I'm taking a new position at the same company which requires me to travel more. I will get reimbursed for a new car payment and it's a flat rate for car payment, gas, and mantenence.
I'm heavily leaning towards something diesel powered, specifically a Jetta turbo diesel. I think this make much more sense than a hybrid and coffin on wheels for 99% freeway driving.
Any opinions on a freeway cruiser or any specific problems with the Jetta?
Looking for a commuter. Turbo diesel?
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JHZR2
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I'd look for a low mileage older MB diesel. Parts are cheap, they are super reliable and with BITOG-quality service, are guaranteed to go 300-500k miles without issue. You wont find a more straightforward, good quality car than a w123 or w126 chassis MB. There are good ones with low 100k-miles on them that are great deals. You will have no issue going another 2-300k so long as you look after the fluids.
The rule of thunmb I've heard is that if you're doing a lot of highway miles, a diesel is the way to go, if you're heavy-city, a hybrid will probably be better.
Can't give you specifics on the Jetta, though. Second-hand info that I have is love-hate, so I'll just stay out of that part of the conversation.... 
It has excellent reviews and seems like a comfortable car for trips with more power than any Hybrid or 4 cylinder econo box will ever give you on the highway.
Beware of expensive parts and questionable reliability. Some people get lucky with VW's and never see problems outside of routine maintenanace while others spend more time at the dealership shop for repairs than they do on the road.
Are you retiring your TL? Why not make that a commuter and bank the money your job gives you?
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Any opinions on a freeway cruiser or any specific problems with the Jetta?
Thanks guys! This love hate relationship sounds a lot like my GN. Not what I want in a commuter. I like the thought of the diesel mileage and lots of torque down low, not requiring a lot of downshifting. But reliability has to be there and it sounds like VW may not have the best. What I want out of it is reliability, decent mileage, no ultra compacts, no hybrids, and something I can use on weekends that I'm not embarassed to drive but is cheap enough that I don't worry about where I park it and the inevitable door dings.
I'm trying not to use the TL anymore even though it's a great cruiser. It already has 77,000 on it. I have another year of payments and I want there to be something left of it when the payments are over. Just had the entire front of the car repained due to freeway damage. With the tires I have on it, I would be lucky to get 20,000 freeway miles out of them.
Probably does not meet your timeline but the Subaru boxer diesel is supposed to be here in mid 2010. Undoubtedly it will have more emissions stuff than the subi diesels currently running around Europe though.
I have heard 50 mpg on those cars. If it doesn't have the CVT tranny, this could be a pretty amazing combo. 4x4, wagon utility, subaru reliability, diesel reliability (assumed! ha ha). I may buy one if it doesn't have the CVT.
Too bad they don't offer the civic diesel here, that would be something. If you are looking for reliability over fun, I would definitely go Japanese.
Honda Fit Sport. Keeps it in the family, fuel mileage is far better than the EPA ratings with 40 mpg highway tanks regularly and 34-35 mpg with some town driving thrown in, acres of interior room, great forward visibility, and it can park anywhere. Downsides are the headlights only illuminate 50 feet in front of the car in stock form, and the lack of engine power makes for some scary situations when you don't plan ahead.
I've read before about the TSX Turbo Diesel that may come to the U.S.
I dunno, my take on it would be to put the high mileage on the vehicle you are already running, that already has fairly high mileage. If you buy another, new car, and start racking up miles on it right away, then you end up with two high-mileage vehicles that lose value.
If you like your TL, 'use this one up' and then buy yourself a newer one you can keep the mileage down on.....
I would get a 4 or 5 year old 4 banger Accord, manual trans, if you don't have too much stop and go traffic. You can still have some vtec fun, look professional, but pocket most of your car allowance...
I guess you could also off load a diesel VW pretty easily at the 100K mark so you don't have to worry about the possible(maybe probable?) VW issues. There is always someone with TDI stars in their eyes...
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I dunno, my take on it would be to put the high mileage on the vehicle you are already running, that already has fairly high mileage. If you buy another, new car, and start racking up miles on it right away, then you end up with two high-mileage vehicles that lose value.
How about a 52.5 mpg BMW 316d 4 door?
Doesn't look like it will come to the US though, as usual.
http://www.motorauthority.com/bmw-launches-new-efficient-316d-es-for-europe.html
Originally Posted By: saaber1
Probably does not meet your timeline but the Subaru boxer diesel is supposed to be here in mid 2010. Undoubtedly it will have more emissions stuff than the subi diesels currently running around Europe though.
I have heard 50 mpg on those cars. If it doesn't have the CVT tranny, this could be a pretty amazing combo. 4x4, wagon utility, subaru reliability, diesel reliability (assumed! ha ha). I may buy one if it doesn't have the CVT.
Too bad they don't offer the civic diesel here, that would be something. If you are looking for reliability over fun, I would definitely go Japanese.
Don't hold your breath for any diesels on the horizon. We've been promised oilburners from everyone, Ford in 1/2 ton trucks, Honda accords, etc. I'd love to see a diesel subie... on a showroom floor, with 2wd for lower drag. Will believe it when I see it.
You sound handy enough the expensive timing belt services could be DIY. You'd want a wheel/tire package that takes reasonably priced tires etc.
Are they selling the "good" diesels in Cali? For a time we couldn't get them in Maine, or register them with under 6000 miles.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Don't hold your breath for any diesels on the horizon. We've been promised oilburners from everyone, Ford in 1/2 ton trucks, Honda accords, etc. I'd love to see a diesel subie... on a showroom floor, with 2wd for lower drag. Will believe it when I see it.
You sound handy enough the expensive timing belt services could be DIY. You'd want a wheel/tire package that takes reasonably priced tires etc.
Are they selling the "good" diesels in Cali? For a time we couldn't get them in Maine, or register them with under 6000 miles.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
but I would rather keep my $20 than pay someone money for something I can do in 30 minutes of my time and do a better job.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Wow, can't register them with under 6,000 miles? What's the reasoning behind that?
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If I were doing a lot of driving on the company dime, I would get a larger car with an automatic trans, and comfortable seats.
A jetta doesn't sound fun to be putting serious miles on it.
Something like a sonata would be the bare minimum..
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