's are solid and seem to handle fine - I enjoy the ride...BUT electric problems seem very common however and repair/maintenance/parts are pricey based on several friends experience who drive them - plus all but one reports "serious" attitude over warranty work/claims and general repairs.. Diesel mtce is infrequent BUT can be very pricey ... again based on friends operating Passat diesels. VW Diesels seem to go on to achieve high mileage Honda Civics and Toyota Corolla's also achieve high mileage despite being driven hard and generally abused. Civics and Corolla's are extremely reliable and start readily in very cold weather - important where I am. Civics and Corolla's are cheap to maintain I am beginning to believe that annual operating costs (fuel, insurance, mtce etc etc ) make the Civic/Corolla a much cheaper proposition over 300k miles. Resale on Civics and Corollas is very good. Resale on VW seems to be all over the map.Although Diesels seem to command high prices.