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Commuter Car

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by alpinepro4, Apr 7, 2019.

  1. Apr 11, 2019 at 1:39 PM
    #31
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    If I was to get a commuter car I would, seriously, buy an AWD Prius. Unlike a lot of guys I know who are ashamed to drive one I actually wouldn’t mind, it would save me tons of gas/money and I don’t care what people would say about me. But I can’t, I hate climbing in and out of cars, I’ve got enough money saved to fuel up my tundra to daily drive it.
     
  2. Apr 12, 2019 at 7:29 AM
    #32
    jdg1982

    jdg1982 New Member

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    I'm currently looking for a DD as well. It's 135 miles one way to work. I've mainly been looking at Corolla's, but I'm going to look at the TDI also. I've also given consideration to trading the Tundra in on a 2018/19 Camry and getting a new Tundra in a few years when the redesign happens. I love my Tundra though!
     
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  3. Apr 12, 2019 at 7:35 AM
    #33
    Razorwyre

    Razorwyre New Member

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    You really need to run the economics of getting a commuter car. By the time you purchase a commuter, insure it, take depreciation on it and maintain it, you might be surprised at how little (or if any) money you really save. Also, as people are mentioning, buying a set of snows, and wheels for it adds to the price of getting it up and running.
    Of course, the higher gas prices go, it will shift towards the economics of a commuter car, but in the two dollar range, its a tough sell unless you are driving vast distances each day.
     
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  4. Apr 14, 2019 at 5:54 AM
    #34
    tightywhitey

    tightywhitey New Member

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    I agree with this as well. However, I am considering a Honda Insight at the moment. With gas prices being relatively low at the moment, hybrids and small 4 cylinders are not selling as well as the bigger vehicles. Dealers are willing to deal a little more. While financially, I will be spending more money for a while, I can save the wear and tear on my tundra. I am doing about 80 miles a day in stop and go traffic. I’d like to keep this truck for a while.
     
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  5. Apr 20, 2019 at 5:50 PM
    #35
    tightywhitey

    tightywhitey New Member

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    Bought the Honda Insight today
     
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  6. Apr 21, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #36
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    It's really dark
    You used "VW" and "trouble free" in close proximity, as a lifelong VW guy I'm getting suspicious of your honesty. :boink:

    One thing I have always wondered about VW and Audi is do they get such a bad rep because most of the customers don't work on cars themselves? I think it's impossible to bring any car to a mechanic and not be told something needs fixing. It took me about a year to get my 05 GTI running reliably, correcting all the shit the prior owner did (or didnt do). Now it's pretty bulletproof and hard to beat in the fun factor department.
     
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  7. Apr 21, 2019 at 3:16 PM
    #37
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

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    yep bank account is running low from it..
    When I was looking a car just to go-to town real fast without using any of the 4wheel drive trucks on my lot.. I was looking at a smart car 2017 and up only. .. Yep you saw that right smart car.
     
  8. Apr 21, 2019 at 7:53 PM
    #38
    n2deep

    n2deep Pavement Princess

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    Both were bought new and can't complain. I would buy another TDI in a heartbeat if they still sold them new. My current TDI has 140k and only thing done is tires and oil changes.
     
  9. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:19 PM
    #39
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    TDI are pretty solid, it's the gas turbo motors that can be fickle.
     
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  10. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:48 PM
    #40
    CrewMaxT

    CrewMaxT New Member

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    Picked up an 04 corolla with an extra set of winter tires on rims. Tundra stays in the garage until the weekend or if I need/want to drive it. It stays nice and clean and I don’t need to worry about all the sand/salt next winter. It’s only $45 a month to insure and a tank of gas is $50. Tundra costs about $175 to fill. May not be saving a ton after the $1800 purchase price of the car, but the wear and tear I save on the truck is worth it to me. I used to have an 07 Subaru Impreza, it was unstoppable in the winter. It also leaked several fluids, the corolla doesn’t leak a thing.
     
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  11. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:49 PM
    #41
    YeeYeeTundra

    YeeYeeTundra Earl Dibbles III incarnate

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    Extang tri-fold tonneau cover, havoc hs2 steps, A1 tow mirrors, TRD RSB, weathertech mats, 24' Puma BH travel trailer, Yeti 75, LineX
    Everything you said... Exactly... '07 GTI owner, who loves to drive a German (not TN) go-cart on crystal (180k on mine and bought it new) - however, now that I've ran it hard and put it away wet, as of about 3 years ago nothing is worth fixing at the dealer as maintenance costs are outrageous. I've tried to do all my own fixes, and it's a VW, so there have been things to mend.

    That being said, VW's are an addiction... My wife has a bullet proof '12 Touareg that has 109k on it (bought new) and has only needed wipers/brakes/oil etc... If I were spending my money (and I have been thinking about it- likely in a year or two) I'd buy a '13+ golf TDI. You can get them under 10k with low miles and it'll be a fun/enjoyable car to drive for tens of thousands of miles.

    I also agree that why take on another payment (+insurance) for a DD... Cars aren't an investment most of the time, just life enrichment. So that's why I consider myself lucky to have two completely different vehicles which I love for very different reasons. Worth it to me. My 2¢. Good luck, anxious to hear an outcome.
     
  12. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:52 PM
    #42
    Eric32444

    Eric32444 "Pick up your balls and load up your cannons..."

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  13. Apr 26, 2019 at 10:11 PM
    #43
    mariejustice54

    mariejustice54 New Member

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    I like corolla.
     
  14. Apr 27, 2019 at 12:52 AM
    #44
    Therin7

    Therin7 New Member

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    AWD, reliable, good power, good Mpgs? Sounds like you need a 2006-2012 Rav4 v6 AWD, or used Lexus RX350 AWD.
    My DD is a 2000 Accord Coupe w/manual...30mpgs, just hit 201K. Best $1500 Ive spent. My next DD will be the RX350 (seriously, there are SOOO many to choose from in great shape/soccer mom lease turn ins). Bland on the outside to not draw unwanted attention, fits in anywhere, high quality, great ride. Already had the AWD Sleeper Rav4.
     
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  15. Apr 27, 2019 at 4:15 AM
    #45
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    This was a post from 2018 regarding this topic, and some napkin math.

    Take into account that truck prices are increasing in cost at a unprecedented rate. Not even three years after my current truck was purchased, the almost exact truck is 20,000.00 more to purchase. This was left out of these equations, which would have greatly increased my point.

    Insurance cost for my sports sedan with registration is 9000.00 for a 10 year period. Again, I don’t need to have full coverage and is a personal choice. Take 3000.00 off that 10 year period for liability only. I don’t need full coverage on any of my vehicles, but that’s pretty ballsy on a 2018 & 2016 newer vehicles.

    In my current situation, and 2.5 years of owning a CC, this has reduced my mileage so much on the truck it has paid for itself already. As of today, I have 323xx miles on my 2016 truck that’s used for tow duties mainly. Had my Lexus not been purchased, it would have 85000 miles in this time frame.
     
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  16. Aug 7, 2019 at 4:35 PM
    #46
    alpinepro4

    alpinepro4 [OP] What is your MPG Today!

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    Going to test drive an Audi A3 TDI Premium tomorrow. A3 has 80K on it. I have read a ton of reviews on it and most are all good. I was told to look out for DSG Mec unit. What I have been told many times A3 TDI is just a nicer VW Golf, which was I was going for. Those who have Audi you think this is a good car? I know the TDI motors are great.
     
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  17. Aug 10, 2019 at 9:14 PM
    #47
    alpinepro4

    alpinepro4 [OP] What is your MPG Today!

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    Pulled the trigger today on 2012 A3 TDI with 80K. My 1st car ever. Will still drive the truck On my days off. No longer putting high miles on the truck daily, now that I have A3.
    68535F3D-030E-4EFE-A5D8-B4D9306630D0.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2019
  18. Aug 11, 2019 at 4:32 AM
    #48
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    What commuter vehicle provides the driver with a commanding view of the road similar to a truck?
     
  19. Aug 11, 2019 at 4:45 AM
    #49
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

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  20. Aug 11, 2019 at 6:14 AM
    #50
    WNY PAT

    WNY PAT New Member

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    We’ve had 2 TDIs - both Jettas - a 2000 and a 2009. Head over to tdiclub.com and you’ll find years of reading material and true experts in these motors. The A3 is a sweet ride for sure!!

    The TDIs are great highway cars... effortless cruising and never need a downshift... great motor for the mountains. But, the software update after dieselgate seriously hurt the perception and value of these cars. VW/Audi have had serious issues with performance and fuel economy following the update on some cars. Durability is also a big question mark since one of the requirements of the update for emissions is that the cars run the regen cycle much more frequently which creates a lot of heat. It’s probably going to be less of an issue if you’re on the highway but there is tons of info over on tdiclub. Owners were offered $7,500 in compensation for the A3 IIRC and that hit resale pretty hard because so many people traded them in, the market was flooded and dealers were having a really tough time selling them used after the software update.

    The other drawback to the TDI is that they need timing belts done religiously. It’s an interference engine so if it breaks or even slips, there’s a good chance you’re on the hook for a $4,500 motor (and there have been failures.. also documented over at tdiclub) You have to replace the belt, the belt tensioner roller, the idler rollers, the water pump, and the serpentine belt. There are a bunch of seals too. You need specialized tools and have to do a computerized injection timing adjustment after the change. The TB service runs about $1,000 IIRC and my guess is your A3 is due for it at that time and mileage. If you bought it from a VW/Audi dealer you might want to check ASAP and see if you can work a deal on the service as part of the purchase price. I’d have a dealer do it because it is a complex job and if the TB fails early (and there have been a number of failures due to parts issues and faulty installation) you will have some recourse at least. Crazy thing is the interval for the TB can be as low as 80,000 miles or as high as 100,000 miles. And VW has changed the intervals, so the info in your owners manual might not be correct, you have to have the dealer run the VIN to know for sure.
     
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  21. Aug 11, 2019 at 6:18 AM
    #51
    omgboost

    omgboost The Accountant

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    I daily the Sequoia :rofl:
     
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  22. Aug 11, 2019 at 6:36 AM
    #52
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Minivans......
     
  23. Aug 11, 2019 at 8:07 AM
    #53
    Devcom

    Devcom Miles per Gallon? More like Smiles per Gallon!!

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    This is our grocery, work going, out to eat car. The car is a 2016 Honda Civic Coupe EX-T with the 1.5L Turbo. Picture is a couple years old but nothing really changed with it minus the removal of the CT plates since we moved back to KC back in 17 and the Window tints on all windows with brow on front windshield.

    IMG_0043.jpg
     
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  24. Aug 11, 2019 at 9:34 AM
    #54
    helloo

    helloo New Member

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    Had a 1997 Ford Escort I just sold last month. Bought for $600 in 2011 with 95k miles. Sold for $900 with 140,000 miles. Just bought a 2012 Volvo S60 at the salvage auction. 66,000 miles and paid $2,200. Put $2,000 into it and she is back on the road. 20190703_183112.jpg 20190810_115004.jpg
     
  25. Aug 11, 2019 at 9:56 AM
    #55
    mscribellito

    mscribellito New Member

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    Jeep is my commuter

    IMG_20190809_110926.jpg
     
  26. Aug 11, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #56
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I was looking at my retirement/final commuter car last night.

    9C0081E6-5D42-4B21-9538-3F95E503FE9E.jpg 310FDE37-889A-4CE5-904B-7EA84164D98D.jpg


    Guess mpg is not in the top ten for me. :D
     
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  27. Aug 11, 2019 at 4:28 PM
    #57
    alpinepro4

    alpinepro4 [OP] What is your MPG Today!

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    Thanks for the great info, I will definitely check out tdiclub, sounds like an excellent resource. From what you are saying is scaring me a bit for buying TDI motor. I do have a perfect running tundra if things go sideways. I plan on giving the A3 a lot of TLC. Drove the car to work today and it hauls ass and very fun to drive. Gonna put some Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studded tires on this Winter. Teton pass will be a good test for them.
     
  28. Aug 11, 2019 at 4:44 PM
    #58
    TRD-tv

    TRD-tv Menace2Ohio

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    believe it or not, i use a Toyota Tundra
     
  29. Aug 11, 2019 at 4:57 PM
    #59
    WNY PAT

    WNY PAT New Member

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    I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The A3 is a sweet car. If it hasn’t had drivability issues after the update, it’s probably going to be fine. The timing belt is a costly maintenance item but if done right, you have nothing to worry about. The durability questions are just that, questions and unknowns. The regen cycles, from what I understand, ought to be less of an issue at highway speeds as interrupting them has been said to be an issue. There always has been (and always will be) a niche market for well kept TDIs. Put miles on yours and document all the work you do to it. I think it’s a better option than a Corolla, as the TDIs are a blast to drive, and on the highway, my guess is you’ll regularly see an honest 42-44MPG. Not sure you’ll save a lot of money, especially if it’s due for the TB service right now, but I don’t think you’ll lose a much either. The tdi lifestyle is all consuming. 700+ miles on a tank. 50+MPG. Chipping it and rolling coal. Lol. Welcome to another addiction.

     
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  30. Aug 16, 2019 at 5:20 PM
    #60
    alpinepro4

    alpinepro4 [OP] What is your MPG Today!

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    WNY Pat, Did you end up replacing your fuel pump in one or both your previous TDI's? If so how much did is cost? I noticed today my fuel pump is making a whining noise when the engine is running. The sound will stay on for 5 sec after the motor has been shut off. I assume this my fuel pump struggling or getting worn out. I have an appointment to have my fuel filter changed next week. Car drives fine but I don't know if I trust that pump till the filter is changed. Think I should park it and drive the truck till I see my mechanic? Glad I have my Tundra to fall back on. I love that truck.
     

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