Would You?...Trading Cars

Bowen · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 11:54 am Post subject: Would You?...Trading Cars

Ok...
So I have a 1999 Jeep cherokee Sport 4x4, good condition, 98,000 miles, extended warranty to 100k. I want to get rid of it, and lately I have fallen in love with Volkswagen's...mainly the Golf TDI, but I like the old style Jetta too (the new one looks like a Corolla).

I was on Craigslist Los Angeles today and found a guy who wants to trade his 2001 Jetta, w/ Leather, Sunroof, power everything, auto, heated seats, 80,000 miles...not a TDI (although it still gets alot better gas mileage than my jeep), for an SUV or truck. I e-mailed him to test the waters. He responded and seemed fairly interested.

While I don't know where this is going to go...I'm curious to know what my wb.com bretheren think. Part of me says GO FOR IT! assuming he wants to, b/c I'd probably get the better deal, assuming we decide on an even trade, and both cars check out, title is clear, CarFax report...the works. The other part of me says eh...would it be that good of a trade for me? I do like having space, and in the off chance that I do need to drive a distance I can use my girlfriends Acura.

Keep in mind that when I ride (preferably once a week) I'm driving at least an hour an a half. Other than that, I live less than a quarter mile from school, and I work less than 2 miles from my house.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bowen, is it a GL?

If so, I would stay away from the auto if possible. I love our Jetta, but I know that I would hate it if it was an auto.

Compare the value of each car through NADAGUIDES or KBB and make sure that the trade is fair for you.

Bowen · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject:

chavez, I'm not sure yet, He's getting back to me with more specs on the car. Which engine does the GL come with? GLS? Jumalian ok, actually FRANKIE has the 1.8T in an auto, I've driven it and it wasn't bad. Why would you hate it if it was an auto?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bowen, I thought Frankie's car was the 2.0L?

The 1.8T should be fine in an auto (although not nearly as fun). The 2.0l is a doggggggg with the auto, but with the stick it does fantastic.

The GL is a 2.0L standard. The GLS can have either motor. We get around 33 or so with the 2.0L on the highway, about 25 in town.

Bowen · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

chavez, you're right about Frankie's car...but I didn't think it handled poorly. I've driven it in the city, and on the Highway...w/ 2 boardbags on the rack on the roof.

I talked to my brother, he told me to wait until I graduate in a year and like 3 months...He claim's that VW has the worst customer satisfaction rate...anyone?...Bueller?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bowen, I have had 0 problems with VW. They are nothing but spectacular to deal with - much easier than the domestics.

Now, before this generation of VW's, I might see where they are coming from.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Bowen, Christy has a 2002 2.0 Jetta auto. It is a dog but it gets good mileage (30mpg on the last trip we took). She's had a few problems here and there but she has had GREAT service. I don't know if her service people are on crack or what but the warranty covers freakin everything. More than my BMW standard warranty which at the time I thought was the best there was. She's been very happy.

You'd probably be better off waiting until you graduate to make the decision. You don't know what your situation is going to be like-- how far the drive to work is, to the lake, will you own a boat, how much money you're making etc.

Bethany · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:

Keep the Jeep! Laughing

twitch88 · Posted: Sep 12, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Jeep cherokees are a dime a dozen, around here they don't bring much. Volkswagens on the other hand have a fairly strong resale. I don't see that being an even trade, however it is hard to say without THOROUGHLY examining both cars. I was interested in getting a jetta a few years back and I looked at quite a few. About three quarters of them were owned by foreign people, mostly russians. And of those 75% damn near all of them had been wrecked, but had clean titles. They will never say anything about any previous damage, you just have to know what you are looking for and be careful. For some reason the crook to honest person ratio was very heavily tilted when it came to vdubs.