VW Passat and GTI are both made in Germany, while Jetta is assembled in Mexico with German parts.
Yeah I posted that in a hurry..I shouldn't have painted all German car manufacturers with the same brush. I know that BMW and Audi have questionable reliability when it comes to the -15 to -25 temps we have here most of the winter. I have been told by people in know (people who work for the manufacturer) that they themselves wouldn't drive a BMW if they lived anywhere the vehicle needs to be plugged in. The word is that BMW has recently started cold weather testing but apparently the temp in the new location (Sweden?) doesn't exceed much below -10...kind of like a Toronto winter. I believe that Toyota uses Timmins as their cold weather testing location which is a little more like the climate in Alberta.
Good luck with the BMW in this climate. Any German made cars are not designed for our cold weather. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the BMW Service dept.
My wife, who worked at Edmonton BMW for two years, has a 535 which started malfunctioning the second week we had it. The engine sensors beleived the car was overheating when it wasn't and would shut it down. It was returned and replaced by a Honda. In 4 years...not one hiccup.
I should say I have owned 5 older BMW's, a 2002, a 325, a 535 and a 635 CSI and they were all great but the Germans have over-engineered and underbuilt their newer models.
I love my 07 350z very nice car. I also drive my sister's G35 also a very nice car. My brother's 98 Supra Turbo is what I love. He rides his Honda CBR600RR in the spring/summer so I get to drive his Supra.
Yeah I posted that in a hurry..I shouldn't have painted all German car manufacturers with the same brush. I know that BMW and Audi have questionable reliability when it comes to the -15 to -25 temps we have here most of the winter. I have been told by people in know (people who work for the manufacturer) that they themselves wouldn't drive a BMW if they lived anywhere the vehicle needs to be plugged in. The word is that BMW has recently started cold weather testing but apparently the temp in the new location (Sweden?) doesn't exceed much below -10...kind of like a Toronto winter. I believe that Toyota uses Timmins as their cold weather testing location which is a little more like the climate in Alberta.
That surprises me about BMW's, but I am not doubting what you say. I actually wouldn't buy one ( way overpriced) or drive one (due to drivers reputation).
As for cold weather, when it went down to -46 this year, I had my passat parked outside downtown from 7AM to 4PM. I came out, got in and it started like it was +20. No problems.
Keep in mind that sometimes its also down to sheer luck.
I would take a look at the Toyota Camry Hybrid if I were in your shoes. The price is right in your ballpark and they average (IIRC) just over 6L/100 km combined hwy/city.
I wouldn't even consider anything GM makes but thats just me.
I was looking at the Camry's as my 4th choice but have now narrowed it down to the 3. The prices I have shown include freight & pdi and options. The Altima is fully loaded while the Accord is pretty loaded only main tihng extra would be navigation. The Malibu is pretty loaded and includes a sunroof.
Only reason I am leary aboput Hybrids right now is the issues with the batteries. Mainly because of stuff I ahve heard or jsut not knowing much about them.
For starters:
-How often will tey need to be replaced and at how much?
-I have heard the batteries are worse for the environment when they get disposed of then using a really large amount of gasoline.
-As people stated due to rebates it makes buying hybrids cheaper, but often you do not find savings on the vehicle until you get to around 150,000Km.
I'm just checking out other teams forums and I ran across this thread. I figured I'd respond, because I just made the same decision and I've been working at car dealerships for years.
I don't know much about the Malibu. I didn't consider it and have never worked for a Chevy store. My decision was between the Altima and Accord and I chose the Accord for the simple reason that I liked it better....and that's what I'd reccomend to you. No not the Accord, but to buy the one that YOU like better.
Why? First off, you will be happier in the one that you like better. Second, all the economics are pretty much overriden by how long you keep your car and you will tend to keep your car longer if you like it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard: I got a great deal on my ____ 2 years ago, but now I don't like it because of X, Y, and Z so I'm trading it in. So, don't settle for silver if you want blue. Make sure you get the SL or EXL package if thats what you want, and stop putting off the test drives. They are very important to making your decision.
We just bought a Nissan with the 0.9% financing they've got going on. Only a 08 Versa sedan but you can't complain about paying a grand total of 465 dollars in interest over the 5 years of the financing. Works out to under 8 bucks a month in interest.
I was looking at the Camry's as my 4th choice but have now narrowed it down to the 3. The prices I have shown include freight & pdi and options. The Altima is fully loaded while the Accord is pretty loaded only main tihng extra would be navigation. The Malibu is pretty loaded and includes a sunroof.
Only reason I am leary aboput Hybrids right now is the issues with the batteries. Mainly because of stuff I ahve heard or jsut not knowing much about them.
For starters:
-How often will tey need to be replaced and at how much?
-I have heard the batteries are worse for the environment when they get disposed of then using a really large amount of gasoline.
-As people stated due to rebates it makes buying hybrids cheaper, but often you do not find savings on the vehicle until you get to around 150,000Km.
The issues around the batteries are virtually non-existent.
Hybrids use NiMH batteries which are basically environmetally benign. Here is an excerpt from a hybrid website...
How often do hybrid batteries need replacing? Is replacement expensive and disposal an environmental problem?
The hybrid battery packs are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, probably a whole lot longer. The warranty covers the batteries for between eight and ten years, depending on the carmaker.
Battery toxicity is a concern, although today's hybrids use NiMH batteries, not the environmentally problematic rechargeable nickel cadmium. "Nickel metal hydride batteries are benign. They can be fully recycled," says Ron Cogan, editor of the Green Car Journal. Toyota and Honda say that they will recycle dead batteries and that disposal will pose no toxic hazards. Toyota puts a phone number on each battery, and they pay a $200 "bounty" for each battery to help ensure that it will be properly recycled.
There's no definitive word on replacement costs because they are almost never replaced. According to Toyota, since the Prius first went on sale in 2000, they have not replaced a single battery for wear and tear.
The issues around the batteries are virtually non-existent.
Hybrids use NiMH batteries which are basically environmetally benign. Here is an excerpt from a hybrid website...
Great post. I was going to try and dig that up. Here on the coast, nearly every taxi is now a hybrid and they have reported no issues even with the high mileage they run up.
It's a transitional technology but, with the Eco rebate and other incentives, they have become a viable option. The alberta Government should also be providing some incentives since BC and, I believe Ontario, do.
My wife, who worked at Edmonton BMW for two years, has a 535 which started malfunctioning the second week we had it. The engine sensors beleived the car was overheating when it wasn't and would shut it down. It was returned and replaced by a Honda. In 4 years...not one hiccup.
I should say I have owned 5 older BMW's, a 2002, a 325, a 535 and a 635 CSI and they were all great but the Germans have over-engineered and underbuilt their newer models.
Over-engineered as a description is right on the mark. They could make a great hammer the problem is that it would have 16 parts.
I don't believe this is accurate. I could for instance buy a Saturn Greenline Vue SUV for say 3k more than regular sticker price THEN get the 2k rebate for hybrids/fuel efficient vehicles that is available.(This info was contained in the past auto thread and I don't have the link)
You can't really add the 2k rebate in, since the Saturn Vue SUV with a continuously variable transmission (not hybrid) also qualifies.
That said, 3k is one of the smaller premiums for a hybrid. Saturn is probably trying to drum up sales by offering a small hybrid premium compared to Honda and Toyota.
Once that premium comes down across the board, hybrid would definitely be the economical option.
Great post. I was going to try and dig that up. Here on the coast, nearly every taxi is now a hybrid and they have reported no issues even with the high mileage they run up.
It's a transitional technology but, with the Eco rebate and other incentives, they have become a viable option. The alberta Government should also be providing some incentives since BC and, I believe Ontario, do.
Alberta seems to be a little behind in that regard. Not surprising when you consider what their main export is.
There is a documentary you (and others) might enjoy. Its called "Who Killed the Electric Car?". Well worth watching IMO.
An extra from that DVD details how GM acquried their market share back in the 1940,s and 1950's. They bought up every electric street car in the US and destroyed them. Their market share increased exponentially with most of the mass transit eliminated. Considering that it would cost Billions to replace these electric street cars today it is interesting that the US govt of the day fined GM a total of 1 dollar.
Alberta seems to be a little behind in that regard. Not surprising when you consider what their main export is.
There is a documentary you (and others) might enjoy. Its called "Who Killed the Electric Car?". Well worth watching IMO.
An extra from that DVD details how GM acquried their market share back in the 1940,s and 1950's. They bought up every electric street car in the US and destroyed them. Their market share increased exponentially with most of the mass transit eliminated. Considering that it would cost Billions to replace these electric street cars today it is interesting that the US govt of the day fined GM a total of 1 dollar.
And now, GM, many years too late is going to produce it's own plug in electric, the Volt:
There is a disturbing amount of mis-information in that Canadian Driver article.
The first thing that stands out is the reported range of the EV-1..that information is just plain false.
Here is some info which might interest you...
It's very unfortunate but with most things in North America involving market related issues you rarely get the truth from the mainstream media. You have to get your hands dirty to find out whats really going on.
I would only get an electric car if I knew it ran cheaper in the long run then a gas car.
As it stands right now in Sask all our electricity comes from coal and currently we don't produce enough power and have to buy some out of province to meet the needs.
In most places electricity is only cleaner if you look at how much environmental waste is put out by power production and whether that is somewhat green.
As it stands right now an electric car is essentially a coal powered car in my province, since it requires more power made to run the car. And right now many places couldn't meet the power needs if everyone converted to electrical cars
Good luck with the BMW in this climate. Any German made cars are not designed for our cold weather. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the BMW Service dept.
I was pretty concerned over Christmas. The car was sitting for a week cause I took the truck sledding and it was -30 the whole time. I tried to find the block heater plug but couldn't, they aren't even an option on this car.
Anyways, the car fired right up. It behaves beautifully in the cold. Lots of heat and starts no problem. My wife's 95 M series is the same except it does have a plug in. We use synthetic oil for both and that is very important.
I was pretty concerned over Christmas. The car was sitting for a week cause I took the truck sledding and it was -30 the whole time. I tried to find the block heater plug but couldn't, they aren't even an option on this car.
Anyways, the car fired right up. It behaves beautifully in the cold. Lots of heat and starts no problem. My wife's 95 M series is the same except it does have a plug in. We use synthetic oil for both and that is very important.
Good for you..thats really good to hear. Good tip on the synthetic oil as well. I'll be sure and pass that on to a few people.
I drive a fully loaded 2008 VW GTI and it such an awesome car. Excellent gas mileage (can get 700km a tank if you drive the limit and shift optimally), good power, excellent luxury especially for its price range. No reliability issues and it's a very safe car.
I know a thread liek this was started a few months ago, but I need some advide of other posters here. I am in the market of buying a new 2008 vehicle. My car is probably gonna crap out soon or else I am gonna have to put like $4000-$5000 worth of work into it to make it through the winter.
I have been out to many dealerships over the past couple of weeks just checking out the various vehicles and have finally narrowed my search to 3 vehicles:
-2.5S Nissan Altima Coupe
-2.5 EX-L Honda Accord Coupe
-Chevrolet Malibu 2LT
I have not taken any of these vehicles for a drive yet but love the way all three feel on the inside. Options are pretty similar amonst all three. I absolutely love the Malibu but my only problem with it is its resale value 8-10 years from now. But it is also about $3000 cheaper off the top. I know it will be quite a bit less than the Accord or Altima.
So now I ask my fellow HF posters, what advice can you give me? Thanks.
c'mon .... do you need any more convincing than THIS?
Actually I was in the exact same situation as you but 5 years ago. (except the Malibu was not in the hunt)
It came down to the Altima and Accord. Both models were new, both looked good, but the Accord looked better. The Altima felt too "bulky". The Accord was perfect. I got the EX-L model, fully equipped, leather and all ....
5 years later, I'm still in love with my car and I think I will keep it until it has to go to the junk yard. But if I decide to sell, it would go for around $18,000 right now. (I have 78,000km on it)
I could not have made a better decision! I am extremely happy!
You should test drive all 3 models and make a decision based on your likes and dislikes, resale value, and price.
last fall, i picked up a 2004 5 series BMW in perfect condition for $30,000 in the US. That price included air fare for my wife and I , a weekend in Seatle, all duties and import fees.
A year later , the car is worth $35,000 or more here in Calgary and I have done no repairs. I will probably do the same next year for my wife's vehicle (Jaguar).
Ah, a BMW and a Jaguar..
You probably wouldn't understand that some people need to finance vehicles, and this isn't an option.
c'mon .... do you need any more convincing than THIS?
Actually I was in the exact same situation as you but 5 years ago. (except the Malibu was not in the hunt)
It came down to the Altima and Accord. Both models were new, both looked good, but the Accord looked better. The Altima felt too "bulky". The Accord was perfect. I got the EX-L model, fully equipped, leather and all ....
5 years later, I'm still in love with my car and I think I will keep it until it has to go to the junk yard. But if I decide to sell, it would go for around $18,000 right now. (I have 78,000km on it)
I could not have made a better decision! I am extremely happy!
You should test drive all 3 models and make a decision based on your likes and dislikes, resale value, and price.
Good luck.
The other thing you need to consider is that the Honda Accord is consistantly near the top of the list in terms of vehicles stolen, and that may end up affecting your insurance rates.
Test drive them, but contact your insurance company and get quotes on the 3 cars as well.
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TheSpecialist - MacT thinks he was that good of a hockey player when in actuality he was no better then a Louie Debrusk.
The other thing you need to consider is that the Honda Accord is consistantly near the top of the list in terms of vehicles stolen, and that may end up affecting your insurance rates.
Test drive them, but contact your insurance company and get quotes on the 3 cars as well.
You probably wouldn't understand that some people need to finance vehicles, and this isn't an option.
when you consider the cost of ownership (depreciation, repairs ), it is probably cheaper for me to drive a 3 year old 5 series BMW than it is to buy a new Dodge Caravan. We have put almost 200,000 miles on the 1995 BMW and have done no significant repairs.
Of course, this won't apply to the money pit that will be the Jaguar. My plan is to get my own private parking stall at the repair shop, something with easy tow truck access.
