Today's vehicles

Well, I just did something this past week I swore I never would do. I purchased the very first new vehicle ever. I have had vehicles from GM, Ford, and Chrysler. I have typically purchased 4 to 6 year old cars with low miles and driven by older people. Two have been closer to 10 years old and not driven in a Minnesota winter, either. I felt I had managed to find good buys on all of them, as compared to their respective "blue book" values. I will say they all have had their own quirks about them. The GM products I had when I first started driving had self destructing automatic transmissions, as I put 3 in one car back in the 1980's and early 1990's. I have one of their Series II 3800 V6 engines in one Buick and the last of their Series III 3800 V6 in another Buick. The Series II I have replaced the "self destructing plastic intake manifold" twice. I have a 2004 Cadillac CTS with the 3.6 liter V6 engine and when it hit 50k miles, it started consuming engine. From what I have read, that car and its crankcase ventilation system is known for "sucking oil" into the intake stream and burning it off. I have seen a few "home made" ways of alleviating that, but that also looks like a plumbing headache, too. The GM products have most all developed irritating squeaks and rattles at 50k to 75k, too. I have had 3 Ford full size sedans with V8 engines. The first was a decent car, but that 5.0 liter (302) was notorious for drinking a quart of engine oil at any given time during the change, then that was it. I had some electrical issues with the charging and starting system on that car. I also found myself replacing the thermostat every fall as those would stick open causing the car to run cold and drink a lot of fuel. My replacement was a 1993 with the 4.6 liter V8 engine. That was probably the best of the 3. The last one had a "tinny" sounding engine and the body panels were poorly designed with crimped edges that would hold moisture and salt essentially causing rust to appear far sooner than I had experienced with the prior two cars. My Chrysler products were pickup trucks and the 5.9 liter V8 engine was known for "sucking" intake manifold gaskets in which resulted in excessive oil consumption. We also had a steering gearbox (or column) in one of them lock up which caused an accident................a rollover totaling the truck out. We typically have driven our vehicles to somewhere between 200k and 300k before selling or trading. I know our maintenance of them has historically been "overkill," as I try to keep a close eye on things. None have been a full blown "lemon," but I have had my share of frustrations/disappointments with most of them.

I found a lot of substantial discounts on 2017 model year automobiles. Two years ago I went looking at mid-size cars. I looked at numerous makes and models and I even looked at Japanese, Korean, and European brands. The two that rose to the top were the VW Passat and the Honda Accord. I never thought I would get into a brand new car for just over $20k, so I took the plunge. I opted for the Passat. I think part of the greater discounts than historically found on these cars stems from some remaining customer concerns over VW's "diesel-gate scandal." I also thought for what I have spent on used domestic brands in the past, with 30k to 60k on them, I was not looking at a large sum of money to move up to something new this time, and this car seemed like "a lot of car for the money," resulting in my feeling it was a bargain, especially considering what I was looking at spending 2 1/2 years ago when I last looked at these cars and their direct competitors. I find the room in the interior to be comparable to our Buick Lucerne. I also find the ride to be comparable in terms of softness, smoothness, and quietness. I am told this car should deliver 34+ mpg on the highway. I find the fit and finish of the car to be as good or better than our prior purchases. This is the first turbo 4 I have ever had. The amenities in this car are generally better than even the Cadillac I had purchased a few years ago. I had read and been told this car allows the use of 87 octane fuel, but also read the EPA ratings are based upon the use of premium gasoline. Can anyone share their experiences with this make and model car? Any issues I need to be aware of? Any concerns about the aspiration system, particularly with the turbocharger? In my own experiences with our farm tractors, we know the turbochargers must be cooled down prior to shutting the engine down. Any concerns or suggestions on this one in the VW?

Thanks for any thoughts that others are willing to share with me. I know this is a bit out of the ordinary, but I do respect the opinions shared on this forum. That's why I came here.

I would start by reading the owners manual. Should tell you everything you need to know.

I'd also start looking at forums for that car. I find a lot of useful info on them. BTW, I also have an '02 Silverado WT that I bought in '04 when my daughters were learning to drive and the WT came with a stick shift. Still have it with 155k miles on it. Went through a period where it was running terrible and would almost stall at highway speeds. Replaced a lot of stuff trying to fix it and finally solved the problem by replacing the "spider" injector system with the multi-port. You're right. All cars/trucks have their quirks.

Well my experiences are for the most part similar to yours. Darn hard to find something used with reasonable miles on it too ! Last several we have just bought new ones. I really wish you would of bought the Honda Accord ! Our family has pretty much converted to all Hondas and have been a lot better off for it. I do know of people who had VW's and had good luck with them though. I'm not really sold on turbo's in cars. Pretty much every maker that has done it ended up with premature head gasket issues over non turbo models. Make sure you get the factory VW extended warranty and hope you never need it ! I only recommend factory warranties because who knows if the aftermarket ones issuers will be around if you need it.

I had quite a few VWs. Loved them. Know another person with a turbo deiesel and it was over 100k before she needed it changed out. I would tell you to Religiously change oil and filters. Also take it to someone who knows how to open up all of the plastic pannels to get at the filter on the bottom of the engine. DON'T YOU EVEN TRY IT. I just crawled under and took a look. NOOOoooooo way.The diesel also takes a different air filter than the gas version. About one inch longer. Shame you didnt get a diesel. They run Very nicely and are very zippy.

I hope you have good service out of it. I got burned on a pair of "new" beetles back in 2005 so bad that I doubt I will ever own another VW. I know there is no comparison between the 2 cars but still have that bad taste in my mouth.

Every time I pass the Ford dealers I'm tempted to stop and look at the new pickups, not because I'm in the market , but curious as to what I might be driving ten years from now. lol

The last showroom new vehicle I bought was in 1984. I had bought about a dozen new over my 68 years, but I got so disappointed in having to take it back to the dealer for something or other.
Since then I look at 5-8 years old vehicles. My wife's 2003 Mercedes with 50K miles listed new at $60K but we got it $21K. My 1998 Range Rover with 52K miles listed for $80K and I bought it at an auction on EBAY for $12K.
These two vehicles have cost me hardly nothing to maintain since buying. Last year I spent $14 on a brake stop switch for the MB and three years ago, $19 on the RR for the gas flap release switch.

A tale of blown head gaskets and superchargers - and rule fiddling.

A 1920's supercharged Alfa was made with one piece head and cylinders to overcome head gasket problems. To pass scruteneering it had a slot cut around the head to make it look like there was a gasket and the head nuts were tack welded on

I stopped by the local Ford dealer looked at one truck. Got back in and left. 74 thousand is a little rich for my pocket.

I don't have much good to say about VW products (or other european products) , TDI is a decent engine before all the BS emissions, but pricey to maintain (do not forget the timing belt!). I assume the passat has the same turbo 4 as the Tiguan? If so I have seen a lot of problems with turbos, coolant leaks, oil leaks etc. Finding people to service and repair VW is sketchy, then the price of parts, then waiting on parts not stocked

Here is the opinion I would give someone who is asking me. They are great cars to have until the warranty expires. Sadly this opinion is used on a lot of vehicles.

Congrats on your two fine purchases. I have looked at BMW and Mercedes Benz, too. I fell in love with an S series Benz and the 5 and 7 series BMW. When the salesman told me the routine maintenance on the BMW's was rather expensive, and the requirement for premium gasoline cinched it for me. The comments I read on the Mercedes Benz cars and maintenance frightened me some, too. I would like to consider a diesel E-series, which I have seen are highly rated used cars.

Two and a half years ago, I looked at a Passat diesel. That is the car I was really looking at then and truly wanted. The Passat is now my wife's car. She doesn't want to drive a diesel. She has "it in for diesel" engines just because her father had a diesel truck.....................it was a lemon. I have a diesel truck and am really delighted with it.

Mercedes will run fine on 89 octane, but the book calls for 91, but most stations sell 93 octane. I use a mix of 89 and 93 and it saves money.
Mercedes are made to last it depends how they are treated and that includes the octane rating.
To me, a MB with 50K miles is as good or better than most cars with 1K miles, not even talking about their safety. My wife has had two other Mercedes totaled by the other driver but walked away without a scratch.
They are built and designed to last.

Jaguar and BMW used to have a bad rating 30 years ago but they have improved their body metal, paint layers and engines. We once had a 86 Jag with 10K miles and the dealer warned us to have all the main engine seals replaced at 30K miles. We traded it in at 28K miles.
BMW's have been excellent for several years now.

Find a GOOD garage that knows VW's. The dealer may or may not be your best choice. Ask around locally. My son had a VW. We had a heck of time with mechanical issues and the dealer was useless.

Good and bad...

they are okay.. but like all Newer cars, they will have their quirks... high pressure fuel pumps, or coil packs, or something will standout. Hopefully its something easy to get to...

I have a diesel passat now, and have owned 8 diesel vw's.. all with good results for over 100k... some have had "issues" like the Plastic window clips that broke, or other problems, but no different that my fords and buicks...


Drive more and worry less.. enjoy the car.. the passat is bigger car, but the ole saying.. you dont drive a vw, you wear it... as it knows what your thinking and is a "drivers" car. The jettas are particularly good for this comment. My diesels average 42.5 mpg and usually get between 650 and 750 miles to a tank.

trouble with the forums is that you see all the problems in one area... and most of the kids are hopping-up their rides... but you do get a lot of info. You dont see that so much on the buick forums.

Which model Mercedes is your 2003? I like the room in the S-series, but have read the Airmatic suspension is problematic. I had looked at a 2000 S 430 a couple years ago. It did not have a lot of miles on the odometer, but the doors were all rusting out. I have seen that car re-appear on the local Mercedes Benz dealership twice since I first saw it. I have read the mid-size E series is one of the better used cars to buy. Have not seen anything about the mid-size 5 series BMW's.

Her first MB was a S300, It was still an "S" class, it was just 5" less room in the back seat. It had a inline straight 6 engine, but it was totaled in Atlanta by a guy who fell unconscious by prescription drugs. He should not have been driving. S300 was a great car.
The second MB was my favorite. An 1989 S420 V8, and a true "S" class. The only one step up was the S560 flagship. The main difference was a little larger engine and Walnut burl in the dash. I did not think the 560 was worth $30K money.

After an 18 wheeler crushed the rear end into the back seat, we found a very nice, one owner, local 2003 E320. It's a V6 and gets almost double the gas mileage as the S420.
It does not have the ride of the S class but the extra fuel saving is worth it.
Don't get me wrong, the E320 is still a super car, but I would not buy a "C" class unless I weighed about 100 pounds.

Rust probably says it spent most of it's life up north. None of her three MBs had any body rust.
Another thing about the S420. It had the best brake system I have ever seen. I could change all four brake pads in 30 minutes. Lift up the corner, knock two pins out with a nail or broken screwdriver remove the old pads and drop in the new pads. Push the two pins back in and your done.

The E320 is easy, but not as simple as the S420.

Both wrecks would have killed us both if we were not in a MB.

Look at a single owner MB that cares as much as we do about a life saving vehicle.

8 years ago I bought my first Kia a 2008 used with 30K miles on it, drove it another 140K miles with about $210 in repairs (a set of front brakes and a wheel bearing), I did have the expense of changing the fuel filter and spark plugs at 100K.

Bought a 2014 just like it with 16K on the clock and now has 63K on it. Thought I had an issue but it fixed itself so grand total spent besides gas, oil, and tires is 0.00. Those were both minivans for my wife, personally I will probably buy a Hyundai Genesis or a Kia Sorento as my next car.

Until I'm in a position where I can trade every 2-3 years I'm not going to buy any vehicle made in the 21st century. The modern vehicles have too much electronics to drive you crazy.

I live up north in the "Rust Belt." That S 430 was pretty appealing to me until I saw how bad the doors were rusted. I would like to eventually have a BMW or Mercedes Benz, but that would not be "correct" in owning one and driving one in our small town while I am still working. I looked at a 2013 S 550 two years ago. It was the most beautiful automobile I have ever laid eyes on or had driven. I also drove a 760 Li BMW. That was an amazing automobile, too. My preference was the Mercedes Benz of the two. Someday....................