2007 Jetta?
September 15, 2006 3:57 PM Subscribe
Should my sister get a 2007 Jetta (price inside) ? She's is at the dealership as I....post.
The dealer offered her one with clothe interior for 17,500. Thoughts?
Are we missing out on a better make and model for a similar or lower price?
Of course our main concerns are safety and reliability-- also if this matters -- she's a high school student. Any flagrant issues with the '07 Jetta?
The dealer offered her one with clothe interior for 17,500. Thoughts?
Are we missing out on a better make and model for a similar or lower price?
Of course our main concerns are safety and reliability-- also if this matters -- she's a high school student. Any flagrant issues with the '07 Jetta?
Umnn, have you read and followed the advice in this comment and thread in general?
posted by onalark at 4:12 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by onalark at 4:12 PM on September 15, 2006
High school student? She'll crash it in 6 months. Trust me on this.
Get her a five-year-old Toyota Corolla. Safe, reliable, room for friends, great gas mileage, great price.
Also what Espy said. If you're going to get her a car, get her involved in the decision-making process.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:14 PM on September 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
Get her a five-year-old Toyota Corolla. Safe, reliable, room for friends, great gas mileage, great price.
Also what Espy said. If you're going to get her a car, get her involved in the decision-making process.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:14 PM on September 15, 2006 [1 favorite]
Espy Gillespie is exactly right: this is not the time to start doing research on makes/models and pricing. Get your sister out of the dealership now and don't go back till you've done adequate research, gone on several test drives with no intention of buying that day, decided how much you want to spend (and not merely waiting for the dealer's offer) and investigated financing options. You want to go into the dealership knowing the answers to your questions, not just starting to ask them!
And no 17-year-old needs a brand new car. Get her a good, solid, reliable, pre-owned vehicle.
posted by scody at 4:18 PM on September 15, 2006
And no 17-year-old needs a brand new car. Get her a good, solid, reliable, pre-owned vehicle.
posted by scody at 4:18 PM on September 15, 2006
Edmunds. And what everyone else said; plus 'high school student' should really equal 'buy a beater that you can prang or drive into a ditch, because you will.'
posted by holgate at 4:22 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by holgate at 4:22 PM on September 15, 2006
(Where 'beater' means 'solid, safe but unpretty'. Insurance factors in as well.)
posted by holgate at 4:24 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by holgate at 4:24 PM on September 15, 2006
I second, or third the used car option. Get a used Jetta that's a couple years old. You'll save a lot of money, and it'll be basically the same car. Especially for a high school student!
FWIW, my friends have had great luck with their Jettas.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 4:29 PM on September 15, 2006
FWIW, my friends have had great luck with their Jettas.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 4:29 PM on September 15, 2006
Get out. now. what are you thinking?
posted by cosmicbandito at 4:40 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by cosmicbandito at 4:40 PM on September 15, 2006
We've traced the call, and it came from inside the house.
translation: You're about to be raped. Get out and come back when you have the correct tools (knowledge is power).
posted by blue_beetle at 4:48 PM on September 15, 2006
translation: You're about to be raped. Get out and come back when you have the correct tools (knowledge is power).
posted by blue_beetle at 4:48 PM on September 15, 2006
First of all, it's impossible to tell you if that's a good price based on the fact that it's a 2007 Jetta. The Jetta sells with a bunch of different engines, body types, and trim levels, and they all go for a different price. So you need to be more specific. It also depends on where you live. Edmunds will give you a "true market value" based on your zip code. Also, how you're buying matters. The dealer will try to make money on financing, and your sister could totally get screwed on the financing. So you have to be careful about that: make sure that you're paying the best possible rate before you make any deals.
It's a good idea to research this stuff before you walk into the car dealership. Hell, it's probably best to deal entirely via email.
And all that said, there's nothing necessarily wrong with a new car, even for a 17-year-old.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:00 PM on September 15, 2006
It's a good idea to research this stuff before you walk into the car dealership. Hell, it's probably best to deal entirely via email.
And all that said, there's nothing necessarily wrong with a new car, even for a 17-year-old.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:00 PM on September 15, 2006
No!
I bought a 2002 VW GTI new. Although I do still think they're a great car, I would never, ever, ever buy a VW new again. It's a colossal waste of money when you can go and buy a 2 year old car thats had all the kinks worked out already.
Plus, she's in high school. Buy her a used Civic. Or Corolla. Something reliable, not crap, but not flashy either.
posted by cgg at 5:02 PM on September 15, 2006
I bought a 2002 VW GTI new. Although I do still think they're a great car, I would never, ever, ever buy a VW new again. It's a colossal waste of money when you can go and buy a 2 year old car thats had all the kinks worked out already.
Plus, she's in high school. Buy her a used Civic. Or Corolla. Something reliable, not crap, but not flashy either.
posted by cgg at 5:02 PM on September 15, 2006
I would really make use of the Edmunds forum for the car...they have specific forums where you can see what other people paid.
Also, I would get a 2-yr old car for a high school student, but not much older. a 2-yr old car will be 4 years old by the time they graduate high school, they can take it to college, it'll last another 4 years, and by then they'll have an 8 year old car that they can replace themselves (getting your parents off the hook for any additional purchase!)
posted by unexpected at 5:07 PM on September 15, 2006
Also, I would get a 2-yr old car for a high school student, but not much older. a 2-yr old car will be 4 years old by the time they graduate high school, they can take it to college, it'll last another 4 years, and by then they'll have an 8 year old car that they can replace themselves (getting your parents off the hook for any additional purchase!)
posted by unexpected at 5:07 PM on September 15, 2006
Seriously - a HS with a 2007 car? wtf?
I Nth the used car and I think second the Civic notion. Heck, I'll sell her my 2004 Civic for a couple Gs less than that and it'll have better resale than that damn VW even two years from now.
unexpected - if they do go used - there's no reason they couldn't buy a five year old Honda or Toyota without a problem and she could still take it all the way through college. Though, I sense that this is more a status thing that a transportation device.
posted by FlamingBore at 5:13 PM on September 15, 2006
I Nth the used car and I think second the Civic notion. Heck, I'll sell her my 2004 Civic for a couple Gs less than that and it'll have better resale than that damn VW even two years from now.
unexpected - if they do go used - there's no reason they couldn't buy a five year old Honda or Toyota without a problem and she could still take it all the way through college. Though, I sense that this is more a status thing that a transportation device.
posted by FlamingBore at 5:13 PM on September 15, 2006
nth-ing everybody here.
'New' isn't the best choice for a high school student.
And if it was, there are plenty of less-expensive options than a bloody VW Jetta, with comparable or better fuel efficiency (with the exception of the TDI models)/ Think Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, et al.
Generally, you'll want to start high school students out on something cheap, underpowered, and so bloody small they can almost lane-split!
posted by The Confessor at 5:40 PM on September 15, 2006
'New' isn't the best choice for a high school student.
And if it was, there are plenty of less-expensive options than a bloody VW Jetta, with comparable or better fuel efficiency (with the exception of the TDI models)/ Think Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris, et al.
Generally, you'll want to start high school students out on something cheap, underpowered, and so bloody small they can almost lane-split!
posted by The Confessor at 5:40 PM on September 15, 2006
Buy her a used Golf or Jetta TDI, cheaper and safer in case of an accident.
posted by Vindaloo at 5:44 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by Vindaloo at 5:44 PM on September 15, 2006
vw's are still not great cars. lots of women like jettas for some reason -- think they're cute or something. problem is vw's just fall apart over time. plastic pieces wiggle loose. short circuits happen, and all kinds of things that just don't break on more reliable cars will haunt you for years to come. plus, they're just not all that comfortable to ride. if it's an image thing, then a jetta or a bmw may be a priority cuz they're stout, but if she cares less about style and more about comfort and reliability, get a toyota or else a honda.
posted by pallen123 at 5:49 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by pallen123 at 5:49 PM on September 15, 2006
If you don't know whether or not the offer is reasonable, you need to get out of there ASAP and DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Seriously.
Don't worry about hurting the salesperson's feelings. They'll survive.
If she wants a Jetta and can afford it, the she should get a Jetta. But check Edmund's and the like to get some idea of what the car's invoice price is and if there are any incentives currently being offered.
I doubt that the salesperson is offering you a sweetheart deal.
posted by bim at 5:50 PM on September 15, 2006
Don't worry about hurting the salesperson's feelings. They'll survive.
If she wants a Jetta and can afford it, the she should get a Jetta. But check Edmund's and the like to get some idea of what the car's invoice price is and if there are any incentives currently being offered.
I doubt that the salesperson is offering you a sweetheart deal.
posted by bim at 5:50 PM on September 15, 2006
I have a 2002 Jetta (57,000 miles) that I bought new. It is fun to drive, that is, when it is not in the shop. And it has been in the shop ALOT.
I had the coil pack go at 9,000 miles, and have had consistant problems ever since. Every 5,000 miles or so it seems to end up needing something replaced. Maybe I just got a bad one, but I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AGAIN. The Golf that I had before this one lasted 10+ years. but that was a radically different car than the contemporary VW. If she does get one, which I would not recommend, make sure she pushes a hard bargain, as i don't think that VW is doing that well these days.
posted by R. Mutt at 5:56 PM on September 15, 2006
I had the coil pack go at 9,000 miles, and have had consistant problems ever since. Every 5,000 miles or so it seems to end up needing something replaced. Maybe I just got a bad one, but I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW AGAIN. The Golf that I had before this one lasted 10+ years. but that was a radically different car than the contemporary VW. If she does get one, which I would not recommend, make sure she pushes a hard bargain, as i don't think that VW is doing that well these days.
posted by R. Mutt at 5:56 PM on September 15, 2006
If your main concerns are safety and reliability, choose models based on facts like their IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings, and Consumer Reports accident avoidance ratings, long-term reliability, and predicted reliability. JD Powers has useful ratings, too.
If you just want the right price on a new or used car, this book (Don't Get Taken Every Time) is helpful and an easy read.
posted by daisyace at 6:11 PM on September 15, 2006
If you just want the right price on a new or used car, this book (Don't Get Taken Every Time) is helpful and an easy read.
posted by daisyace at 6:11 PM on September 15, 2006
My parents bought me an old beater truck when I was in high school, telling me that if I had something new and clean, I would invariably ruin it or wreck it.
9 months later I walked away unharmed from that totaled truck, which I drove into a fire hydrant at about 40mph. The rest of the story would take too long to recount.
As for new car purchases, always do your research. Find the VW forums (there are loads of them, I think vwvortex is the big one) and they often have a test drive/buying forum section, and in that part you can exchange info with loads of people shopping for a new VW.
I bought a new honda recently and thanks to a forum dedicated to the car model, I found out what actual invoice was for the exact model from people that work for honda financing that post to the board. Everyone worked collectively on the board to post how they got the lowest prices, and I ended up having three dealers gunning for my business. I bought it off a local dealer that was willing to sell a top of the line model $5k under MSRP, making them all of $500 on the deal.
posted by mathowie at 7:47 PM on September 15, 2006
9 months later I walked away unharmed from that totaled truck, which I drove into a fire hydrant at about 40mph. The rest of the story would take too long to recount.
As for new car purchases, always do your research. Find the VW forums (there are loads of them, I think vwvortex is the big one) and they often have a test drive/buying forum section, and in that part you can exchange info with loads of people shopping for a new VW.
I bought a new honda recently and thanks to a forum dedicated to the car model, I found out what actual invoice was for the exact model from people that work for honda financing that post to the board. Everyone worked collectively on the board to post how they got the lowest prices, and I ended up having three dealers gunning for my business. I bought it off a local dealer that was willing to sell a top of the line model $5k under MSRP, making them all of $500 on the deal.
posted by mathowie at 7:47 PM on September 15, 2006
Toyotas rule. Get a Yaris!
posted by onepapertiger at 9:32 PM on September 15, 2006
posted by onepapertiger at 9:32 PM on September 15, 2006
FlamingBore: if she bought a 5 year old car, assuming 2 years of hs, and 4 years of college...11 years old when she graduates??
11! This is going to sound sexist, and maybe it totally is, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen a girl with a car older than 6 years. It's usually guys that drive the 10+ year old cars...
of course, now 20 girls are going to post about how they've driven their cars for the past 15 years....
posted by unexpected at 11:17 PM on September 15, 2006
11! This is going to sound sexist, and maybe it totally is, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen a girl with a car older than 6 years. It's usually guys that drive the 10+ year old cars...
of course, now 20 girls are going to post about how they've driven their cars for the past 15 years....
posted by unexpected at 11:17 PM on September 15, 2006
I hear and second the call for a used car. A HS student does not need a new car. However, I would warn against getting a 90's or older Corolla or Civic. Last year a friend of mine got t-boned in her 1989 Corolla by a '96 Explorer going 30mph. Both her and her passenger were killed instantly despite wearing their seatbelts.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 12:53 AM on September 16, 2006
posted by [expletive deleted] at 12:53 AM on September 16, 2006
To expand on my point, she should get a used pickup. It rides higher, and an old f-150, while more expensive with gas, isn't as vulnerable to some cunt not paying attention while in her SUV.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 12:55 AM on September 16, 2006
posted by [expletive deleted] at 12:55 AM on September 16, 2006
Data Point:
I've driven an '89 Camry for 7 years, starting as a highschool junior, and am quite happy with it. Granted, it had been garage stored, unused, for 5 years and is thus very low milage. It has a big enough engine (V6 LX trim) to feel not-anemic, and enough cargo room to haul me and my friends or my stuff.
No, it ain't sexy. Yes, it's reliable, and if I were to have wiped it out in a collision, it wouldn't have broken my piggybank.
These days, you probably want a vehicle with airbags and ABS. But still, buy used!
posted by Alterscape at 4:52 AM on September 16, 2006
I've driven an '89 Camry for 7 years, starting as a highschool junior, and am quite happy with it. Granted, it had been garage stored, unused, for 5 years and is thus very low milage. It has a big enough engine (V6 LX trim) to feel not-anemic, and enough cargo room to haul me and my friends or my stuff.
No, it ain't sexy. Yes, it's reliable, and if I were to have wiped it out in a collision, it wouldn't have broken my piggybank.
These days, you probably want a vehicle with airbags and ABS. But still, buy used!
posted by Alterscape at 4:52 AM on September 16, 2006
it isn't the end of the month, so the answer is no.
Never buy mid-month.
I'm clearly missing something obvious. Why is this?
of course, now 20 girls are going to post about how they've driven their cars for the past 15 years....
23 year old female with a 1990 Honda here. I haven't been driving it for 15 years but it has been around for at least that long. :)
posted by Famous at 6:11 AM on September 16, 2006
Never buy mid-month.
I'm clearly missing something obvious. Why is this?
of course, now 20 girls are going to post about how they've driven their cars for the past 15 years....
23 year old female with a 1990 Honda here. I haven't been driving it for 15 years but it has been around for at least that long. :)
posted by Famous at 6:11 AM on September 16, 2006
Unexpected: many people trade in their cars after a few years rather than driving them until they collapse into rusty metallic dust.
posted by Gable Oak at 7:19 AM on September 16, 2006
posted by Gable Oak at 7:19 AM on September 16, 2006
Yes unexpected - totally sexist. Or something. I drove a 1994 Amigo until 2004. If I weren't about to possibly move to San Francisco I would assume I'd drive my 2004 until it damn near fell apart. I know lots of people who buy a quality car and keep it through it's usable life. In particular, people who buy quality cars (and no, I'm not talking high end - think Honda & Toyota) *can* do this because the cars last 10-15 years or more without much in the way of major problems.
Perhaps I just know a lot of Honda and Toyota owners.
posted by FlamingBore at 7:43 AM on September 16, 2006
Perhaps I just know a lot of Honda and Toyota owners.
posted by FlamingBore at 7:43 AM on September 16, 2006
Probably too late now but I have a 2003 Jetta Turbo and have had no problems other than a broken armest latch which they replaced when I got my oil changed.
Drives nice, pickup is good, gas mileage is good...
posted by UMDirector at 8:07 AM on September 16, 2006
Drives nice, pickup is good, gas mileage is good...
posted by UMDirector at 8:07 AM on September 16, 2006
Could the sexist crap go away? I'm female, and drive dependable cars until they become unreliable, which is often well over 10 years. I do drive an SUV, and have yet to t-bone anyone. Women consistently rank as safer drivers; ask an insurance agent.
Many car salespeople have monthly quotas. Towards the end of the month, they may feel more pressure to sell a car to meet quota, and will negotiate more. I've experienced this.
If your sister is buying the car with her own money, help her factor in insurance costs - newer cars are more expensive to insure- and repair costs. If someone else is buying it, scale down the expense a lot. She'll take better care of it if it's her money.
posted by theora55 at 9:28 AM on September 16, 2006
Many car salespeople have monthly quotas. Towards the end of the month, they may feel more pressure to sell a car to meet quota, and will negotiate more. I've experienced this.
If your sister is buying the car with her own money, help her factor in insurance costs - newer cars are more expensive to insure- and repair costs. If someone else is buying it, scale down the expense a lot. She'll take better care of it if it's her money.
posted by theora55 at 9:28 AM on September 16, 2006
Never buy mid-month.
I'm clearly missing something obvious. Why is this?
Probably because of monthly quotas. Anyone on the sales force who's short that month will be pretty desperate to sell a car.
However, it does work both ways; anyone on the sales force who's met their quota may also be less likely to broker a sweet deal. Why should she? She doesn't need you to meet her quota.
posted by chrominance at 9:44 AM on September 16, 2006
I'm clearly missing something obvious. Why is this?
Probably because of monthly quotas. Anyone on the sales force who's short that month will be pretty desperate to sell a car.
However, it does work both ways; anyone on the sales force who's met their quota may also be less likely to broker a sweet deal. Why should she? She doesn't need you to meet her quota.
posted by chrominance at 9:44 AM on September 16, 2006
To expand on my point, she should get a used pickup. It rides higher, and an old f-150, while more expensive with gas, isn't as vulnerable to some cunt not paying attention while in her SUV.
This is absolutely terrible advice. Pickup trucks are the most dangerous vehicles on the road both for the driver and other drivers in accidents.
If you want safe, get a minivan
posted by delmoi at 10:33 AM on September 16, 2006
This is absolutely terrible advice. Pickup trucks are the most dangerous vehicles on the road both for the driver and other drivers in accidents.
If you want safe, get a minivan
posted by delmoi at 10:33 AM on September 16, 2006
What delmoi said: pickups are 1950s technology. (I believe that Jeremy Clarkson described the F-150 as the worst vehicle he'd ever driven, including a Bradley fighting vehicle.)
If you're a young driver, you want something that is responsive but copes with slightly delayed reactions, meaning that you can hit the brake or turn the wheel late and not suffer as many of the consequences of basic physics that you'd find in a big pickup.
My wife traded in her '92 Mazda in 2002 for the '97 Civic she still drives.
posted by holgate at 10:55 AM on September 16, 2006
If you're a young driver, you want something that is responsive but copes with slightly delayed reactions, meaning that you can hit the brake or turn the wheel late and not suffer as many of the consequences of basic physics that you'd find in a big pickup.
My wife traded in her '92 Mazda in 2002 for the '97 Civic she still drives.
posted by holgate at 10:55 AM on September 16, 2006
11! This is going to sound sexist, and maybe it totally is, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen a girl with a car older than 6 years. It's usually guys that drive the 10+ year old cars...
From 1987 to 1989, I drove a 1976 Mustang. So that car was 11-14 years old. From 1990 to 1996, I drove a 1983 Mazda GLC -- so 7-13 years old. From 1996-2005, a 1995 Nissan Sentra, so 1-10 years old. Bought my first new car in 2005, at the age of 35. I know how to change the oil, change a tire, and can figure out my mileage, too -- just like a boy!!!
Stop being an ass.
posted by scody at 11:09 AM on September 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
From 1987 to 1989, I drove a 1976 Mustang. So that car was 11-14 years old. From 1990 to 1996, I drove a 1983 Mazda GLC -- so 7-13 years old. From 1996-2005, a 1995 Nissan Sentra, so 1-10 years old. Bought my first new car in 2005, at the age of 35. I know how to change the oil, change a tire, and can figure out my mileage, too -- just like a boy!!!
Stop being an ass.
posted by scody at 11:09 AM on September 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
I think many of us here are merely trying to emphasize the fact that anyone (male, female, teenage, old age) should NOT even step foot into a dealership to buy anything until they've researched a vehicle and essentially know more about it than the salesperson trying to get you to drive away with it! This may involve going to many dealers to test drive several models of the same car and using the net to determine safety ratings, invoice prices, and most relevant to me, other drivers' personal experiences! There is a forum out there for every make and model and most anyone who currently owns the car in question will be honest about any manufacturer deficiencies, defects and even may gave you honest tips about who gave them the best deal.
The uninformed buyer is a car salesperson's wet dream, so your chance of that "amazing deal" increases with the amount of time you invest in all of the little details. Good luck.
posted by Asherah at 11:51 AM on September 16, 2006
The uninformed buyer is a car salesperson's wet dream, so your chance of that "amazing deal" increases with the amount of time you invest in all of the little details. Good luck.
posted by Asherah at 11:51 AM on September 16, 2006
Yet another vote for the 2-4 year old Honda. Not a VW. And all things considered, it may cost a little more up front but there is serious peice of mind involved in getting this young lady a certified pre-owned Honda at a Honda dealer. That means a) the dealer stands behind it b) it has been inspected 8 ways from Sunday c) it has a warranty d) it was a good enough vehicle that the previous owner traded it in at the Honda dealer for a new Honda (in most cases).
And nobody is gonna dis you for having a recent model Honda. Nice, practical, reliable, riceable if that's her thing. Oh, and much lower price tag than a VW. (You can search ask.mefi for Jetta for more details).
posted by ilsa at 3:18 PM on September 16, 2006
And nobody is gonna dis you for having a recent model Honda. Nice, practical, reliable, riceable if that's her thing. Oh, and much lower price tag than a VW. (You can search ask.mefi for Jetta for more details).
posted by ilsa at 3:18 PM on September 16, 2006
What everyone else said about a teenager not needing a brand new car. Have you SEEN how teenagers drive?? When I was younger, I inherited my mother's old car and she got a new one. Is such an option possible in your family? Also, the warranties on VWs suck and from what I hear they are more costly to repair than japanese cars (so says my roomate who has an 8 year old Jetta). And about the doing your research part - you should have a price in mind when you go to the dealership and not waver from it (unless of course it's to go lower). And if there are multiple dealers for the same car company in your town, try to play them against each other and see where you get the best deal.
posted by echo0720 at 6:54 PM on September 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by echo0720 at 6:54 PM on September 16, 2006 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Espy Gillespie at 4:09 PM on September 15, 2006