My Car Dilemna: Jetta vs Honda(etc)

[::::BASSIST::::]

Today I found out that my car is unrepairable as Toyota does not make parts for my car's year and model.

So I have to get a "new" car. I'm not the kind of guy who spends alot of money on cars, and I'm particulary broke at this time, so my max I can spend is $1200 to $1500.

My father in Law has an 87 Jetta on Vancouver Island (I live on the Mainland). He is willing to give it to my wife and I for free since it has just been sitting in his yard for the last 2+ years. Problem is, it wont start. He thinks its the fuel injector, but doesnt really know. Physically, the car is in decent shape. I think it has about 250,000 kilometres on it which isnt too bad. If I took the car there is no guarantees a mechanic could fix it for an affordable price. Aside from that I generally prefer to buy Hondas and Toyotas as I find they are very well built and are usually reliable if maintained properly.

But of course, its always a gamble buying a used car off craigslist or any where really. If I buy a car for $1200 it will likely have problems. The Jetta is also likely going to have problems and, maybe I'm biased, but I just dont think they are as reliable as a Honda or Toyota. The Jetta will also cost me $70 or so to have it brought over by ferryboat from Vancouver Isl.

So to summarize...

Both cars are a gamble. Usually, I would just hunt down a honda/toyota and check it out to make sure its decent. The Jetta is difficult for me to get to (5 hour trip and $100 in travelling costs). The Jetta is also likely not going to be as reliable, BUT I am getting it for free. But the engine won't turn over.

Opinions?

[7StringBassist]

Honda parts are cheap and can run forever I have a 90 Acura Integra and it runs good still

but a free car is a free car whats the problem with it not starting ?? it could be as simple as a battery change

and yes My gf bought a car off CL and its a lemon the guy wrote his address on the pinkslip looks like he his going to get a visit from my fists

[hover]

any car sitting that long without a start is gonna cost some coin...but yeh, free car is good...spend the 60 bucks or so and have a mechanic give it a twice over and get an estimate. Not a *bad* era for VW, but not fantastic either.

[::::BASSIST::::]

The battery definitely needs replacing and there is something wrong with the fuel injection system.

Regarding CL used cars, I've bought quite a few cars privately and I do know what to look for. Free car or not, if its not running it seems like alot of hassle.

[TrooperFarva]

How about option 3, which isn't great, but certainly isn't worse than the other 2 options

Find the parts you need for your current car at a junkyard.

Try some local junkyards, but also try Certified Auto Recycling, I've heard good things about them

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by 7StringBassist

My gf bought a car off CL and its a lemon the guy wrote his address on the pinkslip looks like he his going to get a visit from my fists

Pure awesome!

[7StringBassist]

yea the tranny is slipping =X and it looks like the alternator might go

[::::BASSIST::::]

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

How about option 3, which isn't great, but certainly isn't worse than the other 2 options

Find the parts you need for your current car at a junkyard.

Try some local junkyards, but also try Certified Auto Recycling, I've heard good things about them

Already looked into that. No parts available.

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Already looked into that. No parts available.

What kind of Toyota do you have, and what parts do you need? Just curious.

[Hamrhed]

Ive owned a pre-owned Jetta & Honda Accord and Civics and had them repaired...

Please trust me on this: Honda

Ime, getting parts and getting the vehicles repaired in timely fashion is much easier and inexpensive w/ Hondas... I would stay as far away from a used Volkswagen as possible- unless you are a VW technician, know one, or have a warranty. On second thought- even if I had those three things Id still go Honda!

And, while your theory of a $1200 dollar car being likely to need repairs, go back to what I said earlier. If you find a deal on a nice Accord or Civic and it eventually needs repairs- I can almost guarantee you its going to be much cheaper than the Jetta. Heck, it may cost you $1200 bucks to get the Jetta running again

[jojobean39]

Honda. I have a thing against German cars. Not that I don't like them, but their repairs are much more expensive. Parts are more. Many places charge more in labor. I think, overall, a Honda will last you a lot longer.

But someone's recommendation to pay a mechanic to take a look at the free VW is a good one. I mean, if it's only a couple hundred bucks to get it running, then go with that. But if it's kind of an unknown ordeal, then Honda is the way to go.

[playinpearls]

Originally Posted by Hamrhed

Ive owned a pre-owned Jetta & Honda Accord and Civics and had them repaired...

Please trust me on this: Honda

Ime, getting parts and getting the vehicles repaired in timely fashion is much easier and inexpensive w/ Hondas... I would stay as far away from a used Volkswagen as possible- unless you are a VW technician, know one, or have a warranty. On second thought- even if I had those three things Id still go Honda!

And, while your theory of a $1200 dollar car being likely to need repairs, go back to what I said earlier. If you find a deal on a nice Accord or Civic and it eventually needs repairs- I can almost guarantee you its going to be much cheaper than the Jetta. Heck, it may cost you $1200 bucks to get the Jetta running again

i'm gonna have to second this. I used to work as a mechanic at a volkswagon dealership, and they are not fun. Everything is over-engineered (german problem) the electrical systems are pure crap. especially the 90's...which doesn't apply here, but for future knowledge...

In the past 4-5 years or so, i have resorted to only buying honda. I can get a honda for cheap, and i know with a little bit of work, sometimes none, that it will run forever.

I currently have a 96 odyssey about to cross the 200k mark. runs great, although right now it needs a tune up...no biggie..

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by Hamrhed

Ive owned a pre-owned Jetta & Honda Accord and Civics and had them repaired...

Please trust me on this: Honda

Ime, getting parts and getting the vehicles repaired in timely fashion is much easier and inexpensive w/ Hondas... I would stay as far away from a used Volkswagen as possible- unless you are a VW technician, know one, or have a warranty. On second thought- even if I had those three things Id still go Honda!

And, while your theory of a $1200 dollar car being likely to need repairs, go back to what I said earlier. If you find a deal on a nice Accord or Civic and it eventually needs repairs- I can almost guarantee you its going to be much cheaper than the Jetta. Heck, it may cost you $1200 bucks to get the Jetta running again

+ a ton to everything said here. I was in your situation at one point, my truck blew its third transmission (early 90s dodge, I got it two years after it's second rebuild) and I needed to find something for around $1000. Ended up getting a late 80's honda accord with about 140,000 miles. I drove it to just about the 200,000 mile mark before it needed some serious repairs (read: new engine) and at that point I had the cash to throw down a down payment for a cheap new car.

I have a few friends who both have 90's Jettas, and they're both constantly having to repair things and it certainly isn't cheap. The mantra I hear from people in the know is almost always don't buy a used VW. Even in your situation you may end up throwing away the $1200 on the jetta just to get it going and find out it needs more work down the road.

[Absentia]

my jetta made it to 360k miles, everything was easy and cheap to repair on it, except for the electrical...damn rodents..

My 81 vangon just made it to 200k and was kicking ass on two tracks last weekend.

I had a honda, it was a good car but neeed alot mroe work than either of the VWs.


granted new VWs are trash.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Already looked into that. No parts available.

I work in a Toyota parts department.
If you're interested I can take a look around for you. PM me with your VIN, year and model.

[Philbiker]

I know someone with an 86 Jetta with 250K+ miles. Thing still runs good. I've had newer VW products and would not buy nor recommend a newer VW. However, their mid-90s models seem to be pretty darn good. Is it a manual or auto? I'd go with the Jetta because I'm so close to such a good experience with one. Crappy exhaust systems though - need regular replacement.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

I work in a Toyota parts department.
If you're interested I can take a look around for you. PM me with your VIN, year and model.

Its a Toyota Corolla SR5... sort of the sporty model with the hatchback. They are fairly rare in my area. I brought it into the toyota service shop and they did a system wide search and couldnt find what I need. The problem with the car is that the filler neck, the pipe that leads from where you put the gas nozzle into the tank, is rusted and leaks. If I put no more than $10 or $15 into it and dont park uphill, it wont leak. However, the wife wants it gone. There is an aftermarket part available which is a tank with the filler pipe attached. Problem is its $450cdn and with labour its going to cost close to $800 to fix. Add to that the heater doesnt work, the brakes are shot etc etc etc and its just not worth fixing.

I'm leaning more towards buying a used Honda. That Jetta is just one big question mark.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Its a Toyota Corolla SR5... sort of the sporty model with the hatchback. They are fairly rare in my area. I brought it into the toyota service shop and they did a system wide search and couldnt find what I need. The problem with the car is that the filler neck, the pipe that leads from where you put the gas nozzle into the tank, is rusted and leaks. If I put no more than $10 or $15 into it and dont park uphill, it wont leak. However, the wife wants it gone. There is an aftermarket part available which is a tank with the filler pipe attached. Problem is its $450cdn and with labour its going to cost close to $800 to fix. Add to that the heater doesnt work, the brakes are shot etc etc etc and its just not worth fixing.

I'm leaning more towards buying a used Honda. That Jetta is just one big question mark.

I understand. There's a limit on how much a car can nickle and dime you.

The fuel filler necks are a common problem in my area, and I do stock a couple for the newer Corolla/Camry sedans. Also, I'm not sure if Canada shares the same warehouses as the U.S., so their system might not be scanning our inventory. If you happen to change your mind or just want to fix that one problem before you sell it I may be able to help. We have a website with an online catalog system. Parts are sold at a 30% discount. Guessing the price of that filler tube would be around $110.00 U.S.



Personally, I would stay away from the Jetta. Unless you can take an experienced tech with you to check it out, it sounds like it could be more of a headache than anything.

[MakiSupaStar]

I am currently driving both. I have a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon 2.5, and I have a 2001 Honda Civic. The Civic is the car I own. The Jetta is a lease, and I get a new car ever year. I owned a 2003 Jetta Wagon VR6, and I really loved that car. I owned it for 4 years and there was not a thing wrong with it. It ran like a champ and drove like a monster. One solid piece around turns. I still miss that car. Still, I'm not sure how long it would have lasted but I'm still seeing a few of them on the road.

My civic is mechanically sound, but there are a lot of little things wrong with it. It has a lousy seal on the passenger side door and it leaks in the rain. There is also rust growing on the roof (granted I work at the beach and surf 2-3 times a week even in the winter when I'm not guarding). The drivers side auto door lock is not working either. I have to lock it with a key. But maintenance on this car is cheap. I put oil in it and change the fluids here and there and no problems.

[LCW]

Me and all my friends call jettas a chick car, and i think they are just that. I would never own one. The one worse car is a mazda miata that is a girl car i laugh when i see 60 year old dudes driving them around.