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Old 07-18-2009, 01:07 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Which car would you keep? :car:

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well. I'm looking for guidance on the following:

We currently have two older cars, and we need to replace one of them with a newer car (work has indicated that both our cars are 'too old' for visiting clients, etc., and unfortunately it's non-negotiable). So the question becomes, which car to replace, which car to keep. Here are the two options:

1) 2001 1.8 T VW Passat B1 (Volkswagen Passat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Engine: 1.8 Turbo
- Mileage: 230,000 KM (~ 143,000 Miles)
- Automatic transmission
- Sunroof, heated fiber seats, winter battery package
- everything else stock
- scratches along passenger rear door (cosmetic)
- radiator slightly leaks (needs 1/4 cup fluid every couple of months)
- engine burns oil (needs 1 quart every couple of months)
- very faint knocking sound at low speeds (perhaps transmission?)
- ABS Control module needs to be replaced (approx. $500 CAD job for used including labour)

2) 1998 1.6 L Acura EL (Acura EL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
- Original Engine - 1.6 L but replaced 6 months ago due to engine failure (water damage)
- Engine replace with 1.8 Acura engine with 60,000 KM (37,300 miles)
- Body mileage: 230,000 KM (~ 143,000 Miles)
- Air conditioning busted
- Check engine light on -- diagnosed as issue with exhaust sensor
- Front passenger CV rubber boot ripped and exposed. Loud clicking noise when turning left . I was told I need to replace the drive shaft/axle -- cost unknow (found this: Driveshaft/Axle Maintainance - Team-BHP)
- Transmission rebuilt 2 years ago
- slight paint chips along body

So what do I do? There are other differences of course that are a bit harder to quantify (the Acura doesn't have the acceleration of the VW for example). I attached photos online I found for each car (they're not photos of my cars but look just like them). If there is more information I could provide that would help, please let me know and I can post them!

Thank you!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg vwpassatb5.jpg (70.9 KB, 105 views)
File Type: jpg 26617350001_large.jpg (50.7 KB, 106 views)
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Old 07-18-2009, 01:24 PM   #2 (permalink)
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the honda has a newer engine with less mileage on it which you recently replaced.

I'd be more inclined to keep the honda.

But would keep the Jetta due to the large size and overall less current maintenance requirement.
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Old 07-18-2009, 03:19 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Definitely the Jetta. The acura is an older car. You need a working car which requires less maintenance.
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Old 07-18-2009, 03:45 PM   #4 (permalink)
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I'd choose whichever is more fun to drive.
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Old 07-18-2009, 07:22 PM   #5 (permalink)
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For the Jetta:

Is the knocking sound new, and is it getting worse (however slowly)? Some cars 'just knock' at low rpms.

Is the fluid leaking directly from the radiator? If not that is probably a cheap/easy fix.'


The Acura it seems would be cheaper to get back to 100% and also has relatively new engine/trans. But that's if you're going to fix it.

If you aren't going to fix anything I'd call it a toss up.
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Old 07-18-2009, 09:16 PM   #6 (permalink)
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This is a tough call. I think I would go with the Acura. Usually more reliable than a VW.
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Old 07-19-2009, 03:12 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Man I can see why you posted this, it's a tough call. Both have pros and cons that seem to outweigh each other. I think I would ultimately go with the Acura because the tranny and motor are in better shape.
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Old 07-19-2009, 07:52 AM   #8 (permalink)
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I really don't see this as being a tough call at all, actually. The Vee-Dub is showing signs of what could potentially develop into some major issues down the road, and you just put a whack of money into the Acura replacing that motor.

Ditch the Volkswagen.
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Old 07-20-2009, 10:50 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Why is everyone calling the Passat a Jetta?



Check out how much exactly it would take to fix the CV joint and A/C in the Acura. Compare that to the ABS repair for the Passat. Factor that in your decision.

I think a lot of people are discounting the fact that you need A/C when driving clients around. I entertain clients on a weekly basis and have them in my vehicle. I can't imagine having to tell people "sorry the air doesn't work" unless I could honestly say it just went out and I already have an appointment to get it fixed. Also, the CV boot and joint repairs may be extremely expensive, and if you keep driving it like it is, you are going to risk more damage, or worse the whole wheel coming loose. It'll probably shake you to death before the wheel itself falls off, but this would be a "fix it before you can drive it" repair that could also break the bank.

Same thing with the ABS on the Passat. It's a must fix for hauling clients around. You do not want to get in an accident with clients while driving a car with faulty brakes. Sure they work fine for normal driving, but the one time ABS could've saved you it won't be there. You should be changing your oil every few months anyway, depending on mileage, so I wouldn't worry about half a quart a month. If you are SURE it's just a radiator leak causing you to lose coolant, find where the leak is, go buy a $10 patch kit at an auto parts store, and fix it yourself. It's extremely simple to do.



I typed this all out and realized you aren't talking about hauling clients around in either of these current vehicles......Ooops. I guess that throws the A/C argument out the window if you are willing to deal with it. But I'd still get the CV joint and/or the ABS fixed in whichever car you keep.
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Old 07-21-2009, 06:26 AM   #10 (permalink)
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get rid of both and get a good used car....of your choice!

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Old 07-21-2009, 06:31 AM   #11 (permalink)
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From what I've read and heard from other people, the VW won't have the same reliability as the Acura.

And given the other factors, I'd lean toward the Acura anyway.
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Old 07-21-2009, 06:59 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Personally, I'd tell "work" that if they think they have the right to tell you what kind of car to drive; they can buy it for you - or at the least give you a dedicated transportation allowance.

Unless, of course, they already pay you boatloads of money and you're spending it on everything but transportation. It sounds like it's time to replace them both - in fact I think you waited too long on the Acura. My first instinct is to say I'd never replace an engine in a 10-year old vehicle with so many other problems, but since you say it was used, you might have gotten a great deal on it.

One other thing - if you are required by your job to buy a nicer car for business use and your company is not compensating you for it, you should check into how much, if any, of your transportation costs are tax deductible. I know in the U.S., much of it would be.
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Old 07-21-2009, 07:17 AM   #13 (permalink)
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The axle on the Acura should be about 100 bucks, installed. That small coolant leak in the VW is going to become a big coolant leak fairly soon. Cost to fix that will depend if it's leaking from a hose or the rad. I'm guessing the radiator, and I'm guessing the radiator cap is going bad. About 35 to fix.

If you can live without AC in the Acura, keep it. The 1.8L honda motor is a very tough little engine. I know. I tried to blow one up for years to have the excuse to dump a bigger one in the car . It just wouldn't die. As long as you keep the oil changed and replace the timing belt every 90k miles, the car will rot away long before the engine does.

VW's on the other hand are known for reliability issues. I'd definitely be strongly leaning toward the Acura.
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Old 07-21-2009, 07:40 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yournamehere View Post
One other thing - if you are required by your job to buy a nicer car for business use and your company is not compensating you for it, you should check into how much, if any, of your transportation costs are tax deductible. I know in the U.S., much of it would be.
+1
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Old 07-21-2009, 10:09 PM   #15 (permalink)
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I'd say keep the VW since it is newer
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Old 07-22-2009, 08:16 PM   #16 (permalink)
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The VW is the nicer, newer car, but it sounds like it has issues that could potentially become serious. The issues with the Acura appear to be less serious and the ABS issue with the VW could be a liability issue should anything occur before it is fixed. The Acura will probably last more miles in the long run, too.
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