Consider our SUV crushed
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,668
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From: Arlington Heights, IL
Consider our SUV crushed
Okay, it's not crushed, we just traded it in, but that's gotta count for something, right? $70+ fill-ups every 5-7 days were getting really old, and with no hope on the horizon for cheaper gas, we went out to see what we could get for $20k to replace the Liberty. Drove a Civic EX that we didn't like (too spaceship-y, too little power, steering was too twitchy) and looked at a Mazda 3 that was okay, but more $$ than what we ended up with, a VW Jetta SE 6AT. It makes my wife happy because it doesn't feel like a downgrade going from a loaded $30k Jeep to a $20k VW, and it makes me happy because it is really nice to drive (better steering than the S, I think) and gets 25+ mpg.
Here's the happy owner:
Here's the happy owner:
Good for you! I'm sure some of our vociferous anti-SUV members will be chiming in shortly. 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,298
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From: Frederick, MD
Congratulations on your trade in for VW Jetta! I think Jetta is a very solid car. There has to be something said for the German engineering. I think I know what you mean with the Civic suspension. Enjoy your new ride!
but I don't have far to go each week.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Houston/Durango
Props, Chris! I'm good already. I traded for a German turbo diesel last year. I'm just hoping that the price of diesel fuel will now level off. It's cheaper to refine than gasoline, but the oil companies control the percentages, alas.
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From: Smalltown
Originally Posted by Chris Stack,May 27 2008, 02:37 PM
Not THAT bad. We got what we owed, about $10.3k, which was okay by me. Even after adding in a slightly increase in the payments, we'll still be about $100+ ahead a month considering the gas prices. Also, the Jeep was going to need ~$1k worth of work in the coming months (tires and brakes,) and we put $1k down, so the deal was essentially cash-flow neutral. Only difference is the extra few years of payments, but the farther gas goes up, the better our decision becomes 
BTW, there was a couple trying to trade in a Lincoln Aviator at the VW dealer; they owed $26k, and the offer was $14k.
We got out MUCH better than they did!
BTW, there was a couple trying to trade in a Lincoln Aviator at the VW dealer; they owed $26k, and the offer was $14k.
We got out MUCH better than they did!Mine is an 02 with 58K miles. We just did the 60K mileage service. A bit expensive, but since I'll likely hang on to the Jeep, we want it well maintained.
I get by on $25.00/week for gas unless I make a road trip; and it's paid for, so it makes no sense for me to rush to trade in....
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,668
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From: Arlington Heights, IL
Originally Posted by Lainey8484,May 27 2008, 01:43 PM
What year was your Liberty? Mileage?
Mine is an 02 with 58K miles. We just did the 60K mileage service. A bit expensive, but since I'll likely hang on to the Jeep, we want it well maintained.
I get by on $25.00/week for gas unless I make a road trip; and it's paid for, so it makes no sense for me to rush to trade in....
Mine is an 02 with 58K miles. We just did the 60K mileage service. A bit expensive, but since I'll likely hang on to the Jeep, we want it well maintained.
I get by on $25.00/week for gas unless I make a road trip; and it's paid for, so it makes no sense for me to rush to trade in....
And I agree about not making sense to trade yours in. In reality, the Jetta will cost us about $6k (not including maintenance for the Jeep or Jetta) over the Jeep at current gas prices over the next 5 years, but after that that costs go way down. It's just nice to take a trip without thinking about gas the whole flippin' time.
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: On yo puter screen
Originally Posted by Chris Stack,May 27 2008, 02:37 PM
BTW, there was a couple trying to trade in a Lincoln Aviator at the VW dealer; they owed $26k, and the offer was $14k.
Time to come off the high horse Id say!