Need a CAR! Which one?

[Spooled-up]

Hey guys. I am being transferred to JFK Airport and we'll most likely be living in Eastern PA. I'll be making the drive into the airport 2-3. 5 hours once a week for my trips and I'm not really liking the idea of driving my $45000 truck into the city to sit in a remote parking lot for 4 days at a time. Not to mention that the fuel mileage could be better in a smaller car.

So, I'm in the market for a car to make the drive and save money on fuel and preserve the truck from the dangers of the city (theft, vandalism, etc... )

I am definately going used, diesel is preferred for the mileage, and I'm thinking of a Volkswagen or Mercedes. I'm going to stay under $7000.

Are Mercedes diesels good cars in the later models like '98 and up? Are they very expensive to repair? Can they be worked on by a shadetree mechanic?

I know the Volkswagen gets incredible mileage, but what about the rest of the car? Are they expensive to repair as well?

Any info about common problems you guys have heard of would be appreciated - transmissions, drivetrain, etc...

I thought about a Jeep Liberty, but now that they are not being made in a diesel version, should I be worried about parts availability?

Any other cars I should consider? Gasoline powered maybe?

 

[jkalchik]

Buy something you're not going to get attached to, so when it gets vandalized or stolen, you won't feel quite so personally violated.

 

[Spooled-up]

I agree. I don't think I'll get too attached to a car. I was even thinking of getting something that has a little body damage. As long as I'm getting 40+ mpg, I could handle that.

 

[AMink]

I'd probably go with a Civic or small Toyota. Body damage is good. No radio or anything else of value. You can park at the Meadowlands and bus into the city. I know in the Poconos (Stroudsburg, Mt. Pocono), they were trying to get a commuter train into the city. You might check and see if that ever happened.

 

[BrianJ]

For the price difference vs a VW TDi I would look at a Toyota Corolla. I bought one for a commuter car when I was driving 70+ miles a day and would get around 37MPG. You can definately find a '99 to early 2000's Corolla for under $7k, closer to 4-$5k for a '99. I sold mine for $5k a few months ago (keep forgetting to take it out of my sig). I didn't put a dime into my Corolla other than routine maintenance. Not sure I would expect the same luck with a TDi. For me is just wasn't worth the extra $3-5k for a TDi.

 

[kenny61]

Unless you already have a place in PA I would check in dutchess or orange county NY. You could take the train in Skip the tolls and parking and have a shorter commute. Check this link for towns near a rr station



MTA Metro-North Railroad



Then you could have your GSP come by and visit mine

 

[Spooled-up]

The reason we're thinking PA is for the lower taxes. Am I off base on that one?

I've heard of the Stroudsburg train rumor, but it hasn't been built yet according to the people I've talked to that live around there.

Are the VW's known for maintenance issues and high maintenance costs or just the higher initial cost of the car?

Diesel (the GSP) will need to meet some new friends, so I'm game!

 

[kenny61]

Taxes are probably cheaper in PA but if you are looking at a 2-3 hour commute I would research dutchess and orange county ny and figure out the costs. The commute might make the difference

 

[bheiting]

Check out Consumer Reports annual car issue (April) Used car problem reports go back
about 10 years. It should be available at your local library.

 

[AHarris]

Do yourself a favor and check out the Subarus from late 90s, early 2000s Very reliable and they have 4 wheel drive which come in handy in bad weather. You can't go wrong with a Toyota T100 or Tacoma from that time either, especially with the 4 banger.

 

[Dieselnut59]

With a little preventative modification, you can greatly improve the reliability and longevity of the diesels you mentioned (Volkswagen, Mercedes, Liberty) by rerouting the blow-by out instead of into the inlet air before the turbo. It makes an awful mess in the turbo, hoses, intercooler, intake manifold, etc. Combine that with EGR and you have a disgusting, power and fuel efficiency robbing mess. I am happy with my Liberty, though it only gets a best of around 30 mpg on the highways. I have been told I can make my Mercedes capable of 40 pretty easily and I know several people with 5 speed TDI Jettas that easily get 50 mpg. Again, route the blowby tube out instead of into the turbo inlet stream and you will help long term efficiency and reliability. I would also stick with diesel, but then again, I am highly biased! LOL

 

[bmoeller]

Can't recall the year, but some of the VW TDI engines had excessive cam wear on the injector lobe, if the VW engine oil wasn't used. Narrow lobe, with a high pressure load.

pump nozzle beware - TDIClub Forums

My dad has a Ford Aspire hatchback with over 300k on it. Just routine maintenance. Still gets ~35-40mpg, with no oil usage.

 

[Spooled-up]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm leaning towards a diesel just because it's a diesel. :-laf

 

[MVenditti]

I live in Staten Island NY, about 30 miles from JFK. For working in the 5 boroughs,gas and parking I bought a Hyundai accent. Good commuter,easy on gas etc. Also cheap to buy new with long warranty, 10 year 100,000 mile drivetrain.

 

[ACoyle]

I live in New Jersey and I work in Manhattan. Justso you know thatI am in the area.

In choosing eastern Pennsylvania for lower taxes, consider the whole picture. Sales tax, income tax and property tax. Even if you are renting you are the ultimate payer fo property tax plus a markup for the landlord. Also consider the total cost of living. Driving farther for things that would be much closer in te areas that Kenny suggested.

The rail des not go to Pennsylvania. It dos go as far as Hackettstown, New Jersey. The area that Kenny talked about is serviced by Metro North and he gave you a link.

In my opinion, locating closer in where more is available for recreation and necessities and commuting on mass transit is sensible. After a long day, it is kind of nice ot sit back and read, listen to music or sleep and not have to drive in traffic. There is also no need to worry about vandalism, breakdowns or maintenance. Mass transit sometimes gets balled up, so does anything.

If you look at total dollars out to live and consider everything, including putting a value on the time that you spend commuting, you could see a differetn picture.

It I can help, please let me know.

Andy

 

[Spooled-up]

Thanks for the advice Andy. Part of the reason we're thinking PA is that it is where the wife is from. She has a desire to live there and we hope to find a larger piece of land (20-30 acres), which it looks like would be more difficult in NJ. Upstate NY would be an option for the land, but that puts her too far from her parents I think. We're considering all options though, and I may have more questions for you guys soon.



I don't transfer to JFK until September and she won't have to start commuting in until October when she gets off of maternity leave.



-Dave