It's hit or miss with any car regarding reliability. I was reading consumer reports which lists the RX8 as below average in reliability, yet people on here will never deter you from buying one as a daily driver. Keep that in mind, and don't let the poor reliability tag factor in too much on your decision in buying a used vehicle. I have seen many VWS that are so called "unreliable" prove the opposite, so keep an open mind when listening to the remarks about VW. A VW, much like the RX8 and many other cars, is prone to little annoying things going wrong, yet in many people's minds that doesn't mean much, and they still think of their vehicle as reliable. The engine and tranny are solid, and go a long time. The rest is hit or mis, and overall it should be a reliable vehicle for you if you purchase the right one that's seen good care. Good luck with your decision.

 

I dunno, getting a used car as your daily driver and it NOT being Japanese would make me nervous. I'm biased though, but still it's my opinion and it's free :P

I know there are many US and Euro cars out there that run great after 6+ years, but as a DD, I dunno I'd lean towards the safer bet (Honda/Toyota).

How much do you have budgeted? How many miles per year will you drive?

 

@ viking: very true. for the reliability factor, my main concern is basically the engine and tranny. as long as either or doesn't have a well known history of "blowing up" so to say, i'm fine with that. all the little things are much easier to fix than taking out an engine, tranny, or even both

@ crazy: i don't want to spend more than 10k. i'd prefer to pay something off in cash, but seeing as the jetta i would like is relatively new, that's not likely to happen. as to how much i drive, i average about 80 to 120 miles a day. the first year alone of having my 8, i put on nearly 40k miles. so....yea......i drive quite a bit

 

the 300M comes standard with a 250hp V6 with a pretty nice leather interior with wood trim and climate control. while the intrepid comes with a 200hp v6 standard (es came with a 225hp v6 and the r/t came with a 242hp v6). just think of the 300m as a sportier and more luxurious version of the intrepid. and ofcourse sexier imho...

 

mind... I'm a retard. lol

 

lol....it's ok. your avi more than makes up for it

as for the 300M, i still don't think i would want to spend what that car is worth.

for the jetta, everybody is talking about reliability issues. for those issues, on which engine base is the reliability issues most prominent on? the 2L 4cyl. 1.8L T, 2.8L v6, or the 1.9L TDi?

 

the 1.8T usually. the 2.8 6 cyl has relibaility issue's too.

 

I really do recommend that you search vwvortex.com, since all of the questions that you asked here has already been discussed to death over there. Not all members in this forum have had experience with VeeDubs, but vwvortex is a forum that is dedicated to VW made products.

Be advised that if you are planning to get a 99-01 Jetta, you only have the 10 year engine/powertrain and rust/corrosion warranties left on the car. Any PCM reflash or electrical work is not covered in the engine/powertrain warranty.

 

The MKV VW's are pretty raved about. Since this is an eco DD, you could always go for a new Rabbit... they start at something like $15k MSRP. The GTI can be had with no options for like $20k and gets around 30mpg.

 

yea.....you said it......eco. which means cheap as possible all the way around . hence something in the '99-'01 age range.

 

^^ which is why I said get a stripper Rabbit. If you can wait until fall or so, you should have no problem getting one below MSRP... $12-14k or so for a brand new car with full warranty... which has also been said to be the best Golf yet...

 

What I meant is that with some of the cars mentioned/being discussed... if you won't go Civic, etc. then getting a good deal on a stripper Rabbit should be close to your budget.

 

well, you hadn't said that before . that's a whole different perspective i hadn't known.